Matatū fall short in city
It was close but not quite for Matatū’s three Southlanders in their Super Rugby Aupiki clash at Rugby Park in Invercargill on Saturday.
Played under perfect conditions, the visiting Blues outfit took the spoils 24-17 in an entertaining contest in front of close to 2000 spectators.
The match held special significance for Amy du Plessis, Amy Rule and Emma Dermody, who were all playing at home on Rugby Park for the first time.
Black Ferns prop Rule, who was raised about 30 minutes west of Invercargill in Riverton, said it was a fantastic turnout for the match. “It’s pretty awesome. We love the support and this shows you what you can be if you really want to be. It’s pretty surreal lots and lots of emotions. It was great to have so many friends and family here.”
Despite being on the wrong side of the result, Rule said it was still an awesome few days down South.
“It was good. Not the result we were after but the girls gave everything we want and I have to put things into perspective, it was our second game of the season like another pre-season, put what happened behind us and work hard for next week.”
Lock forward Dermody, who like Rule was outstanding across the park, said the occasion was special for her.
“It was great. Great crowd. It sucked we couldn’t get the job done but thanks to the Southland community for in behind us. It was such a hard physical game.
“Big ups to the Blues; they kept us on our toes.”
Black Ferns prop Pip Love bagged the first try right on half time after both teams struggled for ascendancy.
It was a half where both teams were guilty of trying to push passes and come up with the miracle play, while also showing signs of rust with limited preparation.
Matatū started strongly in the second stanza with winger Winnie Palamo dotting down on debut to put them ahead 12-0.
The Blues responded with two converted tries to lead 14-12. A Grace Brooker try saw the Matatū ahead 17-14 before the visitors scored two fabulous five pointers including a second to standout winger Jaymie Kolose.
Matatū went close to tying the clash in added time but hard running replacement prop Moomooga Palu was held up over the line.
Rugby Southland chief executive Steve Mitchell said it was a great occasion for the region.
“The community connect from Matatū was absolutely brilliant. The privilege of hosting Black Ferns from both sides for Rugby Southland was absolutely brilliant. The crowd could have been bigger but it was a great crowd. The game was brilliant. Matatū and the Blues crew were great to deal with and overall it was a great success.”
Mitchell said it was something Rugby Southland would love to be part of again in the future.
“The whole purpose for us was to inspire our local girls and to show them what can be achieved and to have the three Southland girls in Matatū made a massive difference. Rugby Southland would definitely love to be involved again as I think many of the teams would. I think they enjoyed coming to a different town and stadium.”