“We’ve been building. We’ve known we have the potential and we have it there, just playing a full 80. Today we actually brought, maybe not a full 80, but we’re improving each week and that’s all that matters,” Poua co-captain Te Rauoriwa Gapper told Sky Sport.
For Chiefs Manawa, the loss came with the additional blow of losing talismanic leader Kennedy Tukuafu to injury late in the first half.
The Black Ferns veteran and Manawa captain had again made a strong start to the contest, helping her side to an early lead with the first try of the contest.
However, a croc roll clean out by Poua loosehead prop Ngano Tavake as Tukuafu attempted to get over the ball at the breakdown left the Mawana loose forward needing to be helped from the field due to a leg injury.
Tavake was subsequently red carded for the clean out in the 33rd minute, which saw the Poua forced to defend for 20 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.
At that point, the Manawa led 14-3 and it seemed like they would have chances to build on that lead.
Instead, it was the Poua who put points on the board with two quick tries before halftime through centre Hinemaringi Scott and replacement loosehead Angel Mulu – on the field as the Poua needed a second prop out there – saw the Wellington side take the lead into the break.
They then extended that early in the second half – still a player down – when hooker Tegan Willocks crossed, before a Renee Holmes penalty saw the Poua take a 10-point lead.
“I’m not sure what’s going on there. It seems to be a trend with us, as soon as we get a player down we seem to play better,” Gapper said.
“The other week we were down to 13 and we didn’t get any points scored on us. I think it’s just the work rate, the belief in each other, when we play simple and look what’s happening in front of us we’re way better.”
While the Manawa fought back through the final 30 minutes – including two tries in the final 10 minutes – the Poua held on for a win to savour.
Speaking to Sky Sport, Manawa stand-in captain Mia Anderson said too many mistakes were costly for her side and they missed Tukuafu’s leadership in the second half.
“100% our errors, our discipline, that’s pretty much it. We spoke about it heaps but we just didn’t nail it.”
Hurricanes Poua 34 (Hinemaringi Scott, Angel Mulu, Tegan Willocks, Renee Holmes tries; Holmes 4 cons, 2 pens)
Chiefs Manawa 29 (Kennedy Tukuafu, Holli O’Sullivan, Manaia Nuku, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Chyna Hohepa tries; Ariana Bayler con, Madison Flutey con)
HT: 17-14