MATCH REPORT: Matatū remain unbeaten after holding off Chiefs Manawa in Pukekohe

Matatū arrived in Pukekohe off the back of a hard-earned win over the top-of-the-table Blues Women last week, ready to face Chiefs Manawa for the third consecutive week on the road.  

We reinforced our position at the top of the ladder with a 41–24 win, but it came after a much tougher second half than the opening 40 suggested. 

We made our intent clear from the outset. Pip Love opened the scoring from close range before Kaipo Olsen-Baker backed it up minutes later, finishing a strong attacking sequence to give Matatū early control of the contest with a 12-0 lead.  

Chiefs Manawa worked their way into the game through the set piece, with a dominant scrum platform eventually leading to a try for captain Mia Anderson. But any momentum was short-lived. 

Fiaali’i Solomona stepped in to intercept and ran it back untouched, before Grace Brooker capitalised on a lapse in concentration to extend the lead. Amy du Plessis added another late in the half, rounding out a clinical opening spell where Matatū made their opportunities count. 

Matatū went into the break with a 31–5 advantage and firmly in control. 

The second half, however, shifted the tone. 

Chiefs Manawa returned with greater urgency and began to turn pressure into points. Ariana Bayler’s quick thinking close to the line opened their account before Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a finished a well-worked attack out wide, bringing the home side back into the contest and left them trailing by just 12 points. 

Their forward pack continued to apply pressure, and momentum shifted further when Matatū were reduced to 14. 

Santo Taumata was shown a yellow card for high contact in a tackle on Tynealle Fitzgerald, with the TMO stepping in to review the incident. 

Chiefs Manawa made the most of that opportunity and Louise Blyde crossed from a driving maul to bring the margin back to seven and lift the home side. 

Matatū were under pressure but found a timely response. 

A well-executed maul provided the platform for Nat Delamere to crash over, restoring some breathing room at a crucial point in the match. 

Shortly after, Taumata was shown a second yellow card for another high tackle, which resulted in a red card and reduced Matatū to 14 for the remainder of the game. 

Despite that setback, they closed it out. Elinor-Plum King’s sharp offload created the space for Kaipo Olsen-Baker to cross for her second and seal the result. 

The result sees Matatū remain unbeaten through four rounds, continuing to set the pace in this year’s competition.  

Next we head down to Timaru to face Hurricanes Poua on Saturday 11 July at 2.05pm. 

We can’t wait to bring rugby to the regions and play in front of our South Canterbury fans. 

Tickets are available here. 

Final Score: Matatū 41, Chiefs Manawa 24