Coach: Blair Baxter
Assistant coaches: Whitney Hansen & Tony Christie
Captain: Alana Bremner
PLAYER TO WATCH
Renee Holmes. The 22 year-old is relatively new to rugby, having previously represented New Zealand in football, frisbee and taekwondo. Originally from Gisborne, Holmes played for the Hawke’s Bay Tui and Bay of Plenty Volcanix before shifting to Waikato. The talented outside back, who finds herself most at home at fullback, made her Black Ferns debut on the recent end of year tour against England. Holmes played for the Chiefs in last year’s historic Super Rugby clash, but made the call to go south for more game time. Having shown plenty of talent already, Holmes is set to shine in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki.
TALKING POINT
It’s hard to look past the players and coaches within this Matatū set-up who have had great success with Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup. Blair Baxter, Whitney Hansen, Kendra Cocksedge, Alana Bremner, Amy Rule and Steph Te Ohaere-Fox just to name a few. They’ve recruited extremely well, nabbing midfielder Kilisitina Vea and Greer Muir from Otago, Moomooga (Ashley) Palu from Hawke’s Bay and most noteable, Kendra Reynolds out of Bay of Plenty. Reynolds has been named vice-captain alongside Kendra Cocksedge. Known for her incredible work ethic and determination, Reynolds is set to be a huge cog in the Matatū wheel.
SQUAD
Lucy Anderson, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Grace Brooker, Kendra Cocksedge, Natalie Delamare, Amy du Plessis, Terauoriwa Gapper, Julia Gorinski, Di Hiini, Renee Holmes, Lucy Jenkins, Rosie Kelly, Michaela Leonard, Pip Love, Martha Mataele, Liv McGoverne, Arabella McKenzie, Kilisitina Vea (nee Moata’ane), Greer Muir, Moomooga (Ashley) Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Georgia Ponsonby, Kendra Reynolds, Amy Rule, Tayla Simpson, Grace Steinmetz, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, Isabella Waterman
*All teams are subject to changes
FIXTURES
R1 – Matatū v Chiefs Manawa - Thursday 10 March, 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato
R2 – Matatū v Blues - Tuesday 15 March, 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato
R3 – Matatū v Hurricanes Poua - Sunday 20 March, 5.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato