The oil
From all accounts, it was a big step up for Matatu this season. They showed vast improvement from the performances they put on the park in 2024, when they finished third. Matatu finished with a regular season record of 4-2 and tripped 26-19 in the final against the back-to-back champions, the Blues.
Matatu tested everyone and played an expansive brand of rugby that excited their fans both on attack and defence. There were names across the park that ignited them - Lucy Jenkins, Kaea Nepia, Maia Joseph, Georgia Ponsonby and Kaipo Olsen-Baker- and put their case forward for wearing the black jersey.
If Whitney Hansen can keep this squad together, and iron out a few lapses in key moments, they will be in with a fighting chance to be crowned champions next season.
Best game
Hard to look past their dazzling 37-29 victory over the champion Blues in round five. They ran away with some brilliant tries, defended hard to limit the Blues chances and showed they had the goods.
Worst game
On the other hand, their worst performance came in the form of a 28-7 loss to the Blues. It was not a shocking performance, but Matatu failed to score any points in the second half and leaked 14 points. Matatu will also be frustrated looking back at their other round-robin loss to the Chiefs Manawa.
MVP
Without a doubt, Amy du Plessis has had one of the best domestic seasons of her career and should have booked her ticket to the World Cup. The 19-test Black Ferns centre busted through tackles, finished off set plays, put in some big hits and provided stability in the middle with Grace Brooker.
Du Plessis led the competition for carries (95), sat second for defenders beaten (34) and fourth for metres gained (464), made eight offloads and six clean breaks, and scored three tries.
Most improved
Young winger Winnie Palamo proved she is one to watch on the fringes. She scored some wonderful tries and set up a bunch of others with her smooth footwork. Palamo, who was named most promising player for Canterbury in Farah Palmer Cup last year, finished second for metres gained (499m), second equal for tries (five), third equal for clean breaks (9) and fifth equal for offloads (9).
Key signings
The return of Chelsea Bremner and the addition of Hannah King, bringing all their Black Ferns experience, made a massive different for Matatu. Bremner was a much-needed presence in the lineout, did all the work up front and finished with 98 tackles.
King, who was nominated for world breakthrough player of the year in 2024, was a brilliant addition in her move south from the Hurricanes Poua. She finished the season as the league’s leading scorer (51 points) and drove her team around the park all season long.
