The Manawatū Cyclones have capped a memorable season by conquering Otago in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship final in Palmerston North.
Meanwhile, the semifinal line-up in the Premiership was confirmed in Round 7 over the weekend, with Auckland facing a daunting trip to Hamilton to face Waikato and Counties Manukau set to host Canterbury.
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Magnificent Manawatū captured the Championship title and promotion to the Premiership for the second time since 2021 with a resounding 33-3 victory over Otago at Central Energy Trust Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors were dogged but eventually were overwhelmed by the power and mobility of the Cyclones' pack.
After a penalty by Otago halfback Georgia Cormick, openside flanker Anahera Hamahona scored a cracking try, stepping sharply off the right foot and fending off the fullback in a 25-metre dart.
Captain Kahurangi Sturmey was typically industrious and barged over after a sustained build-up by Manawatu's forwards, giving the hosts a 14-3 lead at the break.
Hollyrae Mete has been the standout centre in the competition and she showcased her brilliance with a second-half hat-trick. Two of the tries came from incisive running from close range, while her 52nd-minute runaway was similar to what she has done all year.
Loosehead prop Ngano Tavake was damaging and lock Sam Taylor a workhorse. The Cyclones' loose forward trio of Elinor-Plum King, Hamahona and Sturmey were dynamic and wing Wikitoria Doyle was lively.
Captain Julia Gorinski played her 65th, and final, game for the Spirit and Eilis Doyle earned her 50th cap. Bella Rewiri-Wharerau (19 tackles) was one of Otago’s best all season.
Canterbury claimed the final Premiership semifinal berth with a 43-34 victory over Bay of Plenty in what was essentially a quarterfinal match at Rotorua's International Stadium on Sunday.
The match promised to be tight and it delivered, with six lead changes until the Red and Blacks took the lead in the 68th minute.
Canterbury took a 29-27 lead for good when centre Fia Laikong outstretched the hosts' defense. From the kick-off, Canterbury busted and lock Stacey Niao scored a try that would be a contender for the best in 2024.
Canterbury’s loose forwards Laura Bayfield (nine tackles), Keelah Bodle (16 tackles) and Neve Anglesey (16 tackles) were not only tireless in the tackle but ran effectively. It was Bayfield’s first try that got Canterbury back in the contest after a sluggish start.
Payton Takimoana had a blinder for Bay of Plenty, with former Black Fern Kelly Brazier contributing some masterful assists. Openside Holly Wratt-Groeneweg (13 tackles) produced another strong display against her former province and 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup-winning prop Santo Taumata is a welcome return.
Hawke’s Bay failed to emulate their 2023 season by making the Premiership semifinals, but at least they saved their best for last with a record 48-24 triumph over Auckland.
The Tui scored eight tries and almost ended the season for Auckland, whose 79th-minute try gave them a four-try bonus point, to sneak into the playoffs.
The Tui scored first in the 18th minute, led 12-10 at halftime and never relinquished the lead in scoring their second win over Auckland in two matches between the two sides since being promoted to the top division of the FPC.
Tearaway flanker Tempryss Lauvao scored both first-half tries for the Tui. Auckland also scored two tries,
Hawke’s Bay took control of proceedings immediately after the break with tries in five minutes to wings Nicolette Adamson and Monique Clark.
Auckland briefly rallied before the fearless Tui cut loose. Tries to prop Nina Poletti, fullback Thamsyn Newton, centre Teilah Ferguson and substitute wing Maleta Pailate settled the outcome.
The Tui often breached from long range which was a tribute to their ambition, accuracy, strength and speed. Ferguson, No 8 Jaimee Robin and first-five Krysten Cottrell were outstanding.
Crucially fullback Braxton Sorenson-McGee crashed over in the 79th minute following a powerful charge by blindside Elizabeth Moimoi to secure Auckland a four-try bonus point to reach the semis. Wing Angelica Mekemeke Vahai and centre Daynah Nankivell were dangerous for the Storm.
Waikato scored a record 81-0 victory over Northland to claim the regular season title and No 1 seed from Counties Manukau on head-to-head result.
Kaea Nepia also broke the record for the most conversions by a Waikato player in a match with eight conversions, topping Chelsea Semple, who had kicked five conversions in a match four times.
Waikato were rampant with an imperious set piece and a hard-running, slick backline that created plenty of holes.
Wing Ana Marsters scored hat-trick and lock Leata Puni Lio went over for two tries, while eight other players got on the scoresheet. Even the great Carla Hohepa made a return from the bench and scored a try.
Prop Kredence Brown (16 tackles) and openside Tui McGeorge (25 tackles) toiled gamely for Northland.
Waikato previous biggest win was 76-14 against Taranaki in 2020.
FARAH PALMER CUP RESULTS
PREMIERSHIP - ROUND 7
Canterbury 43 (Laura Bayfield, Neve Anglesey, Fia Laikong 2, Tayla Simpson, Stacey Niao, Winnie Palamo tries; Abigail Paton 4 con) Bay of Plenty 34 (Payton Takimoana 3, Kesha Church, Te Urupounamu McGarvey tries; Kelly Brazier 3 con, pen). HT: 12-5
Hawke’s Bay 48 (Tempryss Lauvao 2, Nicolette Adamson, Monique Clark, Nina Poletti, Thamsyn Newton, Teilah Ferguson, Maleta Pailate tries; Krysten Cottrell 4 con) Auckland 24 (Dajian Brown, Tialae Lelenga, Eloise Blackwell, Braxton Sorenson-McGee tries; Sorenson-McGee 2 con). HT: 12-10
Waikato 81 (Leata Puni Lio 2, Veisinia Fakalelu, Ana Marsters 3, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Mia Anderson, Montessa Tairakena, Chelsea Semple, Tafiau Fetalaiga, Violet Hapi-Wise, Carla Hohepa tries; Kaea Nepia 8 con) Northland 0. HT: 46-0
CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL
Manawatū 33 (Anahera Hamahona, Kahurangi Sturmey, Hollyrae Mete 3 tries; Maia Davis 4 con) Otago 3 (Georgia Cormick pen). HT: 14-3
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