Blues to host Aupiki final after Chiefs lose
The Blues will host the Super Rugby Aupiki final after they beat the Hurricanes Poua and then Chiefs Manawa were tipped over by Matatū.
The Blues did what was required in claiming a bonus-point win over the Hurricanes Poua in Levin on Saturday, ensuring the Chiefs had to also claim a bonus-point victory against Matatū in Christchurch.
The Chiefs could not even get the win, let alone a bonus point victory, with the Matatū scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to snare a thrilling 22-20 win before a good crowd at Nga Puna Wai sports hub.
The Blues won 41-29 and looked shaky at times, although the result was never in doubt against a Poua side which will finish the season in last with only one victory from six matches.
Black Ferns loose forward Layla Sae was terrific in driving the Poua forward and had the Blues scrambling with her powerful carries, but the Hurricanes were always chasing the game.
Given the Blues hammered the Poua 52-5 in round three, there was an ominous feeling when the visitors scored three tries in the first eight minutes through Aldora Itunu, Ruahei Demant and Katelyn Vahaakolo.
The hosts fought back to only trail by two after Monica Tagoai and Iritana Hohaia touched down, but they gifted the Blues a fourth try on the stroke of half-time from an overthrown lineout that reserve hooker Grace Gago accepted with glee.
The Blues looked comfortable, when Vahaakolo and Chryss Viliko scored after the break, until back-to-back yellow cards for Eloise Blackwell and Gago made them sweat in the final quarter.
They still hung on to win by seven tries to four, clinching the bonus point, and putting the pressure on the Chiefs.
It was always tight in Christchurch. The Chiefs went ahead 20-12 - and by one try - early in the second half and the bonus point victory was on.
But late tries to Amy du Plessis and Liv McGoverne ensured the southerners finished their season on a high, securing their second win to finish third.
Not the overall result the defending champions would have been hoping for, or expecting, but they’ll take some comfort from knocking over the Chiefs, who will now have to head to Auckland to try and topple the form team of the competition.