Round 4: How Far to Grow?

It ended up costing $700 to reroute ourselves through Palmerston North but it was worth every cent. We got to be there sideline as the Poua ended their two year losing streak and beat the Manawa for the very first time. The best possible birthday gift Bailey could have received.

It was payoff for the shift we have seen at the Hurricanes this season. Lead by the franchise's new chair, Malcolm Gillies, going all in on the women's team. His company proudly the naming rights sponsor of the Poua this season.

Gillies sat down before their first home game and said the quiet part loud. The Poua haven't been treated with the respect they deserve. That they, and women's rugby at large, have been "under-resourced and undervalued". To have someone in his position put it so plainly, felt like a watershed for the team.

This shift was there again in Iritana Hohaia's impassioned speech after they came up just short against Matatū. She spoke about how their intention this year was to change the narrative. The Hurricanes are matching that effort off the park. While Bailey and I were scrambling for an alternate route to Pukekohe, the Poua were put on a chartered flight out of Paraparaumu.

We all know the Hurricanes of the past would have put them on the bus. We all know that poor prep would have likely contributed to a loss. You're less likely to put your body on the line when the only line your franchise is worried about is the bottom one in their budget.

Together, they are changing their narrative. They are making amends to their women's team. More resource, more respect. Their backing is contributing to the belief that's building in this Poua side. Giving me the real win I've been waiting for.

Can this team of battlers fight another round this week against a Blues side that's hurting? I honestly can't tell you because this Poua team is too busy re-writing every script that's been performed in this competition. 2.35pm tomorrow there's no place I'd rather be than sideline as we find out.

GAME ONE: Poua vs Blues, 2.35pm Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt
or on Sky Sport

Three changes have been made to the Poua's starting lineup. Ngano Tavake's red card will have her out for the foreseeable future so Angel Mulu gets a deserved promotion to the starting loosehead. Ayesha Leti-I'iga left the field with a heavily bandaged hand so Fia Laikong comes on to replace her this week. In the midfield, there's been another switch. Leilani Hakiwai starting this week with Hinemaringi Scott headed to the bench.

The Blues make just one change, Chryss Viliko returns from injury into the starting line up. This is great for the Blues who have been missing the metres she eats up but I do hope we get to see more of Glory Aiono in future.

The Blues will have a point to prove tomorrow. When you look at the team stats from halfway, they are out on top. Dominating set piece, line breaks and metres gained. They have given away the least amount of penalties too which is an improvement from years gone by. All the pieces are there, they just need to click into place.

The trouble for the Auckland based side is they are rapidly running out of time. It really needs to be this weekend that we see the performance we know they are capable of.

The only trouble is the Poua are on the rise. Their scoresheet from halfway is more of a mixed bag. Their discipline and set piece causing them real headaches. The good news is, the lineouts are rapidly improving. After just 40% success in game one and a pathetic 22% won in game two, we nailed every single lineout last weekend and even pinched a couple.

The are last in metres gained but considering they've had over 100 less carries than their closest competitor, they aren't far off the pace. They've also found real reward in the tight game, the classic pick and goes getting them where they need to be.

The real magic of their season though has been their defence. Their discipline has pushed it to it's absolute limit, playing too many minutes a player down across the last couple of games. Still, they've hung in there for each other. Making the most tackles of this season, 583 across three games, while still maintaining the highest success rate at 89% completion.

The Poua are going to need every tackle to stick this weekend when they host the Blues. They do that and this could be one heck of a game.

GAME TWO: Manawa vs Matatū, 3.00pm Navigation Homes Stadium
or live on Sky Sport

The chops and changes behind the scenes derail the Manawa again this week. Due to field availability they are headed back up the road to Pukekohe. It's a cock up for fans of Aupiki because now we will have to choose which game to watch live as they play over top each other. So I will be watching this match on delay after the Poua game.

Matatū make two changes this week and lucky for the Southerners, these are both tactical. Holly Greenway is the starting hooker and Fiaali'i Solomona the starting six. This sends Nat Delamere and Paris Lokotui to the bench. A reward it feels for Greenway, who is growing in confidence in her transition to the front row. While the fresh legs of Lokotui off the bench will inject some tempo as soon as she enters the match.

While the stats aren't perfect for Matatū midway through, none of them are bad either. They are there or there abouts across the board which given they currently sit on the top of the table is good news. They still have some way to grow but are already getting the job done.

I still feel sick thinking of the way Kennedy Tukuafu left the field last week. The red card offense a text book example of why crocodile rolls have been outlawed. Her absence from the starting lineup isn't the only change for the Manawa.

Chyann Kaitapu replaces Te Urupounamu McGarvey at loosehead. Tynealle Fitzgerald starts for Tukuafu. There's a new 9/10 combo of Ariana Bayler and Madison Flutey. More change outside them, Huia Harding into starting 12 as Shoshana Seumanutafa is out injured and Louise Blyde starts on the wing.

I don't love all these changes for the Manawa. Injury selections aside, this is the same trap they fell into last season where they just couldn't settle into a starting lineup. I'll put a dollar in the jar for saying it again - Aupiki is a short season. You barely have the time to build continuity. You have any less if you keep switching players out.

I feel less optimistic than the TAB do about this match. Matatū just need to hold the standard they've put out all season and it'll be enough to carry them through.

With you,
Alice