Wellington Pride’s season came to a disappointing end on Sunday afternoon, with a 51-38 defeat to Otago Spirit in a dramatic semi-final at Porirua Park. Despite a strong start and several standout individual performances, Wellington was unable to hold off Otago’s relentless second-half surge.
The Pride, buoyed by their dominant 51-13 win over Otago the previous weekend, looked set to continue their winning ways. Wellington roared out to a 14-3 lead in the opening 20 minutes, using their size and power to good effect. Local winger Shakira Baker shone for the Pride, crossing the line three times, including two tries in quick succession early in the second half to give her side a commanding 38-27 lead.
But as the clock wound down, Otago found another gear. The Spirit rattled off 24 unanswered points in the final 23 minutes, leaving Wellington stunned and their home crowd in Porirua silenced. Wellington struggled to regain control after a series of crucial mistakes, including the loss of a player to the sin bin.
Wellington’s Shakira Baker was a constant threat throughout the match, with her pace and finishing ability earning her a hat-trick. She was well-supported by Alicia Print and Lavinia Lea, who added tries of their own, and first-five Milly Mackey, who directed play with composure.
However, Otago’s teenage centre Charlotte Va’afusuaga was the star of the day, creating opportunities for her side with a powerful performance that caught Wellington’s defence off-guard.
For Porirua rugby fans, the loss is a tough pill to swallow. Wellington entered the semi-final as favourites, having convincingly beaten Otago just a week earlier. The strong home support at Porirua Park witnessed a Pride side that fought hard but ultimately ran out of steam against an Otago team determined to prove themselves.
Though the loss marks the end of their 2023 campaign, Wellington Pride can take solace in the support they’ve received from the Porirua community throughout the season. The crowd at Porirua Park provided an electric atmosphere, and while the result wasn’t what they hoped for, their unwavering backing was felt by the players.
Score Summary
Wellington Pride: 38
(Shakira Baker 3, Alicia Print, Lavinia Lea, Milly Mackey tries; Arene Landon-Lane 4 con)
Otago Spirit: 51
(Bella Rewiri-Wharerau 2, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Lucy Hall, Julia Gorinski, Leila Hill, Tegan Hollows, Sheree Hume tries; Georgia Cormick 4 con, pen)
Halftime: Wellington 26-20