Whitney Hansen takes charge of the Black Ferns through to 2027

New Zealand Rugby have today announced that Whitney Hansen has been appointed as the new Black Ferns head coach, through until the end of 2027.

Hansen, the daughter of former All Blacks head coach Steve, will take over the role from Allan Bunting, becoming the 13th ever head coach of the Black Ferns.

The former Matatu coach is the second Woman to be in charge of the Black Ferns in their history, after Vicky Dombroski in 1994.

The Black Ferns are scheduled to play eleven Tests in 2026, before a visiting British and Irish Lions team tour New Zealand for a historic series in 2027.

Hansen will be joined by assistant coaches Tony Christie and Riki Flutey, while additional announcements of the wider coaching group will be made in the near future.

The newly appointed Black Ferns head coach started her coaching journey at Canterbury University in 2017, before coaching Canterbury’s U18’s Girls, the Barbarians in 2019-20, Matatu, and the Black Ferns XV head coach.

Hansen was an assistant at Matatu in 2023, before taking charge of that team as Head of Rugby in 2024.

Hansen also played a part in the famous Women’s Rugby World Cup victory at Eden Park in 2022 for the Black Ferns, as an assistant coach.

After the announcement, Hansen said that it’s an exciting project to be apart of, and that hopefully her appointment can inspire women and girls in New Zealand in a number of different ways.

“It’s an honour to be asked to lead the programme and an exciting time to take on the role of Head Coach,” Hansen said on an NZR statement.

“There is generational talent coming through in women’s rugby in New Zealand and the new international calendar represents a huge opportunity to further enhance the legacy of the Black Ferns. I can’t wait to get started.

“If my appointment can inspire women and girls’ players and coaches in New Zealand that’s a great result. It is so important that we keep investing in growing great coaches of the women’s game, both female and male.

“The Black Ferns are the pinnacle in this pathway and I’m looking forward to helping this group reach their full potential.”

New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk was full of praise for Hansen, saying that her knowledge of the game and understanding of the country’s pathways was what stood out.

“Whitney is the right coach at the right time for the Black Ferns and we’re excited about what she will bring to the Black Ferns environment over the next two years. Her depth of character, commitment, knowledge of the game and understanding of our pathways stand out and she has a proven track record at every level,” Kirk said.

“The Black Ferns have a challenging and exciting 11-Test schedule in 2026 and we firmly believe Whitney is the person to lead the programme through what will be a period of significant growth for women’s rugby in New Zealand and globally.”

Chris Lendrum, New Zealand Rugby’s General Manager of Professional Rugby & Performance, believes that Hansen was the right choice to take the Black Ferns forward into a busy couple of campaigns.

“Whitney’s vision for the Black Ferns and the pathways for players is outstanding. It is clear from the results she has achieved and the feedback from those who have worked with her that she is the best person to take on the Black Ferns Head Coach role.

“We are excited about what Whitney will bring to the role and the team of coaches and management she will assemble in 2026 for the start of an exciting new era for international women’s rugby.”