# Matatū

Matatū is a New Zealand women's professional rugby union team that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. Matatū represents the South Island, specifically the regions covered by the Crusaders and the Highlanders. They are governed by the Crusaders. They were crowned champions of the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.

## History
### Name, logo and colours

The team's name, logo and colours were officially unveiled on 12 October 2021. The name, logo and colours were created by a local artist and designer Morgan Mathews-Hale in partnership with Te Whaka Ako Limited. Matatū is a name gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri, which is one of five primary hapū of the Ngai Tahu iwi.
The name Matatū, literally meaning "alert or vigilant", has been gifted to symbolise the teams tūmanawa (determined sacrifice), tūaho (legacy), tūhono (connections) and tūtira (unity) in representing Te Waka o Aoraki (the South Island).

### 2022

Matatū played their first game against the Chiefs Manawa in a pre-season match ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season at the Owen Delany Park in Taupō. Liv McGoverne kicked the teams first-ever points and Julia Gorinski scored their first try. The Chiefs Manawa won the match 28–20. Matatū and the Chiefs Manawa met five days later to play the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki match on 10 March 2022. It was a historical moment for Matatū as this was their first team to take the field. It was a tense match but the Chiefs Manawa edged Matatū 17–15 to win the second match between the teams.
Matatū next played the Blues Women in round 2 of the competition, but lost the game 10–21. In the final round, they faced the Hurricanes Poua at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, and were defeated 8–16 to finish last overall.

### 2023

Matatū recorded their first Super Rugby Aupiki win after defeating the Blues Women 33–31 in the opening round of the competition. In round 2 and 3, they lost to the Hurricanes Poua 24–25 and the Chiefs Manawa 38–46. They met the Blues again, but this time in the semi-finals. They defeated them 26–23. They claimed their first title after defeating the Chiefs Manawa 33–31 in the Grand final in Hamilton at FMG Stadium Waikato.

### 2024

Matatū's 2024 title defense started off with a 17–24 loss to the Blues Women in Invercargill. It was followed by two more defeats to the Hurricanes Poua 29–36 in Wellington and Chiefs Manawa 22–38 in Hamilton. They lost again to the eventual champions Blues Women in Auckland 17–27, before defeating the Hurricanes Poua 37–17, and Chiefs Manawa 22–20 in both rematches.

## Overall record

Matatū Super Rugby Aupiki matches :
| Coach | Period | G | W | L | D | P% |
| Blues Women | 2022– | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33% |
| Chiefs Manawa | 2022– | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
| Hurricanes Poua | 2022– | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| (2022–present) | (2022–present) | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 41% |
| Updated to: 15 March 2025 |||||||
Notes:

### Season standings

A summary of Matatu's results in the regular season is shown below:
    Season Pos Pld W L D F A +/- BP Pts Notes 20224th30303156-2511Finished 4th overall 20232nd312095102-715Defeated the Chiefs Manawa in the final 20243rd6240144162-18311Finished 3rd overall 20252nd32106760+719TBD (season ongoing)

## Current squad

On 31 October 2024, the squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season was announced.
| Captain | Years |
| Alana Bremner | 2022 – present |
Matatū Super Rugby Aupiki squad :
| Props Eilis Doyle Pip Love Mo'omo'oga Ashley Palu Marcelle Parkes Amy Rule Hookers Jett Hayward Tegan Hollows Georgia Ponsonby Locks Chelsea Bremner Laura Bayfield Emma Dermody | Loose forwards Alana Bremner (c) Lucy Jenkins Sarah Jones Kaipo Olsen-Baker Fiaali'i'i Solomona Halfbacks (Scrum-halves) Maia Joseph Kelsyn McCook Abigail Paton Five-eighths (Fly-halves) Hannah King | Midfielders (centres) Grace Brooker Amy du Plessis Tayla Simpson Outside backs Fia Laikong Kaea Nepia Hollyrae Mete Winnie Palamo Chey Robins-Reti Keighley Simpson Charlotte Va'afusaga |
| (cc) Denotes team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped, $^{SP}$ denotes a shadow player and $^{ST}$ indicated short-term cover. |||

## Coaching staff

In 2021, Blair Baxter was announced as Head Coach, with Whitney Hansen and Tony Christie appointed as the two assistant coaches. Baxter stepped down from head coach after the 2023 season. Whitney Hansen was named as Matatū's Head coach for the 2024 season.
* Head Coach: Whitney Hansen
* Assistant Coach: Simon Kneebone
* Assistant Coach: Jason Kjestrup
* Assistant Coach: Blair Baxter

## Coaching record

Matatū coaches by date, matches and win percentage* :
| Coach | Period | G | W | L | D | % |
| Blair Baxter | 2022–2023 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 38% |
| Whitney Hansen | 2024– | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 44% |
| Totals (2022–present) | Totals (2022–present) | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 41% |
| Updated to: 15 March 2025 |||||||
Notes: