CountiesManukau make statement

Add Counties Manukau to the list of Farah Palmer Cup title contenders.

The Heat produced an early season statement, overpowering Auckland 36-22 in yesterday’s game of the round at Eden Park.

Three-time defending champions Canterbury are the team everyone is trying to beat but Counties Manukau showed they’ll also be tough to stop.

In a battle of two previously unbeaten teams, Counties Manukau handed Auckland their first loss of the season, outscoring them six tries to four.

Black Ferns Sevens star Ruby Tui was impressive again in her return to rugby union, with the right wing dotting down for two of CountiesManukau’s tries.

Canterbury showed their class

on Saturday, thrashing Otago 85-10 in Christchurch. Canterbury easily retained the JJ Stewart Trophy, the women’s equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield, which they’ve held since 2017.

Canterbury outscored Otago 13 tries to two, ensuring they have maximum points (10) in the can after two matches.

Canterbury made a flying start, scoring three tries inside the first 10 minutes. The game was over at halftime with Canterbury holding a whopping 47-5 advantage.

Wellington also produced a big win, hammering Hawke’s Bay 67-17 in Lower Hutt. The hosts scored six unanswered tries in the second half as wings Ayesha Letil’iga and Dhys Faleafaga notched four tries apiece.

In Inglewood, a try in time added-on gave the hosts Taranaki Whio a dramatic 32-29 win over North Harbour Hibiscus.

Waikato won their third straight game, beating Bay of Plenty 21-10 in Rotorua.

Manawatu¯ won their first game of the season yesterday, thumping Tasman 88-0 in Palmerston North, scoring 14 tries in the process. It was Tasman’s second successive heavy defeat.