Georgia Daals of Chiefs Manawa. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Defending champions the Chiefs Manawa have made it two-from-two in Super Rugby Aupiki with a rollicking 50-33 win over the Blues in Auckland.
Manawa ran in seven tries, including a hat-trick to Mererangi Paul, while fellow-winger Georgia Daals bagged a double.
Trailing 31-7 at halftime, the Blues hit back strongly in the second half.
They crossed four times after the interval, including a double to lock Maama Vaipulu, which brought them within 10 points of the lead before Paul and Daals completed their scoring with a further try each.
Hooker Luka Connor, who scored a hat-trick when the Manawa beat Hurricanes Poua last week, opened the scoring with a trademark try from a lineout drive.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes bounced back from last week's opening loss with a come-from-behind 25-24 over Matatū in Christchurch.
Matatū, who opened their season with victory over the Blues last week, pulled clear in the first half thanks to two tries from Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes.
Trailing 19-8 at the break, the Poua responded through tries to Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly and Joanah Ngan-Woo to go one point ahead.
Stephens-Daly bagged a second but Holmes then doubled her tally with 10 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish.
Still trailing by a point, Matatū had the option of a penalty shot at goal from a handy position but chose to kick for the corner.
It appeared to pay off as the home team's pack drove over the line but they couldn't ground the ball, handing victory to the jubilant Hurricanes.
- RNZ
