Played in front of more than 10,000 fans, the Grand Final was a gripping contest from start to finish, with neither side able to break clear in a fiercely contested decider.
Player of the Match Atlanta Lolohea produced a standout performance for the Blues, scoring two tries and leading from the font as the defending champions secured their third consecutive Sky Super Rugby Aupiki title.
Blues: 28 (Atlanta Lolohea 2, Katelynn Vahaakolo 2 tries; Ruahei Demant 3, Braxton Sorensen-McGee cons) Matatū: 21 (Georgia Ponsonby, Sarah Jones, Alena Saili tries; Maia Joseph 3 cons) HT: 14-7
The Blues opened the scoring in the 16th minute when hooker Atlanta Lolohea powered over the try line following quality touches from Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Mererangi Paul and Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Matatū responded with sustained pressure, building through 23 phases before Tasman blindside Sarah Jones crossed for their opening try. In the 33rd minute, Matatū took the lead when Maia Davis created space for Alena Saili to score in the corner.
Maia Joseph was influential throughout, before being yellow-carded in the 38th minute for shoulder to-head contact on Paul.
The Blues struck back early in the second half, with Vahaakolo showcasing her attacking threat by finishing a break created by Sylvia Brunt in the 44th minute. For the next 26 minutes, the teams remained locked at 14-14, with both sides producing relentless defensive efforts.
In the 70th minute, Lolohea crossed for her second try of the march after a powerful build-up involving Liana Mikaele Tu’u and Vahaakolo, giving the Blues a 21-14 lead.
However, Matatū refusaed to surrender. The Blues lost lock Maama Vaipulu to the sin bin in the 77th minute for a head-on-head hit with Ponsonby, and Matatū immediately capitalised. Hooker Georgia Ponsonby powered over from a rolling maul, with Maia Joseph concerting to level the scores at 21-21.
With extra time looming, Matatū regained the restart and looked to exit their 22, but the Blues defence held firm and created one final opportunity.
An inspired surge from captain Maiakawanakaulani Roos put the Blues on the front foot before a series of determined phases forced a Matatū penalty. Blues halfback Tara Turner tapped instead of taking a shot at goal, keeping the attack alive.
With Matatū stretched, Demant spotted space and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Vahaakolo, who surged through the defensive line. The Blues winger powered past the first defender and crossed in the corner to seal a famous victory for the Blues.
“We’re a faith-driven team,” an exhausted and elated Liana Mikaele-Tu’u revealed after the Blues' dramatic 28-21 win over Matatū in the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki final at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
The referee was Maggie Cogger-Orr.
The Blues will now head across the Tasman for the 2026 Women’s Super Rugby Championship. They will face the Super Rugby W champions NSW Waratahs Saturday 1 August at 7.30pm in Sydney, fans can tune in live on Sky Sport NZ.