Allan Bunting is adamant the Black Ferns are in the best possible shape to rediscover winning form, as they enter a new chapter after a damning review into their culture.
The former Black Ferns Sevens mastermind is just a month into his new role as culture and leadership manager, but while improvements are clearly needed, he doesn’t feel a complete overhaul is necessary.
Bunting is happy staying in the background, offering his guidance when needed.
"I can explain it in one word," he told Newshub. "It's connection, connecting to yourself, and being clear around what that looks like and what you want that to look like to achieve what we want to achieve."
Bunting’s new role is integral in moving this team forward. A poor team culture was identified as a key issue in the damning Black Ferns review earlier this year.
"It's about how can we carve the story in the next part of this journey," he said. "I wasn't part that of that bit, so I’ve got no judgment on that, because I wasn’t in the arena, but for this next bit, there’s an amazing opportunity."
Bunting is no stranger to helping with that. His leadership was instrumental in the sevens success.
"Yes, it's great if you're a good rugby player, but this is a measurement of your mana," he said. "If you're really good at rugby, but you don’t do the other things well, it can take away from the rugby, so being good people is the most important thing."
His presence in the group has had an immediate influence. His better-people-make-better-athletes approach is being felt at the heart of the Black Ferns environment.
"Allan Bunting is just an amazing human," says Renee Wickliffe. "He wants us to just be ourselves and be unique, that's something we've missed in the past.
"That's what I love about Bunts - he's himself and when he shows that, we can do that as well."
Bunting isn't out to overhaul the Black Ferns.
"I'm pretty lucky to be around some experience people, so there is much for me to do," he said.
Bunting would rather continue to strengthen what he believes can be a World Cup-winning environment, starting with their first test on home soil in nearly three years against Australia on Monday.
Join us at 2:45pm Monday for live updates of the Black Ferns v Australia Pacific Four clash or watch delayed coverage on Three at 3:30pm
