Black Ferns XV face Springboks in South Africa tour ahead of World Cup
This week, the Black Ferns XV have named their squad to head to South Africa. It's a development side, scheduled to play two matches before the Springboks Women head to the World Cup.
Tied up in this tour are a couple of clues about the upcoming Black Ferns'
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NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Swann reflects on Gisborne's Rugby Park redevelopment, surge in player numbers
Swann said the success of locally born-and-bred Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens players such as Renee Holmes, Charmaine McMenamin, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Kelsey Teneti also promoted women's rugby and showed there was a pathway for talented players. He said Horowhenua-Kāpiti was the only one of the other 25 unions to match Poverty Bay's increased player numbers, which came at a time of economic challenges and growing competition from other codes. The Covid-19 era was another testing time, Swann said. 'We were still having matches. Rugby was operating in a bubble. We worked so hard. It was really, really hard to keep going, but we did. 'We were wiping down posts and pads. We were wiping everything. We were breaking people down into groups, but we got there.' Gisborne's Kelsey Teneti in action for New Zealand against France at the Singapore 7s earlier this year. The success of Teneti and other Gisborne-connected female players is a factor in the increase in female player numbers in Tairāwhiti, says Hayden Swann in reflecting on his tenure as Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chairman. Photo / Jayne Russell, Photosport The annual report said the Rugby Park redevelopment had been impacted significantly by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and inflation. But the union decided to develop 'our ageing asset' and the $12.5 million grandstand redevelopment, originally costed at $8m, had been fully funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment/ Kanoa Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit and Trust Tairāwhiti. Swann told the Herald the union was showing huge profits for the past two years of around $2.5 million, 'which of course' related to capital project funding for the grandstand redevelopment which had not yet been spent. 'It is not a real profit.' But the union had made an operating profit in 2024 of $45,000. Swann attributed that to an increase in commercial revenue and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) funding being boosted because of increased player registrations. The union retained strong relationships with local sponsors and funders and took a conservative approach to spending, resulting in more revenue and less spending in 2024, he said. The union was now endeavouring to 'put money away'. Swann said interest earned from the union's $500,000 share of the Silverlake equity payout to NZR would be ring-fenced for maintaining assets and would not be spent on staffing or operations. The union wanted to avoid the example of other sporting infrastructure in the district ageing to a point where it was not fit-for-purpose. The grandstand was due for completion next June and would result in a significant uplift in the equity of the union. Swann said the union had assets of only $321,000 back in 2018 and recorded a deficit of $129,000. Swann, who has stepped aside after serving as an independent member of the PBRFU board for the maximum period of three three-year terms (seven years as chairman), said his nine years had been the most rewarding and enjoyable time of any organisation he had served on. 'Being chairman is a privileged position because you are working for New Zealand Rugby,' the Makaraka School principal said. 'There are 25 other provincial union chairmen [and] you learn from their knowledge, experience and capabilities. 'Rugby is such a neat network and such a giving network.' The new union chairman is Trust Tairāwhiti general manager economic development Hayden Green.
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Ekenasio's 2025 departure prompts Silver Ferns leadership questions
Ameliaranne Ekenasio in action at the Netball World Cup in 2023. Photo / Supplied Who should replace Ekenasio as captain? Kelly Jackson. Simple as that. The 1.92m goal keep is one of the most dominant in netball and her place in the Ferns is unquestionable. At 28 years old, Jackson could have at least five-plus years left at the top level, but has also experienced the highs and greatest lows of international sport. Across 72 test caps dating back to 2017, Jackson has won two Constellation Cups, a number of Taini Jamison series and back-to-back ANZ Premiership titles with the Central Pulse in 2019 and 2020. She also played a key role in the NZ U21 team's unbeaten run to the Youth World Cup title in 2017. Not to mention, she's won the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award – recognising the country's best player – for the past three years in a row. With Ameliaranne Ekenasio (left) stepping away, Kelly Jackson is a contender to lead the Silver Ferns. Photo / Photosport Major shoulder and Achilles injuries derailed the early part of Jackson's career, leading her to miss out on the Silver Ferns' victorious 2019 World Cup squad. The Central Pulse captain was the standout player in New Zealand's heartbreaking loss to England in the 2023 World Cup semifinal in South Africa. Speaking to her after the game, her frustration was obvious given the sheer number of turnovers she had won which the attacking end failed to capitalise upon. Jackson shares many qualities with Ekenasio. She comes across as a kind, thoughtful personality who doesn't shy away from stating her mind. Her prowess is not displayed through words but her actions on court. Jackson clearly has the respect of her teammates. These are not only qualities to be admired, but they are critical in calmly leading a group of young, passionate and driven athletes. Kate Heffernan in action against Australia last year. Photo / Photosport The other obvious choice for skipper is Kate Heffernan. The current Silver Ferns vice-captain, I have no doubt Heffernan will lead New Zealand one day and coach Dame Noeline Taurua might decide now is the right time. The Southern Steel skipper is 25 years old and was named midcourter of the tournament at the 2023 World Cup. With the versatility to play centre, wing defence and wing attack, 'Kate Heffernan' is the first name you write down when selecting a Silver Ferns midcourt. Having already played international cricket in a pair of T20s for the White Ferns in 2018, Heffernan has proven to become the best at whatever she sets her mind to. However, the main thing Heffernan has on her side is time. Allowing her to continue to flourish in the vice-captaincy role under Jackson will only add to her mana when she ascends to the captaincy in years to come. Heffernan will resume leading the Steel, who produced a remarkable turnaround this year under new coach Wendy Frew after two years finishing dead last on the ANZ Premiership ladder. Who becomes the new primary Silver Ferns goal attack? This question is a lot harder to answer. Ekenasio has been the go-to goal attack for years now – her place in the shooting circle has never really been under threat. The problem is complicated further by Te Paea Selby-Rickit's bizarre unavailability. The Mainland Tactix shooter hasn't featured since the pool stage of the 2023 World Cup, where she played extremely well and was subsequently benched for the rest of the tournament. Taurua and Ekenasio have emphasised the need to diversify the shooting circle to be more competent from range, after getting exposed for being one-dimensional when Grace Nweke struck out with injury in the last World Cup. There are two leading contenders, but neither of them is truly convincing. Filda Vui is a contender to claim the goal attack bib. Photo / Photosport Filda Vui has been outstanding in the Northern Mystics' march to yet another ANZ Premiership grand final. No longer overshadowed by the departed Grace Nweke, Vui was forced to play a more dominant role when Diamonds attacker Donnell Wallam went down injured. The 29-year-old is the competition's most successful two-point shooter, slotting 28 from 44 attempts at a staggering 63.6%. A two-time ANZ Premiership winner, Vui has been around the block. She was called into the Silver Ferns Quad Series squad in 2022 but never earned her debut test cap. Southern Steel goal attack Georgia Heffernan made her debut for the Silver Ferns at last year's Nations Cup. Adept from long range, Heffernan has no issue opting to shoot in higher-pressure moments. While the 25-year-old's ANZ Premiership stats aren't as glamorous – shooting at 34.1% from two-point range and 81.5% in one-pointers – she overcame a slow start with a strong second half of the domestic season as the Steel threatened the top three. Martina Salmon of the Tactix could have a shot with the Silver Ferns. Photo / Photosport Tactix attacker Martina Salmon looked to be a brilliant long-range prospect after putting New Zealand into last year's Fast5 grand final in Christchurch with a buzzer-beating six-point shot against South Africa. However, she simply hasn't had enough game time this year to confidently throw her into the test arena. Frustratingly, her path has been blocked by Selby-Rickit and Ellie Bird, both of whom have ruled themselves out of international selection. At the Central Pulse, Tiana Metuarau hasn't reached the same heights of 2022 and 2023, but she is in part a victim of the dominance of attacking teammate Amelia Walmsley. Amorangi Malesala has invented a specialist role for herself, coming on as a two-point specialist in the last five minutes of each quarter for the Pulse. Malesala is one of the best range shooters in the ANZ Premiership, but with limited minutes and Taurua's ruthless fitness standards this may have hindered her test hopes. Maia Wilson would bring experience to the Silver Ferns attack. Photo / Photosport It could be tempting to return to Stars shooter Maia Wilson, given her 52 test caps and the relatively minimal experience levels of the other shooting options. In the goal shoot bib, 23-year-old Grace Nweke is likely to receive an eligibility exemption given Netball New Zealand's revamped application process, while 21-year-old Walmsley is yet to truly find her feet in the Ferns dress. However, Wilson just hasn't been among the ANZ Premiership's best players this season, shooting at just 83.3%. Wilson was hampered by the Stars' injury-ravaged midcourt, while Australian fellow attacker Charlie Bell struggled to adapt to the New Zealand style. Gold medals on the line The Silver Ferns face South Africa across three Taini Jamison tests in late September, before the Constellation Cup defence starts against Australia in the back half of October. One thing is for certain, Dame Noeline Taurua's decision-making in these two areas will shape the Silver Ferns' chances of Commonwealth Games gold next year and World Cup glory in 2027. Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.
The Spinoff
a day ago
- The Spinoff
‘Rugby league, you undefeated beautiful thing!': Vossy strikes commentary gold again
His voice is synonymous with rugby league, and Vossy delivered yet another pearler on Sunday night. Here are some of the Aussie commentator's very best from over the years. When heartbreak turned to last-minute triumph for the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday evening courtesy of a runaway try from Leka Halasima, there was no better voice to be narrating the drama than that of Fox Sports rugby league commentator Andrew Voss. Vossy, as he is affectionately known, has become an iconic commentator for many league fans around the world. From providing commentary on the first Rugby League video game released in 2003 to calling numerous World Cup finals, here's a round-up of some of Andrew Voss' finest calls. 'And now, the awakening of the gods from the New Zealand Māori.' The New Zealand Māori team first played against the Indigenous Dreamtime team on 26 October, 2008 as the curtain raiser to the first match of the 2008 World Cup. As the Māori side begin their haka, Voss quietly primes the uninitiated viewers on what is taking place. For Māori and Indigenous Australians, the pregame challenge between the two sides has now become a highlight of the annual contest. 'He's kicked it as hard as he possibly could and the bloke tucking into a Krispy Kreme donut up in row 28 just copped it in the head.' It was round 11 of the 2014 NRL season and the Wests Tigers were losing 8-0 to the North Queensland Cowboys. With only two minutes left on the clock, Vossy placed a classic commentator's curse on Tigers winger Pat Richards, talking about him needing to pull out 'one of his special kicks' before Richards went on to kick it into the stands on the full. While the ball didn't hit a bloke tucking into a Krispy Kreme, it sure was a memorable Andrew Voss moment. 'Straight down the hey diddle diddle.' I might be just too young to remember but apparently saying 'straight down the hey diddle diddle' was once quite a common thing in rugby league commentary. Thankfully, it wasn't still this way when I was watching the footy as a youth, as 'diddle' had a completely different meaning for me. Anyway, Andrew Voss – the league nut that he is – was clearly fond of the saying, which was a pretty apt description of the superb play that resulted in a go-ahead try for the Rabbitohs in their 2019 round 25 match against the Sydney Roosters. Vossy has also used the saying in its more common context, which is for saying a kick has gone through the middle of the posts. 'He's a rugby league gazelle.' Sometimes, fiction becomes reality. This line was a famous Vossy quote from the very first Rugby League video game released in 2003. However, Voss found reason to quote himself in this 2020 contest between Manly and the Storm. Long-time fans were delighted. 'I'm struggling to find adequate superlatives to describe this performance.' While it's a quote from the Rugby League video game, this pearler of a line is synonymous with Andrew Voss. It captures the kind of language viewers have become so accustomed to Vossy using on the regular during his commentary. Most likely one of his most-quoted quotes. 'If it's a try, you can hire me a gorilla mask and I'll wear it for the rest of the match.' What I admire about Vossy is his willingness to wear his heart on his sleeve. While many commentators may be too timid to openly speak their minds on certain calls or plays, Voss is quick to let viewers know what he thinks. In fact, he was so confident that this potential try would be disallowed by the bunker in a 2014 round 4 match between Wests and the Warriors that he declared he would wear a gorilla mask if he was wrong. He wasn't. 'The fireworks that they all expected – well, they've erupted. The ball shooters, the roman candles, and whatever fireworks you can think of, they've erupted here.' Tensions were high in this 2006 international test between the Kiwis and Kangaroos. Steve Matai stopped a try in the corner and Kangaroos winger Matt King took a disliking to the shove from Matai – resulting in a brawl between the two sides. Vossy took the chance to liken the scrap to an explosion of very specific fireworks and the moment remains a great piece of NRL commentary to this day. 'And Mason gets the shoulder from Kidwell, who gives him the rounds of the kitchen after it.' In the same test as above, Kangaroos legend Willie Mason was shown on the live broadcast mouthing 'fuck off' at the Kiwis haka. He went on to claim that he was directing his insults towards Brent Webb, who is an Australian-born Torres Strait Islander. Regardless of the reason, Auckland-born Mason was on the receiving end of one of the greatest hits in rugby league history from David Kidwell, who proceeded to let Mason know what he thought of him after the fact – which Vossy described as giving him ' the rounds of the kitchen '. It is a moment burnt in the memory of many rugby league players of my generation. 'Three letters, four points – it's a try!' Another classic Vossy one-liner from the Rugby League video game. While the game was full of memorable phrases from Voss, this is one I still find myself quoting today. Other iconic quotes from Voss in the game include: 'He'll be counting his ribs after that one', 'they had the voodoo dolls out for that one, and it's worked!' and 'he's no stranger to stitches, but they may have to get the staple gun out for that one'. View post on TikTok 'Rugby league, you undefeated beautiful thing!' We all know how much Vossy loves footy. There are few commentators who remind us it is the 'greatest game of all' more than Andrew Voss. When star Warriors rookie Leka Halasima stunned Newcastle Knights fans at their own ground on Sunday night by recollecting a charged down field goal to trot over 40 metres and score a game-winning try in the dying seconds of the game, Voss's passion for rugby league was on full display. It was an iconic moment, with an iconic voice in commentary.
