Auckland Storm stand in Heat’s way

The Counties Manukau Heat are poised to win their first women’s national provincial championship.

Standing between them and the prized Farah Palmer Cup are the defending champions, the Auckland Storm the most dominant force in women’s rugby and a team chasing their ninth consecutive title.

The two face off at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe on Sunday at 2.30pm after making light work of their respective semi finals.

The Heat ran up a record breaking 60-7 win against the Wellington Pride in Pukekohe last Saturday as Auckland buried Canterbury’s ambitions with a 33-3 win at Colin Maiden Park, Glen Innes.

Assistant coach Josh Levi says the Heat are excited by the prospect of winning their first championship and is confident they won’t suffer from first final jitters.

‘‘They’re a more confident group for having done pre-season training with the Steelers strength and condition coaches and received coaching from Steelers coach Darryl Suasua and player development manager Nick Leger.

‘‘That has really been the difference this year. The players now feel part of the bigger Steelers’ picture and it done wonders for their game and their confidence.’’

And in the Mitre 10 Cup, the Steelers face the Tasman Makos in Blenheim tomorrow night where they will be looking for their third win on the trot.

Their 35-26 win over Waikato last Friday has them sitting third in the premiership stakes with Tasman, Otago and Canterbury to play.

SCOREBOARD Farah Palmer Cup finals: semi

Counties Manukau Heat 60 (Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Aotearoa Matau, Sharnita Woodman 2, Portia Woodman 4, Renee Wickliffe, Hazel Tubic, tries. Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali con. Hazel Tubic 4 con) Wellington 7 H/t: 36-0; Auckland 33 Canterbury 3 H/t: 10-3. Counties Manukau Heat v Auckland Storm, ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe. October 2. 2.30pm

Final: Date: Start:

Mitre 10 Cup: Counties Manukau 35 (Kalolo Tuiloma 3, Gafatasi Su’a, Sione Fifita, tries. Piers Francis 2 con, 2 pen) Waikato 26 H/t: 22-5.

Counties Manukau v Tasman, Landsdowne Park, Blenheim. September 29. 7.35pm.

Draw: Date: Start: