Blair Baxter Accepts International Job

Matatū Head Coach Blair Baxter has accepted an exciting overseas coaching position off the back of the team’s Super Rugby Aupiki 2023 championship win. 

Baxter will work with the Chinese Women’s National Sevens Team until November 2023 as they prepare to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Days before flying out to join the team, Baxter said there were “definitely some nerves heading into this opportunity, however that comes growth”. 

“There was a chance here to be a full-time coach, get my hands dirty, and work on some technical and tactical aspects that will help me to become a better coach long term,” he said. 

“It’s so far removed from what I know which is an awesome challenge. The language barrier, and a completely different culture will force me to be a better coach.” 

Baxter progressed through coaching appointments in Canterbury, becoming Head Coach of the Canterbury women’s Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) team in 2020. Since taking up the mantle, the team had one loss across three seasons, played three Farah Palmer National Provincial Premiership finals and won two titles. 

Many of the players he helped to grow in FPC were members of the inaugural Matatū team who played in the first ever season of Super Rugby Aupiki in 2022. Together with his coaching group, Baxter and his team went from not winning any games in Season 1, to taking out the 2023 championship in Season 2. 

Baxter and his Super Rugby Aupiki Championship Winning Coaching Group (L to R) Blair Baxter, Whitey Hansen, Dan Cron, Tony Christie

Sarah Munro, General Manager of Matatū, said she and the wider management group were “hugely supportive of this international opportunity for Blair”. 

“He is a world-class coach whose ability was clearly demonstrated through Matatū’s on-field performance this season, as well as the strong cultural foundation the team has,” Munro said. 

Baxter insisted this wasn’t the end for him and Matatū. 

“We are in a great position with Matatū at the moment. We have fantastic coaches who are more than capable of stepping into any role,” he said. 

“We’ve seen the culture and the team, you know, started from the bottom now we’re here. 

“It’s not chance or luck, it’s sheer hard work from everyone. The franchise is amazing.”