Trailblazing Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge dreams of coaching the All Blacks

Kendra Cocksedge - chasing history? Photo / Photosport

Kendra Cocksedge smashed through rugby's glass ceiling when she was named the country's top player but her ambitions apparently go much further.

The veteran Black Ferns halfback has told a television current affairs programme that she would love to coach the Black Ferns one day, and maybe even the All Blacks.

The 30-year-old Cocksedge made history last year as the first woman to win New Zealand' rugby's supreme player of the year award, the Kel Tremain Cup.

Cocksedge told TVNZ's Sunday programme: "I love New Zealand, love the black jersey.

"I would love to go through to coach the Black Ferns in the future...and then go all the way through.

"Who knows what could happen? Coach the All Blacks maybe."

The Black Ferns have been guided by a succession of male coaches but it is inevitable that a woman will take charge at some point. The All Blacks are a very different story though.

By even mentioning the idea, Cocksedge — renowned as a fastidious analyst — has reflected the rapidly growing status of women's rugby.

But women play little part in even running the national game in New Zealand, let alone dreaming of coaching the famous All Blacks.

Canterbury's Cocksedge, a Taranaki product, is not the only Black Fern with ambitions in the men's game.

Fullback Selica Winiata has set her sights on becoming a Super Rugby referee.