Matatū lock in experience in their assistant coach line up

The defending Super Rugby Aupiki champs can now confirm their Assistant Coach line up for 2024, with some huge experience ready to join the ranks. 

Aussie McLean and Peter Breen join Head Coach Whitney Hansen, ready to support Matatū in their endeavour to unleash great when the ’24 season kicks off on 2 March versus the Blues. 

Aussie McLean has a coaching pedigree unlike many others in the world. He was born in Australia but spent nearly all his coaching career in Ōtautahi Christchurch.  

He coached the Crusaders under inaugural coach Vance Stewart when the club was set up in 1996, and worked as an assistant with the Canterbury mens team on a number of occasions after that.  

He moved to the Hurricanes for three seasons between 2006-2008 and his career took on a new height when he was appointed as All Blacks defence coach in 2012 under Steve Hansen. He continued to work with the the nation’s top team through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

“I’m excited to be part of a team of such high performing people,” McLean said. 

Aussie McLean from his days with the All Blacks - Getty

“Our players, management, coaches, support staff – all are world class.” 

McLean said he was impressed with what the team had acheived in just two seasons. 

“The potential of this group, in an environment that is relatively new, is really exciting,” he said. 

Peter Breen has become synonomous with rugby success and training, thanks in large part to his Rugby Bricks company. He played NPC for Otago and Northland, ticking up more than 40 games for Otago. 

He was attack coach for the Wallaroos between 2018-2021 and kicking coach for the Melbourne Storm from 2021-2022. In late 2023 he worked with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan and the NZ U20s women’s camps. Most recently he spent time with Benji Marshall and the West Tigers on skills coaching. 

“I couldn’t be more pumped for the Aupiki season challenge,” Breen said. 

“I’ve had small involvements with Matatū over the last few years, and now to be joining the team is massive. 

“The quality of the players and people we have in this group is high, and being able to learn, grow and develop with them is something I’m really looking forward to.” 

Whitney Hansen said she was excited to finalise Matatū’s coaching group, and said the group were “already working hard at unpacking where the team could find ways to be better and how they would approach the competition in the upcoming season”. 

“The 2023 season was huge for us both on and off the field, and none of that would have been possible without Blair Baxter, Tony Christie or Dan Cron. Matatū and I will always be incredibly grateful for the foundation they have helped set up and allowed us to build on,” Hansen said. 

“Both Aussie and Pete are hugely experienced in their respective fields, and I’m looking forward to what they’ll bring to our environment. 

“They have the respect of the rugby community, and the experience to take us to the next level.”