Cheyelle Robins-Reti Photo: Brett Phibbs
Black Fern Cheyelle Robins-Reti had some serious questions for the Matatu coaching staff before she switched Super Rugby Aupiki sides.
Matatu went winless in the inaugural season and Robins-Reti quizzed head coach Blair Baxter about how he was going to turn it around in the second season before she sealed her move from the Hurricanes Poua.
Baxter has a pedigree of coaching winners, having guided Canterbury to two Farah Palmer Cup titles but Matatu struggled during the Covid disrupted 2022 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
"[The coaches] weren't happy with their result last year but the players have changed their game over the year now and being able to execute that on the field is their main concern so I was excited just to jump in and hopefully help be a part of that," Robins-Reti says.
Convinced that Matatu have the right formula to be more competitive this year Robins-Reti wants to add her considerable experience, versatility and speed to the team.
A former sevens player, Robins-Reti hopes to slot into the fullback spot but could shift out to the wing if needed.
"Wing is a very new position to me, I never thought I was fast enough for the wing so 15 was the first position I played but now getting to learn wing I've learnt to love it a bit more."
Matatu coach Blair Baxter. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Robins-Reti remembers the influence players like Sarah Hirini and Ruby Tui had during her early days in sevens and the encouragement Renee Wickliffe has given her in 15s to express herself on the field.
She wants to be the same sort of mentor for some of the more inexperienced Matatu players and at the opposite end of the spectrum be an inspiration to get girls wanting to go to club rugby trainings.
Pushing to get back into the Black Ferns after missing out on being part of the Rugby World Cup winning team last year are among Robins-Reti's personal goals this season but she is aware she needs to lift her new team mates too.
"Being able to show everyone's talent but as a collective to hopefully take out Aupiki," she says is part of her role.
"From last year there is a bit of an underdog feel within the environment and we've got something to prove to the teams up north and it's not just even us representing our small Matatu whanau it's representing the whole South Island so I feel like there is a lot riding on it but also it is quite a privilege to be able to do that."
Some of the talent alongside Robins-Reti in the south have a background in the Australian Super W competition.
Georgia Cormick played some foundational seasons with the Melbourne Rebels and kicks off her Aupiki career with Matatu.
Also crossing the ditch to play is Sera Naiquama who is a current Wallaroo and NSW Waratahs player.
Robins-Reti says having those players as part of the squad will be beneficial.
"Having a different style of play and hopefully being able to integrate them into our style of play will both help us and them and in the bigger picture help women's rugby."
Charntay Poko makes the move from the NRLW to Super Rugby Aupiki. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Other newcomers for Matatu include Canadian lock Cindy Nelles who has been playing for Canterbury in FPC and will be making her Super Rugby Aupiki debut as well as rugby league convert and midfielder Charntay Poko who moves in rugby after playing for the Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the NRLW.
Robins-Reti admits transitioning between codes and rugby formats may become more difficult in the future.
"As 15s grows it's going to be harder for them to come back into the 15s environment as it gets bigger and young girls are getting more competitive but hopefully in the future it will be so strong that both teams can thrive in their own respect with sevens and 15s separately."
Sevens has Robins-Reti's "heart" but she is excited for new challenges in a new environment with Matatu this year.
Matatu open their Super Rugby Aupiki campaign against the 2022 runners-up the Blues on 25 February.
