Whitney Hansen Named Matatū Head Coach for 2024
Matatū are absolutely thrilled to confirm Whitney Hansen will be our Head Coach for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
A hugely experienced member of New Zealand’s rugby community, Whitney will take the lead at Matatū as they defend their 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki title – hard-won versus the Chiefs Manawa in an away final in Hamilton.
Hansen was Matatū Assistant Coach under Blair Baxter in 2022 and 2023, and in April was appointed as Matatū Head of Rugby in an intentional step by the club to bolster the wahine game and pathway in Te Waka o Aoraki, our South Island.
She was named Head Coach of the Black Ferns XV in August and served as Assistant Coach with the World Cup winning Black Ferns in 2022.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue Matatū’s journey, to build on the foundation we have, and support our people to be the best they can be,” Hansen said.
“BB [Blair Baxter] leaves behind an incredible legacy and has taken the team to such a good place. I genuinely wouldn’t be doing what I am without his support.”
Culture among the team, and living to their foundational values was huge for Matatū. Hansen said their off-field approach continues to play a huge part in who the team are and how they plan to succeed.
“We’re underpinned by our commitment to high work ethic, strong connections, and a dedication to adding positively to growing legacy,”she said.
“There will always be things year on year we look at doing differently, but in large part we will continue to look deeply at how we can keep getting better as a group and as individuals.”
Sarah Munro, Matatū General Manager, said Hansen was “a natural leader who challenges the norm to grow the wahine game and lives our Matatūtanga (values) every day”.
“She’s been a part of the Matatū DNA from the beginning, and with her appointment as Head of Rugby for Matatū at the beginning of this year, Head Coach was a natural progression and is worth celebrating,” Munro said.
“She has incredible rapport with players and staff, she is respected and respectful of others, and has a unique talent to connect with people to understand their values and bring out their best on and off the field."