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Sport | Black Ferns

Allan Bunting steps down from Black Ferns Sevens after golden run

Bunting (Tūhourangi) joined the Black Ferns Sevens during the Go4Gold campaign in 2012 and took the role of head coach of the team after the Rio Olympics. And in that time he has seen the team become almost unbeatable on the world sevens scene.

He has been part of two World Cup wins, an inaugural Commonwealth Games gold, two Olympic campaigns and six World Series wins. He oversaw the team that went on a 50-match winning streak in 2018/2019. His most recent Olympic campaign was the triumphant return from Tokyo last month with the gold medal.

And now he says it's time to move on, and see where the Black Ferns take their game.

"I have a real feeling of fulfilment, we have achieved everything we set out to in the past five years, I feel like I have served my purpose and now it's time for me to spend more time with my family.

"I have worked with such amazing people, built relationships that will last for life and shared some amazing experiences. Seeing the growth of the players both on and off the field has been really special.

"I know that the team is in great hands with Cory taking charge and I'm looking forward to seeing what they continue to achieve," said Bunting.

Bunting's co-coach, Cory Sweeney, will take the helm of the team, with an exciting 12 months approaching that includes the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022.

Sweeney acknowledged his good friend, Bunting, and said it had been a privilege to work alongside him over the past five years.

"He has had a massive impact on this programme and has inspired these players to be and succeed the way they have.
 
"It's a real honour to take on this team and continue to the next pinnacle event. The foundations have been laid. We will go away and redefine our purpose for what the next few years look like.

"If you look at the team we had in Tokyo, then we have a layer of players who have been developing over the past few years and a group of players coming out of school who are incredible athletes, it's pretty exciting looking ahead at this next cycle," Sweeney said.

Noho ora mai Bunts, ngā mihi nui 🖤

Posted by Black Ferns on Thursday, August 26, 2021

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson thanked Bunting for his dedication to the Black Ferns Sevens.

"The contribution Allan has made to the Black Ferns Sevens is immense. His leadership and mana will no doubt have a lasting effect on all the players who have gone through the programme and his legacy speaks for itself. We know he has plenty more to contribute to the game and look forward to his next endeavours.

"We're excited that Cory has signed on to lead the Black Ferns Sevens through the next Olympic cycle. Cory is highly respected and has all the qualities to lead the programme to more success," Robinson said.