“I never really left” Blair Baxter on his deep connection to Matatū

Matatū has welcomed a familiar face back into the fold, with Blair Baxter appointed Head Coach for the 2026 season. His return marks both a continuation of the legacy he helped build and the start of an exciting new chapter for the club. 

The announcement follows the elevation of outgoing Head Coach Whitney Hansen into the Black Ferns environment.  

With Hansen stepping onto the international stage, Matatū moved quickly to secure a leader who understands the heart of the club. For Matatū General Manager Sarah Munro, Baxter was the obvious choice. 

“Blair has been with us from the very beginning and formed a huge part of our foundation in 2022. We needed someone who knows our environment inside out and has a clear vision for how our game can continue to grow. Blair brings both of those things. It was a natural fit,” says Munro. 

Baxter’s connection to Matatū runs deep. He doesn’t shy away from how meaningful it feels to return to the role he once held.  

“This place is really special to me. I was first involved in 2022, and even when I stepped away for a season, I never really left. I championed the team from the background because I care so much about this programme. To come back and continue the legacy is something I’m really proud of,” says Baxter. 

His coaching journey since those early Matatū years has sharpened his perspective. Baxter spent time across multiple environments, including international Sevens and development pathways, and he says those experiences have reshaped him. 

“Working with other environments and other coaches has been huge for my growth. I’m excited to bring some of that learning back into our 2026 season and see what we can do,” says Baxter. 

When asked about the biggest lessons he will apply, he returns to a core philosophy that has always guided him. 

“For me, connection comes first and being away reinforced that. We’ve got new athletes coming in, some returning, and the cohesion we’ve built since the beginning is something we’ll keep building on. The game is trending in exciting ways too. Kicking ability, decision-making, all of that is evolving, and we can enhance that here, so it flows right through to the Black Ferns,” says Baxter. 

Munro believes Baxter’s leadership will not only stabilise the programme but push it forward. 

“Blair understands who we are and what matters to our women. His care for people, his collaborative style and the way he leads with humility make him the right person for this moment. We’re absolutely stoked to have him back,” says Munro. 

While today was centred on Baxter’s return, Munro also acknowledged the significance of Whitney Hansen’s elevation into the Black Ferns coaching group. For her, it’s a moment of pride more than anything else. 

“There’s no better way to celebrate than seeing a person you’ve worked with and really cared about go on to their next step. You feel incredibly proud to have worked alongside them,” says Munro. 

She describes Hansen as a coach who has grown exponentially over the past four years and believes her impact at national level will stretch far beyond the team itself. 

“She’s going to do amazing things within the Black Ferns space. They’re really lucky to have her. Whitney will influence the coaching group, the players and the whole female performance system in New Zealand. She’ll elevate the game again,” says Munro. 

Matatū’s coaching group for 2026 is close to being finalised, with further announcements to come in the weeks ahead. 

For now, the club is simply excited to welcome home a coach who helped write the first chapters of the Matatū story – and is ready to shape the next.