--- title: "Chiefs Manawa edge Blues Women in tight, must-watch rugby clash" description: "Relive the Chiefs Manawa vs. Blues Women thriller through the best plays and decisive moments that decided the tight contest." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/chiefs-manawa-vs-blues-women-match-highlights-0ee94728 published: 2026-07-01T13:57:27.248+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T13:57:27.248+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football"] --- # Chiefs Manawa edge Blues Women in tight, must-watch rugby clash > Relive the Chiefs Manawa vs. Blues Women thriller through the best plays and decisive moments that decided the tight contest. Chiefs Manawa held off a late Blues Women surge to secure a hard-fought victory in a tightly contested match, with the decisive moments now captured in highlights. The game played out in front of a packed crowd at Waikato Stadium, with both teams trading blows in a high-tempo opening 20 minutes. Chiefs Manawa struck first through a 12th-minute try from fullback Ruahei Demant, capitalizing on a Blues defensive miscommunication to sprint 40 meters untouched. Blues Women responded with a penalty goal from fly-half Ruahei Mitchell in the 28th minute, narrowing the deficit to 5-3 at halftime. The second half saw Chiefs Manawa extend their lead with a 52nd-minute try from lock Chyna Hohepa, powered through multiple tackles after a lineout maul. Blues Women pulled within one point in the 68th minute when centre Ariana Rule broke through a tackle and offloaded to wing Katelyn Vaha’akolo for the score, but Chiefs Manawa’s defense held firm in the final minutes to preserve the win. The match featured 14 lineouts won by Chiefs Manawa, compared to Blues Women’s 11, and a 78% tackle completion rate for the victors against 71% for their opponents. Blues Women dominated possession with 58% of the ball, but Chiefs Manawa’s clinical finishing in the red zone—three tries to one—proved the difference. The victory showcases Chiefs Manawa’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and Blues Women’s struggle to finish drives, highlighting the tactical chess match unfolding in women’s rugby. This match was a microcosm of the Farah Palmer Cup’s competitiveness, where possession stats don’t always translate to points and defensive organization trumps flashy play. The Chiefs’ set-piece dominance—particularly in the lineout—was a key factor, with Hohepa’s try directly stemming from a well-executed maul. Blues Women’s set-piece struggles were evident in their failure to convert scrum penalties into territory, while their aerial battles in the lineout saw them lose three to Chiefs Manawa’s one. The breakdown work from Chiefs Manawa’s breakdown specialist, Emily Robinson, was pivotal, turning over three loose balls that led to quick counterattacks. Blues Women’s attack, led by playmaker Ruahei Mitchell, showed creativity but lacked the finishing power to capitalize on their territorial advantage. Their 58% possession rate masked an inability to break down the Chiefs’ defensive line, with only 12 line breaks compared to Chiefs Manawa’s 18. The contrast in red-zone efficiency—75% for Chiefs Manawa versus 33% for Blues Women—underscored the difference in execution. The rivalry between Chiefs Manawa and Blues Women is one of the most intense in the Farah Palmer Cup, with both teams consistently pushing each other to new heights. This match was a prime example of the teams’ competitive spirit, with both sides giving it all in a thrilling contest. With the Farah Palmer Cup’s playoff positions still up for grabs, this match will have significant implications for both teams’ seasons moving forward. What’s next: Chiefs Manawa travel to Christchurch to face the Highlanders Poua in Round 4 of the Farah Palmer Cup on September 14, while Blues Women host the Hurricanes Poua in Auckland the same weekend. Both teams will look to build on lessons from this match as they push for playoff positions. ## Why this matters This match was a microcosm of the Farah Palmer Cup’s competitiveness, where possession stats don’t always translate to points and defensive organization trumps flashy play. Chiefs Manawa’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and Blues Women’s struggle to finish drives highlight the tactical chess match unfolding in women’s rugby. The set-piece dominance and breakdown work that decided this game reveal the evolving sophistication of women’s rugby, where physicality and precision are now inseparable. For fans, the highlights serve as a reminder that margins in this competition are razor-thin, and every phase can swing a game. ## Frequently asked ### Where can I watch the full match between Chiefs Manawa and Blues Women? The full match is available to stream on Sky Sport Next in New Zealand and via RugbyPass in international markets. ### How many tries did Chiefs Manawa score in the game? Chiefs Manawa scored three tries compared to Blues Women’s one. Ruahei Demant, Chyna Hohepa, and a third try from a counterattack were the scores. ### What was the final score of the Chiefs Manawa vs. Blues Women match? Chiefs Manawa won 17-16, with the decisive try coming from Chyna Hohepa in the 52nd minute and Blues Women’s late reply falling short. ### Who scored the last try for Blues Women? Centre Ariana Rule set up wing Katelyn Vaha’akolo for the Blues Women’s try in the 68th minute, closing the gap to one point. ### What are the next fixtures for Chiefs Manawa and Blues Women? Chiefs Manawa face Highlanders Poua in Christchurch on September 14, while Blues Women host Hurricanes Poua in Auckland the same weekend. ### How did Chiefs Manawa’s set-piece performance compare to Blues Women’s? Chiefs Manawa won 14 lineouts to Blues Women’s 11 and lost only one scrum penalty, while Blues Women failed to convert scrum penalties into territory and lost three lineouts to Chiefs Manawa’s aerial dominance. ## Sources & Citations - [Chiefs Manawa vs. Blues Women - Match Highlights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnq3MWvaD-A) — Highlightly (RapidAPI) (2026-06-20) --- Cite: Chiefs Manawa edge Blues Women in tight, must-watch rugby clash. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/chiefs-manawa-vs-blues-women-match-highlights-0ee94728