Late flurry secures Blues first win
The Blues snatched a stunning victory in the capital with three late tries earning them their first success of Super Rugby Aupiki against the Hurricanes Poua yesterday.
Krysten Cottrell converted her own try to regain the lead with three minutes left and Patricia Maliepo’s second on full-time was the icing on the cake of their 31-22 win.
The Blues dominated much of the first half without capitalising on the pressure they applied on the home side and were chasing the game after the Hurricanes appeared to take control.
It didn’t seem like the Auckland side’s day. Jaymie Kolose’s desperate chase to touch down a long kick which went to the TMO, when the Blues winger appeared to beat the Poua’s Isabella Waterman to ground a loose ball, went against them after referee Nick Hogan ruled no try.
Maliepo then reduced the deficit to five points with seven minutes left with her first try, before the Blues wasted a glorious chance when Kolose broke away but failed to pass to captain Ruahei Demant in space.
It didn’t matter. They scored twice in the final four minutes to leapfrog the Hurricanes into third in the third (and final) round ahead of next weekend’s semifinals.
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali was excellent for the Poua at second five-eighth, passing smartly to team-mates in space.
The Blues were more frenetic and despite their increasing dominance with their set piece, they were heading to defeat until their remarkable late flurry.
The Hurricanes often looked more likely to strike and AutumnRain Stephens-Daly’s double from her right wing had them on course for a second win.
Imposing lock Joanah NganWoo grabbed a crucial try for the Hurricanes after the break and
Stephens-Daly’s second, after Ruahei Demant’s score for the Blues, gave the hosts a handy lead which Carys Dallinger extended to 10 points with 16 minutes left.
However, the Poua crumbled in the closing stages.
Ayesha Leti-I’iga’s comical yellow card – she instinctively caught the ball in an offside position while running back into the defensive line – created space for Katelyn Vahaakolo to score.
The visitors were making metres but couldn’t convert further chances into points before half-time. When the Poua had possession, Subritzky-Nafatali had another commanding performance. But they didn’t have enough ball to punish the Blues.
The big moment
Cottrell’s try in the 76th minute regained the lead for the Blues.
MVP
Subritzky-Nafatali was great for the Hurricanes.
Match rating: 6/10
It was scrappy yet tense. The Hurricanes were in the ascendancy for long spells of the second half, but the Blues kept fighting back and stole victory.
The big picture
The Chiefs’ third win ensured they finished top after three rounds, while Matatu¯ came second. Both are in next Sunday’s semifinals in Albany. The Chiefs will play the Hurricanes and Matatu¯ face the Blues.