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Super Rugby Aupiki final: Teams named to lock horns at Eden Park
By Ned Lester
It’s final time in Super Rugby Aupiki and the teams are in. The Blues will host Matatu at Eden Park in search of their second consecutive title.
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Both sides have Black Ferns littered throughout their starting teams and in the reserves, promising 80-minute performances from both outfits.
The competition’s two leading points scorers will line up in the respective 10 jerseys, with Hannah King leading Matatu and Krysten Cottrell leading the Blues.
The competition’s most lethal ball-carrier Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who boasts 39 defenders beaten, will line up in the outside centre channel opposite fellow Black Fern Amy du Plessis, who has the fourth most tackle breaks with 26.
Electric outside back Winnie Palamo leads the competition in metres made and will line up on the right wing, across the field from Black Ferns star Katelyn Vahaakolo.
The front rows see titans collide, with Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea and Aldora Itunu named for the Blues, while Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby and Moomooga Palu will start for Matatu.
Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Maama Vaipulu round out the tight five for the Blues, while Stacey Niao and Chelsea Bremner make up the second row for Matatu.
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The loose forwards are especially star-studded, with Holly Greenway, Taufa Bason and Liana Mikaele Tu’u selected for the hosts to square off with Alana Bremner, Laura Bayfield and Kaipo Olsen-Baker.
Tara Turner is the Blues halfback and Maia Joseph will bring plenty of experience for the South Islanders.
There’s plenty of class at second five-eight for both teams, with Ruahei Demant lining up for the Aucklanders against Grace Brooker.
Jaymie Kolose and Braxton Sorensen-Mcgee round out the starting unit for the blues, as does Cheyelle Robins-Reti and Kaea Nepia for Matatu.
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Blues
- Chryss Viliko
- Atlanta Lolohea
- Aldora Itunu
- Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c)
- Maama Vaipulu
- Holly Greenway
- Taufa Bason
- Liana Mikaele Tu’u
- Tara Turner
- Krysten Cottrell
- Jaymie Kolose
- Ruahei Demant
- Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
- Katelyn Vahaakolo
- Braxton Sorensen-Mcgee
Impact
16. Grace Gago
17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu,
18. Harono Te Iringa
19. Eloise Blackwell
20. Dajian Brown
21. Kahlia Awa
22. Sylvia Brunt
23. Patricia Maliepo
Unavailable due to injury: Sophie Fisher
Matatu
- Pip Love
- Georgia Ponsonby
- Moomooga Palu
- Stacey Niao
- Chelsea Bremner
- Alana Bremner (c)
- Laura Bayfield
- Kaipo Olsen-Baker
- Maia Joseph
- Hannah King
- Cheyelle Robins-Reti
- Grace Brooker
- Amy du Plessis
- Winnie Palamo
- Kaea Nepia
Impact
16. Tegan Hollows
17. Maddi Robinson
18. Amy Rule
19. Sarah Jones
20. Fiali’i Solomona
21. Kelsyn McCook
22. Hollyrae Mete
23. Fia Laikong
Unavailable due to injury: Lucy Jenkins, Marcelle Parkes, Emma Dermody, Eilis Doyle
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Both strong teams with a heap of talent. Looking forward to this final