Sport

NZR announce details of Black Ferns culture review

14:13 pm on 20 December 2021

Player and management, as well as New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Players Association personnel, will be called on to provide feedback for the independent culture review of the Black Ferns environment.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

NZR announced last week the review would be taking place to investigate a claim by Black Ferns player Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate that coach Glenn Moore contributed to her having a mental breakdown.

In a social media post, Ngata-Aerengamate alleged Moore told her she didn't deserve to be in the team and she was selected only to play the guitar.

In a statement on Monday, NZR said the four-person review panel had been appointed.

Leading employment lawyer Phillipa Muir, who also led the 2018 culutural review of New Zealand Football, would lead the group.

She would be joined by former Black Fern and Players Assosictaion director Tammi Wilson Uluinayau, NZR national harm prevention manager Eleanor Butterworth and All Blacks mental skills guru Gilbert Enoka.

"The scope of the review will see Black Ferns players, management, NZR and NZRPA personnel provide feedback on the team environment, with a focus on identifying and supporting improvements as well as any behavioural or wellbeing concerns," NZR said in their statement.

NZR said the review team would present their report to NZR and the Players Association by the end of February.

Last week, NZR chief executive Mark Robinson addressed the allegations made by Ngata-Aerengamate.

"We have a huge amount of sympathy for anyone going through a challenging time like this," he said.

"I know that our people have been in contact with Te Kura to make sure that she has got all the support possible at this time.

Robinson said they also wanted to "understand" what Ngata-Aerengamate wanted to see as part of the review.