Alice Soper and Les Elder say goodbye to the Hurricanes Poua and Chiefs Manawa, celebrating the standout moments, biggest performances, and lasting memories from their 2026 campaigns. Alice also shares what was undoubtedly the ultimate fan experience at the Poua match and why it made for such a special day.

Attention then turns to the finalists, as the Blues finally found their rhythm at the perfect time to book their place in the championship decider. Standing in their way are Matatū, who will host what is set to be the biggest Super Rugby Aupiki final yet, with a record-breaking crowd expected in Christchurch.

Can Matatū rediscover the form that made them the competition's benchmark? Or have the Blues timed their run to perfection and built the momentum needed to lift the trophy?

To wrap things up, Alice and Les pick their in-form XV from the final round, recognising the players who stood out when it has mattered most.

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Timaru delivered the match of the season as the Hurricanes Poua continued their fairytale run, claiming their third consecutive win – while ending Matatū's unbeaten campaign in a dramatic upset.

Les Elder and Alice Soper break down the moments that defined a thrilling contest, from game-changing plays to the individual performances that swung momentum. Was this the performance that finally announced the Poua as genuine contenders?

With just one round remaining, the finals picture couldn't be tighter. Three teams are still alive in the race for a place in the Super Rugby Aupiki final, and the permutations are deliciously complicated. The Blues are in control of their own destiny—but only if the Poua slip up. Meanwhile, despite still searching for their first win, Chiefs Manawa could have the final say on the season, with one result capable of deciding who books a place in the decider.

To wrap things up, Les and Alice pick out the standout performers from the weekend as they assemble their latest In Form XV, highlighting the players making the biggest impact at exactly the right time. It's crunch time in Aupiki, and every moment matters.

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Les honours their side of the bargain by belting out Alice's team song after losing their bet—but the real headline is the continued rise of the Poua.

After knocking off the defending champion Blues for the first time since 2023, the Poua have firmly entered the championship conversation. Alice and Les unpack what made the performance so impressive, celebrate Wikitoria Viljeon's history-making hat-trick—the first by a Poua player—and ask whether this is the moment the competition's balance of power is beginning to shift.

Meanwhile, the Blues are still searching for the spark that made them champions, while Manawa's inconsistent form continues, with more changes to their line up raising fresh questions. At the other end of the table, Matatū are making history of their own, starting 4-from-4 for the first time and looking every bit like the team everyone else has to chase.

The pair discuss just how good the Poua really are, what the changing landscape of Super Rugby Aupiki means for the competition, and where each side goes from here. They wrap things up by naming their Team of the Week after another standout round.

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