 These performances brought him to the attention of New Zealand coach Laurie Mains who selected him to play for the All Blacks in 1992.Bunce became a regular feature of the All Black backline, missing only one game (against Japan at the 1995 World Cup) until his last game on 6 December 1997 against England in London.He played for New Zealand in the NZRU's centenary games against a World XV, against the British and Irish Lions in their 1993 tour, in the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, the first two Tri Nations tournaments and the victorious series win over South Africa in 1996.