There was late drama for the home side as Canterbury, always dangerous in broken play, launched one final, frantic attacking foray. But Waikato’s collective defensive heart was no better illustrated when fullback Kaea Nepia tackled Canterbury replacement wing Fia Laikong and forced a knock-on with the corner flag beckoning.
This was a team effort from the defending champions, led by evergreen hooker Grace Houpapa-Barrett up front and players such as Nepia at fullback and Rina Paraone at second-five. Waikato also lost their captain and flanker, Mia Anderson, to a HIA assessment midway through the first half.
Waikato made a fast start to the final with skipper Anderson charging down a clearing kick by Canterbury halfback Kelsyn McCook and forcing a 5-metre scrum.
This led directly to a penalty and attacking lineout in the corner and hooker Houpapa-Barrett rumbled over to score her 10th try of the season and her 34th overall for Waikato.
Canterbury went close to hitting back with their first venture into the hot zone, disrupting Waikato’s defensive lineout and forcing a 5-metre scrum. Waikato held their forwards off and cleared the ball upfield.
But only as far as flying fullback Winnie Palamo. She burst free with ball in hand and took on Waikato’s defenders on the outside and scored a brilliant solo try in the left corner to even it up.
Waikato continued to boss the tight forward exchanges, winning two more scrum penalties, but Canterbury were able to build phases with ball in hand.
Canterbury First five Rosie Buchanan-Brown was successful with a penalty, and they led 8-5 after half an hour.
Waikato then answered with some direct running inside Canterbury’s 22. Prop Chyann Kaitapu was held up over the line and Canterbury escaped with a goal-line dropout.
Waikato’s next opportunity was created by right wing Lela Ieremia, whose chip and chase led to an attacking lineout on the far side. The home team’s forwards surged ahead and lock Leomie Kloppers scored to the right of the posts. Fullback Nepia converted and they now led 12-8.
Canterbury had the final opportunity of the first half, but Waikato turned over their ball after a penalty and lineout and both teams went under the tunnel to reflect on a hotly contested first 40 minutes.
Waikato won the first big moment of the second half with another penalty from their dominant scrum. Canterbury defended their subsequent lineout, but Waikato went wide to left wing Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a who became their second player to be held up over the line.
Canterbury then went desperately close to scoring the next try. In general play, first five Buchanan-Brown broke up over the 22 and offloaded to flanker Lucy Jenkins in support who found lock Holly Greenway who galloped through over the whitewash. But the try was disallowed by the TMO for that last pass being forward.
The final remained on tenterhooks heading into the fourth quarter. In general play, Canterbury right wing Louise Blyde made a sharp break up her wing, giving her team impetus to carry on through several phases inside the 22. They stretched Waikato and brought play back to Blyde’s wing and she scored the decisive try to put them up by a point.
Next, Waikato won a penalty centre field inside Canterbury’s 22 and opted for a scrum instead of a shot at goal or a lineout. This backfired as they conceded a penalty of their own from the set-piece and a potentially crucial chance was lost.
Moments later, however, the second five Paraone won a penalty at a breakdown on her own side of the halfway line. First five Ariana Bayler kicked ahead and the bounce sat up for Waikato’s attackers to regather and surge ahead on to attack. Ten phases later they went wide to the left edge and left wing Tuliau-Tua'a crossed for the try. Fullback Nepia slotted the sideline conversion to put Waikato up 19-13 with just over 10 minutes to play.
Both sides emptied their benches as Waikato knocked on in their midfield and Canterbury found themselves hot on attack on their 22 and packing down a scrum. That moment was lost soon after with Waikato hooker Houpapa-Barrett making a one-on-one turnover, which summed her and her team’s performance on a successful afternoon. Last weekend, Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland joined Houpapa-Barrett in the 50 games club for the province.
Keelah Bodle topped the tackle count for Waikato with 19, Fiaali'i Solomona made 20 tackles for Canterbury and Neve Anglesey 21.
Waikato are the first side since Canterbury in 2020 to successfully defend the Premiership title. They have won three Premierships since 2021 with a record of 29 wins and seven defeats.
Waikato: 19 (Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Leomie Kloppers, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a tries; Kaea Nepia 2 con) Canterbury: 13 (Winnie Palamo, Lucy Blyde tries; Rosie Buchanan-Brown pen) HT: 12-8
