The team representing the South Island is on the road for the first time this season, travelling north to take on the in-form Chiefs Manawa in Hamilton.
The reigning Super Rugby Aupiki champions have been on fire, beating the Blues 50-34 last week, while Matatū came up agonisingly short against Hurricane Poua, losing 25-24.
But it was still a fantastic performance from Matatū — unlucky not to take the win, really, with a last-minute try deemed as held up — and coach Blair Baxter argued his team was the better on the day.
Black Ferns front-rowers Amy Rule, Pip Love and Georgia Ponsonby have dominated the scrum time this season, and they will come up against Manawa’s fellow Black Ferns front-rowers Tanya Kalounivale, Luka Connor and Awhina Tangen-Wainohu today.
"Both teams are scattered with Black Ferns," Baxter said.
"I guess it’s a chance to showcase the Matatū way which is something that we’re extremely proud of.
"It’s high-paced, it’s fast and the Chiefs want to do the same thing — it’s going to be a titanic battle.
"It’s going to be another spectacle of women’s rugby, which is really, really exciting."
Matatū had an honest reflection of last week’s game, while seeing what Manawa might put on the park. But overall, Matatū needed to prepare the best it could and execute its game plan, heading into the third round.
Super Rugby Aupiki’s first three rounds set up the finals season, which starts next week with semifinals.
Baxter said the players were relishing the second year of women’s Super Rugby and Matatū was fortunate to have people investing in its brand of rugby.
But the competition needed to continue to grow, whether that involved two full rounds or expanding to a transtasman competition, and he was hopeful players could be fulltime next season.
"There’s a challenge [with players] being four days a week, expected to work or study the other three.
"We haven’t got the balance there right, but in saying that, the girls are still loving what they do.
"We’re lucky in our group that our girls love it and they’re thriving and enjoying the journey."
Super Rugby Aupiki
Hamilton, 2.05pm today
Matatū: Renee Holmes, Chey Robins-Reti, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker, Grace Steinmetz, Rosie Kelly, Di Hiini, Marcelle Parkes, Kendra Reynolds, Lucy Jenkins, Cindy Nelles, Alana Bremner, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Pip Love. Reserves: Nat Delamere, Ona Palu, Steph Te-Ohaere Fox, Emma Dermody, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Cormick, Martha Mataele, Charntay Poko.
Chiefs Manawa: Tenika Willison, Mererangi Paul, Carla Hohepa, Azalleyah Maaka, Georgia Daals, Hazel Tubic, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Kennedy Simon (c), Tynealle Fitzgerald, Charmaine Smith, Chelsea Bremner, Kelsie Thwaites, Tanya Kalounivale, Luka Connor, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu. Reserves: Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Kate Henwood, Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Dhys Faleafaga, Victoria Makea, Violet Hapi-Wise, Abigail Roach, Apii Nicholls.
