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Oriental-Rongotai and Northern United gearing up for Women’s final

Tia Paasi Memorial / Izzy Ford | 30 July 2015 | Scott MacLean & Steven White

Oriental-Rongotai and Northern United gearing up for Women’s final

Above: Norths captain Helen Collins making in-roads against Ories when they met at the Petone Rec earlier this season.

The two heavyweights of the Women’s game will do battle for the third year in a row in the first of three Wellington club rugby finals at Porirua Park on Saturday.

Despite being the second qualifier, Norths will have the familiarity of home field as the Women’s Victoria Tavern Trophy decider takes the early stage, replacing the top Colts final on the day’s schedule. They come in off the back of defeating OBU 40-3 last week, and face Oriental-Rongotai who trounced Avalon 65-5 in their semi-final.

These two have alternated wins against each other for the past two seasons. In their last meeting three weeks ago Ories led 21-0 after 20 minutes, yet had to survive a spirited Norths comeback to win 29-27. In fact, only one side – 2012 champions Wainuiomata– has beaten either of these two in the last three years and that was last year.

Norths regained the first-round Fleurs Trophy after an unbeaten campaign, claiming the Challenge Cup with a 34-6 win over Ories en route. Ories will be looking to ensure they don’t take the double, knowing that they won the last contest between these sides at this venue, 32-24 in last year’s championship decider.

Both sides are full of talent and are likely to provide the bulk of the Wellington Pride Women’s NPC squad. Ories boast the current WRFU Women’s Player of the Year in five-eighth Elizabeth Goulden, who trialled for the national squad alongside teammate Amanda Rasch, with lock/flanker Joanah Ngan-Woo, openside Kirsty Stewart, and fullback Timena Tuma’ai all also in good form. Norths have a load of experience, typified by the Collins sisters Brenda, Helen, and Tiana, Patsy Schwalger, Agnes Dean and Leah Conley - who scored a hat-trick in that last meeting. Goal-kicking could be a decisive factor as Norths missed all eight attempts last week while Goulden is one of the best in Wellington off the tee, male or female.  
Both coaches are upbeat about their team’s chances on Saturday.

Ories coach Lui Aukuso said his side is focussed on the task at hand of defending the silverware. “The Ories team is looking forward to stepping out and playing our third final in three years,” he said. “The group is excited, especially the prospect of playing the Norths girls in what’s going to a hard-fought match, and the team that wants it more will win.”

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“Norths have set the standard in women's rugby for many years and are still the team to beat. It’s always hard to find a weakness with Norths.”

Norths coach Matt Poutoa explained that: “we are very humbled to make another final with a lot of tough competition nowadays. Our girls will enjoy the build-up and although there is a tough game ahead to just relax and not play the game too soon in their minds. For Women’s rugby to be included in the showcase of club rugby finals speaks volumes about the direction the WRFU are taking with our leading women’s competition. So it’s all about enjoying it. If we can get everyone in our squad prepared to be the best they can be – it will go a long way to putting us in the best possible position to win.”

Both teams are coming off contrasting semi-finals, with Ories easing past Avalon and Norths made to work hard in beating OBU.

“Any win is a good win when it's semi-finals footy, however scoring 10 tries was not the ideal preparation we wanted going into the final,” said Ories coach Aukuso.

“We always knew OBU would be a tough opponent and as anticipated it was an arm wrestle,” said Norths coach Poutoa. “We had possession and territory but they held their own early on and we couldn’t crack them. The scoreboard didn’t reflect how tough it was and to go into the final with that intense game was good."

Both coaches stressed it was a team effort that will be key to victory.

Aukuso said: “Lock Jonah Ngan-Woo, captain Noleen Nonu and kirsty Stewart are keys to our forward pack and we have a couple of handy backs. If the girls work together then we will put our best foot forward.”

Poutoa revealed: “Our season has been about building confidence in our game-day 22 so that everyone contributes. We don’t wait for anyone in particular to take control of the game for us. We have faith in our 22 that everyone plays an important part in deciding the outcome of the game this weekend.”

Sam Withers is the referee for this match, and his assistants are Aidan Cameron and Scott MacLean.

Meanwhile, Wainuiomata and Poneke meet at William Jones Park on Saturday in the final of the Senior Women’s competition.

Wainuiomata have beaten Poneke twice already this season, 22-5 in the Fleurs Trophy round and 48-0 in the second round a fortnight ago.

Match details:

What: Victoria Tavern Trophy Women's Final

When:Saturday 1 August, 11am

Where: Porirua Park

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