When Luka Connor tucks the ball away at the back of the Chiefs Manawa maul, you know exactly what is happening next.
The Black Ferns hooker scored a hat-trick off the back of Manawa’s trademark rolling maul on their way to beating Matatu 38-22 in Hamilton on Saturday.
The win kept Manawa’s unbeaten streak alive after the opening three games and helped avenge last year’s Super Rugby Aupiki final loss to Matatu.
Matatu remain winless and head into some must-win situations if they want a shot at retaining their title.
They had some nice passages of play — and scored two tries against the run of play — but coughed up too many handling errors.
Liv McGoverne banged over a penalty early, but Manawa went over for a first try by prop Tanya Kalounivale.
Manawa’s passes connected for Victoria Edmonds to score soon after.
Enter Connor.
She scored two tries before halftime for Manawa to lead 26-3.
Just after the break, Matatu charged down a kick inside their own half.
Lock Laura Bayfield collected the crumbs and winger Charlie Woodman picked it up from the back of the ruck, and spotted the space down the blindside to score.
They again scored against the run of play when Manawa first five Chelsea Semple shovelled a mistimed ball on to her backline.
Matatu captain Alana Bremner scooped it up off the deck to run away and score.
But Connor scored her third to dampen Matatu’s momentum.
Fullback Chey Robins-Reti flirted with the touchline but managed to keep the ball in play.
It sparked a nice team try as the ball found its way across field to the right wing, and McGoverne fired a skip ball out to Winnie Palamo to finish off.
Black Ferns prop Krystal Murray scored late for Manawa.
Matatu now face the Blues, who will be on a high after slaughtering the Hurricanes Poua 52-5 in the second half, after leading only 5-0 at halftime.
Super Rugby Aupiki
The scores
Chiefs Manawa 38
Luka Connor 3, Tanya Kalounivale, Victoria Edmonds, Krystal Murray tries; Renee Holmes 4 con.
Matatū 22
Charlie Woodman, Alana Bremner, Winnie Palamo tries; Rosie Kelly 2 con, Liv McGoverne pen.
Halftime: Manawa 26-3
