The defending champions have had a wretched season but emerged from their slumber to pummel the Hurricanes Poua 37-17 in Christchurch yesterday.
It was a Good Friday indeed for the Matatū women, who produced a display of both physical dominance and scintillating back play to run away with their first win of the season.
It came too late to stay in contention for the Super Rugby Aupiki final, but it was a nice reminder they can play some exceptional rugby, and the scoreline would have been higher had their goal-kicking not been so poor.
They effectively embarrassed the Poua, who might want to spend more time on the training field and expend less energy explaining their political allegiances.
Hooker Georgia Ponsonby scored two tries to lead a powerful Matatū tight five, halfback Maia Joseph did everything with class and time, and midfielder Grace Brooker ran amok.
Matatū scored twice in the first quarter and twice again in the second to lead 22-0 at halftime.
The pick of those tries was a sublime counter-attack from long-range, finished by Brooker, while the forwards flexed their muscle with the two mauls that led to Ponsonby scores.
Things went from bad to worse for the Poua when centre Shakira Baker was red-carded for a sloppy high shot on Joseph.
The Hurricanes actually scored the first try of the second half, despite being at a one-woman disadvantage for 20 minutes.
It was sheer individual strength, too, as No 8 Layla Sae exploded off the back of a scrum and charged 30m through several tacklers.
But thoughts of a comeback were dashed as Matatū quickly scored two more tries.
Martha Mataele finished strongly from another long counter-attack, and flanker Lucy Jenkins was rewarded for a busy day when she cut inside three defenders.
There was time for a couple of Poua consolation tries and a second for Jenkins from a Hurricanes mistake in the dying minutes.
Matatū will finish their season with another game in Christchurch against the Chiefs Manawa next Saturday.
Super Rugby Aupiki
The scores
Matatū 37
Georgia Ponsonby 2, Lucy Jenkins 2, Rosie Kelly, Grace Brooker, Martha Mataele tries; Liv McGoverne con
Hurricanes Poua 17
Layla Sae, Monica Tagoai, Rangimarie Sturmey tries; Isabella Waterman con
Halftime: Matatū 22-0.
