Match Report: Round 1 v Chiefs Manawa
Matatū travelled north for the opening game of Super Aupiki taking on Chiefs Manawa in Hamilton Saturday afternoon, lacing up in 28 degrees and a nor west wind with six potential debutants to take the field.
Matatū started off strong, with handling skills that were second to none as they flicked the ball from one side of the grass to the next, described as “Matatū DNA” by Assistant Coach, Blair Baxter.
Joseph and King strong on defence
The scoreboard remained untouched 20 minutes in, but after shutting the Chiefs attack down four times the home side broke through after a long pass out to Ruby Tui on the wing.
Renee Holmes missed the conversion, but redeemed herself with a successful penalty kick between the posts 15 minutes later after Josephs is penalised for off the ball tackle.
While the first half showed signs of both sides still getting into their rhythm another Matatū debutant, Fia Laikong put on displays of her track running background, out racing plenty on the field and Amy Du Plessis was fierce in the break downs winning turnovers.
Laura Bayfield scoring between the posts
The Matatū wāhine came back well and truly reset for the second half, with not one minute on the clock when they got their first points on the board. Joseph found her way through the defence, offloaded to Laura Bayfield who put it down right between the posts making easy work for the conversion by team debutant Hannah King.
The Chiefs hit back moments later after another long pass to the wing, this time placed down by Reece Anderson then Holmes converted.
The score was 15-7 to the Chiefs Manawa until Kaea Nepia charged through multiple players, off loaded to Winnie Palamo who brought it over the white line in the corner. After King kicked the conversion Matatū were down by just one point.
Hannah King breaking through the Chiefs Manawa defence line
Jospeh was everywhere, charging down a kick from the scrum 5 metres from the try line but it found its way over the sideline still 5 metres out. The line out from Georgia Ponsonby landed in Amy Rules hands right at the back, passed through Lucy Jenkins and Bayfield to get to Amy Du Plessis who gets it over the line, another Matatū try right beside the posts. Matatū take their first lead in the game, before King kicks it through for the conversion.
64th minute King kicks again for a penalty awarded from a dangerous tackle on Nepia. Matatū bring the score to 15-24.
The Chiefs Manawa show some incredible strength in their forward pack and Kennedy Tukuafu closes the gap on the score board, Holmes misses the conversion and Matatū remain in front.
Du Plessis did it again with just six minutes remaining, and more success from King as she converts.
Chiefs Manawa refused to give up, with Ruby Tui getting her second try in the corner with just one minute left on the clock and those were the last points in the game.
With a 25-31 win over the hosts Matatū showcased their calm heads and resilience, an incredible beginning of the Super Aupiki 2025 campaign.