Their re-jigged pre-season match will see Matatū take on Chiefs Manawa tomorrow afternoon at Owen Delany Park in Taupō, before the competition proper gets underway next week.
“It feels like such a long time coming, but we had a really emotional send off from family this morning before we boarded the plane to Taupō and now we feel like we’re ready to get underway,” Baxter said.
“We’re so excited for the season and our inaugural campaign as Matatū. It’s a special opportunity we all have in the history of our game, and we can’t wait to get out there and represent the South Island with pride.”
Kick off in the pre-season match between Matatū and Chiefs Manawa is scheduled at 2.15pm, Saturday 5th March. The match will be televised live on Sky Sport and is also available to watch on Prime.
The Matatū team to play Chiefs Manawa is:
1. Pip Love
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Amy Rule
4. Michaela Leonard
5. Chelsea Bremner
6. Alana Bremner (C)
7. Lucy Jenkins
8. Marcelle Parkes
9. Di Hiini
10. TeRauoriwa Gapper
11. Grace Steinmetz
12. Liv McGoverne
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Martha Mataele
15. Renee Holmes (VC)
16. Steph Te Ohaere-Fox
17. Lucy Anderson
18. Ashley Palu
19. Julia Gorinski
20. Greer Muir
21. Rosie Kelly
22. Kilisitina Vea
23. Tayla Simpson
24. Isabella Waterman