Matatū took five minutes to give themselves a safety net.
Prop Pip Love crashed over inside the opening two minutes and barnstorming No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker showed her strength to score minutes later.
It set up Matatū with an early lead and they held on to beat the Chiefs Manawa 41-24 in Pukekohe this afternoon.
But they will be disappointed with their second half, having squandered a massive lead at halftime.
After Matatū jumped out to a 12-0 lead, Manawa clicked into gear.
They demolished Matatū at the scrum 5m out, eventually shifting it right for captain Mia Anderson to score.
Manawa started to build momentum but Fiaali’i Solomona picked off an intercept to score against the run of play.
Matatū captain Grace Brooker fended off Manawa fullback Manaia Nuku to extend her side’s lead 24-5.
They rolled on. Otago halfback Maia Joseph took a quick tap and put centre Amy du Plessis into space to score under the post.
Manawa seldom found themselves inside the 22, but strung together their best passage last in the first half.
But Matatū’s defence was resolute and their counter ruck got them out of danger to hold a 31-5 lead at halftime.
Ariana Bayler scored early for Manawa to open the second half as they finally found form.
They moved the ball quickly, putting winger Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a into space to fend off Winnie Palamo and score, closing Manawa’s gap 31-19.
Matatū prop Santo Taumata was yellow carded for head contact, giving Manawa another chance.
They made the most of it when Louise Blyde scored to cut the gap to seven.
It was a completely different team that came out from the sheds and it took Matatū too long to adjust.
Replacement hooker Nat Delamere peeled off a rolling maul for Matatū to secure a little breathing room.
Taumata picked up another yellow card, resulting in a red leaving Matatū to play with 14 for the rest of the game.
Olsen-Baker scored her second to secure the win.
The Hurricanes Poua picked up their first consecutive victories, beating the defending champion Blues 45-30 in Upper Hutt.
Super Rugby Aupki
The scores
Matatū 41
Kaipo Olsen-Baker 2, Pip Love, Fiaali’i Solomona, Amy du Plessis, Nat Delamere tries; Hannah King con 2, Maia Joseph con 1
Chiefs Manawa 24
Mia Anderson, Ariana Bayler, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Louise Blyde tries; Maddie Flutey con 1, Bayler 1 con,
Halftime: Matatū 31-5.
