Matatu head coach Blair Baxter to lead Black Ferns XV alongside Chiefs duo

New Zealand Rugby have announced its new coaching group for the Black Ferns XV heading into an important period, with a historic trip from the British & Irish Lions on the calendar for 2027.

The organisation has secured the services of Matatu head coach Blair Baxter, alongside three assistant coaches and a management group from different Super Rugby Aupiki franchises.

Baxter, who succeeded current Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen as Matatu’s leader, has been in the Super Rugby Aupiki coaching environment for multiple years.

The new Black Ferns XV head coach was also part of China’s Women’s Sevens program as an assistant, before leading the New Zealand U18 Girls to the Global Youth Sevens title in late 2025.

Baxter will be joined by experienced Black Ferns playmaker Kelly Brazier, who also coached alongside Baxter in the Global Youth Sevens competition in Auckland.

Brazier played 44 Tests for the Black Ferns since making her debut in 2009, and has recently applied her knowledge to the Chiefs Manawa group in the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Baxter and Brazier will be joined by Chiefs Manawa assistant coach Carla Hohepa, who has 28 Tests for the Black Ferns and is a two-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner.

Hohepa dotted down for seven tries during the 2010 Women’s World Cup, and has coached in both Waikato and Chiefs Manawa environments.

The final member of the Black Ferns XV coaching group is Blues assistant coach Charmaine McMenamin, another former Black Fern with over 30-Tests to her name.

McMenamin was named the Black Ferns’ player of the year in 2019, and was part of the successful Black Ferns World Cup-winning teams in 2017 and 2021. McMenamin is the Blues’ forwards coach.

Baxter, who is in his second stint as Matatu head coach, said that it’s a perfect time to be involved with the Black Ferns XV.

“The Black Ferns XV is an important part of the women’s professional rugby pathway and with a fixture against the British & Irish Lions next year on the calendar it’s an exciting time to be involved.

“I’m working with three of the best Black Ferns to wear the jersey as players, but they are also a reflection of the quality of coaches coming through the pathway. Kelly, Carla and Charmaine have collectively won six Rugby World Cups and played 103 Tests, so bring a vast amount of experience and knowledge to the group.”

Fixture

WXV Global Series

France Women

08:45

12 Sep 26

New Zealand Women

All Stats and Data

The 2026 Black Ferns XV coaching and management group:

Head Coach: Blair Baxter
Assistant Coaches: Kelly Brazier, Carla Hohepa, Charmaine McMenamin
Manager: Meghan Robinson
Performance Analysts: Mitch Logan, Tandi Keet
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Jack Kovacs
Physiotherapist: Courtney Wilson
Doctor: Anika Tiplady
Performance Psychologist: Jessie Hansen
HP Player Development Manager: Joe Payton
HP Coordinator: Lauren Cournane