Matatū Finish Strong with a win over the Chiefs Manawa

Liv McGoverne celebrates her game sealing try against the Manawa

Matatū finished their season strong with a win over the Chiefs Manawa at home in Otautahi Christchurch on Saturday. How good.

A healthy crowd turned out at Ngā Puna Wai for the club’s last game of Super Rugby Aupiki 2024, greeted by a glorious day for footy. Our mates from the New Zealand Defence Force delivered the match ball in their SH-2G(I) Seasprite Helicopter creating an epic atmosphere to get everyone pumped for the occasion.

There would’ve been no better way for the team to close out their season than in front of their home fans. It means so much to everyone involved with Matatū to represent the entire South Island, our Te Waka o Aoraki, and to play in front of you – it’s why we turn up.

Georgia Ponsonby crashing over in just the sixth minute was exactly why the crowd turned up, Matatū flags flying furiously from both the grandstand and the embankment.

Manawa hit straight back to make it 5-5 within the first 10 before Winnie Palamo charged down a formerly- Matatū Renee Holmes kick ten minutes later right in front of the 22. A quick pounce on the loose ball and a Rosie Kelly conversion and it was 12-5.

Winnie Palamo scores after charging down Renee Holmes’ kick

Manawa levelled the field just before halftime through captain Kennedy Simon, converted by Renee Holmes. 12-12 into the sheds.

Renee Holmes came out swinging for her new team in the second, dotting down within seven minutes and slotting a penalty before the clock ticked over 60 minutes. 20-12 to Manawa – not an entirely unexpected surge from the team at the top of the table.

But hold the phone. A brilliant team try from the Matatū girls moments later down the left flank, Amy Rule offloading to Atlanta Lolohea who carried on down the sideline. Maia Joseph connected with Grace Brooker who drove within five metres of the line. The ball moved quickly again from Lolohea who offloaded to Amy du Plessis in full flight, unstoppable to add five more.

Amy du Plessis finishes after a fantastic offload from Atlanta Lolohea

And that wasn’t all! Liv McGoverne sliced through the Manawa defence in one of the last moves of the season for Matatū, straight through two defenders to find the line with eight minutes to go.

Final score: 22-20.

It was a fitting way to end the season for Matatū. After a tough start they surged to victory in their last two games to finish third on the table behind Chiefs Manawa and the Blues. Not enough to crack the final but enough to be proud of the effort and the team.