During his first days on the job, new Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has had to defend the choice of three male assistants - and no females - on his staff for the 2025 World Cup.
After guiding the Black Ferns Sevens to Olympic gold at Tokyo two years ago, Bunting took on a culture and leadership role with the World Cup-winning 15-a-side outfit last year, before his appointment as director of rugby.
Assistants Tony Christie, Steve Jackson and Mike Delany were named last week, amid national outcry over the absence of female coaches, but Bunting insists that is a temporary omission.
"At this point in time, we've picked these coaches to take this group to the next level," he said. "I know NZ Rugby and I'm really passionate about having more diversity throughout all our levels of coaching, and hopefully the Black Ferns in the future."
Bunting reveals only one woman applied for an assistant coaching role.
The most logical contender would have been Whitney Hansen - daughter of former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen - who served as an assistant during the most recent World Cup, but she has chosen to focus on her new role as head coach for the champion Matatū Super Rugby Aupiki franchise.
"We're not far off," said Bunting. "I've worked closely with quite a few of these ladies over the last 10 years and they're not far off.
"I understand the nation wants to see more females involved. I think there should be more females involved at FPC level and Aupiki, not just coaching, but on management teams.
"With that experience, I'm sure we'll get more diversity in the future."
The players seem to have taken the appointments in their stride, as they assemble to prepare for their upcoming schedule.
"As a player, the fact it was three males didn't really phase me and it probably wouldn't phase the girls that are part of this environment," said co-captain Ruahei Demant.
"What's more important for us is that the people are the right people for the job and also the best coaches for the job."
Jackson, 50, has coached across most levels of the men's game, including provincial (Tasman, Counties Manukau & North Harbour), Super Rugby (Blues), international (NZ U19, Māori All Blacks & Manu Samoa) and professionally (Shimizu Blue Sharks in Japan), although he has never coached women.
"That's out of my control," he said of reaction to his appointment. "I'm just thankful for the opportunity to be a coach with this team.
"Like anything you go through a process, and I'm thankful I was accepted and they were happy with what they saw. I can't dwell on those things, we move forward, and hopefully everyone gets behind this coaching group.
"There are some good quality female coaches out there at the moment and I'm sure, at some point in time, they will have some involvement with these teams."
The NZ women have only four games scheduled for this year - two against Australia on June 29 and September 30, and one each against Canada (July 8) and USA (July 14).
