Matete first arrived in South Africa in 1992 and worked as
the national team's head coach. However, Matete did not take the team to the
1995 World Cup, when the Rhinos were instead coached by former Great Britain international
Tony Fisher. Matate was reported to be averse to the involvement of another member of the team's staff, and coupled with getting married, he chose to step down as head coach for the tournament. France defeated South Africa 30 to 17 in that match, which was played at Stade Fernand Fournier in
Arles,
France. Matete was the victim of a car-jacking in 1998. Fellow Kiwi
Mike McClennan served as the team's technical advisor. The side was unable to improve on its 1995 record as it did not win any of its three matches at the tournament. ==Later life and death==