Rota's revival sparks Stingrays success

Counties Manukau Stingrays celebrate their NZRL National Women's title (Gerhard Egger)

Sunday, September 25, 2016

ROTA REVIVAL SPARKS STINGRAYS SUCCESS

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Counties Manukau hooker Krystal Rota emerged as the unlikely hero, steering her Stingrays home in the final to defend their NZRL National Women’s title at Rotorua’s Puketawhero Park.

Rota crossed for the winning try with only a few moments to spare in a tight 12-8 win over Akarana Falcons, as the Stingrays finished the three-day tournament with an unblemished record across six games.

But earlier in the second half, Rota seemed out for the count with a knee injury and needed another layer of tape on top of her usual heavy strapping to continue the contest.

That perseverance ultimately proved the difference, as she drove over the line amid a pile of Falcons defenders with the clock winding down.

The Stingrays have dominated this event in recent years, but had shown their vulnerability this weekend, trailling at half-time of three games en route to the final.On Friday, they had lagged 10-6 behind Akarana, before storming home for a 20-10 victory.

This time, the score was locked at 4-4 midway through, after wing Jocephy Daniels had given Counties the initial advantage, matched by powerful second rower Annetta Nu’uausala for Akarana.

Kiwi Ferns wing Atawhai Tupaea put the Singrays ahead after the break, but opposite Tanika Bell seemed to have put the game into overtime, when she scrambled over late for the Falcons.

“The score says it all,” reflected Counties co-captain Teuila Fotu-Moala, who was later named Most Valuable Player of the final, but who had also caused Rota’s injury scare, when they collided in a tackle.

“There was only a try in it and that try was scored in the last couple of minutes. We knew it would be tough and we’d have to grind it out.

“We identified our starts weren’t good through the tournament, so for this final, we tried to work on it. Our second wind kicked in, but they didn’t drop their level and we had to keep matching their energy.”

Without several of the veterans that had carried them to the top of women’s rugby league, the Stingrays have had to rely on their depth that barely got them home against their up-and-coming Akarana rivals.

“I’m actually really happy with how the girls went,” admitted Falcons skipper Georgia Hale. “We came out strong today, but they just had it over us in the end.

“I think the club teams that make up Akarana are really building and it’s looking strong for next season. The gap is definitely closing and that creates really good competition in the ladies’ game.

“It was pretty even and a strong battle, but we just had a couple of errors that cost us the game there at the end.”

Counties forward Kahurangi Peters was duly named tournament MVP, veteran team-mate Sarina Fiso was best back, while Nu’uausala continued her rise up the national standings, nominated as best forward.

NZRL NATIONAL WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
Sunday, September 25
Fifth/sixth playoff – Auckland Vulcans 18 (Kaylen Ikitule, Aleasha Brider & Rebecca Taua tries; Taua & Iriana Huriwai-Sasulu 2 goals) Wai-Coa-Bay 10 (Jimi McLean & Natalie Delamere tries; McLean goal)

Third/fourth playoff – Canterbury 30 Charntay Poko 2, (Michelle Wong, Stacey Hildreth, Jerusha Whiley, Corrina Whiley, Kadison Tyra-Robertson tries; Mareta Pelenato goal) Central Vipers 4 (Casio Austin try)

Final – Counties Manukau Stingrays 12 (Jocephy Daniels, Atawhai Tupaea & Krystal Rota tries) Akarana Falcons 8 (Annetta Nu’uausala & Tanika Bell tries)

Final MVP – Teuila Fotu-Moala (Counties Manukau)

Finals match officials: Antoinette Grootjans (referee), Jaxon McGowan & Mike Rangihika (touch)

Outstanding coach: Mike Linton (Canterbury)

Outstanding manager: Christine Mirko (Counties Manukau)

Outstanding trainer: Dan Keepa (Counties Manukau)

Outstanding match official: Antoinette Grootjans

Best Back of the Tournament: Sarina Fiso (Counties Manukau)

Best Forward of the Tournament: Annetta Nu’uausala (Akarana)

Most Valuable Player: Kahurangi Peters (Counties Manukau)

More Than Just A Game Team: Wai-Coa-Bay

NZ Kiwi Ferns Wider Training Squad
The following players were selected from the NZRL National Women’s Tournament to prepare for Kiwi Ferns trials.
Billy-Jean Ale (Counties Manukau), Mary-Jane Ale (Counties Manukau), Racquel Anderson (Wai-Coa-Bay), Ngatokutoru Arakua (Akarana), Tanika Bell (Akarana), Jocephy Daniels (Counties Manukau), Sarina Fiso (Counties Manuaku), Teuila Fotu-Moala (Counties Manukau), Georgia Hale (Akarana), Amber Kani (Counties Manukau), Janaya Mata (Canterbury), Lilieta Maumau (Counties Manukau), Va’anessa Molia-Fraser (Akarana), Kimiora Nati (Counties Manukau), Lee Nepia (Mid Central), Annetta Nu’uausala (Akarana), Kahurangi Peters (Counties Manukau), Charntay Poko (Canterbury), Yasmin Puru-Tongia (Canterbury), Krystal Rota (Counties Manukau), Crystal Tamarua (Akarana), Atawhai Tupaea (Counties Manukau), Corrina Whiley (Canterbury), Lani Williams (Akarana), Contessah Wright (Akarana)

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