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CHI vs MAT

Super Rugby Aupiki

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Chiefs Manawa

vs

Matatū

25
FT
31
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 25 - 31
Matatū have opened the Super Rugby Aupiki season with an impressive win on the road against the Chiefs. Make sure you stay with us on Tribe for the next match of the opening weekend between the Hurricanes and the Blues. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from FMG Stadium in Hamilton. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.
A tough start to the season for the Chiefs, who were never really able to get going. They were below-par for much of the contest, and made a number of errors with the ball throughout that dented their progress. Defensively, they let a couple of soft tries too, and it appears they have a bit of work to do if they are to make the final for a fourth consecutive season. Tukuafu was probably their best with a couple of big tackles and turnovers. Tubic and Bayler were poor in steering the pack around though, and the side faltered across the park as such. Anderson was the most involved in the backline.
Trailing at the break without a single point to their name, Matatū flicked a switch for the second half. They were awful through the opening 40, and struggled to build anything with ball in hand, whilst faltering at set-piece, but fixed all of that up for the second stanza. Their pack fronted, their set-piece found it's rhythm, and they pulled apart the Chiefs defence with a combination of physicality and an offload game. Amy Du Plesis was the stand-out with her two tries, continually breaking through tackles with the space afforded to her. As always, Bremner and Bayfield were also strong in the pack, whilst Joseph was good from halfback.
Full-time in Hamilton and Matatū have come from behind to open the season with an away victory over the Chiefs. It was turgid stuff for most of the first half, but the Southeners crossed the whitewash 60 seconds into the second stanza, and that set them on their way, putting together four tries (two from Amy Du Plesis) to win the contest. After losing their first four last season, it's a big win for Matatū to kickstart their campaign, whilst the Chiefs have backed up their pre-season drubbing with a home defeat to start.
80+2'
The Chiefs get a penalty near their own 22, and O'Sullivan takes the tap. Kalounivale drops it forward in midfield though, and that will win it for Matatū.
80+1'
Matatū take their time with the restart, and King sends it long. Tubic runs it back into contact just outside her 22, and the Chiefs are going to have to go the length of the field. They send it wide for Holmes on the right, who links with Nolan though the middle. Tough stuff for the hosts.
80'
Holmes pulls the conversion wide of the left post from out on the right. The Chiefs will get one more play at it though, needing a converted try to win.
R. Holmes
Missed Conversion
80'
79'
NOT QUITE OVER! Tui bursts up over halfway and wins a penalty after going down in a high tackle. The Chiefs take it quickly, and spread the ball from side to side. Eventually it ends up back in the hands of Tui, who dots down in the right corner for her second try.