Eight debutants set to light up Hurricanes Poua's first home game against Matatu

Eight players are in line to make their Super Rugby Women’s debuts when the Hurricanes Poua host Matatu in Upper Hutt on Sunday, with five of those debutants coming from the home side and three from the visiting Christchurch outfit.

The Hurricanes Poua arrive into the fixture on the back of a 7-42 opening-round defeat to the Blues, a result that underlined the scale of the rebuild underway in Wellington. The squad was overhauled ahead of the 2026 season with close to 20 new faces brought in, and three of the five debutants named this week are set to start.

Tegan Willocks, who represented Matatu last season, lines up at hooker, while Canadian prop Brooke Rempel joins her in the starting front row for her own club debut. Former Chiefs Manawa flanker Keelah Bodle will start at openside in her first appearance for the Poua. Litia Bulicakau and Hinemaringi Scott are among those who could earn debuts from the bench.

Matatu, meanwhile, arrive in buoyant mood after a historic 52-26 victory over the Chiefs Manawa in round one — a result achieved in front of a record crowd at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium. The Christchurch side have named three potential debutants among their replacements, all of whom carry significant international pedigree.

Abigail Paton, who recently made her USA debut in the Pacific Four Series, is set to provide impact at halfback off the bench. She is joined by Black Ferns Sevens pair Maia Davis and Alena Saili, who cover the rest of the backline among the reserves.

The match represents a significant early-season test for both sides. For the Hurricanes Poua, it is an opportunity to register a first home win of the campaign in front of their own supporters, while Matatu will look to build on their record-breaking start and establish themselves as genuine title contenders in 2026.