“I’m really proud of this result and we’ve got another week to build.”
There was little to separate the two sides in the first half in Christchurch. Errors were punished and pressure paid dividends, but the goal kicking of Blues fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee put her side ahead 21-19 at the break.
That trend continued on the scoreboard through the second half, with neither team able to string multiple tries together before the other hit back, except for the Blues scoring the last of the first half and first of the second half.
Matatū had plenty of opportunities in good field position through the second half, but the Blues were able to defend their lines and force errors – the highlight play for the visitors being a desperation tackle from winger Jaymie Kolose to force Matatū captain Grace Brooker to drop the ball over the try line. The Blues launched a counter-attack from their own line, and fellow outside back Katelyn Vahaakolo turned what was nearly a Matatū try into one for the Blues.
That felt like a match-defining play at the time and the Blues were able to go on with the job from there.
Both sides have now beaten the other once this season and next weekend’s grand final will be a rematch of last year’s, which the Blues won in Auckland.
Earlier in the day, Hurricanes Poua temporarily moved into second on the ladder with their fourth win in a row, beating Chiefs Manawa, who finished the season winless.
While they had a big turnaround this year, winning more games than they did in their first four seasons combined, the Poua finished shy of their first trip to the grand final.
Matatū 29 (Kaipo Olsen-Baker 2, Maia Davis, Charntay Poko, Binky Muamua tries; Davis 2 cons)
Blues Women 38 (Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Ruahei Demant, Jaymie Kolose, Taufa Bason, Katelyn Vahaakolo tries; Sorensen-McGee 4 cons)
HT: 19-21.
Hurricanes Poua 47 (Ayesha Leti-I’iga 2, Wikitoria Viljoen 2, Neve Anglesey, Hinemaringi Scott, Iritana Hohaia tries; Renee Holmes 6 cons)
Chiefs Manawa 33 (Olivia Holten, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Leomie Kloppers, Jade Coates, Holli O’Sullivan tries; Ariana Bayler 4 cons)
HT: 42-19.
Matatū: 1. Marcelle Parkes, 2. Nat Delamere, 3. Pip Love, 4. Laura Bayfield, 5. Emma Dermody, 6. Lucy Jenkins, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Charntay Poko, 11. Alena Saili, 12. Grace Brooker (c), 13. Amy du Plessis, 14. Winnie Palamo, 15. Maia Davis.
Bench: 16. Georgia Ponsonby, 17. Maddi Robinson, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Paris Lokotui, 20. Sarah Jones, 21. Holly Greenway, 22. Kelsyn McCook, 23. Binky Muamua.
Blues Women: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Atlanta Lolohea, 3. Aldora Itunu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c), 5. Maama Vaipulu, 6. Amarante Sititi, 7. Dajian Brown, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 9. Tara Turner, 10. Ruahei Demant, 11. Jaymie Kolose, 12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata, 13. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 14. Mererangi Paul, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Bench: 16. Grace Gago, 17. Nijiho Nagata, 18. Harono Te Iringa, 19. Eloise Blackwell, 20. Taufa Bason, 21. Ffion Penney, 22. Katelyn Vahaakolo, 23. Hazel Tubic.