Allan Bunting has stepped down as New Zealand director of rugby following the Black Ferns’ semi-final exit at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. New Zealand Rugby announced it will recruit a new head coach after an extensive review of the Black Ferns programme, confirming that Bunting will not be seeking the role.
New Zealand, who had won six of the previous seven Women’s Rugby World Cups, were knocked out by Canada in the semi-finals before defeating France to finish third. Hosts England defeated Canada in the final to claim the title.
Bunting, who was appointed director of rugby in 2023, described his time leading the Black Ferns as an “absolute honour”. He said, “Over the past 14 years, I have been honoured to contribute across both the Sevens and Fifteens programmes and experience pinnacle events such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Series and World Cups. To have played a role in the growth of the women’s game during this time has been a privilege.”
Chris Lendrum, general manager of professional rugby and performance for New Zealand Rugby, said Bunting’s impact on the women’s game has been “immense”, adding that he and his team had “delivered a strong foundation for the next four-year cycle and the team’s attempt to win a record seventh Women’s Rugby World Cup”.
New Zealand Rugby stated it hopes to appoint a head coach by Christmas. Lendrum highlighted the upcoming four-year cycle as “incredibly exciting” for professional women’s rugby, with a new competition calendar and the first Women’s British and Irish Lions tour scheduled for 2027. He added, “A robust process to ensure we find the best candidate to take the Black Ferns forward is imperative.”
