Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore says he welcomes a review into the culture and high-performance environment of the national women’s team.
Moore has been under fire since New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced last week the review would be taking place to investigate a claim by Black Ferns player Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate that Moore contributed to her mental breakdown.
In a social media post, Ngata-Aerengamate alleged Moore told her she did not deserve to be in the team and she was selected only to play the guitar.
"As head coach of the Black Ferns, my priority is the wellbeing of everyone involved in the Black Ferns team and achieving a healthy balance between the pressures that come from preparing and competing at an elite level of sport and achieving success at pinnacle events within a supportive environment," Moore said in a statement yesterday.
"I am committed to assisting with all aspects of this review to achieve a positive outcome and ensure we have robust support systems in place for the whole team, including players, coaches, and management.
"This review is particularly important as the Black Ferns accelerate preparations for the Rugby World Cup 2022."
Players and management, as well as NZR and Players Association representatives, will be called on to provide feedback.
NZR said yesterday the four-person review panel had been appointed.
Employment lawyer Phillipa Muir, who also guided the 2018 cultural review of New Zealand Football, would lead the group.
She would be joined by former Black Fern and Players Association director Tammi Wilson Uluinayau, NZR national harm prevention manager Eleanor Butterworth, and All Blacks mental skills guru Gilbert Enoka.
NZR said the review team would present its report by the end of February.
