The team representing the South Island have dethroned Chiefs Manawa, winning 33-31 at FMG Stadium.
It handed the reigning champions its first loss in two seasons and was an incredible turnaround from Matatū’s winless season last year.
Tenika Willison had the chance to steal the win with a penalty kick at the end but pushed it wide for Matatū to secure its first title.
All the talk had been about Manawa going back-to-back — but Matatū always believed it could take the crown.
After being down 19-0 after 20 minutes, Matatū turned the game on its head, drawing on its defensive power to put pressure on Manawa, forcing them in to errors, and on attack its backline chipped away to slice Manawa apart.
Canadian international Cindy Nelles was influential at lock, Lucy Jenkins was tireless and Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker and Renee Holmes were unstoppable.
Manawa fired from the first whistle, with prop Tanya Kalounivale rolling over four minutes in.
Manawa had all the possession and territory in the first 20 minutes, leaving Matatū to scramble on defence and on the back foot.
Nippy half back Arihiana Marion-Tauhinu scored off the back of the line out and Kalounivale stormed through Matatū’s defence and charged 10m up the field to score her second.
Then the switch flicked and within 10 minutes, Matatū was back in it.
Manawa dominated at set piece, forcing Matatū to go down an alternative route with a quick tap to find some points.
That put the defending champions in unfamiliar territory, not used to defending on its line from open play, helping Amy Rule crash over for Matatū’s first points of the day.
Rule’s try was followed up by a team try — with the support play Matatū has been known for all season.
Flanker Lucy Jenkins hung out wide, and swerved between defenders to bring the ball centre.
It went through a couple more hands before Nelles wrapped the ball around in the tackle, putting du Plessis into space, who threw it wide for Holmes to finish it off.
Matatū took a punt on a 40m penalty and Holmes stepped up and delivered.
Then came the individual brilliance.
Winger Martha Mataele intercepted the ball on Manawa attack — with three players on her outside ready to score for Manawa — and ran in a 70m try.
Manawa got back on the board before the half. Mererangi Paul ran on to a great pop ball and went under the posts to lead 26-22.
The second half was an arm wrestle early — but one that Matatū won.
Matatū had all the territory but squandered opportunities to make something of its ball.
Still it put the pressure on Manawa and forced the Waikato team into uncharacteristic mistakes.
It took 17 minutes for the first points and they went Matatū’s way, with Holmes scoring in the corner pushing Matatū back to a 27-26 lead.
The South Island side continued to keep the ball in hand and Manawa racked up the penalties on defence.
Holmes kicked a penalty right out in front and another with seven minutes to go to push to a 33-26 lead.
When Manawa got into the 22 for the first time it executed.
After two rolling mauls stunted, the third was successful with Luka Connor going over with her trademark try. Willison then pushed the final kick wide for Matatū to win.
