After losing to the Blues 27-17 at Eden Park on Saturday, Matatū have bowed out of the running to defend their title.
It marked the fourth loss for Matatū of the season and left the team representing the South Island winless this season.
It was a bitter blow for Matatū who started strong when hooker Georgia Ponsonby bumped off Mel Puckett and ran over the top of her to score.
Krysten Cotterell banged over a penalty and Katelyn Vaha’kolo scored a stunning individual try after a 50-metre dash for the Blues — who were down to 14 after Eloise Blackwell was yellow carded — to lead 8-5 at the break.
Matatū came out of the break on fire when midfielders Grace Brooker and Amy du Plessis combined to make a break up the field.
The ball went through several more phases before eventually Ponsonby dotted down for her second.
Moments later, Brooker put halfback Di Hiini into space and Hiini finished it off under the posts to lead 17-8.
But the Blues came back through Aldora Itunu’s try and Angelica Mekemeke-Wahai finished with an intercept try.
Super Rugby Aupiki
The scores
Blues 27
Katelyn Vaha’kolo, Krysten Cotterell, Aldora Itunu, Angelica Mekemeke-Wahai tries; Cotterell 2 con, pen
Matatū 17
Georgia Ponsonby 2, Di Hiini tries; Rosie Kelly con
Halftime: Blues 8-5
