Liv McGoverne Signs for 2024
Matatū foundation player Liv McGoverne is returning from the Exeter Chiefs and will suit up for Matatū in 2024.
After playing the inaugural Aupiki season for Matatū in 2022, Liv McGoverne took up an opportunity with the Exeter Chiefs in the Premier 15s in England, scoring the most points in the competition during her time there.
McGoverne for the Exeter Chiefs
McGoverne recalls the incredible environment she enjoyed as a Matatū player and credits it with one of the main reasons for her return to New Zealand,
“The main thing I remember is the team culture that we built. It was like nothing else I’ve been a part of. Both off the field and on the field, we really had something really special. Watching the competition last year from overseas and especially seeing the girls win was awesome but it made me miss it even more hungry to come back and want to be a part of it all again!”
McGoverne in action for Matatū in 2022
A second-five when she was last in New Zealand, McGoverne has transformed herself into a 10 – something McGoverne embraced,
“It took a bit of adjusting at the start, but I ended up loving it and liked the challenge of learning a new position especially with the different style of play they play over there. So hopefully you can see a bit more of me in that position and bringing a mix of the New Zealand and English style of play to Aupiki this season.”
McGoverne also has her sights set on a Black Jersey. She comes back to New Zealand as a more developed and skilled player and has her eyes on a world cup run in a few years,
“My aspiration to make the black ferns and to push for the next World Cup in 2025 were a big part of me coming back and just a feeling of unfinished business and wanting to win a super Aupiki title with Matatū”
McGoverne’s heart has always been with the Matatū region and there wasn’t a doubt in her mind who she wanted to play with on her return,
McGoverne in the new Matatū 2024 home jersey
“I only really wanted to sign with Matatū as this club is my home. I have some really good friends here, and have built some good combos on the field at Matatū and Canterbury with some of these players which I’m really excited for. We’ve also got an amazing group of coaches which also drew me back here.”
McGoverne is looking forward to implementing the learning she took away from her time in England and implementing them to the New Zealand Super environment,
“Some key learnings I’ll take from my time in the UK into Aupiki is the experience I gained from playing both with and against top class players from all around the world. I learnt heaps from playing with amazing players and also from analysing players we versed like Holly Aitchison and Ellie Kildunne for example. Also being a part of a professional environment for a whole year was an invaluable experience!”