Eight debutants to feature in Matatu and Hurricanes Poua clash

Eight debutants are set to take the field in Upper Hutt on Sunday when the Hurricanes Poua host their first home game of the season against Matatu.

The Wellington-based club, whose squad was given a major refresh coming into the 2026 season with nearly 20 new faces, fell to a 7-42 defeat to the Blues in round 1 and has named five debutants this week, three of whom are set to start.

Tegan Willocks, who played for Matatu last season, will start at hooker, joined by Canadian prop Brooke Rempel in the starting front row, who will also make her debut for the club. Former Chiefs Manawa flanker Keelah Bodle will start in her Poua debut at openside, with Litia Bulicakau and Hinemaringi Scott earning potential debuts off the bench.

Matatu enjoyed a historic and victorious start to their 2026 campaign with a 52-26 win over the Chiefs Manawa in front of a record crowd at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium last week, and have named three potential debutants on the bench for round 2.

There’s plenty of international experience in the new trio, with Abigail Paton, fresh off her USA debut in the Pacific Four Series, providing impact at halfback, and Black Ferns Sevens duo Maia Davis and Alena Saili covering the rest of the backline.

Matatu team to play the Hurricanes Poua

1. Maddi Robinson
2. Nat Delamere
3. Pip Love
4. Laura Bayfield (VC)
5. Paris Lokotui
6. Fiaali’i Solomona
7. Elinor-Plum King
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
9. Maia Joseph
10. Hannah King
11. Binky Muamua
12. Grace Brooker (C)
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Winnie Palamo
15. Poppy Baxter

Reserves

16. Holly Greenway
17. Marcelle Parkes
18. Santo Taumata
19. Emma Dermody
20. Sarah Jones
21. Abigail Paton (debut)
22. Maia Davis (debut)
23. Alena Saili (debut)

Hurricanes Poua team to play Matatu

1. Ngano Tavake
2. Tegan Willocks (debut)
3. Brooke Rempel (debut)
4. Sam Taylor – co-captain
5. Stacey Niao
6. Anahera Hamahona
7. Keelah Bodle (debut)
8. Greer Muir
9. Iritana Hohaia
10. Renee Holmes
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12. Kokako Raki
13. Leilani Hakiwai
14. Keira Su’a-Smith
15. Arene Landon-Lane

Reserves

16. Keiana Roffey
17. Angel Mulu
18. Faythe Finau
19. Brianna Wallace
20. Lily Murray-Wihongi
21. Litia Bulicakau (debut)
22. Te Rauoriwa Gapper – co-captain
23. Hinemaringi Scott (debut)

Injury list

Molly Scuffil-McCabe
Jordyn Tihore
Rangimarie Sturmey