MATATU EDGE nib BLUES IN PUKEKOHE

The nib Blues suffered their first defeat of the Super Rugby Aupiki season on Saturday, narrowly beaten 27-21 by Matatū in Pukekohe.

In a fiercely contested encounter, the defending champions fought back from a 17-point first-half deficit to take the lead with 15 minutes remaining, before the home side responded with the decisive try to secure victory.

The result sees Matatū remain unbeaten at the halfway point of the competition, while the Blues will turn their attention to bouncing back next week.

The visitors made a fast start after Blues captain Maiakawanakaulani Roos was shown a yellow card in the opening stages. Matatū capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Kaipo Olsen-Baker crossing for the opening try before Hannah King added the conversion and a penalty to establish an early lead.

Matatū extended their advantage through winger Winnie Palamo to move out to a 17-0 lead after 21 minutes.

The Blues responded through powerful loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, whose try late in the first half gave the hosts a foothold heading into the break.

The momentum continued after halftime as Jaymie Kolose crossed in the corner, with Braxton Sorensen-McGee adding the conversion to reduce the margin to just three points.

Although King slotted another penalty for the hosts, the Blues continued to build pressure and were rewarded when Atlanta Lolohea finished off a well-worked attack. Sorensen-McGee’s conversion handed the defending champions their first lead of the afternoon with 15 minutes remaining.

However, Matatū had the final say. First five Hannah King crossed for the match-winning try in the 70th minute before the home side held firm through the closing stages to claim a six-point victory.

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

Matatū 27: (Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Winnie Palamo, Hannah King tries; King 3 cons, 2 pens)