Chiefs Manawa stick to formula
There’s no need to change a winning formula as the Chiefs Manawa gun for a second straight Super Rugby Aupiki title on their home ground today.
The Chiefs host Matatu¯ in Hamilton this afternoon in the Aupiki grand final, having followed their 3-0 season in 2022 with a 4-0 record in 2023 to be favourites to complete another perfect campaign.
As a result of their winning run, head coach Crystal Kaua told the Weekend Herald her team won’t change for the final.
“Our starting line-up will remain the same. They’ve done a job for us every week and the players we have coming off the bench have big impact and we look forward to seeing them come on and do the damage as well,” Kaua said yesterday.
“We need to focus on ourselves and how we deliver in the key areas for us and read what’s happening in front of us.”
Manawa captain Kennedy Simon said it would be “incredible” to etch their name on the trophy for a second year straight and be the only team name on the silverware.
“We understand what’s going on and we’re just trying to put a good product out there,” said Simon. “We want to inspire the next generation and that’s always the goal.”
But it won’t come easy for the top qualifiers, as they gear up to face the South Island’s Matatu¯, who went from not winning a match in 2022 to hustling for a spot in this year’s finals.
“We know they’re passionate, we know they’re going to send everything they have at us,” Simon said. “What we’re looking at is making sure we’ve got each other’s back, execute our skill set and play calm, fast, rugby.”
The teams met two weeks ago, with the Chiefs winning 46-38, and Kaua expects another close game.
“Every time we’ve played them, it has been a bit of an arm-wrestle, so we’re definitely expecting that this time.
“We know that kicking the ball to Renee Holmes [Matatu¯’s fullback] isn’t going to be a good thing for us.
“A lot of their tries have come from counter-attacks, so we know that their back three are a threat. But so are ours, so we look forward to that back-three battle.”
The Chiefs haven’t only been working on the field this week to prepare for the occasion.
“We’ve focused on service and acts of kindness,” said Simon. “All of the girls have gone out into their communities and done something special for someone.”