Matatū reflects on Tūaho as Sky Super Rugby Aupiki kicks off

Matatū is built on a foundation of Tūaho (legacy), a foundation that has been prepared by those who have come before. The mahi put in by sporting wāhine of the past, has given athletes today the tools to create this platform for the future of women’s rugby. 

As the inaugural Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition kicks off, it is a time to celebrate a new milestone in the female game, and also celebrate the work it has taken to get there. In recognition of this, Matatū stands with gratitude on a pillar of Tūaho. The development of women’s rugby is a credit to those who have committed to the game, purely for the love of the sport.

Julie Patterson, the first female President of Canterbury Rugby Football Union, is certainly one to thank. As a member of the trailblazing Crusadettes team in the 1980s, and Canterbury Rugby’s 2016 Volunteer of the Year amongst many other accolades, Patterson has been a big part of the game’s development over the last 30 years.

As a player, Patterson joined the Crusadettes in 1985, before the team toured internationally in 1988. She believes this tour to Europe and the United States was a building block to the growth in participation and the widespread acceptance seen now.  She also noted Crusadettes’ Coach Laurie O’Reilly was a central reason for the team’s success. 

“The vision and passion Laurie had was outstanding. He used his connections and technical coaching skills to find athletes from other codes, and turned us into pretty good rugby players.  He was the driving force behind the first New Zealand team, the 1990 World Festival that we ran here in Canterbury and getting a team to the inaugural World Cup in 1991.”

“I played for the Crusadettes through a very successful era, including winning the Club Championship at the 1990 World Festival we ran in Canterbury. I was fortunate to play alongside some outstanding players, many of whom were in the first Black Ferns teams.” 

Patterson also recalled some of the challenges she and her teammates faced. 

“Playing on Sundays, wearing the jerseys the men had worn the day before, was always hard. Not having a recovery day before having to head into work looking like you'd been in a fight. It was a great challenge though, playing a full contact sport, which was part of the reason I loved it. Coming from a netball background to a space where you could run with the ball and tackle was fantastic.”

These past challenges and commitments to the game added to the celebrations at the Matatū jersey launch, recognising how special it was to have the team’s own, unique jersey and identity. 

“It is wonderful and exciting to see this new team and competition preparing to get underway - creating another pathway at a higher level to bridge the gap between the Farah Palmer Cup and the Black Ferns. I think the brand development was exceptional and I felt honoured to be consulted as part of the process,” said Patterson. 

Some of the Matatūtanga (core values) have been assigned leaders within the team structure, to help guide Matatū in building on those pillars. Tūaho leader Steph Te Ohaere-Fox said the concept of legacy has played a huge part in her rugby career.

 “Having played as long as I have, I have had the honour of playing with some legacy players who have definitely helped shape women’s rugby in New Zealand. Not only that, I have learnt so much off those players, and they have helped shape my own game. I have massive respect for them all.”

Matatū Captain Alana Bremner said Tūaho also resonates deeply with her, and seemingly anyone who has been involved with the building of Matatū. 

“This wouldn’t be possible without the people who have paved the way for us. It’s an exciting time - we are in a special position as the first players to ever represent Matatū where we can create our own legacy and inspire the next generation,” said Bremner. 

 The team is built on four Matatūtanga - Tūaho (legacy), Tūhono (connections), Tūmanawa (determination) and Tūtira (unity). It is these values that Matatū will carry with them as they compete in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, which kicks off on Thursday from Hamilton.