The unfinished business behind Liv McGoverne's return to Matatū

And so she’s back, named in Matatū’s 2024 squad after leaving for Exeter last year, and laser-focused on her long-time goal.

McGoverne makes no bones about it, she’s returned to Christchurch with an eye on making the Black Ferns and playing at the 2025 World Cup in England.

“I went over to the UK and had a great experience but, thinking ahead for my career and the 2025 Rugby World Cup, and if I didn't try for that I would regret it. I guess Matatū is that next step to help get me there, that was the main drive to get me back,” McGoverne.

One of 30 players named in new coach Whitney Hansen’s squad for their Super Rugby Aupiki title defence, the 26-year-old was one of Matatū’s top performers during the competition’s first season last year.

However, with somewhat itchy feet, she had already booked her flights overseas when Wayne Smith took over as Black Ferns coach in April 2022 and made it clear she was in the picture.

McGoverne hung around for the training camps but didn’t make the initial squad for the Pacific Four Series. Knowing sevens players were to return for the World Cup on home soil, she bit the bullet and went overseas despite being told she might get a run in the final game or two.

"Obviously, I was disappointed [not to make the initial squad], it's a goal of mine and always has been and always will be until I get there hopefully...but it was never a feeling of ‘I should have been there’,” McGoverne said.

“If the coaches at the time didn't think I was good enough, that's fair enough, and I just have to take that on board. There was no bad blood or anything."

There are no regrets, either. McGoverne had a blast playing for the Exeter Chiefs in Premiership Women’s Rugby, a nine-team competition which spans more than six months and makes Super Rugby Aupiki look like a mere blip on the calendar.

A blockbusting midfielder for Canterbury and Matatū before her departure, she changed positions, too, moving to first five-eighth.

Playing in front of typical crowds of about 5000, McGoverne steered Exeter all the way to the final, before they lost to Gloucester-Hartpury in front of more than 10,000 fans.

“It was a different kind of style over there, a lot of kicking and game management, whereas here it's slightly different. It gave me a new lease on rugby and the position because I played 12 for a while. I think it's broadened my skills and helped me how I see the game.”

McGoverne also enjoyed coach Susie Appleby’s direct coaching style, a contrast to the more subdued manner of coaches she had played under.

“Susie was a very direct coach. For me, I'd rather be told [what’s wrong] than the wishy-washy stuff of it and not knowing where you actually stand."

However, as much as she enjoyed it, the desire to play for the Black Ferns burned deep.

She watched them win the World Cup from afar, before also celebrating Matatū’s maiden Super Rugby Aupiki title in March, when they shocked the Chiefs 33-31 in the decider.

"When she rang me to say she was coming home, there was no question as to where she was going to be playing, it was here,” Hansen said.

While McGoverne is listed as one of three pivots in the squad, and only Amy du Plessis and Grace Brooker are listed as midfielders, Hansen indicated McGoverne was one of a bunch of players in the backs who could play multiple positions.

The first-year head coach was also high on her chances of soon wearing the black jersey.

“One-hundred per cent. In and around that ability to read the game, and as a rugby player, she's second to none probably in that space. We think that will be a real point of difference for her and for us and 100% we want to see her knocking on the door in that Black Ferns space."

Squad:-

Props: Amy Rule, Pip Love, Moomooga Ashley Palu, Marcelle Parkes, Eilis Doyle.

Hookers: Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby, Tegan Hollows.

Locks: Emma Dermody, Laura Bayfield, Stacey Niao.

Loose forwards: Alana Bremner (capt), Fiaali'i'i Solomona, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Kendra Reyonds, Leah Miles, Lucy Jenkins, Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Halfbacks: Di Hiini, Georgia Cormick.

Five-eighths: Rosie Kelly, Maia Joseph, Liv McGoverne.

Midfielders: Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker.

Outside backs: Charlotte Woodham, Chey Robins-Reti, Cheyenne Cunningham, Martha Mataele, Winnie Palamo.