Whitney Hansen has been appointed head coach of New Zealand’s Black Ferns until the end of 2027. She takes over from Allan Bunting and becomes only the second woman to hold the role, following Vicky Dombroski in 1994.
Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, will oversee 11 Tests next year and a historic series against a touring British and Irish Lions women’s team in 2027. She previously helped the Black Ferns win the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup as an assistant coach.
Hansen has a strong coaching background, having led Canterbury’s set-piece in the Farah Palmer Cup, guided Matatu to a 2023 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki title, and been head coach of the Black Ferns XV in 2024. She will be joined by assistant coaches Tony Christie and former England centre Riki Flutey, with the full coaching staff to be announced in the new year.
Hansen said: “It’s an honour to lead the programme. There is generational talent coming through, and the new international calendar is a huge opportunity to enhance the legacy of the Black Ferns. I can’t wait to get started.”
