Emma Dermody of Matatu and Maiakawanakaulani Roos of the Blues compete for the ball. Photo: Joe Allison
The Blues women have suffered their first loss of the Super Rugby Aupiki season, upset 37-29 by Matatū in Whangārei.
It was a perfect 4-0 start to the campaign for the defending champions, but a superb second half performance will ensure Matatū a spot in the 2025 grand final alongside the Blues.
It was a blistering start for the Blues as Portia Woodman-Wickliffe burst through a hole and skinned the cover to open proceedings after just two minutes.
Powerful prop Ona Palu responded for the visitors with a close range strike before Lucy Jenkins put Matatū ahead on the back of a quick tap.
Aldora Itunu muscled her way over to bring the Blues back and see the sides locked up at 12 apiece at the break.
Taufa Bason put the Blues back in front after halftime with her first Aupiki try, managing to brush off the final defender to cross in the corner.
However in attempting to run it out from deep, the Blues threw a wayward pass which was picked off by Fia Laikong who strolled over from just five metres out.
Hannah King put Matatū in front with the extras and Jenkins extended the advantage with her second try.
The points kept flowing with Bason bragging a brace to once again square things up at 24-all.
A King penalty restored the lead with Kaea Nepia dotting down to make it a ten-point deficit for the Blues with 15 to play.
Pouring on the pressure, Matatū finally cracked as Blues winger Katelyn Vaha'akolo found herself unmarked on the right flank.
But it was too little too late as King put another penalty through the posts to seal a stunning upset for the southerners.
The teams will play again in a fortnight to crown the 2025 Aupiki champions.
Catch up with how it went down here:
