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Blues dominate Waratahs in wild Super Rugby Champions Final
By Ned Lester
Either the Blues or Waratahs would be walking out of a torrential North Harbour Stadium on Thursday evening with history in hand. The Super Rugby Champions Final trophy was up for grabs for the very first time.
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The conditions were severe in Auckland, and play reflected that. But, that didn’t stop the Blues from stringing together some scintillating tries. Unfortunately for the Waratahs, it was all one-way traffic and the Aussies couldn’t land a blow until the final minutes.
The Blues looked dangerous right from the kickoff, with a powerful carry from Maama Vaipulu starting the game with a bang. Three handling errors from the Blues in the opening five minutes highlighted how trying the conditions were.
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The Waratahs were better at controlling the ball but could make no headway against a resolute Blues defence.
Play was untidy but crept into Tahs territory, and when the Blues were finally able to put the ball through the hands, they found the phenom that is Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who carved through the remaining defence to score the opening points of the night.
The hosts adopted a more direct approach from that point, and after destroying the Waratahs scrum for the second time, it wasn’t long before Elizabith MoiMoi powered over.
With a powerful wind to contend with, the Blues doubled down on ambitious attack when trying to exit, and while the Tahs made life awkward momentarily, the Aucklanders had too much class to suppress.
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Sorensen-McGee glided through another gap, and with support on either side, sold the dummy to run clear under the posts.
Sheets of rain continued to blow through the stadium and handling errors continued to feature as the half wore on as a result. Both teams wanted to play with the ball in hand, but there was little doubt over the Blues having the upper hand in the set-piece battle.
Some tough carries from Faliki Pohiva offered brief moments of promise for the visitors, but the wind taking the ball dead with every kick in play reflected the kind of night it was for the Waratahs. Halftime score: 19-0 to the Blues.
While the handling continued to be a struggle in the wet in the second 40, the Blues were still hitting the ball with pace and trying their luck with offloads.
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Having moved to her familiar left wing, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe found herself with the ball and four covering defenders in front of her. A second later, she was over the try line.
With the wind at her back, Patricia Maliepo made the most of the natural advantage and landed a 50/22. Taufa Bason ran in a try that was later ruled out for obstruction.
The weather had calmed as the game entered its final quarter, but the dampness was going nowhere.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Blues furthered their lead with a rampaging run by Cheyenne Tuli-Fale set up by a Maliepo break.
From the kickoff, the Waratahs were able to steal back possession and before long, a chip kick was put through for dynamo Desiree Miller who outpaced the Blues’ defence to score.
Kerri Johnson and Maliepo were influential in getting the Blues back in position to score, and Krysten Cottrell spotted the chance to pick and go from just two metres out to sign, seal and deliver a historic win.
Loose play around halfway saw the championship game out. Final score: 31-5.
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Even Poua would’ve beaten the NSW side.