Opinion - Finally, we had a weekend of three Super Rugby games in New Zealand - it s just a pity that the most meaningful one was a one off. The Hurricanes and Highlanders ended their Aotearoa campaigns in an entertaining game on Friday, then the Blues had to withstand a valiant effort from a Chiefs selection that would have looked right at home in the NPC.
The Chiefs were on their way to Christchurch regardless, so resting their top players didn t matter. Or did it? That s going to be something Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan will have to answer next Saturday night if the Crusaders do indeed score their fifth championship in a row, Scott Robertson breakdances and probably adds another zero to whatever salary packet he gets offered next, and his team (presumably) try not to break the trophy again.
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Blues women’s captain Eloise Blackwell said it was awesome to see some of her teenage team-mates scoring tries. “The first 20 was a bit of a bit of a whitewash in terms of what I can remember. It was just so fast and trying to transition this big rig around the field – that was quite difficult. “Little Patricia went over for our first try, followed by Sylvia, so two of our teenage girls, and it’s awesome for them. “They are teenagers competing against women – some almost twice their age – so for them to rise to the occasion and feel confident that they can do that, I think that is just awesome.”
That intensity led to more than a few infringements, and it was Hazel Tubic that scored the first points, putting the Chiefs ahead 3-0 with a penalty from 30m out after seven minutes, when Blues prop Aleisha-Pearl Nelson failed to roll away after a tackle – the first of 14 she would muster in total thanks to some fine kicking.
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Patricia Maliepo scores the opening try for the Blues women against the Chiefs. But at the ensuing kickoff, Tubic stepped into touch while gathering the ball, and the Blues were quickly in a threatening position down the right.
Women s Super Rugby: Chiefs upstage Blues in historic clash
1 May, 2021 06:30 AM
5 minutes to read
The Chiefs celebrate victory over the Blues. Photo / Photosport
Chiefs 39
Blues 12
Blues captain Eloise Blackwell says her side s defeat to the Chiefs in the maiden New Zealand women s Super Rugby match at Eden Park proves the female game deserves proper investment.
The Chiefs comfortably upstaged the Blues, putting away their neighbours 39-12, but in many ways the result was secondary to giving women in this country a Super Rugby platform to aspire to. It s been pretty surreal, such a special occasion, and definitely long overdue, Blackwell said.
Chiefs prop Tanya Kalounivale on the charge
Photo: Photosport
After trailing by just six at half-time, the Blues couldn t score in the second spell, conceding too many turnovers and hamstrung by an inability to build pressure.
They d made a strong start, and two first-half tries helped them keep pace with the Chiefs.
Experienced Black Ferns playmaker Hazel Tubic opened the scoring for the visitors with an early penalty, but the Blues didn t take long to hit back.
First-five Patricia Maliepo pounced on a kick through, and converted her own try to give the Blues a 7-3 lead after 10 minutes.
That lasted barely two minutes before Chiefs winger Langi Veainu sliced through the midfield, showing impressive speed to round the scrambling cover defence and score in the corner.