Matatū looking to be direct early before unleashing

Matatu captain Alana Bremner will lead her team into battle against the Blues in the Super Rugby...
Matatu captain Alana Bremner will lead her team into battle against the Blues in the Super Rugby Aupiki final tonight. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Alana Bremner and her team have added the final touches.

Now they just need to put it out on the field.

The Matatū captain is raring to lead her team into an almighty battle against the Blues in the Super Rugby Aupiki final at Eden Park tonight.

It has been an impressive turnaround from the team, who won only two games last season, to make it through to the final, and they have already notched one win over the defending champions this season.

Bremner put the changes down to a connection camp before the season, which set the platform and helped them get ahead when they came into preseason.

"We definitely started in a better place," Bremner told the Otago Daily Times.

"We were a lot fitter, faster, stronger, and with the rugby, we were well ahead of that.

"We were having connections early on with coaches ... and it definitely helped us prepare and come into the games early on a lot more ready than previous years."

That has led to an expansive and exciting brand of rugby from Matatū, which Bremner credited to head coach Whitney Hansen, the "brains behind our attack".

"She’s incredible, the stuff she can come up with, and it’s a game plan that really suits our style," Bremner said.

"Working hard for each other, a lot of effort areas and that’s something at Matatū we’re really proud of and something we really value, that work rate on the field.

"Some of the tries we’ve scored this year, it’s been pretty cool looking back at them and seeing, I guess, the team tries and how they’ve come. It’s from people working off the ball from each other.

"It’s cool when you play rugby that is a good display and people want to watch."

All that effort will be required when they come up against the Blues, who went through unbeaten until Matatū ran away with a 37-29 victory last month.

Bremner said that success certainly helped their confidence heading into the final, but acknowledged finals rugby was a different beast and the Blues would lift again.

Matatū were direct early against the Blues in their previous encounter. Their forwards did the work up front and that would be crucial in marking their dominance early.

They also could not afford to let Blues stars Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Maia Roos and Sylvia Brunt get a chance.

"They’re not a team that you can afford to be passive against because when they get [going] ... they’re exciting, they play free, they’re expressive and their game drives, like Ruahei Demant, she can find space incredibly.

"Playing direct early, really working hard and then those seams will start opening up for our exciting outside backs and they’ll be ready to unleash when the time comes."

Matatū have been dealt a blow with flanker Lucy Jenkins ruled out with injury.

Jenkins has been Matatū’s top try-scorer, equal with winger Winnie Palamo on four, and was second-equal in the league for tackles won (96).

Lock Emma Dermody, who has provided good stability in the tight five off the bench, has also been ruled out.

The Super Rugby clash between the Blues and Moana Pasifika at 4.35pm will be a curtain-raiser for the Aupiki final at Eden Park.

The Aupiki final is scheduled for prime time at 7.05pm and the winner will play a crossover final against the winner of Australia’s Super Rugby W.

Bremner hoped people would get behind the final.

"Hopefully, all eyes will be on the TV and be watching an awesome showcase of women’s rugby.

"Aupiki’s level has just increased year on year and this year we’ve seen some exciting rugby — I know Blues and us will be a spectacle."

Super Rugby Aupiki

Eden Park, 7.05pm

Matatū: Kaea Nepia, Winnie Palamo, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Hannah King, Maia Joseph, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner (captain), Chelsea Bremner, Stacey Niao, Moomooga Palu, Georgia Ponsonby, Pip Love. Reserves: Tegan Hollows, Maddi Robinson, Amy Rule, Sarah Jones, Fiaali’i Solomona, Kelsyn McCook, Hollyrae Mete, Fia Laikong.

Blues: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Ruahei Demant, Jaymie Kolose, Krysten Cottrell, Tara Turner, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Taufa Bason, Holly Greenway, Maama Vaipulu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Aldora Itunu, Atlanta Lolohea, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Grace Gago, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Harono te Iringa, Eloise Blackwell, Dajian Brown, Kahlia Awa, Sylvia Brunt, Patricia Maliepo.

kayla.hodge@odt.co.nz

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