Black Ferns call on former legend Anna Richards MNZM as Independent Selector
Anna Richards joins Hansen and her Assistant Coaches Tony Christie, Riki Flutey and Simon Kneebone on the selection panel for future Black Ferns campaigns, providing objective assessment and insight.
The make-up of her role also extends beyond Black Ferns selection, with Richards supporting broader talent identification and development across the women’s game.
Black Ferns Independent Selector Anna Richards said she received a call from Hansen at the end of last year to sound her out about the role.
“We caught up again at the Global Sevens and talked about the role in a bit more detail, and I got more excited about the opportunity. I’ve been supporting Whitney in an informal capacity throughout this year, so I’m really pleased to now make it official,” Richards said.
“Whitney likes being challenged, she’ll listen to you, have a good think about it and is not afraid to change her mind. Being in a selectorial role like this and have robust conversations is important for the credibility of the women’s game and it’s equally important to have a panel receptive to feedback.
ThetalentweareseeinginNewZealandisexciting,andwithNZRcontinuingtoinvestinthewomen’spathways,I’mlookingforwardtoseeingthepathwaystrengthenandcreatemoreopportunitiesforathletescomingthrough.Anna Richards
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen said the Independent Selector role strengthens the integrity and depth of the selection process.
“As Head Coach I wanted to have challenge in the selection space. When you’re selecting a team from a group of athletes that are working incredibly hard, you have a responsibility to do your due diligence by having different perspectives in the room.
“A large part of this role was about making sure we get selection right for the Black Ferns, but even broader than that was thinking about how we identify and retain talent across the pathway. With more than 35,000 women and girls registered to play rugby in 2026, the year-on-year growth is evident, and Anna will help us stay connected to that space.
“For both of us, we have an eye on the now and the future with the upcoming French Test Series at home, building towards next year’s first-ever British and Irish Lions Women’s Series and then the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.”
WATCH: Anna Richards opens up her trophy cabinet for a journey through her career
Richards, who played 49 Tests for the Black Ferns between 1990-2010, has an extensive coaching background and knowledge of the women’s game having previously coached the Auckland Storm for seven years, the Hong Kong Sevens women’s and women’s Barbarians teams.
Richards has a long history of developing and supporting players having worked with contracted Black Ferns players in Auckland's high performance hub from 2022-2025, and being involved in the Go for Gold Programme in 2012 to identify Sevens players for the Olympics. In her current role as Women’s Player Development Manager at Auckland Rugby, she supports players across the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Hilux and Sky Super Rugby Aupiki.
WATCH: Whitney Hansen and Anna RIchards answer the big questions
While Richards supports players and their development, Hansen said she’s also been supportive throughout her own coaching journey.
“Even before this role was established, Anna has been a great support to me as a female coach coming through the coaching pathway and always happy to be on the other end of the phone.
“It’s a privilege to have her back in this space, it’s clear how much she cares about this team and the legacy of the Black Ferns. I know she will bring ideas and opinions to the table which is exactly what we need from someone in this role. We’re lucky to have her experience, knowledge and care as part of who we are now.”
