Super Rugby Aupiki: Attendance records broken as Matatū put 50 on Chiefs Manawa

Consider the attendance record for a standalone domestic women’s rugby fixture in New Zealand shattered.

As Matatū impressed in a 52-26 win over Chiefs Manawa at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium on Saturday evening, they did so in front of a crowd of 11,793.

That number more than doubled the previous record crowd for a standalone domestic women’s rugby fixture, which stood at 4800 set at the 2024 Aupiki final.

The Christchurch faithful have been strong attendees since the new stadium opened, and their home side gave them a show.

A hat-trick to openside flanker Elinor-Plum King sealed an emphatic eight-tries-to-four win, with two of the loose forward’s tries coming in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Under the roof, Matatū enjoyed plenty of time on the attack and tested the Chiefs defences consistently.

No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who scored the first try of the game, was a handful, while captain Grace Brooker – returning after a stint in the Women’s AFL competition in Australia – was impressive with ball in hand.

While Chiefs Manawa defended well at times, the hosts were able to find ways to break them down, be it through some powerful work from the forwards or speed and elusiveness from the outside backs.

The match got off to a superb start for the hosts, with Olsen-Baker and halfback Maia Joseph scoring inside the opening 15 minutes.

Although the Chiefs hit back through hooker Vici-Rose Green, the first of her two first-half tries, Matatū extended their lead with tries through King and midfielder Amy du Plessis.

Ahead 26-14 at the break, the hosts pushed the lead out further through winger Binky Muamua, who scored a try on debut, which began a run of the sides trading tries.

After Ariana Bayler’s try for the visitors closed the gap to 38-26 with about 20 minutes to go, it looked like there might be a big finish.

That wasn’t the case, as Matatū had the final say through King for a big win.

Matatū 52 (Elinor-Plum King 3, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maia Joseph, Amy du Plessis, Blinky Muamua, Laura Bayfield; Hannah King 6 cons)

Chiefs Manawa 26 (Vici-Rose Green 2, Leata Puni-Lio, Ariana Bayler tries; Carys Dallinger 3 cons)

HT: 26-14