‘What a spectacle for women’s rugby’
Emotions were running high in the tunnel and on the field in the aftermath of another ridiculously dramatic knockout match of women’s rugby.
Yesterday’s Super Rugby Aupiki final, a 33-31 upset by Matatu¯ over the Chiefs Manawa, finished in scarcely believable circumstances as the five-week season ended in an enthralling final quarter in front of 4000 fans at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato.
They were eerily similar to the manner in which the Black Ferns won last year’s Rugby World Cup after beating France and England in frenetic finales in the semifinal and the final respectively.
Matatu¯ ’s players celebrated wildly as soon as they knew the title was heading to the South Island for the first time in Aupiki’s second edition.
They led 33-26 with two minutes left and were deservedly heading to victory, but star hooker Luka Connor’s try – unconverted from wide to the left by Tenika Willison – reduced the Chiefs’ deficit to two points. There was one more play to steal the trophy.
The Chiefs were unbeaten through two seasons heading into the decider and Willison had a penalty goal about 20 metres out, to the right, to win the final after the Manawa marched upfield and referee Nick Hogan made the huge call to award a penalty.
But the fullback, who has been excellent for the Chiefs since her switch from sevens, pushed her attempt to the right.
Victorious Matatu¯ captain Alana Bremner wasn’t watching.
‘‘That was uncontrollable. Some of us weren’t looking, but I looked around and saw all the girls who had travelled up with us,’’ Bremner said.
‘‘Our whole team, everyone was running on, jumping and celebrating, and that’s what it’s all about.
‘‘There were lots of emotions within the group.’’
Matatu¯ coach Blair Baxter admitted he was frustrated with the award of the penalty and seemed lost for words when reflecting on the final moments, but he praised his players for their best performance of the season when it mattered most.
‘‘I had full faith in our group. We’ve built towards that across the campaign,’’ he said.
‘‘I fully believed that our girls would hang tough because that’s what they are.
‘‘That’s the type of characters we’ve got at Matatu¯ .’’
They were worthy winners after a brilliant, resilient effort to upset the favoured Chiefs, who had not lost in seven matches across two campaigns before the final and led 19-0 in the first quarter.
Matatu¯ ’s forwards matched the Chiefs pack, which had dominated the competition, and loose forward Lucy Jenkins and
Canadian lock Cindy Nelles were amongst their standouts.
The southern side are the new champions after winning once in the first three rounds before needing a late try to beat the Blues 23-19 in last Sunday’s semifinals.
As for the Chiefs, who had looked unstoppable up to the final but paid the price for their mistakes throughout the 80 minutes, coach Crystal Kaua was proud of what they had achieved despite the cruel finish.
Kaua was joined by captain
Kennedy Simon moments after Matatu¯ lifted the trophy on the Chiefs’ home turf and the pair were visibly emotional.
‘‘What a spectacle for women’s rugby,’’ Kaua said.
‘‘We didn’t play our best rugby today, but that’s finals footy.
‘‘We have a tight group and at the end of the game, you saw how our girls ran in to hug and connect and be there for each other.
‘‘There’s no better moment that determines the character of a team.’’
The Chiefs were gutted, but
they were upbeat and smiling in saluting the home crowd after a captivating finale that was another excellent occasion for the game.
The big moment
Unfortunately for Willison, who has been a star for the Chiefs at fullback since switching from sevens, her missed kicks in the final minutes ensured Matatu¯ held on.
MVP
The tireless work of lock Nelles
epitomised Matatu¯ ’s determination to upset the favourites.
Match rating: 9/10
Remember how good last November’s World Cup final was between the Black Ferns and England? This was another brilliant game of women’s rugby.
The big picture
The Chiefs were winners in last year’s inaugural competition, but Matatu¯ are the new champions.
Many of the players will return to club rugby after this weekend and the Black Ferns don’t have a test until playing Australia in Brisbane on June 29.