Rugby – New Zealand: insulting remarks, discrimination … shocking report points to disastrous management of female selection

The New Zealand Rugby Union has apologized after publishing a report criticizing the management of the women’s team, accusing it of favouritism and making offensive remarks by several players of Maori or Pacific Islander descent.

“This report confirms that we did not do everything right and we apologize for not providing all the tools necessary for the success of our teams,” the association’s chief executive Mark Robinson said in a statement released on Monday. Environmental” survey within the Black Ferns, the favorites for this year’s sixth world title on their home soil.

It was carried out by an independent team after accusations from prostitute Te Korra Ngata-Iringamat (30, 33 caps), who announced in December that she was suffering from a “nervous breakdown”.

And the player had privately denounced, via her Instagram account, “comments made by coach” Glenn Moore regarding the return from the disastrous tour in the northern hemisphere (two heavy losses against England, then two losses against France). According to her, he told her that she “doesn’t deserve to be chosen” or “she was only chosen to play the guitar”. “I felt like everything I was doing was wrong,” she added.

According to the report, the situation during this tour was “not well managed or supervised”. Other players share criticisms of the Te Kura Ngata Erengamat, particularly those of Māori descent, New Zealand’s Polynesian, or South Pacific islanders, who respectively account for half and a quarter of the team. They explained that they did not complain, fearing that “it would affect their chances of being selected.” The report’s authors also deplore the administration’s focus on players’ weight rather than their performance, which has led some to “feel ashamed of their bodies,” and call for better internal communication, particularly on gender issues. or culture or sexuality.

La fédération s’est engagée à suivre les recommandations de ce rapport et souligne que certaines ont déjà été mises en place, en rappelant notamment la nomination la semaine dernière de Wayne Smith comme “entraîneur” technique la aux vlenue de côté world Cup. Smith was part of the All Blacks coaching staff during the last two World Cup wins (2011, 2015).