The Blues have laid down another marker with a convincing win over Matatū in this top of the table Super Rugby Aupiki clash. Make sure you join us again in half an hour for the second match of the round between the Chiefs and the Hurricanes. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from Nelson. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.

Next up for Matatū is a trip to the capital to face the Hurricanes Poua next week, where they'll look to get their campaign back on track. Meanwhile, the Blues head straight back into another grand final replay when they trip to FMG Stadium in Hamilton to face the Chiefs.

In contrast, a bit of a reality check for Matatū. They'd done well to start the campaign with consecutive wins, but there was enough inconsistencies in those performances to signal a few doubts ahead of this one, and they showed. They were error-strewn with ball in hand, and their attack really struggled for a platform against the Blues intense line-speed. It meant they were starved of possession for large stages, and continually put themselves under pressure. To be fair, they did have some bright defensive moments, displaying some strong line-speed of their own that played into the frantic nature of the contest. Olsen-Baker was particuarly good in that area and around the breakdown, but there weren't many other standouts apart from Du Plesis and Nepia in the backline. If they want to bridge the gap to the defending champions and win the title this season, they have work to do.

A statement performance from the Blues this afternoon. They struggled to find full throttle, but they didn't really have to in the end. It was scrappy in attack for periods, with handling errors denting their momentum and continuity, but when they kept it tight in the pack, they were hard to stop. Of concern will be the injury to Vaha'akolo that saw her stumble from the field in the second half, but the likes of Sorensen-McGee and Brunt were impressive in her place. Their defence was probably most impressive, continually forcing errors out of their opponents by taking control of the gainline with some intense and accurate line-speed. Again Roos and Vaipulu were immense in the pack, and with their physicality and finishing ability out wide, it's going to be very hard to stop the Blues from defending the title this season.

Full-time in Nelson and the Blues have continued their unbeaten start to the 2025 season with a convincing victory over Matatū. It wasn't pretty for large parts of this top of the table contest, but the defending champions were slightly better at taking their chances, scoring two tries in either half to pull away. Matatū's own unbeaten start comes to an end as a result, and the early signs suggest, there's a gap between the Blues and the rest of the competition this season.

Cottrell looks to touch from the penalty, and finds it 40m from the try-line. Gago steps up to take, but she overthrows, and Hollows intercepts. Dermody gets involved as Matatū push over halfway and look to finish on a strong note. King and Du Plesis pick up a couple of touches with the try-line 40m away. Solomona tries a dart around the ruck, but she spills it forward, and that will signal the final whistle.

Matatū call for a scrum on halfway, with this perhaps their last attacking chance. Again the Blues get a shove on though, and push over the top of the Matatū pack to win a penalty against the head once more.

Brooker is taken in a strong tackle as Matatū continue to try and get their expansive game going. Du Plesis makes another line break on the left wing as they edge towards halfway. King is taken in high tackle from Brown in midfield, and they get a penalty.

Matatū get a free kick at the scrum for an early push, and Solomona takes the tap. She runs into contact 15m from her own line, as the hosts try to run it out from deep. Du Plesis cuts past a couple of defenders for some good metres, before Jenkins carries hard.