Matatū are playing their first home game in Nelson this afternoon when they come up against the Blues in a much-anticipated Super Rugby Aupiki top-of-the-table clash.
"We’re really excited to get up to Nelson. It’s the first time Matatū has gone to play up there, so it’s really special," captain Bremner said.
"We have a few girls from up there and I know they’re fizzing to get up home and hopefully we have an awesome crowd."
While it will be nice occasion for the team that represent the South Island, their eyes are focused on the job at hand.
Matatū have played some exciting rugby across the opening two rounds, beating the Chiefs Manawa 31-25 and the Hurricanes Poua 29-7.
But the Blues, who are the defending champions, have been much the same, recording a 50-10 victory over the Poua and beating the Manawa 24-22.
"Aupiki this year has just stepped up a notch," Bremner said.
"It’s fast, it’s physical and we know the Blues bring exactly that.
"Their forwards, they bring the heat up front, and then they’ve got some flairy backs.
"We’re just really working on bringing that defence we saw last week and hopefully have a good day out at the office."
Head coach Whitney Hansen acknowledged it was a big game for her team and was excited for the challenge against the Blues.
"I think there’s a piece where they’re an exciting team when they get in behind the line, right?," Hansen said.
"So the first job is stopping that. But we’ve shown that we can do that too.
"It’s hard for them to score if they don’t have the ball, so we’ve got to try and hang on to it.
"We’re very much focused on us."
Manawatu centre Hollyrae Mete returns from injury to get her first start on the right wing, and Otago Spirit standout Charlotte Va’afusuaga gets her first start on the opposite wing.
Hansen was full of praise for Va’afusuaga, who was at St Hilda’s Collegiate last year.
"How cool — year 13 last year and then coming in and getting to have a start for Matatū.
"She’s proved herself off the bench the last couple of weeks and we know that she’ll do a job for us starting this week."
Otago are well represented this week with hooker Tegan Hollows and back Naomi Sopoaga getting their chance to earn their first caps off the bench. Prop Eilis Doyle will also come off the bench for the first time this season.
Halfback Maia Joseph retains the No 9 jersey.
The Blues are packed with Black Ferns force in Portia Woodman-Wickliffe — who has been moved to centre — Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant and Maia Roos.
Super Rugby Aupiki
Nelson, 2.05pm
Matatū: Kaea Nepia, Hollyrae Mete, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Hannah King, Maia Joseph, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Lucy Jenkins, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Laura Bayfield, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Marcelle Parkes. Reserves: Tegan Hollows, Pip Love, Eilis Doyle, Emma Dermody, Fiaali’i Solomona, Kelsyn McCook, Naomi Sopoaga, Keighley Simpson.
Blues: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Sylvia Brunt, Jaymie Kolose, Ruahei Demant, Tara Turner, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Dajian Brown, Paris Mataroa, Maama Vaipulu, Maia Roos, Harono Te Iringa, Atlanta Lolohea, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: 16. Grace Gago, 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18. Cheyenne Nauna Tuli-Fale, 19. Holly Greenway (debut), 20. Elizabith Moimoi, 21. Kahlia Awa, 22 Krysten Cottrell, 23 Patricia Maliepo.
