The Counties Manukau Heat have scampered eight points clear at the top of the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) Premiership after four rounds.
Past the competition's regular season halfway mark, the Premiership is wide open behind the Heat, with the next three teams separated by two points, while the Manawatu Cyclones continue to run up big scores in the FPC Championship.
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The Heat remained unbeaten with a tough 35-26 victory over the winless Northland Kauri in Pukekohe on Sunday, thanks to a second-half hat-trick from reserve prop Joanna Fanene-Lolo.
Northland wing Kerri Johnson's Aunt, Black Ferns star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, knows a thing or two about scoring tries. And her niece must have been taking notes, with her hat-trick score in the 55th minute raising the prospect of an upset.
The Kaikohe flyer, a Super Rugby Aupiki champion with the Blues Women, scored all her tries over more than 30 metres, in the 19th, 44th and 55th minutes.
However, the Heat's biggest weapon was super-sub Fanene-Lolo, Counties' 2023 Player of the Year who went over in the 50th, 60th and 67th minutes, with her last two tries putting the hosts up 14 points.
Fanene-Lolo came off the bench just after halftime and gained 105 metres with the ball in hand and added eight tackles in a devastating performance.
Seeking their first win, Northland were perhaps guilty of playing too much rugby, with a spillage five metres out from their line in the 66th minute was a disaster, leading to the match-clinching try.
Auckland’s fairy tale beginning to 2024, capturing the JJ Stewart Trophy against Canterbury last Saturday, came to a shuddering halt with a record 65-17 defeat against a rampant Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday.
With 10 players aged 18 or under on the roster, the visiting Storm were no match for the ruthless hosts, who finally hit their straps after a sluggish start to the campaign.
Veisinia Fakalelu began the wreckage with a bullying bust that contributed to a try and then the robust tighthead prop, winner of two National Secondary Schools touch titles at Hamilton Girls’ High School, powered over herself.
In her decorated career, Chelsea Semple has never scored more than 25 points in a game for Waikato but she did it with a try, seven conversions and two penalties. Centre Rina Paraone reminded everybody of why she was once on the cusp of Black Ferns Sevens selections with numerous slashing breaks and two tries.
Down 39-0 at halftime, Auckland can take genuine heart from the contribution of their bench. Halfback Aleiyah Tuala cleared without hesitation and reserve front rowers Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono and Rori Wood ploughed through a pile of work and each scored tries. Blindside Elizabeth Moimoi was lion-hearted with 21 tackles and a late try.
Waikato’s increasing confidence will put the Premiership on notice. In 2022, Auckland suffered a record 41-5 defeat to Waikato but recovered to make the final.
Bay of Plenty have achieved two wins in a season for the first time since 2022, rolling to a 47-26 win over the Hawke's Bay Tui in Hastings on Sunday.
The Volcanix roared ahead 40-0 midway through the second half, with second-five Payton Takimoana scoring two tries, before the Tui rallied bravely to salvage a crucial four-try bonus point. Debutant halfback Briar Hales scored that fourth try with a last-play bust from a lineout.
Bay of Plenty prop Te Urupounamu McGarvey was typically robust and former Black Ferns flankers Karli Faneva and Kendra Reynolds (22 tackles) were imperious.
The Hawke’s Bay midfield alone missed 14 tackles, with Takimoana and Azalleyah Maaka lethal together. Former New Zealand age-group representative Kokako Raki was outstanding on the wing, scoring a try and gaining 226 metres.
Manawatū have cracked a half-century in four of their past six matches, continuing the trend in a 55-17 victory over Tasman in Blenheim on Saturday.
Centre Hollyrae Mete had a colossal game, with a try, eight clean breaks, 15 defenders beaten and 203 metres gained, while wing Rubi Malanicagi scored a hat-trick and second-five Kahurangi Sturmey two tries.
Tasman’s opening quarter was the best of their season, holding Manawatū to 12-10 as wing Michelle Curry scored one of the tries of the FPC season.
However, the quick ruck ball and handling of the Cyclones soon had Tasman back peddling.
Manawatū loose forwards Taufa Bason, Anahera Hamahona and Elinor-Plum King combined for more than 30 tackles.
There was enormous work done on defence by Tasman hooker Jet Haywood (20 tackles) and loose forwards Sui Pauaraisa (19 tackles), and Fiaalii Solomona (18 tackles). Centre Lesieli Taufa and fullback Sarah Jones are two players who attack with vigour and flair for Tasman. Jones bravely chimed in with 10 tackles too.
A commanding 60-17 victory for the Otago Spirit over the Taranaki Whio in New Plymouth was set up with six first-half tries.
Hooker Hannah Lithgow bagged a hat-trick for Otago. The St Hilda’s product was a New Zealand Under-18 Barbarians representative in 2023 and underscored her considerable promise, replacing veteran Tegan Hollows, who retreated to No 8, charging for 82 gained metres and a try.
Replacement back Naomi Sopoaga was another who was tough to contain. She beat defenders at will in an inspired 71-minute display, replacing Cheyenne Cunningham, who left the field with a cut eye. Halfback Georgia Cormick posted 20 points in another assured performance.
The second half was dominated by the whistle, with three yellow cards. Despite two of those going to Taranaki, the Whio battled bravely.
Standout games were from Hayley Gabriel, who scored two tries, and Briana Poingdestre, who gained 143 meters with possession. Combined, the Taranaki loose forward trio made more than 50 tackles.
The Wellington Pride made a fast start and warded off a comeback in a 36-21 win over the North Harbour Hibiscus in Porirua on Sunday.
Wellington were two tries up after seven minutes at Jerry Collins Stadium, and worked hard thereafter to foil a vastly-improved North Harbour.
The Pride only led 17-14 after 63 minutes, failing to capitalise on a red card. When captain and most-capped player Jackie Patea-Fereti scored, there was some breathing room established. Damaging Black Ferns XV wing Harmony Kautai sealed victory for the Pride with her second try.
Wellington prop Lavinia Lea carried with venom and openside Sinead To’oala-Ryder (19 tackles) was busy. The midfield of Drenna Falaniko and Monica Tagoai made 28 tackles combined and were more accomplished than their counterparts.
For North Harbour lock Izzy West (11 tackles) and flanker Madison Johnson (15 tackles). First-five Hailey Beale has grown considerably and caused concern when she was unhesitant.
FARAH PALMER CUP RESULTS - ROUND 4
PREMIERSHIP
Counties Manukau 35 (Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic, Joanna Fanene-Lolo 3 tries; Hazel Tubic 3 con) Northland 26 (Kerri Johnson 3, Steffi Hooson tries; Tara Turner 2 con, Tyler Nankivell con). HT: 14-7
Waikato 65 (Lela Ieremia, Veisinia Fakalelu, Rina Paraone 2, Ariana Bayler, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Montessa Tairakena, Chelsea Semple, Roelien du Plessis tries; Chelsea Semple 7 con, 2 pen) Auckland 17 (Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono, Rori Wood, Elizabeth Moimoi tries; Braxton Sorenson-McGee con). HT: 39-0
Bay of Plenty 47 (Azalleyah Maaka, Kokako Raki, Payton Takimoana 2, Karli Faneva, Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Kesha Church tries; Kelly Brazier 5 con, Hope Parata-Kingi con) Hawke’s Bay 26 (Olioli Mua, Leilani Hakiwai, Denise Aiolupotea, Briar Hales tries; Krysten Cottrell 2 con, Leilani Hakiwai con). HT: 26-0
CHAMPIONSHIP
Manawatū 55 (Ruci Malangicagi 3, Kahurangi Sturmey 2, Rangimarie Sturmey, Hollyrae Mete, Ngano Tavake, Selica Winiata tries; Selica Winiata 5 con) Tasman 17 (Lesieli Taufa, Michelle Curry, Peleoaiga Loto tries; Ashleigh Wood con). HT: 41-12
Otago 60 (Hannah Lithgow 3, Georgia Cormick 2, Sheree Hume, Tegan Hollows, Jamie Church, Naomi Sopoaga, Kayley Johnson tries; Georgia Cormick 5 con) Taranaki 17 (Hayley Gabriel 2, Eve Martin tries; Laura Claridge con). HT: 40-5
Wellington 36 (Drenna Falaniko, Harmony Kautai 2, Lavinia Lea, Sinead To’oala-Ryder Jackie Patea-Feret tries; Arene Landon-Lane 3 con) North Harbour 21 (Madison Johnson, Ella Henderson, Hailey Beale tries; Mikayla Suluape 3 con). HT: 17-7