Hurricanes Poua continue dream season with thrilling comeback win against Matatū
Saturday, 11 July 2026
The Super Rugby Aupiki dream is well and truly alive for surprise packets Hurricanes Poua after a stunning and dramatic 33-31 win against ladder leaders Matatū.
In front of a healthy Timaru crowd in brilliant winter sunshine, the Poua bounced back from a poor start to win the game with the last play of the game.
Outstanding prop Angel Mulu barged over from close range and Renee Holmes converted from in front to spark wild celebrations from the Poua, who have now won three games in succession.
Matatū started game brilliantly with a three-try burst but they could never shake the fired-up Poua even after a late try by fullback Maia Davis.
Matatū were forced to make tackle after tackle inside their own 22m for large parts of the second half.
After trailing by seven points at the break, the Poua fought back to 19-19 after 50 minutes when fullback Arene Landon-Lane crossed after after a bright start to the second spell.
The Poua’s scrum had earned the opportunity with some strong work at the set-piece.
However, they suffered a major setback when Matatū hit back immediately through Grace Brooker and Poua winger Fia Laikong was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on in the build-up to the try.
The sin binning looked a little harsh as Laikong appeared to make a legitimate effort to intercept Brooker’s pass.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Poua continued to press hard, with their forwards dominating the scrum and winning most of the collisions.
Tighthead prop Mo’omo’oga Palu was a standout for the visitors, racking up double-digit carry statistics.
The Poua launched wave after wave of attack and it took an impressive display of defensive defiance from Matatū to keep them out.
However, the Matatū wall eventually cracked as Iritana Hohaia spotted a gap by the uprights and scored from close range.
Holmes’ conversion tied the game at 26-26 but Matatū again hit back immediately.
First, they charged down Holmes’ clearance from the restart and then stole a lineout after good work by lock Emma Dermody.
That set up a barnstorming run by No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker before Maia Joseph ripped a superb left-to-right pass to put Davis in for the try.
It was a clinical use of possession, but Matatū couldn’t keep the Poua’s dominant scrum at bay even on their own ball and a late set-piece turnover paved the way for Mulu’s heroics.
Matatū remain on top of the ladder after five rounds, but Super Rugby Aupiki is definitely a three-horse race.
In Friday’s game, the Blues were too strong for the Chiefs Manawa in Whangārei, with Black Ferns No 10 Ruahei Demant nailing all six conversions in an impressive individual display.
The Blues hold second place by just one point over the Poua ahead of next weekend’s final round.
Super Rugby Aupiki, round five
At Fraser Park, Timaru: Hurricanes Poua 33 (Renee Holmes try 26min, Neve Anglesey try 31min, Arene Landon-Lane try 49min, Iritana Hohaia try 68min, Angel Mulu try 80min; Holmes 4 con) Matatū 31 (Alena Saili try 11min, Pip Love try 18min, Kaipo Olsen-Baker try 22min, Grace Brooker try 51min, Maia Davis try 72min; Maia Joseph 3 con). HT: 12-19
At Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei: Blues 42 (Maama Vaipulu, Tara Turner, Danny-Elle Fesolai, Slyvia Brunt, Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Amarante Sititi tries; Ruahei Demant 6 con) Chiefs Manawa 26 (Mia Anderson 2, Shyrah Tuilau-Tua'a 2 tries; Carys Dallinger 2 con, Ariana Bayler con). HT: 28-14