Centre Ngatokotoru Arakua has scored the final try that clinched a 39-12 victory for the Chiefs in the inaugural Super Rugby women's clash against the Blues at Auckland's Eden Park.
The Waikato-based side ran in five tries to their rivals' two, with first-five Hazel Tubic showing outstanding kicking form from the tee, nailing four sideline conversions to carry her side beyond reach.
Tubic opened the scoring with an early penalty - the first points in a women's Super Rugby fixture - but Blues counterpart Patricia Maliepo had the first try, capitalising on her forwards' assault on the goal-line to cross by the posts.
The Chiefs seized the lead for good, when winger Langi Veainu cracked the midfield defence and simply outsped the Blues defence to cross in the corner. Tubic's conversion put her team ahead 10-7.
Flanker Kendra Reynolds capped an outstanding performance by stealing possession and running deep into the Blues 22, then finishing the movement with a try.
While the Blues responded with a try to centre Sylvia Brunt, but a Tubic penalty had the Chiefs ahead 18-12 at halftime.
The second half was oneway traffic for the visitors, as the Blues struggled to maintain continuity, committing too many turnovers.
Within minutes of the restart, hooker Luka Connor scored from a lineout drive, before skipper Les Elder capitalised on another to seal the deal.
As the Blues sought some consolidation for their drought, Arakua thwarted their efforts for the final scoring act of a convincing win.
Chiefs 39 (Veainu, Arakua, Elder, Connor & Reynolds tries, Tubic 4 conversions & 2 penalties) Blues 12 (Maliepo & Brunt tries; Maliepo conversion)
