Matatū v Blues | Sky Super Rugby Aupiki | Final Preview
Home ground advantage crucial for Matatū
A bumper crowd is expected at the newly opened Te Kaha/One New Zealand Stadium as the Blues chase a third successive title and Matatū look to reclaim the crown they won in 2023. The game kicks off at 4.20pm on Saturday and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport NZ.
Honours even between finalists
The teams split their two round-robin meetings.
Matatū claimed a 27-21 victory in Pukekohe on June 27 before the Blues responded with a 38-29 win at Ngā Puna Wai in Christchurch last Saturday.
The final pits the competition’s best attack against its strongest defence.
The Blues scored a competition-high 200 points and 32 tries across their six matches. Matatū conceded only 157 points, three fewer than the Blues, while scoring 198 points and 30 tries.
Both squads are loaded with international experience. The Blues have 16 current or former Black Ferns in their match-day 23, with 16 players returning from last year’s final.
Matatū have selected 14 Black Ferns and 10 players who featured in the 2025 decider.
There will also be some familiar faces in opposition colours. Matatū’s Holly Greenway played for the Blues last season, while Blues player Hollyrae Mete-Renata was previously with Matatū.
The Super Rugby Aupiki final kicks off at 4.20pm. Maggie Cogger-Orr will referee, with Todd Petrie and Ben Woolerton serving as assistant referees and Liam Scanlon as TMO.
Defending champions strengthen forward pack
Two personnel changes and a six-two forwards-backs split on the bench headline the Blues selection.
Loose forward Danny-Elle Fesolai returns to the starting side at openside flanker, replacing Dajian Brown. Former Black Ferns loose forward Tafito Lafaele has been added to the bench in place of rookie halfback Ffion Penney.
The Blues’ biggest stars were at their best in last Saturday’s must-win encounter against Matatū.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored two tries and kicked four of her six conversion attempts, while substitutes Tafua Bason and Katelyn Vahaakolo stunned the hosts with long-range tries.
The return of Black Ferns lock Maama Vaipulu from a three-week suspension has added a harder edge to the Blues pack.
Amarande Sititi has continued to enhance her growing reputation, making 62 carries and 72 tackles across five matches.
Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant has been tactically influential and kicked all six conversions in the round-five 42-26 victory over Chiefs Manawa. That result snapped a two-game losing streak, the Blues’ first since 2023.
Blues captain Maia Ross celebrated her 100th first-class appearance in the team’s most recent match.
“We reset and go again. We go hard,” Ross said.
“I’m proud of this team and their willingness to dig deep for each other. We’ve had our backs to the wall, but the forwards have done their role. It’s amazing when our backs unleash.
“Matatū are a classy team. They’re difficult to stop when they get a roll on. Our discipline needs to be on point. If we have to go to that dark place, I know we can.”
WATCH: Highlights from the last game between Matatū and Blues
Proven performers on the big stage
The Blues have shown their resilience in each of the past two finals.
In the 2025 decider at Eden Park, they trailed by 12 points after conceding eight successive penalties. Tries to Demant, Chryss Viliko and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, along with a stunning 70-metre effort from Sorensen-McGee, helped them rally for a 26-19 victory.
They also produced a dramatic comeback in the 2024 final against Chiefs Manawa at Eden Park.
Trailing 18-5 with 15 minutes remaining, the Blues scored tries through Vahaakolo, who crossed twice, Kahlia Awa and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u to prevail 24-18.
Their set-piece has been another major strength this season.
Ross has claimed a competition-high 25 lineouts, while the Blues have won 85 per cent of their lineout ball and 49 of their 51 scrums, the best record in the competition.
First home final for Matatū
Matatū will host the Super Rugby Aupiki final for the first time as they chase their second title.
Their previous triumph came in Hamilton in 2023, when Renee Holmes contributed 23 points in a thrilling 33-31 victory over Chiefs Manawa.
Matatū opened this season with four consecutive victories for the first time in their history but have since dropped two winnable home matches against Hurricanes Poua and the Blues.
Against Poua, Matatū raced to a 19-0 lead after 23 minutes before being outplayed across the final hour and falling to a 33-31 defeat.
They dominated possession and territory for long periods in last weekend’s 38-29 loss to the Blues but were unable to make the most of their opportunities.
Binky Muamua made a clean break that went unrewarded, while captain Grace Brooker knocked the ball on over the try line. Sititi also produced a vital first-half intercept when the Blues’ defence was stretched.
WATCH: Highlights from the round three clash between Matatū and Blues
Matatū keep faith with settled combination
Matatū have resisted making wholesale changes for the final.
Tasman blindside flanker Sarah Jones has been promoted to the starting side in place of 2023 leading tackler Lucy Jenkins. The remainder of the front row and starting backline is unchanged.
Emma Dermody is the only non-Black Fern in the tight five and has enjoyed an industrious campaign, while No.8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker has scored a try in every match this season.
Black Ferns centre Amy du Plessis will become the first Matatū player to reach the Glacier Five-Season Milestone.
The hosts will also be able to call on significant impact from the bench, including electric winger Muamua and Black Ferns front rowers Georgia Ponsonby, Maddi Robinson and Pip Love.
Nine-Test Black Ferns lock Laura Bayfield is expected to be at the heart of the physical exchanges.
“We’ve put ourselves in this position by having a good season, growing together, expressing ourselves and staying fit and excited,” Bayfield said.
“With the Blues, you can’t afford to lose focus, even for a second. Better discipline and concentration have been our focus this week. Our game drivers must step up and take responsibility.
“I much prefer playing alongside Maia Ross than I do marking her. It will be a great challenge. She’s a very clever, physical and relentless player.”
Team lists | Matatū v Blues | Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Final
Blues
1. Chryss Viliko 2. Atlanta Lolohea 3. Aldora Itunu 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c) 5. Maama Vaipulu 6. Amarante Sititi 7. Danny-Elle Fesolai 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Tara Turner 10. Ruahei Demant 11. Jaymie Kolose 12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata 13. Sylvia Brunt 14. Mererangi Paul 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Reserves: 16. Grace Gago, 17. Nijiho Nagata, 18. Harono Te Iringa, 19. Eloise Blackwell, 20. Taufa Bason, 21. Tafito Lafaele, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Katelyn Vahaakolo
Matatū
1: Marcelle Parkes 2: Nat Delamere 3: Santo Taumata 4 Laura Bayfield 5: Emma Dermody 6: Sarah Jones 7: Elinor-Plum King 8: Kaipo Olsen-Baker 9: Maia Joseph 10: Charntay Poko 11: Alena Saili 12: Grace Brooker (C) 13: Amy du Plessis 14: Winnie Palamo 15: Maia Davis
Reserves: 16. Georgia Ponsonby 17. Maddi Robinson 18. Pip Love 19. Paris Lokotui 20. Lucy Jenkins 21. Holly Greenway 22. Kelsyn McCook
23. Binky Muamua
