Super Rugby Aupiki: Hurricanes go back-to-back for first time with revenge win over Blues
Saturday, 4 July 2026
Anything the Hurricanes men can do, the Poua can do … well, let’s just see how this thing plays out, but Hayden Triggs’ side has certainly signalled its intentions in Super Rugby Aupiki in 2026.
Could this be the year of the Hurricane? Clark Laidlaw’s men did their part with a memorable run to their first title in a decade, and now Triggs’ Poua have announced themselves as legitimate contenders in the women’s franchise competition with a 45-30 victory over back-to-back champions in the Hutt Valley on Saturday.
It was a magnificent repsonse to the 42-7 towelling they received at the hands of the Blues first up in Auckland.
In Pukekohe, the Matatū improved their unbeaten start to the season to 4-0 with a 41-24 victory over the Chiefs Manawa who remain winless in 2026.
But it was the Poua, behind a hat-trick of tries to wing Wikitoria Viljoen, who made the biggest statement in round four as they put the Blues to the sword at Maidstone Park to post back-to-back victories for the first time in their history. They went winless last season, and won just a single game in each of ‘22, ‘23 and ‘24, but look a different outfit this year under first-year coach Triggs.
The Wellington-based outfit powered to a convincing 23-15 halftime lead against the Blues with a pair of converted tries to Viljoen complemented by three penalties from the impressive Renee Holmes. Katelyn Vahaakolo (twice) and Mererangi Paul crossed for the Blues who were not able to convert any of their six five-pointers in the match.
The Blues, dominated up front, and overpowered at scrum, threatened a revival when they hit the lead, 25-23, early in the second spell behind tries to Jaymie Kolose and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, before te Poua took over behind their powerful pack.
Viljoen completed her hat-trick in the 51st minute, off, would you believe, a scrum tighthead to put the home side back in front, 28-25, and the deal was sealed when Arene Landon-Lane and Iritana Hohaia both crossed the chalk, and Holmes added her fourth three-pointer of the match.
“It’s been a really tough couple of years but this year is just something different,” said Poua co-captain Te Rauoriwa Gapper post-game. “You can feel the vibe. We’re going good, we’ve got the support we need and we’re putting it out there now.”
The Poua now sit just a point behind the Blues, also 2-2 for the season, on the standings, but will face a stern test next Saturday when they visit the undefeated Matatū in Timaru.
The Christchurch outfit powered to a 31-5 halftime lead in Pukekohe, with Pip Love, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Fiaali’i Solomona, Grace Brooker and Amy du Plessis all crossing for tries. The Manawa got back within seven in the second spell as Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Ariana Bayler and Louise Blyde crossed the chalk, before the visitors steadied with late scores to Nat Delamere and Olsen-Baker.
Super Rugby Aupiki, Rd 4
At Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt: Hurricanes Poua 45 (Wikitoria Viljoen 7min, 37min, 51min, Arene Landon-Lane 61min, Iritana Hohaia 67min tries; Renee Holmes 4 pen, 4 con) Blues 30 (Katelyn Vahaakolo 12min, 32min, Mererangi Paul 23min, Jaymie Kolose 43min, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u 47min, Hollyrae Mete-Renata 79min tries). HT: 23-15.
At Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe: Matatū 41 (Pip Love 3min, Kaipo Olsen-Baker 6min, 71min, Fiaali’i Solomona 21min, Grace Brooker 26min, Amy du Plessis 34min, Natalie Delamere 61min tries; Hannah King 2 con, Maia Joseph con) Chiefs Manawa 24 (Mia Anderson 17min, Ariana Bayler 45min, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a 48min, Louise Blyde 54min tries; Madison Flutey con, Bayler con). HT: 31-5.