Black Ferns searching for new coach as Allan Bunting steps away after Rugby World Cup
Friday, 14 November 2025
Allan Bunting says stepping away from the Black Ferns is “heavy on the heart” after not seeking reappointment following their disappointing Rugby World Cup in England.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed Bunting’s departure on Friday and intends to find his replacement before Christmas.
Bunting took the Black Ferns job after their storybook World Cup win on home soil when Sir Wayne Smith was interim coach in 2022.
In his three seasons in charge, the Black Ferns were transitioning to full professionalism and have struggled against the elite of women’s rugby before a humbling 34-19 semifinal loss to Canada in Bristol in September.
That defeat against the part-time Canadians, albeit their side was mostly comprised of professionals, will ultimately define Bunting’s reign when he was charged with winning a seventh World Cup title.
Bunting said he poured his “heart and soul” into a role that comes with the scrutiny of leading one of New Zealand’s national rugby teams.
“When you’ve seen the growth in some of the players and have built strong connections, it’s pretty heavy on the heart,” Bunting said.
“I’m really content and at peace with where the programme is now. It’s certainly time for a change for me and change for the programme.”
The spotlight on the Black Ferns was more intense than ever for Bunting, with the six-time world champions coming to greater prominence in the rise of women’s sport. With that came an expectation of success from a demanding rugby public.
“When I first started, it can be quite tough, but I’ve learned you’ve got your support people around you and your family. I’ve got really good mentors and listen to the feedback from the people who know you and really care,“ Bunting said.
“People in New Zealand are passionate about this team, they can get quite emotional, and that’s just the way it is.
“The expectation in this country is that you do well when you’re coaching a national team, and I totally understand that.”
‘We didn’t quite get there’
Bunting felt the Black Ferns had taken “great strides” with their professionalism after more backing from NZ Rugby and said the “amazing wāhine” kept him going.
“We set the main goal and that was to win a World Cup. We didn’t achieve that, we didn’t quite get there,” he said.
“The biggest work-on would be ‘how do we really speed up the learning in the rugby?’ Hopefully, they can find someone who can take this group to the next level.
“The reason why I coach is seeing the potential in people and seeing that grow and come to life.”
Notable talents to prosper have been teenage outside back Braxton Sorensen-McGee, winger Katelyn Vahaakolo, midfielder Sylvia Brunt and No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker.
Bunting was always searching to unearth a kicking first five-eighth to ease the pressure and reliance on Ruahei Demant, although none surfaced to command a place in the squad.
The Black Ferns’ lack of quality kickers and physical inferiority was exposed. Their attack couldn’t get them out of jail on the big stage.
Their record since the 2022 World Cup against the other top-four teams, England, Canada and France, often belied their status as world champions.
They won only three of 10 tests (twice against France) against that trio and slumped to a shock 29-27 defeat to Ireland last year.
The painful semifinal exit to Canada will stick out when the Black Ferns’ players think about the next World Cup in Australia in 2029.
“You had to take your hat off to their performance. They really fired, and we got caught there for a bit, got stuck, and fell too far behind,” Bunting said.
“We showed some amazing grit and fought back to the final whistle, but it wasn’t quite enough.”
‘Bunts won’t be lost to the game’
Chris Lendrum, NZ Rugby’s general manager of professional rugby and performance, paid tribute to Bunting, who had led the Black Ferns Sevens to outrageous success for a decade before entering the 15s game.
“He was a proven winner. We know he creates conditions for athletes and staff to thrive,” Lendrum said.
“Although we haven’t achieved the performance goal the team and management desperately wanted, I think the team and the programme has made great strides.
“There’s a tinge of sadness today, but I know Bunts won’t be lost to the game or to New Zealand Rugby.”
One constant theme of Bunting’s tenure was concerns about the lack of quality rugby the Black Ferns, and aspiring test players, were getting domestically in Super Rugby Aupiki, New Zealand’s semi-professional competition limited to four teams.
That was evident against John Mitchell’s England and Canada, who the Black Ferns failed to beat in their last three encounters.
Lendrum said they were pushing to compete with the big investment the RFU have poured into England for their incredible winning streak (33 matches) to claim their third World Cup title.
“The host nation, England, if we’re all honest with ourselves, they’ve been ahead in terms of their programme, pathway and investment,” Lendrum said.
“One of the issues, frankly, is the amount of rugby our players are playing in comparison to the English or the Canadians.”
‘I’ve had a life beyond my wildest dreams’
Despite the disappointment in England, Bunting remains highly regarded by NZ Rugby.
He wasn’t thinking about the future just yet, however, welcoming a break ahead of the summer.
“New Zealand Rugby has given me a lot over the last 14 years. I’ve had a life beyond my wildest dreams,” Bunting said.
“If there’s some way I can give back… but I’m just going to take some time to think.”
There isn’t an obvious successor. One candidate might be Blues coach Willie Walker after back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles.
Bunting’s assistants, Tom Christie, Riki Flutey and Steve Jackson, are also off contract and might seek a promotion.