Just 80 minutes are left in the 2024 Aupiki season and for the first time in the competition’s history, the Chiefs Manawa will not be hosting the final. Matatū gave the Blues this parting gift with their win over the Manawa last week. Meaning Eden Park will now be re-staging of the first ever Aupiki match. The game played between these two sides before the competition was formed and gifted that name. The Blues however will be looking for a different result than the scoreline from the exhibition match back in 2021.
To bring a different result, they have brought together a different team. 8 out of the original 23 Blues will be hunting for their first title. Just Ruahei Demant, Patricia Maliepo, Maia Roos and Eloise Blackwell remain in the starting lineup from 2021. Ol’ reliable, Charmaine McMenamin started in 2021 but is on the bench in 2024. Liana Mikaele Tu’u, Aldora Itunu, Dayna Nankivell were all on the bench back then but will be starting on Saturday.
But the Manawa too have shifted with time. They also have eight of their originals involved on Saturday. Luka Connor, Tanya Kalounivale, Chyna Hohepa, Kennedy Simon, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic, Chelsea Semple and Renee Holmes all started in the original side and will feature in this final.
We’ve come a long way to end up back at the beginning. Will Aupiki find it’s third champion in three seasons? Or will Manawa be the first team to win two?
Let’s take a look at the team lists to see if we can find any answers.
Manawa have made a couple of changes to the team that went down to the Blues in round 5. Hazel Tubic gets the nod ahead of Kiri Nolan. Mererangi Paul slips into centre, making room for Reese Anderson on the wing. Charmaine Smith has returned from her concussion to the starting lineup. Shifting Chyna Hohepa to number 8 and Vic Edmonds to the bench.
This is the strongest bench I have seen Manawa name. A number of these players would be starters in other teams so this speaks to the depth that they are working with.
The Blues meanwhile have made just three changes to the team that last beat Manawa. They include Charmine McMenamin to the bench to make room for Niall Williams-Guthrie. Mel Puckett starting ahead of Kahlia Awa and Sylvia Brunt still on stand down after her red card so Dayna Nankivell takes her place.
It seems ridiculous to say with Renee Woodman-Wickliffe and McMenamin on the bench but the Blues do have less experience overall to draw on. Less experience but plenty of heart. This is just the type of stage where new stars get a chance to shine.
There are a few key match ups that will be of great interest in this match and in the discussion of armchair Black Fern selectors for the upcoming PAC 4. To my mind these are:
Aldora Itunu vs Kate Henwood
This has been a comeback season in every sense for Itunu. She’ll be packing down against last year’s Black Fern fairytale bolter, Henwood. The scrum work from the Blues has been inconsistent, they are ranked third in scrum success across the franchises. But Itunu will be keen to make her case for the Black Ferns recall against a current Black Ferns performer. Both of these two are rib crackers on defence. So keep an eye on their work in the d line.
Maama Vaipulu vs Charmaine Smith
Smith, the veteran up against Vaipulu, the young gun, these two have been trading the lead as the top line out recipient all season. Both are quiet workhorses who won’t necessarily end up on highlight reels. But Vaipulu is third equal on the top carries in the competition, speaking to her doggedness. She’s a player that’s pushing for higher honours and a good game up against Smith, might just seal the deal.
Niall Williams-Guthrie vs Kennedy Simon
I remind you yet again that people thought I was bonkers for saying the Williams-Guthrie would play flanker for the Blues but just look at her now! She’s a big game player and often it’s her defence that will bring the momentum shift just as her team needs it. Black Ferns captain, Simon, will be keen to contain her impact. If anyone can, it’s Simon.
Mel Puckett vs Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
Puckett thrives at this level and is such a great advertisement of why we need more Aupiki. She fought her way into the starting nine jersey against Ariana Bayler for the Blues last season and has firmly established her place in this squad. Most impressive to me this year is her defence. Puckett has not blinked as various front rowers have run straight at her. Such big fight in such a little dog.
She’s up against the talismanic leadership of Marino-Tauhinu. She’s the manawa (the heart) of the Manawa. Get on top of her and you might just be lifting a trophy.Krysten Cottrell vs Hazel Tubic
A couple of wily ol’ dogs will be having a run against each other in this final. Both have spent a good chunk of their careers beloved by their teammates, respected by their community and overlooked by Black Ferns coaches.
With all the experimentation we’ve seen in our national side at 10, these two have long appeared to have provided the answers we’ve been looking for. Perhaps this final is a big enough moment for their skills to finally be recognised and valued.Katelyn Vaha’akolo vs Ruby Tui
Given these two are both named on the right wing tomorrow, I realise they won’t be running at each other BUT both are the match that need to strike to set their team ablaze.
In terms of stats, they are one and two in clean breaks and metres gained. They are both in the top 10 of defender beaters this season. When they are on, it’s game on for all their teammates around them. Who gets their tail up first, could run this championship all the way home.
Since the squads were named for 2024, I’ve been telling folks the Blues are the team to watch this season. As strong as the Manawa started this year, I believe the Blues now have not just the squad but the momentum to go all the way.
You’d be a fool to miss this match tomorrow. It’s on Sky but also live streaming globally on Tiktok thanks to 2degrees. Kick off is at 4.05pm, I can’t bloody wait.
With you,
Alice