Grand Final Team Naming: Matatū name team for historic home Grand Final
Matatū will host the first home final in the club's history on Saturday, with One New Zealand Stadium set to stage a blockbuster Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Grand Final against nib Blues Women.
The decider is a rematch of last year's final and gives Matatū the opportunity to challenge for the title in front of a home crowd after finishing the regular season at the top of the table.
For Head Coach Blair Baxter, reaching the club's first home final is a reward for the work the group has put in throughout the season.
"We're super grateful and we're proud that we've earned the right to play this week," says Baxter.
The occasion will also mark a significant milestone for midfielder Amy du Plessis, who becomes the first Matatū player to reach the Glacier Five-Season Milestone.
The new recognition honours players whose impact is felt widely throughout the organisation and celebrates the equivalent of five seasons of consistent contribution in Super Rugby Aupiki.
Marcelle Parkes, Nat Delamere and Santo Tumata will start in the front row, with support from Laura Bayfield and Emma Dermody at lock.
Sarah Jones, Elinor-Plum King and Kaipo Olsen-Baker will complete a forward pack that will look to assert dominance over the Blues early.
The backline remains unchanged this week with Maia Joseph and Charntay Poko at 9 and 10, Alena Saili, Winnie Palamo and Maia Davis will work their magic on the wings and fullback respectively while the experience of Captain Grace Brooker and Amy du Plessis will carry the midfield.
The bench has a mix of experience and fresh faces ready to make their mark in their first Super Rugby Aupiki final: Georgia Ponsonby, Maddi Robinson, Pip Love, Paris Lokotui, Lucy Jenkins, Holly Greenway, Kelsyn McCook and Binky Muamua.
While Matatū opened the season with four straight wins, the lessons from the final rounds have helped sharpen the side ahead of their biggest challenge yet.
"What we have done is we've created an opportunity for us to be better. You learn more from a loss than you do from a win,” says Baxter.
"What we've seen this week in particular is a group of girls that are extremely hungry. They're diligent anyway, but they've gone to another degree of getting things right. It's created an awesome opportunity for us to perform on Saturday."
The rivalry between the two sides has become one of the competition's most compelling, with both teams claiming victories over each other this season.
"Both teams will want to play an exciting brand of rugby. We're under the roof, it's going to be dry, it'll be high paced and incredible skill set from both sides," says Baxter.
Adding to what is shaping as one of the biggest occasions in Matatū history, award-winning country music star Kaylee Bell will perform at half-time.
The club is urging fans to fill One New Zealand Stadium and create a finals atmosphere worthy of the occasion.
"I don't know if the people, our fans and people turning up to the stadium appreciate how much it means to the athletes, the noise, the energy they get off it," says Baxter.
"We'd love to pack it out, break another record. This group's about making history and we'll do it on Saturday night.”
Matatū team to face nib Blues Women:
Marcelle Parkes
Nat Delamere
Santo Taumata
Laura Bayfield
Emma Dermody
Sarah Jones
Elinor-Plum King
Kaipo Olsen-Baker
Maia Joseph
Charntay Poko
Alena Saili
Grace Brooker (C)
Amy du Plessis
Winnie Palamo
Maia Davis
Impact
16. Georgia Ponsonby
17. Maddi Robinson
18. Pip Love
19. Paris Lokotui
20. Lucy Jenkins
21. Holly Greenway
22. Kelsyn McCook
23. Binky Muamua