The former Kaikorai midfielder has been named the Otago Spirit’s new coach.
He takes over from Craig Sneddon, who has stood down after two years in the role and moved to Christchurch.
Direen, who has been teaching at Macandrew Bay School for 14 years, had assisted Sneddon for the past two years, so it is not a big change for the team at all.
The 48-year-old is very familiar with all the players and the culture of the side.
There will be no reinventing the wheel.
Otago will still look to take advantage of some really talented backs and play the same exciting brand of rugby.
They are a good watch, and they upset Wellington to reach the Farah Palmer Championship final this season.
They lost to a very strong Manawatū side, but the bones are there for a good season in 2025.
Direen is really looking forward to the challenge.
"Yeah, I know what I’m getting into," Direen said.
"Last season I was doing attack and the previous season defence."
The Spirit are more or less compelled to play an attacking style of rugby, given they are often outsized by their opponents and they get a dry track at Forsyth Barr Stadium when games are scheduled there.
"I think it also fits the girls’ skill set," he said.
"We have some very elusive players, so you try and get a bit of space for them.
"I was really pleased in terms of skill development this year.
"I think there was quite a jump in terms of the overall skill level from the previous year. Credit to Sneds for that.
"In terms of next year, and building on that, I think there’s still room to go with improving the skill sets. But there’s certainly some exciting talent in the backline."
Direen has a lengthy playing background.
He played a handful of games for the Otago Boys’ First XV in the mid-1990s, before he moved to Christchurch to study and played club rugby for several teams.
In the late 1990s, he represented Canterbury B and made the New Zealand Universities team.
He also played for Buller in the old NPC third division, which he really enjoyed.
Following that, he had a three-year playing stint in Japan then took a long break before spending two years playing for a club in Canada.
Direen settled back in Dunedin when he was 29 and answered an SOS from Kaikorai.
The midfielder ended up playing more than 100 games and finally hung up the boots aged 40.
"Yeah, yeah, 100 and whatever games later," he joked.
He took up coaching soon after retiring and followed in his father John’s footsteps and coached the John McGlashan College First XV for a couple of seasons.
Kaikorai called again, and he had two years helping Roger Cotton and also assisted Andy Hunter until Hunter left and he took over the reins.
Direen, who lives in Portobello with long-term partner Zoe Bristowe, said his coaching style was to keep the lines of communication open.
"I’m really interested in player development, so hopefully that comes across."
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Kinley said Direen "played an integral role as part of the Spirit’s management team for the last two seasons".
"[He had] consistently positive feedback regarding his contribution from both players and management. To have the role of now leading the Spirit campaign is well deserved and a fantastic opportunity for Matt. We wish him all the best."
