Super Rugby Aupiki: Matatū remain unbeaten after edging gritty Hurricanes Poua
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Matatū have set up a top of the table Super Rugby Aupiki clash between the lone two unbeaten teams.
The South Island side made it two wins from two weeks to start the new season, but it was far from pretty in a hard fought 18-15 victory over Hurricanes Poua on Sunday in Upper Hutt.
Hurricanes Poua were hunting their first Super Rugby Aupiki win in 835 days, having dropped 11 straight games since the 2024 season.
Their last victory came against Matatū when they prevailed 36-29 at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium in March 2024.
Hurricanes Poua dared to dream when replacement prop Angel Mulu barged over after eight phases to cut the Matatū lead to 18-15 with four minutes left.
Matatū managed to hold on and avoid a boilover result, setting up a top of the table showdown on Saturday against Blues Women in Pukekohe.
Renee Holmes gave the Poua hope of an upset win when she she drilled a penalty from 53m out straight in front to bring them within five (15-10) with 13 to play.
The home side then committed a costly error with replacement Te Rauoriwa Gapper shelling a kick in her own 22, giving Matatū prime field position. It came back to hurt them with Hannah King kicking a penalty from close range to restore their eight point buffer.
Matatū took a 12-0 lead into halftime, but Hurricanes Poua hit back straight after halftime, cashing in with Pip Love in the sinbin.
Having been held up twice over the line, the home side finally got across with halfback Iritana Hohaia burrowing over close to the line from the back of the ruck.
Talented young wing Binky Muamua made it two tries in two weeks, opening the day’s scoring for Matatū, capitalising with two Poua players in the bin.
Muamua was denied moments earlier, judged to have gone into touch. She could not be stopped when she next touched the ball, finishing nicely in the corner from a quick tap from Maia Joseph.
Openside flanker Elinor-Plum King, who bagged a hat-trick in the opener against Chiefs Manawa, had a major role in their second. King, who joined Matatū after two seasons with the Poua, broke free from three tackles before putting away Black Ferns No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker to finish in the corner.
The two-time defending champion Blues Women remain unbeaten, but had to do it the hard way, edging Chiefs Manawa 27-26 on Saturday.
Chiefs Manawa were sniffing an upset in front of their home fans at FMG Stadium Waikato following a strong start. They led 21-7 after a converted try to wing Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a late in the first half, but the Blues hit back with a try of their own to go into halftime down 21-17.
When hooker Vici-Rose Green scored from a strong lineout drive with 20 minutes left, Chiefs Manawa regained the lead, holding a 26-22 advantage.
With Justine McGregor in the bin and Chiefs Manawa down to 14, the Blues struck the decisive blow.
Jaymie Kolose was put over in the corner for what proved the match-winning try, profiting from slick backline play.
Super Rugby Aupiki, Rd 2
At FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton: Blues Women 27 (Mererangi Paul, Tara Turner, Aldora Itunu, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Jaymie Kolose tries; Braxton Sorensen-McGee con) Chiefs Manawa 26 (Lonita Ngalu, Carys Dallinger, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Vici-Rose Green tries; Dallinger 3 con). HT: 17-21.
At Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt: Matatū 18 (Binky Muamua, Kaipo Olsen-Baker tries; Hannah King con, 2pen) Hurricanes Poua 15 (Iritana Hohaia, Angel Mulu tries; Renee Holmes con, pen) HT: 12-0.