{"id":838331,"date":"2026-08-01T19:01:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T19:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/838331\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T19:01:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T19:01:41","slug":"no-trans-tasman-glory-but-tahs-proud-of-scaring-blues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/838331\/","title":{"rendered":"No trans-Tasman glory, but Tahs proud of scaring Blues"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Auckland Blues won the battle of the Super Rugby Champions with victory over the NSW Waratahs. (Mark Kolbe\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

The NSW Waratahs have fallen agonisingly short of pulling off a stunning upset, with the Auckland-based Blues prevailing in the clash of the women’s Super Rugby Champions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a thrilling contest for trans-Tasman glory where momentum swung wildly throughout, the Blues emerged with a 24-17 victory at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Despite impressive performances against the Western Force (33-22) and the Fijian Drua (34-17) to clinch a three-peat and their seventh Super Rugby Women’s title, the Waratahs entered the clash against New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki winners as the clear underdogs.<\/p>\n

\"Auckland
\n Auckland captain Maia Roos was among the scorers and got her hands on the trophy. (Mark Kolbe\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

The Blues had prevailed handsomely in this crossover clash’s first iteration in 2025, thumping the Waratahs 36-5 in cyclonic conditions in Auckland.<\/p>\n

“We certainly challenged the Blues tonight,” NSW coach Michael Ruthven told reporters after Saturday’s match.<\/p>\n

“We made life really difficult for them at times, and that’s a reflection of what this team’s capable of.<\/p>\n

“We dominated – certainly dominated territory and field position … probably just ball security and fundamental errors cost us.”<\/p>\n

Itt was the home side who drew first blood on Saturday when a looping cut-out pass from Caitlyn Halse in the seventh minute found Wallaroos try machine Maya Stewart who, with a cheeky side-step, posted the opening five points.<\/p>\n

\"ff\"
\n Maya Stewart runs in her opening try for the Waratahs. (Mark Kolbe\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

The Waratahs held sway over the contest during multiple spells but were unable to consistently convert dominant positions into points.\u00a0<\/p>\n

NSW captain Emily Chancellor said being within sight of victory so often left her with a cocktail of emotions after the defeat.<\/p>\n

“I think it’s pride, I think there’s obviously a devastation in losing particularly when we know we had those opportunities,” she said.<\/p>\n

“(We) put on a performance that shows that trans-Tasman is a genuine option, this isn’t a walkover game for them.<\/p>\n

“We have no idea how they came over thinking it was going to go, but I’m so proud to be able to say that that was a genuinely entertaining game of rugby.”<\/p>\n

\"Waratahs
\n Waratahs celebrate a try scored by playmaker Waiaria Ellis. (Mark Kolbe\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

The Blues flexed their attacking style when Braxton Sorensen-McGee cleaved through the Waratahs’ left flank with a chip and chase before deftly handing off to winger Katelyn Vaha’akolo to put the visitors seven in front.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Heroic NSW defending, including crucial turnovers conjured by stand-out fly half Waiaria Ellis, would ultimately fall flat as the relentless Blues gained a 14-point lead the hosts were only able to whittle down to seven.<\/p>\n

Multiple chances deep in the Blues’ half, including a clever intercept from vice-captain Kaitlan Leaney, kept the home crowd’s hearts in their mouths, but the Kiwis held their nerve as the clock wound down to claim the silverware.<\/p>\n

\"Blues
\n Chryss Viliko was among the try scorers for the Blues. (Mark Kolbe\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

“We were under the pump in that last nine or ten minutes,” Blues coach Willie Walker admitted.<\/p>\n

Auckland captain Maia Roos said achieving the triumph became a matter of gritting teeth and holding on.<\/p>\n

“We have such talented leaders within our group and so I didn’t have to say much,” Roos said.<\/p>\n

“We had girls talking about the heart that we needed to show.<\/p>\n

“Being brave … making decisions moment to moment.<\/p>\n

“We train under pressure.”<\/p>\n

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