Hansen appointed head coach of Black Ferns

Whitney Hansen will serve as the Black Ferns’ head coach until 2027, according to New Zealand Rugby.

Hansen, the daughter of former All Blacks head coach Steve, succeeds Allan Bunting as the 13th person to hold the position.

Vicky Dombroski took over the Black Ferns in 1994, making her the second woman to do so in that capacity.

In 2027, she will take on a touring British and Irish Lions women’s squad in 11 Tests starting next year.

Hansen described the time and honor it took to assume the position of head coach as “an honor.”

The new international calendar provides a significant opportunity to further enhance the legacy of the Black Ferns, according to the coach. “There is generational talent coming through in women’s rugby in New Zealand. I’m eager to begin.

New Zealand, which had previously won six of the previous seven Women’s Rugby World Cups, lost to Canada in the semi-finals of the 2025 edition to finish third.

hosts Canada in the final to win the trophy.

However, Hansen did assist in New Zealand’s 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph as an assistant coach.

Assistant coaches Tony Christie and former England international Riki Flutey will follow her, and a new year’s plan for the larger coaching and management group is expected to be made available.

Since taking up coaching, Hansen, a teacher by trade, has held senior positions in every aspect of the game. She used to play for Canterbury.

Before taking over as the club’s head of rugby, she served as Matatu’s assistant coach for Matatu’s 2023 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki title-winning side.