Weekend's Wrap
I finally scored more than 2!
Firstly, shout out to my mate Vania Woolfgram who continues to be an absolute legend, bouncing bub on her knee as she calls the Farah Palmer Cup. I had a wee chat with her this morning about how easily baby Seth has been incorporated into the commentary box and that’s a story I’m going to look to tell properly. But in the meantime, I just love this photo.
Varnz is one of my fav commentators cause her knowledge of our players is encyclopaedic.
It’s been awesome to see more examples of motherhood being normalised in the FPC. That environments are supporting Mums by removing barriers and allowing them to do their thing. Super Rugby Aupiki was notable for the way a lot of camps really didn’t get it right, particularly with the COVID bubbles. So it’s nice to see things done better in the provinces.
Enough with the cuteness, let’s wrap the games I saw this weekend!
Counties Manakau Heat 31 v Canterbury 36
Canterbury were uncharacteristically inaccurate over the weekend and the Heat were more than happy to take advantage of that racing out to a 21-10 lead at halftime. They backed themselves, their forwards making a lot of metres simply grinding it up the middle. Hazel Tubic was in fine form to mark her 50th match for Counties. She twisted like a pretzel to dot down and put up a ridiculous cross field kick for Ruby Tui to collect just before the break.
I’m not entirely sure why (limited minutes perhaps?) but Tui was subbed at the half and I can’t help but feel this was a game changer. She had been lethal on both attack and defence and it felt like Canterbury were let off the hook with her early substitution.
Meanwhile the player of the day for me was another substitution, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox. She came on in the second half and provided the cool head that Canterbury needed to work their way back into the match. Her impact on the tempo was impressive for a front rower. Quick hands setting up one of the tries for Canterbury and Steph also crucially slowed things down at key moments to get her side back in control. Long story short, she played with every ounce of experience her 100+ games for Canterbury have afforded her and the team was better for it.
With just two rounds left in the Premiership, the Heat are now sitting painfully in fifth place. I don’t think this ranking accurately reflects the potential of the side. Things aren’t about to get any easier for them as they still have the Volcanix and Waikato to play.
Waikato 17 v Bay of Plenty Volcanix 10
Neither Waikato or the Volcanix have played the most attractive rugby this year but they won’t be fussed given its delivering results. This game had So. Many. PENALTIES! Which meant at times I was flicking over to see what the Storm were up to.
I keep underestimating this Volcanix pack because at scrum time they held their own and then some and at lineouts they ended up pinching plenty. But discipline was just so far from excusable. 20 penalties racked up for the Bay by the 60 minute mark. Meanwhile Waikato appeared to warm up with a bar of soap because they were dropping balls all over the place.
Bright spots? Robins-Reti played 13 like it’s always been her job. Timely to show this versatility after she was somewhat surprisingly left out of the O’Reilly Cup Squad. Now we know she can cover inside as well as fullback, it makes her a more attractive prospect for the World Cup.
I love watching the confidence that Luka Connor is building. Yes we know she’s a good ball runner but defensively she was an absolute menace.
Bay of Plenty have two more physical matches coming up against Counties Manakau Heat and the Wellington Pride. Waikato have all their besties still to come with matches against Canterbury, Storm and Counties Manakau Heat. They are currently ranked 3rd and 4th but I think we are bound to see both sides climb the rankings before the round robin closes.
Tasman 42 v North Harbour Hibiscus 15
I remember once a rep coach at high school made us run passing waves without a ball. Our hands were so bad, she didn’t think we deserved it. We ran, up and down the field, miming the pass to each other. Only when she was fully sold on our performance were allowed to have the ball back.
I need to be sold on the Hibiscus side’s hands. They were their own worst enemy in the first half of this match, dropping the pass just as they were building their momentum.
Hayley Hutana needs special mention for a heroic performance on the losing side. She never stopped chasing the Tasman team down even as the scoreline stretched well beyond her reach.
Tasman by contrast, continues to grow in confidence. I didn’t know who that shaggy mohawk was at the beginning of the match but by the end of it I had learnt the name Tahlia Brody. She was everywhere! And if she wasn’t hitting that ruck or breaking a tackle, Masuisuimatama'ali'i (Sui) Tauaua-Pauaraisa was there. Sui is one of the handful of Manu Sina players that play for Tasman. These players are a great advertisement for the mutual benefit we can reap from supporting our neighbours as their international experience is now lifting the domestic standard here in Aotearoa.
Tasman hadn’t won a single game in two seasons. They painfully experienced their former CEO calling another union to ask that one of their games wasn’t streamed because he felt it would be an embarrassment. So this is a Cinderella story to now see back to back wins putting them in third place.
They will need to hold on to the confidence that built that score into an impressive win as they take on the formidable Otago Spirit next week.
North Harbour Hibiscus head back up north taking on the Kauri. They may just be sitting above them on the table but they will be hard to beat at home.
Extra Time: Commonwealth bronze for the White Ferns
Sophie Devine. That’s basically all you need to say. She played like a woman possessed. England all out for 110 never really stood a chance.
It’s a well earned celebration for this side who has experienced all the highs and lows sport has to offer over the last few seasons. Makes the upcoming T20 World Cup all the more exciting.
With you,
Alice