Blues Women v Chiefs Manawa

[Stargazer]

HOME AND HUNGRY – nib BLUES SET TO HOST CHIEFS MANAWA — Blues Rugby

A local derby awaits the nib Blues women this weekend as they prepare to take on Chiefs Manawa on Saturday, March 4 at 2:05pm at North Harbour Stadium in the second round of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki. The nib Blues will be looking to build on a spirited performance against Matatū where they ran in thr

Players not considered: Joanna Fanene-lolo

[Crucial]

Waitomo Chiefs Manawa:
1 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu
2 Luka Connor
3 Tanya Kalounivale
4 Kelsie Thwaites
5 Chelsea Bremner
6 Charmaine Smith
7 Tynealle Fitzgerald
8 Kennedy Simon (C)
9 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (VC)
10 Hazel Tubic
11 Georgia Daals
12 Azalleyah Maaka
13 Carla Hohepa
14 Mererangi Paul
15 Tenika Willison

Reserves
16 Grace Houpapa-Barrett
17 Angel Mulu
18 Kate Henwood
19 Dhys Faleafaga
20 Victoria Makea
21 Violet Hapi-Wise
22 Amanda Rasch*
23 Apii Nicholls
*debut

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Santo Taumata

Waitomo Chiefs Manawa name a relatively unchanged side for round two

The Waitomo Chiefs Manawa have named a relatively unchanged side for round 2 of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki against the Blues.

[Crucial]

Chiefs going for consistency and establishment. They want to keep momentum.

EDIT: although all four teams play the semis, Chiefs will be going for the top spot on the table now that the Canes forward weakness has been exposed.

Players not to feature so far will possibly be given a run off the bench next week in case they are needed in the finals. (Te Iringa, Watherston). Taumata also not featured but broken bone in the hand proably rules her out for the comp.

Massive front row stocks 1-3 and 16-18 even with McGarvey in reserve. Blues will give the 4-8 bunch a good battle though.
Hopefully the Manawa backs will provide the forwards a few more play options this week.

[Bovidae]

@Crucial I don't think Chyna Hohepa has played yet either. Much more depth at lock this year.

[Crucial]

@Bovidae said in Blues Women v Chiefs Manawa:

@Crucial I don't think Chyna Hohepa has played yet either. Much more depth at lock this year.

Good spot.

I'm wondering who wasn't at the game last week now. I recall only 3 non-players (doing 'extras', including Hohepa), maybe I just didn't see Rasch.

[Bovidae]

Chyna was running the water in Levin.

Someone who has Insta can post it, as the Chiefs get some of their sevens teammates to introduce the team this week.

[Stargazer]

Out: Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, replaced by Kate Henwood at LH;
In: Harono Te Iringa takes the bench spot.

[Crucial]

Really good game so far. Both teams using the whole field but also some forward charges

[Crucial]

Conditions perfect for showcasing skills and both teams putting on a show.
Chiefs ahead 17-7 at 25 minutes

[Stargazer]

Manawa scoring way too easily. They're definitely a step up from the other teams in this comp.

[Stargazer]

Is Kelsie Thwaites related to Jeff Thwaites?

Edit: google suggests that they are married to each other.

[Crucial]

31-7 half time.
Blues playing better than the score suggests but Chiefs forwards started gaining dominance and the rest followed. Willison and Connor showing out.

[Crucial]

@Stargazer said in Blues Women v Chiefs Manawa:

Is Kelsie Thwaites related to Jeff Thwaites?

Edit: google suggests that they are married to each other.

Was Kelsie Wills.

[Crucial]

Amazing piece of skill from Willison sends Daals under the bar.
Blues fought back but Chiefs strike twice to go 45-21

[Yeetyaah]

Unsure why Harono is being used as a prop. She's a unit but she's getting monstered.

[Crucial]

Blues fighting back again

[Yeetyaah]

Shit what an effort from Grace

[Crucial]

Blues have left some key workers on (Roos, McMeniman) but Chiefs subbing out Connor, K-S and Fitzgerald took a while to reset

Good swings of momentum but try for try takes it to 50-33

[Crucial]

Chiefs Manawa will stay top of the table no matter the result in the next game.
If Matatu win then the top and bottom two are decided with the order getting sorted next week.

[Stargazer]

[Crucial]

@Stargazer that was pretty incredible. Kicked ahead then ran around the outside to step back in and reclaim. If that was Will Jordan doing that TJ would blown his load.

[Bovidae]

I managed to watch a replay of this game this morning. Good to see the Chiefs backs more involved as the back three are all threats. It is strange that you can somewhat manufacture props in the women's game but it appears that the Chiefs have major injuries there.

The Blues are a dangerous team when they get their off-loading game going. Their scrum held up better than I thought it would.