The team representing the South Island swept aside the defending champion Blues 27-21 during “all in’’ round last weekend, snapping the Aucklanders’ five-game winning streak.
Matatū are the only unbeaten side in the competition and sit top of the table on 13 points.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Elinor-Plum King are tied with Chiefs Manawa hooker Vici-Rose Green as the league’s leading try scorers (three).
Olsen-Baker has been in damaging form again, sitting second for tackles completed (49) and second for carries (54).
Laura Bayfield is tied with Blues lock Maia Roos for lineouts won (16) and is equal with Hurricanes Poua co-captain Sam Taylor for tackles made (51).
First five Hannah King leads for points (37) and captain Grace Brooker is second for defenders beaten (13),
Matatū meet Manawa this afternoon and will be keen to continue their rich form. They beat Manawa 52-26 in front of a record crowd in Christchurch to open the season.
Head coach Blair Baxter has sprung a couple of changes to last week’s side.
Paris Lokotui, who has impressed in her first season of professional rugby, will come off the bench, with Fiaali’i Solomona starting at blindside and Holly Greenway coming in at hooker.
Former Black Ferns Sevens star Alena Saili remains on the wing outside the experienced midfield combination of Brooker and Black Fern Amy du Plessis.
Manawa, who have been tough in the past, are in the midst of a difficult season and are yet to win a game this year.
They took another blow last week when captain Kennedy Tukuafu hobbled from the field after being horribly cleaned out. She will not play today.
Hurricanes prop Ngano Tavake copped a three-week ban for the croc roll.
In form loose forward Mia Anderson will lead Manawa, while Otago back Maddie Flutey will make her first start at first five.
The game has been shifted from Hamilton to Pukekohe due to ground resurfacing at Fred Jones Park.
It will now kick off at 3.05pm today.
Super Rugby Aupiki
Pukekohe, 3.05pm today
Matatū: Maia Davis, Winnie Palamo, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker, Alena Saili, Hannah King, Maia Joseph, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Elinor-Plum King, Fiaali’i Solomona, Emma Dermody, Laura Bayfield, Pip Love, Holly Greenway, Marcelle Parkes. Reserves: Nat Delamere, Maddi Robinson, Santo Taumata, Sophie Kerr, Paris Lokotui, Kelsyn McCook, Binky Muamua, Poppy Baxter.
Chiefs Manawa: Manaia Nuku, Louise Blyde, Justine McGregor, Huia Harding, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, maddie Flutey, Ariana Bayler, Mia Anderson, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Olivia Holten, Chyna Hohepa, Jade Coates, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Vici-Rose Green, Chyann Kaitapu. Reserves: Nicole Purdom, Amber Mundell, Lonita Ngalu, Leomie Kloppers, Leata Puni-Lio, Holli O’Sullivan, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Presayus Singh.
