Aupiki Preview: The Blues
Ch-ch-ch-chaaaanges
Auckland was the region hardest hit by Covid disruption so no surprises it also disrupted the launch of the Blues team last year. It wasn’t just their playing squad effected, a coach in isolation meant Charmaine McMenamin was roped in while recovering from injury, to help out with their forwards. They would have been disappointed to just miss out on second place due to points differentials last season but ultimately appeared to run out of steam during a season that was run at a sprint.
There have been a lot of changes in this squad between year one and two. Starting at the top, Willie Walker has two new assistants; THE Linda Itunu and Mr Toffeepops, Carlos Spencer. I have never seen Spencer in and around women’s rugby before so I hope that this role isn’t being treated like a stepping stone for him as we have seen for other male coaches in the past.
That’s not to say I don’t expect him to give his all to the role, it’s just a frustration I have about opportunities being given to those that don’t really have a goal of progressing within the women’s game. This would all be fine if we saw women progressing within the men’s game but spoiler alert, we don’t. We know we don’t have enough women coaches and yet, even with the promotion of two of them this season, they were replaced as assistants by men. It’s hard for women to climb a ladder that is toppling over with the weight of the blokes being helicoptered in.
There has been a migration of some big names, former captain Aroha Savage to the Poua along with Krystal Murray, Charmaine Smith to the Manawa and Mele Hufanga to league. Like everyone, they are also without the Black Ferns 7s players this season. This means they have been recruiting and for the most part have pulled in local talent.
Kiwi Fern, Katelyn Vaha’akolo joins them coming up through the Auckland Storm, Hayley Hutana’s form for North Harbour has been rewarded as has young gun, Tara Turner, from the Northland Kauri. Then there is the debuts I had to check twice (and with them directly) for Sylvia Brunt and Charmaine McMenamin. Lastly, their big pick up is Ariana Bayler, who has transferred from the Manawa to get herself a starting spot.
The players to watch though are the Black Ferns caps looking to signal their return to form. Eloise Blackwell is one of the most capped Black Ferns and captained the side in 2020. She missed out on last year’s World Cup but is the type of player to use that as fuel. Keep an eye on the aerial battle between Blackwell, Ngan-Woo and Bremner this season. It’s a long-standing healthy rivalry that pushes each of them to the top of their game.
Toka Natua scored a hat-trick in the 2017 World Cup final. That’s right, a prop scored three tries in a World Cup final and yet not enough folk seem to know her name. With the front row looking a little green compared to rest of the Aupiki packs, Natua could be key to the Blues success.
Lastly, we have Kiritapu Demant who is Ruahei’s little sister. Despite this, she was actually capped for the Black Ferns before Ruahei back in 2015. They have different styles of play. Kiritapu is known as a hot stepper and is very Auckland. By that I mean she is one of the players most likely to create something from nothing and has a healthy disrespect for game plan. If she sparks up at the right moment, it could set the Blues alight.
That’s the biggest issue I see for the Blues, the ‘if’. Everything they need is there if they can pull it together.
That’s it for these summaries, now it’s game on. Here’s the details of the round one matches. If you’re headed to Levin, be sure to say hey!
ROUND ONE
Saturday 25 February
2.05pm: Hurricanes Poua v Chiefs Manawa at Levin Domain or live on Sky Sport 1
4.45pm: Matatū v The Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium or live on Sky Sport 1*
*Aussie mates, I understand Stan will be broadcasting Aupiki. My pals from the rest of the world, I haven’t been able to get that info. Will drop in the comments here if that changes!
With you,
Alice