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Story: Māori rugby – whutupaoro

Matt Te Pou

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Matt Te Pou

New Zealand Māori celebrate their win by carrying their coach, Matt Te Pou, on their shoulders for a victory lap. They had just beaten the British and Irish Lions 19–13 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. A win over the Lions is considered one of the great rugby scalps. Under Te Pou New Zealand Māori won 35 of their 40 matches.

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How to cite this page

Malcolm Mulholland, Māori rugby – whutupaoro – Rugby union, 1949 to 2000s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39644/matt-te-pou (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Malcolm Mulholland, published 3 December 2012, updated 1 January 2015.