Blues survive late scare for thrilling win
The Blues left the deep south with a wild win against reigning champions Matatū to begin their Super Rugby Aupiki season with a dramatic success on Saturday.
Evasive Blues winger Jaymie Kolose’s second-half double turned the tables their way to prevail 24-17 in Invercargill after an error-riddled opening 40 and handed Whitney Hansen a defeat in her first match as Matatū coach.
There was a promising comeback from two-test Black Fern Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who was on debut at No 8 for Matatū after struggling with knee injuries.
She anchored their scrum well in a see-sawing battle with the Blues’ pack, which improved in the second half with the introduction of the code-hopping Tafito Lafaele via the bench.
Lafaele’s late try sealed the victory for the Aucklanders, who had to repel a late onslaught from Matatū.
Replacement prop Moomooga Palu crashed over the line under the posts with the final play, with a converted try separating the teams, but she was held up by the Blues’ scrambling defence in the 84th minute.
The confidence this victory should give Willie Walker’s side can’t be understated. They have struggled in the competition’s opening two years but fought back superbly against last year’s champions.
Blues and Black Ferns winger Katelyn Vahaakolo proved again that she remains one of the country’s most willing and powerful carriers. Her counterparts, Matatū’s Martha Mataele and Winnie Palamo, were also effective with the ball in hand and weren’t utilised often enough.
The latter made up for Mataele squandering a certain try after the break, after desperate, shrewd defence from Niall Williams-Guthrie on debut for the Blues, when touching down from Amy du Plessis’ decisive pass.
The Blues instantly hit back, finding their rhythm for the first time with Black Ferns playmakers Ruahei Demant and Patricia Maliepo, and Kolose put the visitors on the board.
It was game on when Blues No 10 Krysten Cottrell converted her own try to nudge them ahead on the hour and Kolose’s second score was crucial, cancelling out Grace Brooker’s effort for Matatū.
Neither team will reflect fondly on the opening half. Matatū prop Amy Rule’s knock-on from kick-off was only the start.
Passes were wayward, penalties didn’t find touch, kicks in play went out on the full, scrums went down for resets and the ball was on the deck too often.
It felt like a pre-season encounter between two rusty sides. The game needed a magic moment. Black Ferns centre Sylvia Brunt provided it for the Blues with a lung-busting break from her own 22.
The pressure forced Mataele to commit a cynical play when she was blatantly offside. She was swiftly shown a yellow card.
Still, it was the home side who, finally, broke the deadlock in the 41st minute through prop Pip Love after a strong finish to a difficult half.