Former All Blacks guru Wayne Smith named technical coach of women's team

Wayne Smith was appointed technical coach of the New Zealand women's rugby team on Monday, through to their defence of the World Cup at home this year.

Smith, who was part of the coaching team for the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015 and has overseen more than 200 Tests, faces a formidable task.

The Black Ferns, who have won five of the previous eight World Cups, suffered two successive record Test defeats to England on their northern hemisphere tour last year - 43-12 and 56-15 - plus two losses to France.

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"The coaching group is all on the same page around the type of game we need to play to win the World Cup," Smith said.

"There is a lot of work to be done to get there but it is going to be exhilarating."

The delayed 2021 World Cup is being played in New Zealand from 8 October - 12 November.

"We're in regular contact with Wayne and he saw an opportunity to put his hand up to support the current Black Ferns set-up in what is a massive year with a home World Cup," said New Zealand head of high performance Mike Anthony.

"He's already gone through reviewing their recent matches and has some good insights in where the team can grow."