It was those words from assistant coach Whitney Hansen — stolen from an earlier interview with Renee Holmes — at halftime that suggested something special was coming from Matatū.
The same words followed from Rosie Kelly after Matatū created history, winning 33-31 to claim its first Super Rugby Aupiki title against defending champion Chiefs Manawa.
"No-one believed in us out of our team, but we always had the belief in ourselves and that’s all that matters," Kelly told Sky Sport after Saturday’s final in Hamilton.
"We worked heaps off the field to then show it on the field and be a family."
Believe they did.
All the pre-game talk had been about Manawa going back-to-back, but Matatū handed Manawa its first loss in two seasons and produced a remarkable turnaround from last year’s winless season.
After trailing 19-0 after 20 minutes, Matatū turned the game on its head, drawing on its defensive power to put pressure on Manawa, forcing the home team into errors, and on attack, the South Islanders’ backline chipped away to slice Manawa apart.
Canadian international Cindy Nelles was influential at lock, Lucy Jenkins was tireless, and Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker and Holmes were unstoppable.
Manawa had fired from the first whistle, prop Tanya Kalounivale rolling over in just the fourth minute.
The Chiefs had all the possession and territory in the first 20 minutes, leaving Matatū to scramble on defence and on the back foot.
Nippy halfback Arihiana Marion-Tauhinu scored off the back of the lineout, and Kalounivale stormed through Matatū’s defence and charged 10m up the field to score her second.
Suddenly, Manawa was up 19-0 and Matatū had hardly set foot in the opposition half.
Then the switch flicked and within 10 minutes, Matatū was back in it.
Manawa dominated at set piece, forcing Matatū to go down an alternative route with a quick tap to find some points.
That put the defending champions in unfamiliar territory, not used to defending on their line from open play, and Amy Rule crashed over the line for Matatū’s first points.
Rule’s try was followed up by a team try, with the support play Matatū has been known for all season.
Jenkins hung out wide, and swerved between defenders to bring the ball centre. It went through a couple more hands before Nelles wrapped the ball around in the tackle and created space for du Plessis, who threw it wide for Holmes to finish it off.
Matatū then took a punt on a 40m penalty and Holmes stepped up and delivered.
Then came the individual brilliance.
Winger Martha Mataele intercepted the ball — with three players on her outside ready to score for Manawa — and ran in a 70m try.
It gave Matatū its first lead of the game, 22-19.
The Chiefs got back on the board before the half. Mererangi Paul ran on to a great pop ball and went under the posts to lead 26-22.
The second half was an arm wrestle early — but one that Matatū won.
Matatū had all the territory but squandered opportunities to make something of its ball.
Still, it put the pressure on Manawa and forced the Waikato team into uncharacteristic mistakes.
It took 17 minutes for the first points and they went Matatū’s way with Holmes scoring in the corner and pushing Matatū back to a 27-26 lead.
The South Island side continued to keep the ball in hand and Manawa racked up the penalties on defence.
Holmes kicked a penalty right out in front, and another with seven minutes to go to push to a 33-26 lead.
When Manawa got into the 22m for the first time, it executed. After two rolling mauls stunted, the third was successful with Luka Connor going over with her trademark try.
Willison then pushed the final penalty attempt wide, and Matatū celebrated victory.
Aupiki final
The scores
Matatū 33
Renee Holmes 2, Amy Rule, Martha Mataele tries; Holmes 2 con, 3 pen
Chiefs Manawa 31
Tanya Kalounivale 2, Arihiana Marion-Tauhinu, Mererangi Paul, Luka Connor tries; Tenika Willison 2 con
Halftime: Chiefs Manawa 26-22.
