Another week of media dedicating more headlines to talking about the Poua haka rather than the competition at had. This included the article from Stuff and RNZ claiming “No-one will tell you” why Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Ruby Tui stood out of the Manawa haka last week. Well, that’s not entirely true. No-one will tell them but I have been told by legitimate sources that this was exactly how it appeared. The two players were taking a stand in solidarity with the Hurricanes Poua.
I guess this is what happens when you only fly into a community to report on controversy rather cover them week to week. It’s a worrying trend we are seeing return to women’s sport after the bump in coverage during the World Cups played here. Once again, it seems that the only surefire way women in sport can be assured coverage is during the wake of controversy or championships.
Aotearoa hit a high of 28% of sport coverage featuring women in the afterglow of the Black Ferns World Cup win. This has already slid down to 25% in latest figures. With the cuts in newsrooms across the country, including Stuff making their last woman sports journalist redundant, I don’t feel hopeful.
I’m not hopeful for legacy media to do what they should but I am determined to do what I can. So here’s the preview for you of Aupiki round three.
GAME ONE: Blues vs Poua, Saturday 16 March, 2.05pm kick off
Firstly, thanks to the Poua for listing injured players just like Matatū did last week in their team announcements. It might seem odd that I’m thanking teams for this but honestly, folks have only just started doing it regularly. It saves all of us from me sliding in DMs to confirm things, so hooray for that.
Captain Jax Patea-Fereti is out with injury so Manawatū Cyclones own Kahurangi Sturmey is pulled into her starting spot. This is the only change they have made to their starting 15 that toppled Matatū last week. There is a little reshuffle on their bench, with Hawke’s Bay Tui lock, Olioli Mua and former Matatū first five, Te Rauoriwa Gapper set to make their Poua debuts.
With their captain out, the captaincy is shared this week by Poua vice captains, Iritana Hohaia and Layla Sae. No word yet on whether our mascot, Captain Hurricane, will also make an appearance in Auckland to make sure we have maximum captaincy coverage (INSERT HURRICANE SALUTE).
There is no changes to the Blues starting line up. One is made on the bench with Counties Manukau Heat lock, Rebecca Burch, set to make her debut.
It was agony for the Blues at home last week, a split second decision to keep the ball alive and a little fumble, enough to keep them from victory. They will be keen to turn their fortunes around this week and to do so, they have to sort their start out. Each week, it’s taken them a while to find their rhythm. Set piece jitters and penalties making it hard for them to build continuity early last week. They are up against a team who often look their best in the opening 20 so this is going to be a real test.
There has been a revolving door of Black Ferns props since the Rugby World Cup. Kate Henwood, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Chryss Viliko and Sophie Fisher all making their debut in the New Zealand front row last year. But in this match we have a Black Fern clash for a couple of players who could be making a comeback.
Aldora Itunu, Black Fern #186 and Leilani Perese, Black Fern #198 are both starting tightheads for this match. Itunu played her last Black Fern test in 2021 against France, Perese in 2022 against USA. Both have become Mum’s since and have returned to the field to prove they ain’t done yet!
Meanwhile at the back of the scrum, Niall Williams-Guthrie is growing in the flanker role week to week. She is a particular nuisance defensively, making try saving tackles her signature. Is this any surprise though? Williams-Guthrie made THAT gold medal winning tackle at the 2018 Commonwealth Games which I will remember for the rest of my life.
It’s Sylvia Brunt vs Shakira Baker though, that’s the match up we have all been waiting for.
Baker, Black Fern #160, played her last New Zealand 15s game when Brunt was 10 years old. A decade later, she is currently the centre in the hottest form this Aupiki. Brunt, was a breakaway talent last season and will be keen to meet Baker’s heat with her a fire of her own. It’s going to be explosive and I can’t wait.
GAME TWO: Manawa vs Matatū, Saturday 16 March, 4.35pm kick off
Manawa welcome Matatū back to FMG Stadium Waikato for a repeat of last year’s final. The home side have made a raft of changes to their starting line up and bench to face the Southerners.
Kate Henwood pushes Krystal Murray to the bench, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu does the same with Ariana Bayler at halfback and Azalleyah Maaka benches Mererangi Paul in the midfield. Reese Anderson, fresh off her debut last week, takes the starting 11 jersey this week, sending Ruby Tui to the right wing.
There has been a little reshuffle in the back row. Mia Anderson taking a seat for Chyna Hohepa to come in at number 8. This pushes Victoria Edmonds to start at blindside flanker. The change on the bench is Vici-Rose Green in for Seina Saito. Inside back cover is offered through Waikato debutant, Kiriana Nolan.
All of these changes add up to the Manawa favouring more muscle on the pitch. This isn’t surprising as it was the direct runners of the Poua and Blues in the opening two rounds that caused Matatū trouble. I’m particularly interested in what havoc that famous Waikato back row trio may cause.
Matatū has also done a pretty heavy re-write of their match day squad. Lucy Jenkins has returned from injury and to the starting six position. This pushes Alana Bremner to lock and benches Emma Dermody. Amy du Plessis is also back from her niggle and causes changes. She comes in as the starting 12, pushing Liv McGoverne to the bench. The final change to the starting 15 is Charlie Woodman getting the start over Winnie Palamo.
That’s the one that surprises me the most to be honest. Palamo is a rising star for Matatū this season but they are opting to run her as fresh legs off the bench. With her on the bench is Otago Spirit prop, Eilis Doyle. Given all this experience in the Manawa front row, it seems right to not ask Marcelle Parkes to build hers against this tough opposition.
To my mind, this is the strongest Matatū pack they could name. Which makes sense given who they are up against. When it comes to the backline, they have given themselves gear shifts with the change of pace McGoverne and Palamo could bring.
This match is make or break for last year’s champions. Given it’s a one and two straight final this year, they have to win to keep their finals hopes alive. Manawa will not make it easy for them and will be keen to finish their first sweep through their opposition unbeaten.
With you,
Alice