Whitney Hansen bolsters Black Ferns selection panel with former legend

The Black Ferns have added former legend Anna Richards MNZM to the side’s selection panel to assist Whitney Hansen, Tony Christie, Riki Flutey and Simon Kneebone.

Richards will become an independent selector for Hansen and the Black Ferns, following a conversation between the two at 2025’s Global Youth Sevens in Auckland.

The former Black Fern will provide behind-the-scenes insight into future Black Ferns campaigns and help broaden development across multiple age-group teams and generations.

Richards, 61, said it’s important to have a feedback panel when selecting a Black Ferns side.

“We caught up again at the Global Sevens and talked about the role in a bit more detail, and I got more excited about the opportunity. I’ve been supporting Whitney in an informal capacity throughout this year, so I’m really pleased to now make it official,” Richards said in an NZR media release.

“Whitney likes being challenged; she’ll listen to you, have a good think about it and is not afraid to change her mind. Being in a selectorial role like this and having robust conversations is important for the credibility of the women’s game and it’s equally important to have a panel receptive to feedback.

“The talent we are seeing in New Zealand is exciting, and with NZR continuing to invest in the women’s pathways, I’m looking forward to seeing the pathway strengthen and create more opportunities for athletes coming through.”

Hansen believes this appointment is critical for the process of selecting a national side, and to have someone of Richards’ experience is exciting.

“As Head Coach, I wanted to have a challenge in the selection space. When you’re selecting a team from a group of athletes that are working incredibly hard, you have a responsibility to do your due diligence by having different perspectives in the room.

“A large part of this role was about making sure we get selection right for the Black Ferns, but even broader than that was thinking about how we identify and retain talent across the pathway. With more than 35,000 women and girls registered to play rugby in 2026, the year-on-year growth is evident, and Anna will help us stay connected to that space.

“For both of us, we have an eye on the now and the future with the upcoming French Test Series at home, building towards next year’s first-ever British and Irish Lions Women’s Series and then the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.”

Hansen explained that even without this official role, Richards was a helping hand in 2026.

“Even before this role was established, Anna has been a great support to me as a female coach coming through the coaching pathway and always happy to be on the other end of the phone.

“It’s a privilege to have her back in this space, it’s clear how much she cares about this team and the legacy of the Black Ferns. I know she will bring ideas and opinions to the table which is exactly what we need from someone in this role. We’re lucky to have her experience, knowledge and care as part of who we are now.”