That year may feel like a long one too, as last night’s match was there for it to win.
The South Island team had enough dominance to comfortably beat the Hurricanes Poua in its final game of Super Rugby Aupiki in Hamilton.
But it was unable to break down a staunch defence, slumping to an 18-6 loss.
Matatu hammered away at the Hurricanes line for the first 20 minutes of the second half.
It went to halftime down 11-6, Kendra Cocksedge having kicked a penalty after a period of dominance just before the break.
From there it had all the ball, all the field position and spent 10 minutes a player up.
But it could not turn that into points.
Twice it was held up over the line.
Twice it dropped ball as it looked to reach out to score.
Too many other times unforced mistakes let it down.
The pressure resulted in a penalty after penalty, but the players, perhaps understandably, looked to keep plugging away rather than take the three points.
The Hurricanes tackled ferociously and brought desperation on the line, while defending the Matatu lineout drive well.
But it was the inability of Matatu to execute, more so than the Hurricanes brilliant defence, that told the tale of this one.
That became even more telling as Hurricanes winger Ayesha Leti-Iiga scorched down
the left wing to score with a player in the sin bin.
First five Carys Dallinger converted to make it 18-6 with 13 minutes to play.
It was the first chance the Hurricanes had in the second half.
Yet it proved the difference between the two teams — one was able to execute, the other was not.
That was not for lack of effort and Matatu showed its intent to play an up-tempo game early.
However, after trading penalties early on, it had limited ball for most of the first half.
Its defence held well initially, conceding just a further three points, until a piece of brilliance from Dallinger opened it up.
She threw a superb offload to initiate a sequence for Leti-Iiga to scored in the corner and make it 11-3 after 20 minutes.
From there Matatu held off a further attack, before finally gaining the upper hand in the final five minutes before halftime.
Reserve prop Ashley Palu was held up over the line, before halfback Kendra Cocksedge kicked a penalty on halftime to make it 11-6.
It was all Matatu could manage, though.
Try as it might, it could not break a stout Hurricanes defence.
Otago’s Kilisitina Vea made a useful run to go close midway through the second half, while the forward pack went close in the tight on multiple occasions.
Winger Grace Steinmetz was a bright spot for Matatu, while fullback Renee Holmes was dangerous in space.
Cocksedge provided quality service at the base, while in the forwards Alana Bremner worked tirelessly.
It left Matatu without a win from its three matches, while it was the Hurricanes’ first win.
In the late game the Chiefs thrashed the Blues 35-0 to go unbeaten and claim the first Super Rugby Aupiki title.
