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Counties Manukau win JJ Stewart Trophy


Before the Ranfurly Shield changed hands, the same happened with the JJ Stewart Memorial Trophy.


Counties Manukau captured women's rugby's challenge trophy for the first time since 2017, beating Auckland 35-20 at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon in Round 5 of the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership.


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Centre Yurina Shinno and wing Sariyah Paitai each had two of the Heat's six tries as they started a season with five straight victories for the first time, securing a home semifinal in the process.


The Heat were cold early conceding a calamitous try when an ambitious Hazel Tubic cross-kick eluded an injured Kataraina Enosa-Taifau and instead fell to Auckland wing Angelica Mekemeke Vahai.


A blistering break by Counties fullback Jaymie Kolose, where she fended off three players and burst 60 metres should have been a try but for a miracle intervention by halfback France Bloomfield. From the scrum, Braxton Sorenson-McGee slipped over and her defensive clearance dribbled straight to Shinno, who could not believe her luck.


Enosa-Taifau returned to the field and was in demolishing form, setting up a second for Shinno and the first of two tries for eye-catching Paitai.


The first half was clumsy and breathtaking at the same time. In the 24th minute, an apparently wasteful kick by Gillian Fa'aumu was collected by Eloise Blackwell, who supplied Sorenson-McGee who fired a right-arm chest pass to Mekemeke Vahai.


Counties Manukau Heat JJ Stewart Memorial Trophy
The Counties Manukau Heat got their hands on the JJ Stewart Memorial Trophy for the first time since 2017. PHOTO: NPC

Sheets of rain tumbled down at Eden Park in the second half, making handling more challenging.


Auckland enjoyed the vast majority of possession as Counties struggled with discipline and lost a player to the sinbin. Bloomfield was lively and prop Cheyenne Tuli-Fale and blindside flanker Elizabeth Moimoi were productive.


However, Counties determination was palpable. A muscular Vineta Teutau try in the 70th minute was Counties' first trip inside the 22 in the second half.


Combined the Heat reserves made a staggering 64 tackles. Former Black Ferns captain Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu was influential with some astute tactical kicking and a try from a combined Kolose and Mele Latu'ila break.


Marino-Tauhinu and Hazel Tubic played for Counties when they beat Auckland 36-12 in 2017 to last claim the JJ Stewart Trophy. Marino-Tauhinu scored a try in that game too, and Tubic scored 16 points. 



Northland were confirmed to drop back to the FPC Championship in 2025 after a fifth straight defeat, being shut-out in a 24-0 loss to Canterbury in Kaitaia.


Canterbury secured a crucial four-try bonus point in their quest to remain in Premiership semifinal contention, currently sitting fifth but tied with Auckland.


The scoreline flattered Canterbury, with Northland fiercely brave in the second half but lacking the ideas and accuracy to breach the visitors' watertight defence.


Canterbury resisted wave after wave of attack with some huge tackle numbers being posted. Hooker Nicole Purdom topped the count with 25 and loosehead prop Jaidyn Busch made an unusually-high 15.


Canterbury loose forwards Laura Bayfield (17) and Neve Anglesey (14) were effective and even Abigail Paton was forced to make a dozen tackles as Northland’s bigger forwards targeted the diminutive halfback.


Canterbury first-five Te Rauoriwa Harding relieved much pressure with her boot and made excellent decisions on attack. A clinical try to Winnie Palamo was scored after the siren.



Waikato counited their resurgence, moving to second in the FPC Premiership standings, with a comprehensive 44-12 victory over Hawke’s Bay at the Marist Rugby Club, home of Waikato’s senior men’s club champions.


There was nothing subtle about Waikato’s approach in the opening quarter, the Tui struggling to contain the hosts' power, with both props Chyann Kaitapu and Veisinia Fakalelu (14 tackles) scoring tries.


Despite a yellow card for repeated team infringements, first-five Kiriana Nolan was outstanding, scoring two tries and assisting in two others. Chelsea Semple produced another strong shift and Mia Anderson was busy and topped the tackle count with 16.


Blindside flanker Olioli Mua (12 tackles) and halfback Kahlia Awa were among the best for Hawke's Bay, currently sixth, who must win against Auckland next week to keep their semifinal chances alive.


Waikato will challenge for the JJ Stewart Memorial Trophy for the second time this season, against Counties Manukau on Sunday (kick-off 11.35am). 



Wellington produced their best performance of the season at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium, beating Otago 51-13, their biggest victory against the Spirit since 2018.


Wellington, who will host Otago in the semifinals on Saturday, took just two minutes to open the scoring. They swung it right from a scrum close to the line and wing Drenna Fakaniko was on the end of the chain and went over in the corner.


Veteran lock Joanah Ngan-Woo celebrated her 100th first-class game with a try, nine tackles, and vintage lineout and carry efficiency. Openside Sinead To'oala-Ryder (14 tackles) was another who carried with gusto. 


Otago’s midfield backs Te Atawhai Campbell and Keely Hill were both replaced because of injuries and that further challenged the defence, which was scrambling to contain the Pride’s outside backs.


Black Ferns second-five Monica Tagoai saw plenty of ball, Harmony Kautai is developing into a wing of real promise and Petone fullback Keira Su’a-Smith was illusive.


Otago first-five Sheree Hume and tackling machine Bella Rewiri-Wharerau were Otago’s best. 



Tasman and Taranaki played out a genuine classic in Nelson, where the Whio achieved their highest FPC score but fell short 39-36 against Tasman, who were irresistible after halftime, scoring 34 points in 30 minutes.


Down 19-5 at the break, dynamic wing Michelle Curry, who set up the opening try for Ashleigh Wood, channelled the spirit of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe bursting from halfway to score the first of her two tries.


Curry gained a staggering 250 metres and assisted on two further tries as she was easily the hottest commodity on the field.


Earlier, Taranaki produced their best half of the season, with loose forwards Hayley Gabrel (20 tackles) and Briana Poingdestre (17 tackles, 121 metres gained) inspirational. First-five Laura Claridge played with confidence and flair.


Tasman became more urgent and precise at the breakdown and looked to involve Curry as often as possible. Tasman’s bench surged and when Keeley-Mae Ridley dashed free with nine minutes remaining, it appeared the Whio had completely imploded.


Instead, the visitors kept the ball in tight and used their industrious forwards to starve Tasman of possession. Tasman’s defence was surprisingly fragile and three quick tries earned Taranaki their first championship points of 2024, with two richly deserved bonus points.

No 8 Jess Harvie and lock Grace Guyton topped the Tasman tackle count with 17 each. 



For the second consecutive season, Manawatū swept through the FPC Championship round-robin unbeaten, foiling North Harbour 31-0 at a gusty Arena Manawatū in Palmerston North.


The Hibiscus scrummaged powerfully and could count on their lineout in the first half as they enjoyed sustained periods in possession. The hosts' defence was composed and aggressive and when the Cyclones had the ball points flowed quickly.


The scrum battled flipped in the second half and Manawatū scored another two tries as they never looked likely to lose. The Cyclones will host North Harbour again in next weekend's semifinals.


Taufa Bason (18 tackles), Kahurangi Sturmey (14 tackles), and the bustling Jayme Nuku (13 tackles) led the Cyclones defensive industry. Nuku and Elinor-Plum King were metre-eaters with the ball in hand and centre Hollyrae Mete had another productive outing.


For North Harbour, centre Moana Courtenay-Malupo was the most penetrating back, No 8 Barbra Auva'a was a handful and Izzy East made 24 tackles.


FARAH PALMER CUP RESULTS - ROUND 5


PREMIERSHIP


Counties Manukau 35 (Yurina Shinno 2, Sariyah Paitai 2, Vineta Teutau, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu tries; Hazel Tubic con, pen) Auckland 20 (Angelica Mekemeke Vahai 3, France Bloomfield tries). HT: 22-15


Canterbury 24 (Winnie Palamo 2, Fia Laikong, Emma Dermody tries; Te Rauoriwa Harding 2 con) Northland 0. HT: 19-0


Waikato 44 (Chyann Kaitapu, Veisinia Fakalelu, Kiriana Nolan 2, Lela Ieremia 2, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Rina Paraone tries; Chelsea Semple 2 con) Hawke’s Bay 12 (Denise Aiolupotea, Maleta Pailate tries; Krysten Cottrell con). HT: 29-7


CHAMPIONSHIP


Wellington 51 (Keira Sa’a-Smith 2, Harmony Kautai 2, Drenna Fakaniko, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Lavinia Lea, Monica Tagoai, Ivana Samani tries; Arene Landon-Lane 3 con) Otago 13 (Jamie Church, Naomi Sopoaga tries; Georgia Cormick pen). HT: 22-3


Tasman 39 (Michelle Curry 2, Iva Sauira, Ashleigh Wood, Fiaalii Solomona, Mary Kanace, Keeley-Mae Ridley tries; Ashleigh Wood 2 con) Taranaki 36 (Hayley Gabriel 2, Shaniqka Wall, Briana Poingdestre, Ashley Rupapera, Brooke Neilson tries; Laura Claridge 2 con, Portia Huffam con). HT: 5-19


Manawatū 31 (Jayme Nuku 3, Rangimarie Sturmey, Wikitoria Doyle tries; Selica Winiata 3 con) North Harbour 0. HT: 19-0

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