Matatū Semi Finals Bound
Super Rugby Aupiki has wrapped the first stanza of the 2023 season, with teams now heading towards play offs. Matatū took on the Chiefs Manawa in Hamilton on Saturday in a huge spectacle of women’s rugby.
The Manawa ended up taking the points at FMG Stadium Waikato, the final score 46-38 a signal of the battle that played out over 80 minutes.
The weekend’s scoring began quickly with Chey Robins-Reti touching down in the 3rd minute after a 30-metre dash from an expert Renee Holmes offload. Holmes backed up the try with a successful conversion. 7-0 Matatū.
Mererangi Paul closed the gap for Manawa in the 14th with a running try from a chip over the action from Hazel Tubic. A missed conversion kept Matatū ahead before a team effort resulted in Rosie Kelly running more than 30 metres to touch down in the corner. No extras from Holmes from the tee. 12-5.
A successful Manawa penalty from Tubic was followed quickly by a handy piece of work from Grace Steinmetz, losing the ball backwards before regathering and breaking through the Manawa line to dot down between the posts, quickly converted by Holmes. 19-8.
Grace Steinmetz celebrates with Amy du Plessis after scoring against the Chiefs Manawa
Manawa had the best of the rest of the first half, with four tries from Luka Connor, Kennedy Simon, Georgia Daals and Tynealle Fitzgerald, and three conversions from Tubic. 19-34 Halftime.
A big second half followed, kicked off with a converted Daals try within three minutes, bringing up 40 points for Manawa. 19-41.
The match was scoreless for 20 minutes, and Matatū showed strength in securing their ball, but a few scrappy lineouts made for tough defensive play. With ball in hand, Matatū showed prowess in the midfield and speed on the wings.
Grace Houpara-Barrett scored a Manawa try in the 66th bringing up an intimidating 19-46 scoreline, but Matatū were unswayed. Natalie Delemere, off the bench, crashed over the line in the 72nd with Holmes slotting the conversion. 24-46.
Momentum was building when Lucy Jenkins dotted down moments later, Holmes unable to convert her try. 31-46
Grace Brooker scored in the 79th and Holmes converted, but time had run out. 38-46 Full Time.
Matatū came out of the sheds in fine form and looked dangerous as the game got going, but Manawa owned the rest of the first half. The girls stormed back in the second, beaten by the clock and a quality side.
Semifinal spots are now confirmed after the Blues beat the Hurricanes Poua on Saturday.
Matatū take on the Blues on Sunday 19 March, kick off 3.15pm, while Chiefs Manawa take on the Hurricanes Poua later that afternoon.
Final on Saturday 25 March at FMG Stadium Waikato. Who will take out the second-ever Super Rugby Aupiki title?