Michael Mayne confirmed as Football Ferns' new head coach
Michael Mayne has been confirmed as the Football Ferns' new head coach becoming their first New Zealand-born coach in more than 20 years. Mayne has been the interim coach since last year and has signed on to the permanent role through to the 2027 Women's World Cup. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.
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RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors take collective approach to replacing injured kingpin Mitch Barnett
Mitch Barnett is now waiting for his knee to stabilise, before undergoing surgery. Photo: Anthony Kourembanas/NRL Photos Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster was warned his players not to try filling the void left by injured co-captain Mitch Barnett alone. Barnett's season is over, after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 36-30 win over South Sydney last weekend, leaving a giant void in the pack, as the Auckland side seek to build on a promising 9-3 start to their NRL season. In his third season at Mt Smart, the inspirational front-rower has taken his leadership to a new level, while fellow skipper James Fisher-Harris was sidelined with a pec (chest) injury. Now an automatic State of Origin selection for New South Wales, Barnett and Fisher-Harris formed a one-two punch that is probably one of the best front-row combinations in the competition, but Webster stressed no one player could be expected to step into his place. "You can't try and be Mitch, or say we've all got to do extra," he said. "Once you start doing that, you start failing at your job - everyone's just got to do their job better. "Whatever your job description is as a player, you have to make sure you improve at that, rather than trying to add workload or different stuff to your game. Everyone agrees with that. "If you try and be Mitch, it won't work out. Everyone's just got to be themselves and find their own way to improve." That blueprint already exists. When Fisher-Harris was missing, Webster moved Marata Niukore into the middle of the park and Leka Halasima off the bench. He's named Jackson Ford to start against Cronulla Sharks this week - as he did in the next game after Fisher-Harris' injury - but don't be surprised if that changes. Webster admitted his loss is a major blow, but also another test of the programme's 'next up' mentality . The Warriors have already endured injuries to marquee players like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, while continuing to juggle players through a depleted midfield. This one hits differently though, with the knowledge that Barnett will not be back this season. "There are mixed emotions," Webster admitted. "We want to celebrate Barney too, where he is in the game and what he's achieved for us at the club, playing Origin and for Australia, and finally getting in those circles that you want to be in as a player. "It's pretty heartbreaking, but Barney's been grateful for all the well-wishers he's got, particularly from his teammates and all around the world. "We're gutted, because he's such a good player, but there's optimism that somebody gets to stand up and take his spot and it's a challenge for the whole group." With scans confirming the extent of his injury, Barnett is now waiting for the injury to stabilise, before undergoing surgery. He has been around the team this week, as they prepare to take on the Sharks and now faces a different role than planned. "He was really good at training yesterday with his leadership stuff and talking to the boys about what they have to do next was very impressive," Webster said. "He's very frustrated and emotional about it, but sometimes life's not fair. We're all gutted for him, but he's a tough cookie, Mitch. "He's started that role already, mentoring and helping people. I think you'll find he initially needs to get his knee to the point where the operation can happen and we'll have to let him go for a little bit, then he'll start his rehab process and come back around the boys. "It's pretty raw at the moment, but we all know Mitch has a pretty good footy brain and loves mentoring people, so we'll just get a bit more of that, which is pleasing." Sometimes losing a key player can galvanise his teammates and elevate them to greater heights collectively. "He's been around the club and he's in good spirits," lock Erin Clark said. "We'll definitely miss his hard-nosed footy, his aggression and work ethic, but we're looking forward to the person who gets to step up and wear the jersey next to us. "No-one has to do anything more, maybe just do our job better, now that Barney's out. "He's definitely a smart footy player and, no doubt, he'll sit around with the coaches and help dissect other teams, and help us middles get better." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
'My stocks only rose': David Nyika beaten but not broken
David Nyika, left, and Tommy Karpency at Duco Boxing Fight Night at the Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland on 14 September 2024. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / David Nyika's latest fight was not in the ring, but in his own head. The Kiwi cruiserweight is set to return to the ring for the first time since he was brutally knocked out by Jai Opetaia. The Olympic medalist will meet Kiwi journeyman Nik 'the Greek' Charalampous in Sydney on the undercard of Sonny Bill Williams vs Paul Gallen. As it will be his first bout since being finished for the first time, Nyika is unsure how his mind will react in the ring. "If I do show flecks of uncertainty or hesitation, shit, maybe I should retire? I don't want to be in this sport forever. It's a dangerous sport, but I know I've got the goods," he said. Nyika admitted that after such a savage stoppage the self doubt can't help but creep in a bit. "I disconnected. I just unplugged and when I started training camp again, it was like, 'oh wow, you're going to do this again? Are you David?'" he said. "Those skeletons in the closet come creeping out and they're like, 'hey man, remember last time we did this?'" "Of course there are going to be doubts. Of course it's going to be difficult, but this is a difficult sport. It's hard. I respect my health and I appreciate my brain. So, if I can't get through this, or if I look a mess on fight night, maybe I shouldn't be here. It's up to me to prove to the world that I'm here to beat the best." Despite the setback, Nyika hasn't shifted the goal posts. "I know I'm up there with the best in the world, and I proved that against Jai. As disappointing as the outcome was, my stocks only rose after that fight." Nyika said he felt no fear from Charalampous as the two squared off on Wednesday in Auckland. "Nothing. He's dead behind the eyes. Nick's been here before. This isn't Nick's first big test. So yeah, case in point, he's been the distance with Jai over tyre. He's the real deal and that he won't be overruled by the occasion or anything. So I've got a real life that I have to catch." Charalampous has labelled Nyika a hype job and believes he will officially end Nyika's career. "I think Nyika is an overrated pretty boy. One of us went 10 rounds with Jai, the other got stopped. I'm ready to go hard. I think he's just had everything handed to him on a platter, when he first stepped up to fight adversity, he went to sleep." Australian Jai Opetaia knocks down opponent David Nyika of New Zealand during the Ring Magazine and IBF World Cruiserweight title fight in Gold Coast, 2025. Photo: AAP / Despite the trash talk, Nyika has no ill feelings towards his opponent. "It's all complimentary. It's all a compliment to me. I like Nik. He's a top competitor. I've sparred him in the past. Last time would have been 10 years ago. I'm appreciative for him to take the fight." Instead, Nyika is focussed on to reminding the world of his potential. "I want everybody to tune in because this is going to be probably my best opportunity to actually showcase my ability. The fight against Jai, it was a whirlwind and as much as I can take away from that, I didn't get to show my full repertoire, my whole arsenal. I know that Nik's going to bring plenty of challenges and he's an awkward, crafty, difficult fighter. I just have to go in there with the right game plan, but I know I can hurt him." The pair have sparred in the past, and Nyika does not expect much progression from his opponent. "He's a crafty operator as well. I think I've changed and grown a lot since we last sparred. I don't imagine he's done much growing in that time." To fight on the same card as Sonny Bill is a special moment for Nyika. "I don't really subscribe to that rivalry per se, but I know a lot of other people do and I really like Sonny. He's taught me some really good values in life. So he's got my full support and I know he's an incredible athlete. I think naturally Paul Gallen is the better fighter, but I believe that Sonny Bill is the better athlete and I think that will prevail on the night." The 29-year-old still has his eyes firmly on a world title. "I'm young, hungry. I don't have a family to provide for, I will very soon but right now I can be selfish, I can be hard-headed, I can accomplish anything right now, and it's just a matter of following the necessary processes and just trusting that process because I know I've got the goods, I know I'm with the right people." As for a rematch with Opetaia? "That Post-It note hasn't come down off my mirror. I've still got my eyes on that prize. The route has changed, it wasn't meant to be the way it was. Whatever will be will be, and it wasn't on the night. So I still want that fight and whenever, wherever, I want to be prepared and I need better preparation for that fight. I had three weeks notice but I went in with full confidence and I'll always believe in myself."
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Kiwi boxer David Nyika set for return to the ring
Kiwi boxer David Nyika is set for a return to the ring. Nyika will fight this month for the first time since his vicious defeat against Jai Opetaia. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
