New Zealand: it’s a Counties v Auckland final

Counties Manukau – unbeaten in regular play – staked their place in next weekend’s final with a drubbing of Wellington, who had just sneaked the final qualification spotlast weekend.

Counties showed no mercy with 10 tries, five converted, taking them to a 60-7 win in Pukekohe on Saturday. Black Ferns sevens star Portia Woodman showed that she is just at home in the longer game as she scored four tries, while Sharnita Woodman added two more.

What was all the more remarkable was that Counties Manukau had only ever beaten Wellington twice before, and their best previous win was only 37-23.

Champions Auckland booked their spot in the final by beating Canterbury 33-3 at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland. Faamausili’s try for the home team was all that separated the sides at half time, with a penalty each for Jenson and Cocksedge giving Auckland a narrow 10-3 edge.

But three unanswered second half tries, one from Kiritapu Demant and a brace from Tyla Nathan-Wong, swept Canterbury aside.

Without doubt the best two teams are in the final. Can Counties repeat their dramatic regular season win over Auckland, achieved last weekend?

Auckland 33 (F Faamausili, Kiritapu Demant, Tyla Nathan-Wong 2 tries; Emma Jensen 2 con, 3 pen) Canterbury 3 (Kendra Cocksedge pen). HT: 10-3

Counties Manukau 60 (Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Aotearoa Matau, Sharnita Woodman 2, Portia Woodman 4, Renee Wickliffe, Hazel Tubic tries; Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali con, Hazel Tubic 4 con) Wellington 7 (Lizzie Goulden try; Amanda Rasch con). HT: 36-0