BlackFern’s struggles ‘distressing’

Mental health crisis shocks NZ Rugby and head coach

Black Ferns hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate’s claim that she suffered a mental breakdown after alleged critical comments from head coach Glenn Moore has shocked him and New Zealand Rugby officials.

Ngata-Aerengamate has opened up about a mental health crisis she says came to a head on the Black Ferns’ recent tour of Europe.

The world champion Kiwi side, led by Moore since 2015, lost four tests in a row for the first time against England and France last month.

Ngata-Aerengamate, who has played 32 tests and won the 2017 World Cup, outlined her struggles in an Instagram post on Monday night and appeared to aim allegations at Moore, whose position is under further scrutiny ahead of next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

She said critical comments had been directed at her during her time with the Black Ferns.

Chris Lendrum, NZR’s general manager of professional rugby and performance, said the allegations were ‘distressing to read’’ and would be taken seriously while the tour is reviewed.

‘‘Our first priority is to make sure that TK is OK,’’ he said yesterday. ‘‘I have sent her a message outlining our support and care for her, and that we are here and ready to talk when she is.

‘‘And I know a number of other people in and around the Black Ferns programme are talking to her and doing the same.’’

An NZR spokesperson told Stuff Moore didn’t want to comment until a review is complete.

Lendrum said Ngata-Aerengamate’s post was a surprise to him and Moore, who he spoke to yesterday morning, and was upset as well.

‘‘I’m aware there was an issue on the tour, but it’s personal to Te Kura. She’ll be the one who wants to comment on that and has probably said all she wants to say,’’ he said.

Lendrum said it was a concern that Ngata-Aerengamate used social media – instead of the support network the players have – to raise the issues which she says led to her breakdown in front of the team.

‘‘There is a range of [support] outlets. One of the things we’ll do when we get an opportunity to sit down with her is to understand why she felt that was a necessary step for her,’’ he said.

No more Black Ferns have come forward with complaints since they came home from the tour last week, Lendrum added.

‘‘Everyone will have an opportunity to have their say in a constructive way. We’re looking forward and reviewing that information in the next few days when it becomes available,’’ he said.

The Black Ferns had a full-time mental skills coach on tour and a team doctor, but Lendrum wouldn’t say at what point NgataAerengamate broke down.

The 30-year-old started two tests and came off the bench once. In her post, she says she didn’t perform the way she wanted and her confidence was so low that she found it difficult to play.

On their return to test rugby after a Covid-enforced absence of 27 months, the Black Ferns were heavily beaten by England and France.

Lendrum spent two days with the team before they travelled to Europe and said ‘‘the environment was in a really great place’’ for a challenging tour against two of their biggest World Cup rivals.

‘‘I’m not aware of other issues being raised,’’ Lendrum said. ‘‘Our team management, the environment and the culture of the Black Ferns will be at the core of our review.’’