Auckland wrap up third women's title

By JULIE ASH

Auckland's dominance in women's rugby continued when they beat Wellington 28-3 in the national provincial final at Eden Park.

Wellington never looked like scoring a try as Auckland powered their way to their third consecutive NPC title in front of a small crowd who braved wet and windy weather.

Auckland coach and former Black Fern Davida White admits to a "few grey hairs" after her first season of coaching but was happy with her side's performance in the final.

"We worked all week on getting the ball away from their tight five as they are quite aggressive, and I think we did that," she said.

"Our players really did everything we asked of them."

Auckland were up 20-0 at halftime after Annaleah Rush landed five penalties and wing Louisa Wall scored midway through the half.

"I basically just told them to keep going and that we would be going into the wind in the second half, which would make it harder, so keep the ball safe and keep it a lot tighter," was how White described her halftime advice.

Wellington finally got on the board in the 45th minute when halfback Neroli Knight slotted a penalty.

Rush extended Auckland's lead with another penalty before scoring in the corner after wing Diane Kahura made a breakaway run midway through the second half.

Auckland captain Anna Richards said the weather was an extra challenge.

"We were lucky the wind died a bit in the second half, but it was very slippery.

"We did well but there was still a bit much lost ball."

Auckland have lost only one game since the introduction of women's rugby in the early 1990s, which was against Wellington in 1994. They have since won 35 games on the trot.

"I think the competition was a lot closer this year," said Richards.

"I think people are getting a lot fitter and a lot more physical so it is a lot tighter.

"But for us, we are always trying to get better."

Black Ferns coach Darryl Suasua will today name a squad of 24 to play against four regional teams.

He will then name a Black Ferns summer training squad of 66 in November.