Longrun Spouting Whanganui Women have locked in a North Island Heartland Series finals berth, it just remains to be seen if they will host, after a 33-7 win over the King Country Trailblazers on Saturday.

Heading into a strong wind at Cooks Gardens, Whanganui knew any errors would leave them under pressure, and King Country swooped when a shallow clearing kick fell right to their standout centre Kowhai Boynton-Rameka, who beat two tacklers to score in the corner, with first-five Jheri-kah Hoet nailing a great sideline conversion.

The visitors just missed out on another try in each corner after infringements in the build-up, but Whanganui held tough and worked their way out of their own 50m, then equalised just before halftime when they carried through the middle and got the ball wide for winger Teresa Rennie to score for the third straight game, second-five Tiana Kauika adding the extras.

Coach Junior Nepia was backing some key players to make an impact off his deeper bench with the wind now behind them, and that plan eventually came up trumps.

Defending desperately on their line, King Country lost their No8 and 2024 Whanganui player Nicola Chase to the sin-bin for a professional foul, and from the attacking scrum, Kauika ran a great line to ease into a half-gap and fend off her marker to score, with reserve back Alice Ireton converting.

Kauika then caught a high King Country kick and fed reserve Akosita Marr to attack down the touchline, and following a couple of rucks, standout flanker Hayley Gabriel drove through beside the posts for a converted try.

Gabriel then combined with speedy reserve winger Kesaia Siganisucu for a deep raid into King Country’s half, and following a succession of carries, first-five Armani Martin threw a long pass for reserve Meilini Meo to pick up on the bounce and drag herself through the cover defence to get Whanganui’s bonus point at 26-7.

Whanganui’s passes and runs were now looking crisp against their tiring opposition, getting to the line again for lock Trassina Hooper to reach through for the try, Ireton adding her third conversion.

“We spoke about that wind being at least a 15-point wind, we knew that if we were able to hold them we’d be able to use it to our advantage at the backend of it,” said Nepia.

“I think our bench played a big part in that, they just came on and did what they needed to do.

“A lot of little inaccuracies that we’re not happy with, and we spoke about at halftime, but we got it on the back end, so we’re happy.”

Whanganui will now travel to Ruatoria to face the likewise undefeated East Coast, who just climbed over the Thames Valley Vixens 10-8 to also confirm their Top 2 spot – it is the winner of this game who will get to host the final as top qualifier.

“If you love a down-to-the wire competition, I think this is it. But we’re very excited just to go away for it,” said Nepia.

Whanganui 33 (T Rennie, T Kauika, H Gabriel, M Meo, T Hooper tries; A Ireton 3 con, Kauika con) bt King Country 7 (K Boynton-Rameka try; J Hoet con). HT: 7-7.

By Jared Smith