Strong Matatū Squad named for Opening round

The Matatū Coaching Staff have named their first squad for the opening round of Super Rugby Aupiki.

The squad features many familiar faces and a few who are expected to make their debut for Matatū in Super Rugby Aupiki.

One such debutant is midfield back, Grace Brooker, who returns to competitive rugby for the first time in over a year after recovering from a knee injury.

“I’m so excited, one of my best mates plays for the Blues and she’s gone through a big knee injury as well, so it’ll be nice to play her and celebrate with her as well.”

The occasion certainly won’t be lost on Brooker, as Matatū are set to play their first ever game in front of home fans in Dunedin on Saturday.

“I honestly can’t express how much it means to be back in this team and back on the field.”

“The lead up has been really good, lots of clarity, lots of new information some pretty cool stuff that I’ve never heard before.”

Matatū will be looking to take learnings from last weekend’s pre-season clash with the Hurricanes Poua in Wellington into their matchup this weekend with the Blues. Speaking on that game, Brooker said,

“We were really brave with what we did, we just need to execute now, so everyone is on the same page and I think we’re just going to come out hissing.”

Also in line for a Matatū debut are Australian duo Georgia Cormick and Sera Naiqama, former Warrior and Newcastle Knight Charntay Poko, Leah Miles and Eilis Doyle from Otago, Chey Robins-Reti from the Hurricanes, and Canadian Born, former Blue, Cindy Nelles.

Kick off against The Blues is this Saturday, 25th of March at 4:45pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin | TICKETS HERE