The Chiefs Manawa were too strong for the Hurricanes Poua in Palmerston North. Photo: Photosport
The Chiefs Manawa have guaranteed themselves a shot at redemption.
After a heartbreaking two point loss in last year's Super Rugby Aupiki final, the Chiefs have again booked their spot in the decider after a dominant 43-12 win over Hurricanes Poua.
It's a perfect four from four for Manawa, the star-studded outfit led by outstanding performances from Ruby Tui and Chelsea Semple.
Leading by just 12-5 at halftime, Manawa ran in five second half tries to blow Poua away in Palmerston North.
Skipper Kennedy Simon told Sky Sport they were anticipating a physical clash and that's what they got.
"Very proud of the effort, we knew in the Hurricanes hometown, it was going to be brutal, the collisions were big, they are an athletic side."
Simon said after giving the coaches a "bit of a fright" in the first half, they were able to trust their attack would "keep coming in waves".
"With a good result like that we just keep pushing and you never know what's going to happen."
There was one blight for the brilliant Manawa, Charmaine Smith leaving the field late with a serious injury.
Manawa put first points on the board as debutante Seina Saito crashed over on the back of a powerful burst by Grace Steinmetz.
Poua struck straight back following some beautiful interplay from the backs, Monica Tagoai finishing off the slick movement.
The extra point went begging as a determined Ruby Tui charged down Isabella Waterman's conversion attempt.
Tui then had the chance to go coast to coast when Apii Nicholls-Pualau scooped on a Poua spill inside her own 22, however looking for the speedster out-wide, Tui fumbled the inside pass.
She made immediate amends, nailing a 50:22 but another error meant Manawa was unable to cash in on the prime field position.
A blistering break by Poua halfback Iritana Hohaia set her side on a promising attack, but another dropped ball again quashed it.
Despite some brilliant attack, the handling was letting both sides down, particularly the Poua who let several scoring opportunities slip.
Having defended for most of the half, Manawa opted to have a crack from a scrum inside their own half just as the siren sounded.
Shifting it smartly to Tui's wing, she would chip ahead with Mererangi Paul showing a clean pair of heels to outgun the cover defence, and give her side a 12-5 lead as they went to the sheds.
Saito extended the lead right after the break with her second try as the Matatu maul put the Poua in reverse.
Again it was a Poua rapid reply from Poua, Semple snaffling a turnover in her own 22 only for Elinor-Plum King to rip it right back and streak down the blind-side to score.
Semple then gave her side some breathing room, with a classy show and go to break the line and stroll over.
The result was essentially put to bed as Tui showcased her class, nonchalantly stepping inside two Poua defenders and streaking away for her side's fifth.
Following repeated Poua infringements, King was sent to the bin, and the Chiefs took advantage of the extra woman, replacement Victoria Edmonds scoring in the left corner.
Chyna Hohepa then iced the cake with Manawa's seventh, Vici-Rose Green bouncing up after not being held in a tackle and linking with her number eight who went in under the sticks.
Scorers:
Manawa 43 (Saito 2, Paul, Semple, Tui, Edmonds, Hohepa tries, Semple 2 cons, Bayler 2 cons)
Poua 12 (Tagoai, King, tries, Waterman 1 con)
