nib BLUES BACK TO WINNING WAYS
The Blues returned to the winner’s circle with a commanding 42-26 performance over Chiefs Manawa in Whangārei on Friday.
Looking to respond after back-to-back defeats, the Blues wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest.
Early pressure forced Chiefs Manawa into a costly mistake deep inside their own territory, and the Blues took full advantage. Opting for a scrum from a penalty, the forwards laid the perfect platform before Maama Vaipulu powered over in the fifth minute to open the scoring.
The home side continued to dictate terms through relentless defence, accurate kicking and dominant field position. Ruahei Demant controlled proceedings expertly with the boot, while the chase consistently put Chiefs Manawa under pressure.
A powerful midfield break from Hollyrae Mete-Renata set up another attacking opportunity, and when Chiefs forward Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalel was shown a yellow card for knocking the ball from Tara Turner’s hands, the Blues capitalised immediately. From the resulting scrum, Turner darted over untouched to double the advantage.
With confidence growing, the Blues kept the scoreboard ticking. Slick hands created space out wide before Jaymie Kolose delivered a perfectly timed inside ball for Danny-Elle Fesolai to score, extending the lead to 21-0 inside the opening 17 minutes.
Chiefs Manawa fought their way back into the contest through captain Mia Anderson after sustained pressure close to the line, but the Blues responded in trademark fashion.
Demant’s pinpoint kick to the corner created another attacking platform, and after a dominant driving maul, Sylvia Brunt showcased her strength to power through multiple defenders and restore the Blues’ momentum.
Although Chiefs Manawa added another try before halftime, the Blues entered the break firmly in control thanks to their explosive opening spell and clinical execution.
The second half was more evenly contested, but the Blues continued to show patience and composure with ball in hand.
After a sustained multi-phase attack, Mete-Renata earned a deserved try, crashing over following 11 phases of controlled possession to reward another influential performance in midfield.
Chiefs Manawa answered with an impressive long-range try, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished after Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.
The Blues again made their numerical advantage count, with the forwards marching their way up field before Amarante Sititi finished off another powerful attacking sequence. Demant added her sixth successful conversion to cap another polished display.
Blues 42: (Maama Vaipulu, Tara Turner, Danny-Elle Fesolai, Sylvia Brunt, Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Amarante Sititi tries; Ruahei Demant 6 cons)
Chiefs Manawa 26: (Mia Anderson 2, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a 2 tries; Carys Dallinger 2, Ariana Bayler cons)