Matatū captain Alana Bremner. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
Women: Chiefs Manawa v Matatū
Kick-off: 2:05pm Saturday 1 March
FMG Stadium, Waikato
After a tough 2024, Matatū want to get back to the top of the Super Rugby Aupiki pile.
The South Island franchise played some superb rugby to defy their underdog tag and win the competiton in 2023, but they failed to live up to that effort last season, finishing third in the four team tournament.
Alana Bremner is tackled. Photo: Joe Allison
The Blues women beat the Chiefs Manawa in the final to claim their maiden title.
Black Ferns loose forward and Matatū captain, Alana Bremner, concedes the squad's conditioning levels weren't up to scratch in 2024.
"I believe we came in a little bit slow, not up to our usual fitness and that really impacted us in such a short season. You don't have time to not be at the top of your game straight away," Bremner said.
"Those weeks it did take us to get those combinations and fitness, we were a little bit slow to start and the other teams really punished us. We started to get that flow near the end of the season, but in a short season like Super Rugby Aupiki, it was too late."
Alana Bremner, Sera Naiqama, Georgia Ponsonby and Emma Dermody. Super Rugby Aupiki winners, 2023. Photo: Jeremy Ward
Bremner is confident they've learnt their lesson.
"We've had a tough pre season and we had a camp at the end of last year, which really helped. We've got a lot of connections already, met all the team, got all the coaches on board, so players have started having those conversations and just getting onto things a lot earlier."
Matatū have a pair of Black Ferns running their backline in halfback Maia Joseph and first-five Hannah King and Bremner believes they will be key to the side's chances of success.
"It's incredible to have two young but rich in experience (players) and what they bring to the team. I know how excited they are to play and having world class game drivers like that, it's what runs the team. I'm really excited to have them inject what they do to the team," Bremner said.
"They are young, but they're not afraid to speak up and drive us around the field."
Maia Joseph of the Matatu is tackled. Photo: photosport
Speaking of young players, Bremner reckons Matatū have a few that could become the next stars of Super Rugby Aupiki.
"Got a lot of new ones I'm really looking forward to seeing. Hollyrae (outside back Hollyrae Mete), I haven't played with her before, so she's gonna be awesome. I'm expecting big things from the likes of Laura Bayfield (lock). She's had an amazing season come off FPC (Farah Palmer Cup).
"Looking forward to seeing Winnie (wing Winnie Palamo) expressing herself, she's got a lot more game time after FPC this year. I think she'll be awesome on the wing for us. Just excited to see everyone unleash."
Winnie Palamo of Canterbury in action. Photo: Andy Skinner/www.photosport.nz
Bremner is also excited by the introducion of a cross-over final between the winner of Super Rugby Aupiki and the champions of Australia's Super Rugby W competition at the end of their respective seasons on 17 April.
"It's awesome to see the competition growing and expanding, so adding something like that, getting to compete with the Australia Super W final is pretty exciting. It's going to grow both Australia and New Zealand and hopefully in the future we get to play a lot more of those (Australian) teams," Bremner said.
"I know all the girls are excited. It (crossover) gives you an opportunity for another final, another lot of pressure and that's exactly what you want. The more games the better."
Matatū will make history this season regardless of results, with the team playing a home game in Nelson for the first time.
"We're our own franchise and we've got to do things our own way. Part of that is representing Te Waipounamu, the whole of the South Island, that's really important for us. So really excited to meet some people from Nelson and hopefully we have an awesome turnout."
Matatū kick off their campaign against the Chiefs Manawa in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.
