Maia Roos is an indispensable part of New Zealand rugby.
The Black Ferns lock has played 41 of the past 44 Tests, won a Rugby World Cup in 2022, and on July 14, 2023, became the youngest Black Ferns Test captain at 21 years, 11 months, and 17 days. She replaced Dame Farah Palmer as the record holder, leading New Zealand to a 39-17 victory against the USA in Ottawa.
The gregarious 24-year-old has played in all 29 of the Blues’ Super Rugby Aupiki matches and helped Auckland win their first Farah Palmer Cup Premiership in eight years in 2023.
Her ambitious conviction will be required on Saturday when she leads the Blues in their attempt to win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Rugby Aupiki title against top round-robin qualifiers Matatū – before a bumper crowd at the newly minted Te Kaha/One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
She has also re-signed with New Zealand rugby until 2029.
“It was a no-brainer. Other offers? What other offers? There weren’t any,” Roos laughed.
“Rugby keeps me grounded and provides me purpose. I’ve been lucky with injuries and success. My best friends are here. Those connections with my friends are my Why, and the next World Cup is a big goal.
“It was so good when we beat Canada in April. The motivation after they beat us in the World Cup semi in 2025 was high. It was a close game, delayed by a wild storm, but at no point did I think we were going to lose. The new coaching staff have brought a new game plan and clarity about where we want to go. It’s so exciting.”
The Blues’ road to this weekend’s decider has been bumpy. After wins against Hurricanes Poua (42-7) and Chiefs Manawa (27-26), they lost consecutive matches for the first time since 2023 against Matatū (21-27) and Poua (30-45).
A 42-26 win against winless Manawa steadied the ship in round five. But when Poua stormed to their record fourth consecutive win, the Blues had to topple Matatū at Ngā Puna Wai, Christchurch last Saturday to guarantee a place in the final.
In Roos’ 100th first-class match (becoming just the 29th woman to achieve that feat since official records began in 1999) Matatū dominated possession and territory for long periods but lacked the killer instinct.
Matatū’s Binky Muamua made a clean break that went unconverted. Captain Grace Brooker knocked on over the try line, while Amarante Sititi made a vital intercept in the first half when the Blues were stretched.
The Blues won the match with a stunning length-of-the-field try from a defensive scrum to Katelyn Vahaakolo when narrowly ahead 26-24 in the 66th minute.
“That try was awesome. My head was in the scrum. I looked up, they were 40 metres gone already,” Roos acclaimed.
“I’m proud of this team and their willingness to dig deep for each other. We’ve had our backs to the wall, but the forwards have done their role. It’s amazing when our backs unleash.
“Matatū is a classy team. They’ve won four games too. They’re difficult to stop when they get a roll on. Our discipline needs to be on point. If we have to go to that dark place, I know we can.”
In the 2025 final at Eden Park, the Blues were down by a dozen while conceding eight successive penalties against Matatū. With tries to Ruahei Demant, Chryss Viliko, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and a 70m stunner to Braxton Sorensen-McGee, they rallied to win 26-19.
In the 2024 final, also at Eden Park, against Chiefs Manawa, they were down 5-18 with 15 minutes remaining and prevailed 24-18.
The Blues boast the best attack in 2026, scoring 200 points and 32 tries in six games. Matatū have the best defence, conceding only 157 points in six games, three fewer than the Blues. Matatū have scored 198 points and 30 tries.
The Blues have 16 current or former capped Black Ferns in their match-day squad, as well as that number returning from the 2025 final. Matatū has 14 Black Ferns and 10 returnees from the 2025 decider.
Additionally, the Blues’ set-piece has been on point. Roos has claimed more lineouts than any player with 25, and the Blues have won 85 percent of their lineout possession and 49 out of 51 of their own scrums, the best of any team in the competition.
Roos expanded her expertise in scrum and lineouts during a stint with Trailfinders Women in England’s world-leading Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR). She ranked second for most lineout steals despite coming home early during the minimum 16-game season to compete in Aupiki. She also grew as a leader, learning to mediate conversations and then come up with simple solutions rather than talking all the time.
“England was the first time I’d lived away from home. That exposure to a new culture and style of rugby was awesome. It was cold and dark, but it helped me grow as a player and a person,” Roos said.
“The emphasis they put on set-piece over there was awesome for a lock. Liana [Mikaele-Tu’u] was one of the top lineout forwards there, which wasn’t something she’d done in New Zealand before. I definitely learned some things I didn’t know. Barney Maddison was a great coach. He’s a lock, too.”
On Saturday, Roos will joust against Black Ferns teammate Laura Bayfield, who ranks second in lineout catches with 22 and third in tackles with 83.
“I much prefer playing alongside Maia than I do marking her,” Bayfield said. “It will be a great challenge. She’s a very clever, physical and relentless player.
“With the Blues, you can’t afford to lose focus, even for a second. Better discipline and concentration have been our focus this week. Our game drivers must step up and take responsibility.”
Respect was mutual from Roos. “Laura is physical, fast, smart and relentless. She’s one of those players that goes all day.”
The Blues lead Matatū 6-4 in ten previous games.
The Super Rugby Aupiki final between the Blues and Matatū at Te Kaha/One New Zealand Stadium kicks off at 4:20 pm and will be live on Sky Sport.
