Home is where the heart and Chiefs Manawa are

Grace Steinmetz met her fiancé in Christchurch while completing a law and commerce degree at university.

Her rugby career took flight in red and black. She was part of four Canterbury teams to have won the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) Premiership. In 25 appearances for the province, she enjoyed 22 victories and scored 16 tries. 

In 2020 she was selected for the Black Ferns for an internal fixture against the New Zealand Barbarians. She made her Test debut in a 22-14 win against Australia in Adelaide in 2022 and was capped again in a 39-17 win over the USA last year. 

In 2023 Matatū upset Chiefs Manawa 33-31 in the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki final. Steinmetz wore the glacial blue and white of the southerners that season.  

Despite all the success and good fortune in Canterbury, something was missing. Today at FMG Stadium in Hamilton Steinmetz will oppose Matatū as part of Manawa in the third round of Super Rugby Aupiki. It’s the first meeting between the two sides since the pulsating March 2023 title decider. 

“For me, the final was a weird one. I was concussed so I didn’t actually play. It was awesome to be part of a winning team, but being off the field I didn’t get that feeling of being wholly a part of it which is something every player aspires,” Steinmetz said. 

“Why have I left Christchurch? The North Island is my home. Don’t get me wrong I have made friends in Canterbury, but it felt more like a rugby place than home. The North Island was where I was born and raised. It’s where most of my friends and family are and I’m a better rugby player when I’m closer to them.”

Manawa coach Crystal Kaua had a hunch this was the case. She dropped enough seeds to seal the Steinmetz relocation. 

“I was in talks with Crystal when she asked, ‘The competition’s going a bit longer this year. How do you feel about that?’ I think she knew what I was thinking. Including pre-season, Aupiki is about three months, so it was a no-brainer to join the Chiefs.”

Rameka Poihipi (Ngāti Whakaue) is another drawcard in Hamilton. The Chiefs and Māori All Blacks midfielder is Steinmetz’s fiancé. The couple are getting married in December. They met in Christchurch where Rameka has played 47 games for Canterbury. 

“He’s been my best friend for seven or eight years now. We were just friends until about five years ago when we discovered there was even more chemistry,” Steinmetz said. 

“We don’t spend that much time talking about rugby, the odd bit of advice here, and generally rugby is left at the door when we are together. Rameka is so chill; he’s, my guy.”

Bubbly and urgent, Steinmetz has established her own sports management agency, Athlete Advantage, and earned her real estate licence. She had no idea a proposal was coming. Luring his girlfriend to a beach in her hometown of Paraparaumu under the guise of helping their photographer and friend Eve Thomas with a seaside shoot for her client Pāmu Jewellery, Poihipi popped the question.

“It was amazing,” gushes Steinmetz. “And I had no idea… Well, maybe just a little inkling because my mum had pushed me to get my nails done that week!”

“It’s been an amazing time actually. One of my best friends Sam Pead is pregnant too. That’s so cool. Sam and I grew up playing hockey together. She’s been with her partner Michael since high school. We’re all growing up.” 

There was another surprise awaiting Steinmetz at Manawa. With Black Ferns Ruby Tui and Mererangi Paul on the wings, Steinmetz was open to shifting to the centre position and then she was asked how she would like to play second-five. 

“It was a bit of a shock. I’d played a few club games at centre, but I’d never played second-five,” Steinmetz said.“I’ve enjoyed the shift. Wing highlights X-Factor players. I’m not that. My skills are more diverse. 

“I feel like you’re more of an outside back at 13, 12 is like a second 10. As a winger, you can look for work, but there’s only so much you can do. At 12 you’re involved all the time as a carrier and distributor.”

With two tries and 23 carries in victories over the Hurricanes Poua 46-24 and the Blues 17-10, Steinmetz ranks as one of the most effective attacking players in Aupiki. Being closer to the ball, though, does require greater work on defence and comes with a higher chance of being smashed. 

“I made 16 tackles against the Blues. I wouldn’t have made 16 tackles in a season before,” Steinmetz laughed. 

“Monica Tagoai, she sat me on my arse in that Poua game. At the time I didn’t release it was such a big hit. It was only when I saw it later, I appreciated what a big hit it was. I’m proud I hung onto the ball and got back up.”

With narrow defeats to the Blues (17-24) and Poua (29-36), Matatū needs to get up. Another defeat and their chance of a title defence could be in tatters. Only the top two teams advance to the final. Matatū were rank underdogs to win the final last year but rallied from a 19-0 deficit to pull off a memorable triumph. 

“It’s been an unfortunate start for them, a couple of close losses. I’d never underestimate Matatū. They’ve got that South Island mojo and too many great players to be written off.”

Chiefs Manawa against Matatū kicks off at 4:35 pm at FMG Stadium following the Blues hosting Poua at Bell Park, Pakuranga R.F.C. at 2:05 pm.