New Zealand Rugby has apologised for a tweet posted on International Women's Day, admitting: "We didn't get it right."
A post on the All Blacks Twitter feed on Tuesday read: "Forever grateful to all the women in our lives that allow us to play the game we love. Partners, mothers, daughters, doctors, physios, referees, administrators and fans. Appreciate you every day #IWD2022 #internationalwomensday"
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The post received significant backlash and criticism, firstly because it made no reference to the highly successful Black Ferns international women's side, five-time World Cup winners and reigning world champions.
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The tweet also included a picture of current All Blacks wing Sevu Reece, who had a transfer to Irish province Connacht cancelled in 2018 after he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge and was discharged without conviction.
Current All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith was also one of four players pictured, despite being involved in a high-profile sex scandal case in October 2016, when he was seen entering the disabled toilet at Christchurch airport with a woman, despite being in a relationship with Teagan Voykovich - his now wife - at the time.
Smith was suspended from playing duties at the time, while then New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said: "Smith clearly let himself and those that are close to him down."
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New Zealand Rugby released a statement on Wednesday regarding their tweet.
"NZR and our Teams in Black celebrated International Women's Day across all of our digital channels and our intent was to portray the many roles women have in our game,'' a NZR spokesperson said.
"We didn't get it right and we apologise - our entire rugby whanau are so proud of our Black Ferns and all our wahine, in everything that they do on and off the pitch."
