Blues win three-in-a-row Super Rugby Aupiki
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Blues have won their third consecutive Super Aupiki title wuth a 28-21 victory over Matatū in a thrilling final in Christchurch in front of over 10.000 spectators..
Katelyn Vahaakolo broke the deadlock at 21-all to score a try in the 83rd minute as added time played out. Ruahei Demant converted.
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The scores had been locked at 14-all for 26 minutes in the second half, before hooker Atlanta Lolohea scored her second try and Demant converted to turn up the pressure on Matatū.
But Matatū came back strongly and received an advantage when the Blues lost Maama Vaipulu to a yellow card for head-on-head contact on Georgia Ponsonby who promptly replied by crashing over for a try. Maia Joseph converted from wide out to lock up the scores again.
However a determined Vahaakolo beat a couple of defenders to step around and plant the ball for the winning try.
Earlier Matatū had led 14-7 at halftime which had Blues star fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee failing a head injury assessment after leaving the field in the 24th minute, while Matatū had halfback lynchpin Maia Joseph yellow-carded for shoulder-to-head contact on Mererangi Paul in the 38th minute.
The Blues took advantage of her absence with Vahaakolo scoring soon after halftime after a break by Sylvia Brunt and a super pass to the winger, who crossed in the corner, with Ruahei Demant converting to level the scores.
Officials ruled that Joseph's offence didn't warrant a red card so she returned soon after the Blues try.
The scores stayed locked at 14-all until the 70th minute when Lolohea charged over and it was all-on from there.
Blues Captain, Maiakawanakaulani Roos was ecstatic with the Blues third consecutive Super Rugby Aupiki title.
“I am so proud of the team, we had our backs against the wall. Never had a doubt, we supported each other and had belief we could do it with nothing to lose.”
The Blues will head across the Tasman for the 2026 Women’s Super Rugby Championship, where they will face the Super Rugby W champions NSW Waratahs on Saturday 1 Augus
