The Blues have won their third Super Aupiki title in a row with a 28-21 victory over Matatū in a thrilling final at Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch.
It was a dramatic finale with Katelyn Vahaakolo breaking a 21-all score with a try in the 83rd minute as added time played out. Ruahei Demant converted.
The scores had been locked at 14-all for 26 minutes in the second half, before hooker Atlanta Lolohea scored her second try and Demant converted to turn up the pressure on Matatū.
But Matatū came back strongly and received an advantage when the Blues lost Maama Vaipulu to a yellow card for head-on-head contact on Georgia Ponsonby who promptly replied by crashing over for a try. Maia Joseph converted from wide out to lock up the scores again.
However, with extra time threatening, the Blues had the last laugh through the determined Vahaakolo.
After beating the southerners in the last premiership game of the season last weekend, their ability to finish the stronger proved decisive once again.
Matatū had led 14-7 at halftime.
There were some crucial developments in the first half, with star Blues fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee failing a head injury assessment after leaving the field in the 24th minute, while Matatū had to cope with halfback lynchpin Maia Joseph being yellow-carded for shoulder-to-head contact on Mererangi Paul in the 38th minute.
The Blues took advantage of her absence with Vahaakolo scoring soon after halftime after a break by Sylvia Brunt and a super pass to the winger, who crossed in the corner, with Ruahei Demant converting to level the scores. Officials ruled that Joseph’s offence didn’t warrant a red card so she returned soon after the Blues try.
The scores stayed locked at 14-all until the 70th minute when Lolohea charged over and it was all-on from there.
‘Our connection got us through’
Blues skipper Maiakawanakaulani Roos said the players were not initially sure after the final try that they had won.
“It took a minute to process,” she told Sky Sport.
“We played for each other… and our connection got us through.”
The final try had come from a quick tap with a long floating pass from Demant grabbed by Vahaakolo who charged through a couple of tackles to score.
Vahaakolo screamed with delight when told it was the first time an Aupiki team had won three finals in a row.
“We have a quote that says ‘just us for us’ and I feel we reflected that tonight.”
Matatū skipper Grace Brooker said she was incredibly proud of her team, who had given their all. She said the Blues team knew how to make the most of opportunities and despite “phenomenal defence” from Matatū for most of the game, they let the Blues in for the final try.
She said playing at the new stadium was a big plus. “It makes us feel seen as athletes, it makes us feel that the blood, sweat and tears that we put out there is worth it,” she told the after-match ceremony.
The Blues will cross the Tasman to play the Waratahs in the Trans-Tasman final next weekend.
See how the game unfolded below: