Winning coaching line up confirmed for Matatū’s 2023 Super Rugby Aupki season
New Zealand’s only South Island Super Rugby Aupiki side have locked in their coaching staff ahead of the 2023 season, as interest in and expectation of the wāhine game is at an all time high.
A little over a week since the Black Ferns historic Rugby World Cup win over England, Matatū have confirmed the assistant coaching line up working alongside Head Coach Blair Baxter.
Whitney Hansen rejoins the team as set piece coach, bringing with her some fresh international success. She cut her coaching teeth with her own Canterbury University side, going on to coach Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup side, New Zealand’s first women’s Barbarians side, and taking up the assistant reins at Matatū in their inaugural season.
Hansen helped guide the Black Ferns to their huge Rugby World Cup 2021 win on home soil, under former All Blacks and Crusaders coach Wayne Smith.
“I’m excited to be back with Matatū for our second season in Super Rugby Aupiki, there is so much room for growth on and off the field,” Hansen said.
“Opportunity is huge in women’s rugby right now. We’ve never seen this level of excitement for it, and I’m looking forward to seeing that wave continue into Aupiki.”
“Obviously our goal is to win, but Matatū is about so much more than that. It’s about creating actual pathways for female rugby players, validating the effort they’ve all made to get here, and living up to the legacy of those who have come before us.
“It’s cool to realise that Matatū, the Farah Palmer Cup, the Black Ferns and our recent success – it’s all aimed at inspiring more of the next generation.”
Tony Christie is back in the seat again for 2023 leading the attack for Matatū. He’ll be bringing knowledge from his inaugural 2022 season with the side, as well as learnings from his time as Assistant Coach for the 2022 New Zealand Barbarian Under 18 squad, Canterbury’s FPC team and newly appointed to New Zealand u18 girls 7’s team.
Blair Baxter (left), Whitney Hansen (middle) and Tony Christie (right) will return to coach Matatū in 2023, along with former Hurricanes scrum coach, Dan Cron.
Dan Cron joins the crew as scrum coach, building on years of national & international experiences from NPC, Super Rugby & World Cup experiences. He was scrum coach at the Hurricanes for years – including their maiden Super Rugby Championship win in 2016 – and spent time with the Bay of Plenty Steamers.
Blair Baxter, Matatū Head Coach, said he was honoured to be working alongside a coaching group he considered the best he’s ever been involved in.
“I’m stoked to confirm this coaching group ahead of the 2023 season,” Baxter said.
“To have a group like this all united to achieve the same goal, at such an exciting time for the women’s game, how can we not be excited for what’s in the pipeline for the team.”
He is ready for the chance to showcase the brand, the athletes and the style of rugby he wants Matatū to be known for.
“We enjoy playing with tempo, we love to move the ball, and showcase the Matatū way ” Baxter said.
Matatū competes in Super Rugby Aupiki and represents the South Island regions of Crusaders and Highlanders. It was founded ahead of the inaugural 2022 competition and is governed by the Crusaders’ off-field team. The name Matatū translates to represents the mana of Aoraki being the watchful guardian of all those who reside in Te Waka O Aoraki (South Island).