This afternoon, we begin the second sweep of the Aupiki competition with a repeat of round one’s matches. The Manawa have travelled (like I will shortly!) to Palmerston North to face the Poua. Meanwhile Matatū will venture north to play the Blues tomorrow afternoon.
Technically, all the teams do still have a chance to make the final. This year with no semi finals, everyone is fighting for a top two finish. In a round robin of six matches, four wins is basically the magic number.
Bonus points are given for scoring three more tries than your opposition aka giving them a hiding. Or you get a losing bonus point if you are within 7 points of the winner. This does mean there are a few more scenarios at play where say the Blues and Poua both get four wins but it’s decided on bonus points as to who comes out on top.
It is hard to imagine a reality that has Manawa missing the final given their dominance so far. Hard to imagine but still a possibility. They only need to win one more and pick up a couple of bonus points to lock their place in So I think it’s safe to say they are more focused at this point on holding on to that number one spot and securing in a home final.
It’ll be crack up if they do finish top. This will mean that despite the final venue being up for grabs for the first time this season, it is again a FMG Waikato production just like every other Aupiki final so far.
Matatū cannot lose another game. If they do, they have no chance no matter what happens to the other teams. You have to think their goal at this point has shifted from a title defence to trying to avoid the wooden spoon they picked up in season one. This and their first elusive win over the Poua which will be vital if they are to get off the bottom of the table.
The Blues have the inside line to the other final spot. Currently only 4 points or one win behind Manawa. Two wins and two bonus points and they are there. Three wins and heck, they might even host the final. PLEASE NOT AT BELL PARK.
Poua need to win everything this round. If they don’t they start entering that space where you are also relying on your opposition to get the results that benefit you. I am sure they will be happy finishing this season with a passing grade. That means picking up two wins from three, leaving them with three wins and three loses this season.
Poua were the underdogs ahead of season kick off, with fewer contracted Black Ferns than anyone else, so to finish above last year’s champs will still be a win for the franchises young team.
I’m giving you this full outline cause I can’t give you a full preview. The team lists for the Blues Matatū match tomorrow won’t be published until after I’m on the road to the Poua Manawa game. So I will do what I did in round one and play the guessing game on that one to bring you something. First up though, I can happily bring you a preview of Poua vs Manawa.
GAME ONE: Poua vs Manawa, 4.35pm Friday 22 March
No changes for the Poua starting line up but a couple of debutants named on the bench. Kaipo Olsen-Baker’s older sister, Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker, is set to get a crack as the replacement hooker and the Poua will be hoping for her to bring her family’s trademark work rate to the paddock.
Fia Laikong’s rapid ascension in the sport continues with her addition to the bench. Laikong was the Canterbury FPC development’s player of the year last season after she joined the sport having previously played netball and basketball.
Poua will hope to bring last week’s first half effort to the full 80 if they are to hold their own against the in form Manawa.
Manawa continue to name the most variations within their team list week to week. This is partly due to how stacked their team is but also, Crystal Kaua appears more confident to make tweaks in relation to the side her team is coming up against.
Whereas there was the enforcing might of the Waikato back three of Vic Edmonds, Chyna Hohepa and Kennedy Simon named last week to face Matatū. This week, they are starting Mia Anderson, Kennedy Simon and Chyna Hohepa. This feels appropriate for the the Poua. You still need the steel of Hohepa but you can target turnovers with ticker like Anderson.
They have Vic Edmonds on the bench who I would guess will be brought in for Hohepa so that don’t lose any of that fight in the second half.
Luka Connor isn’t anywhere on the team sheet. The competition’s top try and points scorer giving everyone a chance this round to catch her. I’m not sure if she’s injured or just being rested. Renee Holmes is also nowhere to be seen and we can only guess as to why. PLEASE PUT THIS EXPLAINER ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS OR FAN EMAILS.
This means there is a slight change in the backline with Apii Nicholls taking the 15 jersey. Will she also take the kicking duties? I feel like Holmes absence will really be felt in this area of the game both in terms of points conversion and territory.
It is the Manawa’s game to lose but remember folks, Poua win games they aren’t supposed to. A win here for my home team could really shake this competition up.
GAME TWO: Blues vs Matatū, 4.35pm Saturday
No team lists but a wish list instead. Top of that is the return of Liana Mikaele-Tu'u for the Blues. I miss her but you can’t necessarily say the Blues have as their recent run of form has been fantastic without her.
Last week, Katelyn Vaha’akolo played the game of her life. She won the breakthrough player of the year in the World Rugby awards to my mind, a season too soon. She is operating at another level this year. Vaha’akolo is currently 115 metres ahead of her competition in the top metres gained this season.
Just behind her on defenders beaten is Martha Mataele, who continues to perform regardless of results for Matatū. She was starved of ball last week which will no doubt make her even hungrier in the match tomorrow.
I expect both teams to name fairly consistent teams with last week. Which means the fun to look out for is du Plessis vs Brunt at centre, Cottrell vs Kelly at first five, Maliepo vs Robins-Reti at fullback. In the forwards, I’m expecting plenty of heat in the match ups between Blackwell vs Bremner, Roos vs Jenkins and Williams-Guthrie vs Reynolds.
The first round had just seven points separating these two teams. I am expecting them to be just as tight in this match. Matatū have nothing to lose, Blues have a point to prove. GAME F’ING ON!
With you,
Alice