Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Round 3: Poua historic win

Hurricanes Poua secure first Sky Super Rugby Aupiki win since 2024

Match Summary: Hurricanes Poua vs Chiefs Manawa (34–29)

Hurricanes Poua 34 (Hinemaringi Scott, Angel Mulu, Tegan Willocks, Renee Holmes tries; Holmes 4 con, 2 pen)

Chiefs Manawa 29 (Kennedy Tukuafu, Holli O’Sullivan, Manaia Nuku, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Chyna Hohepa tries; Ariana Bayler 2 con)

HT: 17 - 14

Match Highlights: Chiefs Manawa vs Hurricanes Poua

Poua overcome red card and early deficit to defeat Chiefs Manawa

It took 12 games, 840 days, three head coaches, 15 Black Ferns Test victories and 196 FIFA World Cup goals, but at last the Hurricanes Poua recorded their first Sky Super Rugby Aupiki win since March 9, 2024, upsetting Chiefs Manawa 34–29.

The Poua had lost all seven previous meetings against Manawa and trailed 14–3 before being reduced to 14 players in the 33rd minute when loosehead prop Ngano Tavake was sent off for a “croc roll.” The yellow card was upgraded to red on review.

Instead of imploding, the Poua emulated their men’s team from the week before, launching a Chiefs-style scoring spree before battening down the hatches to secure just their fifth win in competition history.

Chiefs Manawa dominate early

Initially, the Chiefs anchored play in Poua territory and deserved their 14 - 3 lead. In the ninth minute, captain Kennedy Tukuafu drove over from a lineout maul in her 100th first-class match. Northland halfback Holli O’Sullivan finished a long-range breakout sparked by Black Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and veteran lock Chyna Hohepa.

Tukuafu left the field injured in her milestone appearance, a setback Anderson described as “horrible.”

Key performers shine in historic Poua victory

Black Ferns Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes and Ayesha Leti-I’iga were tireless. Hohaia’s sharp running repeatedly troubled Manawa, while containing Leti-I’iga at full speed proved almost impossible. Holmes was flawless from the tee, finishing six from six.

There were other standouts. Manawatū No. 8 Brianna Wallace was physically relentless, while right wing Wikitoria Viljoen, daughter of former Hurricanes fullback Sam Doyle,  caused similar damage out wide.

Tries to centre Hinemaringi Scott and prop Angel Mulu saw the Poua take a 15 - 14 halftime lead.

In the 50th minute, Viljoen made a searing break to set up Otago hooker Tegan Willocks. When Holmes added a penalty in the 55th minute, the Poua had piled on 24 unanswered points.

Chiefs fullback Manaia Nuku stemmed the tide in the 58th minute with a well-worked try from a scrum move. However, Holmes restored breathing room, capitalising on sustained forward pressure.

The finish was tense. Tynealle Fitzgerald stretched out to score in the 72nd minute, before Hohepa slid over in the tackle of Holmes with a minute remaining.

The Chiefs launched one final attack, moving the ball from sideline to sideline, but a spill at halfway ended the contest, the first time in 640 minutes against the Poua that Manawa had come up short.

Matatū remain unbeaten at top of the table

Match Summary: Matatū vs Blues (27–21)

Matatū 27 (Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Winnie Palamo, Hannah King tries; King 3 con, 2 pen)

Blues 21 (Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Atlanta Lolohea, Jaymie Kolose tries; Braxton Sorensen-McGee 3 con)

HT: 17–7

Match Highlights: Blues vs Matatū

Matatū's Hannah King and Binky Muamua star in crucial win

Matatū have won three straight matches to start an Aupiki season for the first time, avenging their 2025 Grand Final defeat to the Blues with a thrilling 27 - 21 victory to close the “All In” Round.

It was a genuine clash between the competition’s top sides. Matatū surged to a 17 - 0 lead after 21 minutes, only for the Blues to rally and edge ahead 21–20 with 15 minutes remaining. The decisive try came from Hannah King.

In the 70th minute, replacement winger Binky Muamua beat Jaymie Kolose on the outside and raced into open space. After an electrifying 45-metre run, Amarante Sititi made a crucial covering tackle. From the ensuing recycle, King crossed untouched.

Muamua, 19, scored 11 tries in six matches for Canterbury in the 2025 Farah Palmer Cup. One spectator remarked, “Did Ayesha Leti-I’iga change jerseys?” a nod to Muamua’s pace and power.

King was superb from the tee, landing all five attempts, including a sideline conversion.

Late try seals Matatū comeback after Blues fight back

After a narrow win over the Poua the previous week and lingering frustration from the 2025 final, Matatū started with intent. No. 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker crashed over after sustained pressure, before a King penalty extended the lead. Maia Davis and Winnie Palamo combined from a scrum to make it 17–0.

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, recently named Women’s Player of the Year for Harlequins in England’s PWR, led by example topping Aupiki for lineout steals and scoring a key try to close the gap to 17 - 7 at halftime.

There was a 14-minute scoring drought after the break before Danny-Elle Fesolai added impact off the bench, helping set up Kolose for her 14th Aupiki try. Braxton Sorensen-McGee converted from the sideline.

King settled Matatū with a 35-metre penalty in the 61st minute, but Sorensen-McGee responded with two powerful line breaks. From sustained pressure, Atlanta Lolohea burrowed over, and Sorensen-McGee converted to give the Blues the lead.

Moments later, Muamua provided the match-defining play.

The loose forwards dominated proceedings, with Sititi, Taufa Bason, Mikaele-Tu’u and Olsen-Baker all outstanding. However, a crucial late intervention came from replacement flanker Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, who held up Sylvia Brunt over the line, a decisive defensive play.