A grand final berth awaits the two winners of ‘Semi Final Sunday’ at North Harbour Stadium with the nib Blues taking on Matatū at 3:15pm ahead of the Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua at 6:05pm in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki.

 After a confidence boosting win in the Capital last weekend, it’s all on the line at home for the nib Blues playing their first-round opponents, Matatū. 

nib Blues Head Coach, Willie Walker, said the team are in a great spot heading into their semi final.

“The main thing we can take from the Poua win is confidence,” said Walker.

“We’ve been building nicely to this point in the competition and now we’re just one win away from a final. There’s plenty of excitement and anticipation around the group and our job as coaches is to harness those feelings and channel them towards a strong performance on Sunday.”

Walker has made one change in the forwards for the semi final with Eloise Blackwell joining Maia Roos in the second row of the scrum.

“Eloise is an experienced campaigner and we’ve been impressed with her work-rate. We’re looking forward to her putting in another good shift on Sunday.”

Meanwhile in the backs, a couple of positional changes see Captain Ruahei Demant move to second-five with Krysten Cottrell starting at pivot and Patricia Maliepo shifting to fullback. Melanie Puckett also gets the nod at halfback with impact off the bench from Ariana Bayler.

“Krysten’s been huge for us off the bench and we all know the class of Ruahei. We feel having both on the field at once will make a real difference.”

“Mel’s earned her start at nine and I think Patricia will enjoy the freedom that fullback affords her,” said Walker.

nib Blues Captain, Ruahei Demant said a positional shift isn’t an issue heading into Sunday’s match.

“It’ll be great wearing the twelve jersey and running off Krysten. Whenever she’s come on in previous matches I’ve noticed a difference in our attack so I’m looking forward to starting out there with her.”

“There’s been a buzz around our training base at Eden Rugby Club over the last couple of days. We are walking towards this semi final and embracing the challenge ahead of us. We know Matatū will bring their best on Sunday and we’ll have to be at ours to match them.”

The nib Blues v Matatū is the first of two Aupiki semi finals with Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua playing after at 6:05pm.

Kids can attend Sunday’s for FREE when attending with a paying GA adult. Tickets to North Harbour Stadium can be found online at www.blues.flicket.co.nz

nib Blues 

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Grace Gago 
3. Sophie Fisher 
4. Eloise Blackwell
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Charmaine McMenamin
7. Tafito Lafaele
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u
9. Melanie Puckett 
10. Krysten Cottrell
11. Katelynn Vahaakolo 
12. Ruahei Demant 
13. Sylvia Brunt 
14. Jaymie Kolose 
15. Patricia Maliepo
Reserves:
16. Alakoka Po'oi 
17. Toka Natua  
18. Letelemalanuola Lavea
19. Maama Vaipulu
20. Shannon Leota
21. Ariana Bayler
22. Kiritapu Demant
23. Tara Turner 

SKY Super Rugby Semi Finals:

KIDS GO FREE with a paying GA adult! Blues memberships and ticket information for both nib Blues women’s and Blues men’s fixtures can be found online at www.blues.flicket.co.nz

Sunday, March 19

nib Blues v Matatū | 3:15pm

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua | 6:05pm

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Coverage: SKY SPORT