Captain Alana Bremner will be the first to admit that.
The defending champions have lost their opening three games and have not gelled as quickly as they needed to.
Vibes among the team are still positive and they have tried to focus on the small wins they have been able to create — "there is still great stuff to be proud of" — but equally, Bremner knows it is time to get to work.
"We have to take a hard look at ourselves which is important to do when you do take a loss," Bremner said.
"It’s a lot easier when you are in that winning streak, but the team’s staying pretty positive and we’re excited for a fresh start this weekend."
There has been strong competition among the loose forwards this season with Bremner, Lucy Jenkins, Kendra Reynolds and newcomer Kaipo Olsen-Baker.
But that was healthy and Olsen-Baker had certainly made her mark in her opening three games for Matatū.
"She’s been thriving in this environment which has been cool to see," Bremner said.
"She’s really solid on the back of the scrum there, and you see she’s one of the top carriers, top off-loaders.
"She’s an awesome player to have she gets us good go-forward which is exactly the kind of powerhouse that we need in the team."
Matatū face the Blues at Eden Park today and the home side will be high after destroying the Hurricanes Poua 52-5 last weekend.
It will be a big game for Matatū, who Bremner said needed to be more "solutions-focused" and fix their problems in the moment.
"There’s obviously a lot of things that come out of reviews, but it’s important that we’re able to see those and make those shifts on the field.
"[The Blues] have got some really strong ball carriers throughout their forwards and their backs."
Matatū had to make sure "we’re top-tackling and not letting them get that momentum, because they’re a team that really likes to play off each other and when they do play like that, it can be pretty hard to stop".
Otago Spirit prop Eilis Doyle gets her first start of the season with Pip Love ruled out with injury this week.
Super Rugby Aupiki
Eden Park, today, 4.35pm
Matatū: Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Winnie Palamo, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker, Martha Mataele, Rosie Kelly, Di Hiini, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kendra Renolds, Lucy Jenkins, Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Eilis Doyle. Reserves: Atlanta Lol, Marcelle Parkes, Moomooga Palu, Emma Dermody, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Maira Joseph, Liv McGoverne, Charlie Woodman
Blues: Patricia Maliepo, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Jaymie Kolose, Krysten Cottrell, Mel Puckett, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Tafito Lafaele, Maia Roos, Maama Vaipulu, Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Grace Gago, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Nijiho Nagata, Maddi Robinson, Sophie Fisher, Dajian Brown, Charmaine McMenamin, Kahlia Awa, Daynah Nankivell, Angelica Mekemeke Vahai
