A reminder that despite all the action off the pitch, there is still a world of excitement to be had on it this weekend. Matatū are travelling to Wellington to try and get their first ever win over the Poua. Meanwhile, the Manawa and Blues face each other in the battle for Waipuea, a trophy that was created to memorialise the original exhibition match between these two sides back in 2021.
So let’s take a look at these two teams and what we can look out for this weekend.
GAME ONE: Manawa vs Blues, 2.05pm Saturday 9 March
OMG teamlist, can you imagine? That is cause I’m writing in the afternoon but still, at least I’m not guessing. Now, I know I have front row bias but my eye is immediately drawn to these match ups. In the pre-season, Aldora Itunu had it all over Krystal Murray so no doubt she’ll be ready to get one back on Saturday. Please enjoy this battle, I know I will.
Interestingly, the Manawa have opted to start Ariana Bayler at halfback. She played her rugby out of the Blues franchise last season, so expect a bit of feeling here. Bayler had a battle on her hands with Mel Puckett last year for the starting nine jersey. So now we get to see them head to head and I can’t wait.
This also sets up a gear shift on their bench. The cool head and experience of Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu could square off against young Hawke’s Bay Tui star, Khalia Awa (You can come to the Poua anytime mate!). This will be the first match of what will likely be a long Aupiki career for Awa. She is going to be on the paddock with two current Black Ferns halfbacks and will be keen to shine in her own light.
Back three? I’m obsessed. Ruby Tui, Merania Paraone and Renee Holmes up against Jaymie Kolose, Katelyn Vaha’akolo and Patricia Maliepo. ASIHFSDHKGDFSNGK is how I feel inside when thinking about it. All of these backs can light it up, all of these backs can tackle.
When it comes to the bench, I am please to see Charmaine McMenamin named to make her return. Been a long time between matches for her and she will more than ready.
These teams are really evenly matched. Where the Manawa might have an edge is on their quick transitions between playing in tight and then shifting wide. Where the Blues might have the edge is on their dogged defence. Please keep watching this Niall Williams-Guthrie highlight with me.
GAME TWO: Poua vs Matatū
So there is going to be a lot of feeling on the field Saturday. Or is it just me, projecting? I am so pleased that there hasn’t been any type of deselection punishment given to Poua players after the last week. I know it was the whole team that performed the haka but rugby loves picking a scapegoat.
The Poua have made only one change to their starting lineup from last week, bringing Leilani Hakiwai on at 14. On the bench, Marilyn Fanoga (nee Live) makes her return after having a baby. I personally favour this approach of naming consistent squads in these short seasons. It’s your best chance at building some continuity of play.
Matatū have more significant changes for this match. This is in part due to the fact that they have lost Lucy Jenkins and Amy du Plessis to injury (nothing too major but cross fingers for them pls). So this has forced the team into a reshuffle. I can’t help but feel this might be what’s needed from Matatū anyway after they had such trouble containing the Poua midfield in preseason.
There starting backline is Rosie Kelly coming into 10 with a new (or perhaps a season 1 throwback?) midfield pairing of Liv McGoverne at 12 and Grace Brooker at 13. Chey Robins-Reti returns to 15s from the NRLW at number 15.
The TAB and casual observers would call this an easy win for the Aupiki champions. But this is a team based in Wellington, they love winning matches that they aren’t supposed to. The Poua are Matatū’s boogey team. They haven’t beaten them yet for a reason and that’s because they are so vastly different in the way they play.
Poua will need to run until their legs fall off, strap them back on and then run some more. Matatū will need to be ready to fell their direct runners without having to commit too many on defence.
If they both manage this, we will all be entertained.
With you,
Alice