First loss of the season for Chiefs Manawa as Blues close the gap

The 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki final will be contested between the Chiefs Manawa and the Blues on April 13.

Auckland and Hamilton remain contenders to host the decider after the Blues beat the Chiefs Manawa for the first time to close the gap to a solitary point in the standings.

Matatū earned its first victory of the season on Friday night, defeating Hurricanes Poua 37-17 in Christchurch.

With an ideal mix of brawn and beauty, the Blues stunned the Chiefs Manawa 40-26 at FMG Stadium Waikato to accomplish its first victory against the 2022 champions.

The Chiefs lineout was a muddle as the Blues contested almost everything. After a stoic start, the Chiefs Manawa scrum, too, was dispatched into retreat.

The Blues set the tone early with forceful carries and direct attack.

After 12 minutes the Chiefs Manawa defence wilted as Itunu steamrolled through.

The Chiefs Manawa responded with a concerted passage of phases. A scrum followed and a glorious skip pass by first five-eighth Kiriana Nolan went to a Ruby Tui on the wing.

From the 27th minute to the 32nd minute the score mushroomed to 28-7 in favour of the visitors. Gago rode the wave of a lineout drive to score.

At the restart, Liana Mikaele Tu’u and Vaipulu stampeded from the Blues 22 to the Chiefs Manawa red zone. An overlap emerged and the ball was headed to the right wing of Katelyn Vaha’akolo until the palms of Chiefs Manawa fullback Renee Holmes spoiled a certain try.

Upon review, a penalty try was awarded and Holmes was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. The Chiefs Manawa were sent into a tailspin.

Midfielder Grace Steinmetz threw a pass that was intercepted by Blues centre Sylvia Brunt. Brunt sprinted 40m to dot the ball down.

The Chiefs Manawa regained some equilibrium before the break.

Blues penalties gifted the Chiefs Manawa a lineout 5m shy of the visitors’ line, resulting in an obligatory try for the prolific Luka Connor.

In the 48th minute, Tui split the Blues open. Brunt rushed across and flattened the charismatic Black Fern.

Tui’s game was over while Brunt had a 10-minute break for shoulderon-head contact.

The Chiefs Manawa were unable to exploit the numerical advantage.

In the 55th minute, Vaha’akolo cut down the short side to buy the Blues some breathing room.

A thumping kick by Patricia

Maliepo had the ball sit idly 5m short of the Chiefs Manawa line.

Mererangi Paul went roaming, but couldn’t escape the grasp of the defending Jaymie Kolose. Paul threw an unsighted reverse pass to opposition lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos and the Blues led 33-14.

■ Blues 40 (Tries: Aldora Itunu, Grace Gago, penalty try, Sylvia Brunt, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale. Conversions: Krysten Cottrell 4)

Chiefs Manawa 26 (Tries: Ruby Tui, Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Chelsea Semple. Conversions Renee Holmes 2, Ariana Bayler)

HT: 28-14