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Find your frequency‘One eye on the now and one eye on the future’: Hansen excited by growing depth in women’s rugby
Sport Nation • October 12th, 2026 9:55 am
New Zealand Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen | Photo: Luke Hastings/Photosport
Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen says the depth on display in the Farah Palmer Cup is an encouraging sign for the future of women’s rugby in New Zealand.
Canterbury beat Auckland 50-24 in the final, with Hansen highlighting the quality of the competition even without the current Black Ferns involved.
“Once you take all the Black Ferns out of FPC and have a look at the depth that was still going in that competition, it's super exciting and it wasn't that five years ago,” she told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy on Monday.
Maisy Allen of Canterbury scores during Canterbury Women v Auckland Storm, Farah Palmer Cup Final | Photo: Iain McGregor/Photosport
Hansen said the national coaching group must balance its immediate work with planning for future campaigns.
“That’s part of the job, one eye on the now and one eye on the future, and we're focused on what we're doing in here, but at the same time, thinking about the British and Irish Lions and you're thinking ahead to if we're still lucky enough to be in these roles come 2029 World Cup.”
She also pointed to the young players coming through, including those involved with New Zealand’s under-21s, as potential future members of the national sides.
Lialanie Muamua of Canterbury scores during Canterbury Women v Auckland Storm, Farah Palmer Cup Final | Photo: Iain McGregor/Photosport
Hansen said having more players pushing for places could provide cover for injuries while raising standards and competition within the squad.
“It's cool to know that we've got that depth here, you never want to sort of think worst case scenario, but I think it provides a depth there if there are to be injuries or niggles, but more excitingly I think creates competition and some positions haven't had that.
“When you don't have that, you can have complacency and it's probably harder to sort of build that edge, whereas I think naturally depth and competition will create that for us, which is exciting too.”
Listen to the full interview below:
