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'It's really distressing': NZR responds to allegations against Black Ferns coach
New Zealand Rugby [NZR] has responded to allegations made by Black Ferns veteran Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate against the team’s head coach Glenn Moore.
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Ngata-Aerengamate, a 32-test hooker who was part of New Zealand’s 2017 World Cup-winning team, took to social media on Monday to reveal she had a mental breakdown during her side’s recent winless tour of England and France in November.
The Black Ferns suffered their four heaviest defeats in history last month, less than a year out from the World Cup in New Zealand.
Ngata-Aerengamate said that during the squad’s time abroad last month, she had a mental breakdown “in front of everyone”.
The 30-year-old claimed her breakdown came after years of mental struggles since her Black Ferns debut in 2013, before making a series of allegations against Moore, the former Highlanders head coach and Blues assistant who has been in charge of the Black Ferns for six years.
Ngata-Aerengamate said that during her time in the Black Ferns, Moore has said to her she had been selected but didn’t deserve to be in the team, that he was embarrassed for her, and that he couldn’t tell her worth in the squad.
She claimed Moore asked her what her students would think of her, and that she was sworn at for wearing her jacket around her hips, yelled at running to rucks, and for how she ran the ball.
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Ngata-Aerengamate added that she was recently told that she was only picked in the Black Ferns to play the guitar, and that anything she did she felt like she was doing wrong.
She said these alleged comments led her to go crazy as she claimed she underwent anger management after experiencing anxiety and hyperventilation for the first time in her life.
“I could hear these comments in my mind as I threw the ball,” she captioned her social media post.
“My confidence and self esteem was so low that it made me play like I was walking on egg shells and was constantly too scared to express myself. I invited self doubt and insecurities; some being unbearable to look myself in the mirror.
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“The reality is that I had been defeated and it was so dark that I could no longer see my why. I had forgotten about the 5-year-old girl who started playing rugby with her cousins 25 years ago.
The Black Ferns veteran has gone public with her ordeal after becoming ‘mentally ill’ with the sport. https://t.co/8kjvwKjqtn
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 6, 2021
“I let the words over the years get to me, the words became the flesh.
“Lesson is, never let anyone dim your light. Be proud of who you are. If you are treated unfairly, hit them up unapologetically because at the end of the day it’s your mana on the line.
“I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m still a person and at the very least deserve to be treated with respect.”
A day after Ngata-Aerengamate’s post, NZR general manager of performance Chris Lendrum told media that her allegations against Moore were “really distressing”, “very serious” and “thought-provoking”.
“My first reaction is it’s really distressing to read. You never like to see any human describe their own situation in the way that Te Kura has,” Lendrum said.
“We feel for her. Our first priority is to make sure she is okay. Clearly we take any issues raised like this very seriously.”
Lendrum said he had been in contact with Moore for “an initial conversation” on Tuesday and said that he is “distressed and upset” by the allegations made him by Ngata-Aerengamate.
“I think it’s really important for me to acknowledge we’ve got duties to everyone involved in this case,” Lendrum said.
“Glenn is a long-serving employee of New Zealand Rugby and Te Kura is a long-serving Black Fern and they’ve worked together for a long time.
“We’ve got some work ahead of us to explore this issue as part of the review. Glenn will be part of that. It’s a tough time for him and his whanau as well absorbing those comments.
“We’ve had an initial conversation but we have to get our processes right in order to get to the bottom of this situation and I don’t want to pre-judge any of that now.”
All Blacks star Will Jordan has identified where his side need to improve next year after finishing their 2021 season with successive defeats to Ireland and France. #AllBlacks https://t.co/wem4rpmBE3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 7, 2021
Lendrum added that is was “concerning” that Ngata-Aerengamate felt the need to address her challenges on social media, despite the presence of a mental skills specialist, who is a qualified psychologist and doctor, on the Black Ferns tour.
“Last night’s post was a surprise, definitely. We’re a big environment and we’re not immune to mental health challenges. Sometimes they can come into the workplace and sometimes they can be triggered by other things,” he said.
“Whilst we’re really confident in the support structures we have they are never a guarantee of outcomes. That’s the case for any part of society.
“There was a lot of support available for Te Kura but she’s detailed the challenges she faced on that tour and it’s not nice reading for anybody.
“I’m not aware of other issues being raised by players at the moment but our team management and the culture of the Black Ferns will be at the core of our review.
“It is concerning that in spite of those range of outlets Te Kura felt making her comments on social media was how she needed to have her voice. When we get the opportunity to sit down with her we’ll try to understand why that was a necessary step for her.”
Comments on RugbyPass
After missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
10 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
10 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
10 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
10 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
10 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to comments