What's happening about fire-hit New World Victoria Park?
Ian Jones gives his take on the final game against the French over the weekend.
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NZ Herald
9 hours ago
- NZ Herald
NZ Rugby faces tough search for CEO to lead both pro and amateur sides
They will need knowledge of media rights negotiations, an understanding of digital content and its pathway to monetisation, and they will have to be capable of managing relationships with some of the world's largest consumer brands. But this is only part of the job, not all of it. There's another side entirely, which is presiding over the community game – selling rugby to the masses. That's an ambassadorial job – running a never-ending PR campaign to promote the holistic benefits of playing rugby: the resilience it breeds, the networks it forges, the joy it brings. It's also, though, a political tightrope that constantly must be walked, managing provincial unions and other stakeholders to ensure there is harmony in the ecosystem. Departing New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson. Photo / Photosport It's a job that requires someone to be as comfortable in gumboots on a muddy sideline as they are in leather loafers around the board table. The search will likely begin in a few weeks, once a global recruitment agency has been approved to conduct it, and NZR chair David Kirk has given prospective candidates clear guidance that this is a job that will straddle both the professional and amateur worlds of rugby. 'There will be a lot of people who would love to run a global sporting brand – the All Blacks' global sporting brand,' he says. 'But they are not coming just to do that. It is way more than that because you have the community element to it. 'They are coming to run New Zealand community rugby. People with only a professional sporting background coming thinking they are running a professional sport will not be appropriate.' Kirk is cognitive that, arguably, he's one of the few people who has the relevant experience across the variety of disciplines the job will entail, but laughed off any suggestion that as the chair of the board, he's in the wrong role. He's not at the right stage in his life to be a full-time executive – so if not him, is there anyone with a similar breadth of experience that presents as an obvious candidate? There are a few who have potential – people who tick a few but not all the boxes. Former All Black Conrad Smith has a deep understanding of the high-performance landscape, having won two World Cups and working for the International Rugby Players' Association, while he also volunteers as a grassroots referee in Taranaki. As a qualified lawyer, he's bright, engaging and worldly, but he doesn't have experience in the corporate world managing or leading a complex organisation. New Zealand All Blacks centre Conrad Smith in action at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs Former ACC chief executive Scott Pickering was on the shortlist to take the NZR job back in 2019 but lost out to incumbent Mark Robinson. He's an experienced director/executive, but isn't steeped in community rugby, although he is currently on the board of Bowls New Zealand. One New Zealand chief executive Jason Paris has the corporate experience – he was also the chief executive of TV3 – but while he's a self-declared passionate sports and rugby follower, there's a question mark about how attuned he'd be to what is really going on at the community level. Former Sky chief executive Martin Stewart negotiated the current broadcast deal for the pay TV broadcaster and has worked in executive roles for the Football Association in England. But would he want to return to living in New Zealand having left the country in early 2021? And the issue of living in New Zealand, and knowing the country's relationship with rugby and the All Blacks is a critical part of the consideration. The All Blacks are a global sporting brand with a uniquely Kiwi ethos, and the 'gosh, I was just lucky out there' understated charm of Beauden Barrett is a million miles away from the trash-talking, hype-it-up narratives and characters that dominate American sports and indeed football. A non-Kiwi may battle to get their head around the All Blacks culture and hiring a New Zealander who has been working overseas is fraught with challenges, as evidenced by the fact Craig Fenton, who had been in Europe for 20 years, only lasted 11 months in his role as head of New Zealand Rugby Commercial. It is, therefore, going to be an incredibly difficult role to fill, which is why Kirk says that it may be that the board takes a broader view, and that it might look at balancing the impending appointments of the chief executive, chief commercial officer and chief financial officer, This could ensure the executive team has all the required skill-sets and experiences, rather than trying to find a unicorn. 'We will probably go to one search consultant for all three roles, but the CEO will be the leading search,' he says. 'But we will also run the CFO and CCO a bit behind because ideally we will have identified the CEO and they will be in a situation where they will be able to take part in the process for the appointment of the CFO and CCO. 'We are looking to balance the requirements across the three roles and it may not be possible to find one person who can do it all. 'There are not many people who have had that broad experience that is just a fact so we have to make sure we have a balanced senior leadership team that can meet all requirements.' Gregor Paul is one of New Zealand's most respected rugby writers and columnists. He has won multiple awards for journalism and written several books about sport.
Otago Daily Times
13 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
The puck stops here
Lydia Hortop-Blair in action for the Dunedin Thunder. PHOTO: KEAPHOTOS Four teams, three medals, two finals, one big winner. Dunedin will be abuzz with ice hockey fever again as the New Zealand women's ice hockey league finals series skates into town this weekend. It will be a big couple of days at the Dunedin Ice Stadium with all four teams in the hunt for the Goulding Cup. After the national women's league had a revamp this year, the competition was extended from six round robin games to 12 - but it all comes down to this weekend. The Auckland Steel are hunting for a three-peat after being back-to-back champions. They head into the final series as the top seed, finishing the regular season with seven wins for 23 points. Wakatipu Wild have been hot on their heels all season, wrapping up as second seed with seven wins for 22 points. Canterbury Inferno are third with four wins for 18 points and Dunedin Thunder fourth with three wins for nine points. But finals are a different beast, where anything can happen and fans in Dunedin - which hosted the men's and women's division 2, group B world championships earlier this year - will be out in force to help get the Thunder over the line. Auckland will meet Dunedin in the first semifinal tomorrow afternoon, followed by Wakatipu coming up against Canterbury. The winners of the semifinals advance to the gold medal final scheduled for Sunday night, while the losers will meet in the bronze medal playoff on Sunday afternoon. Wakatipu Wild's Kellye Nelson is having another brilliant season and leads from the front for the Queenstown side. She leads the league with 12 goals and 13 assists, but Auckland Steel's Anjali Mulari has been close behind with 11 goals. French import Lea Mullender has made her mark with the Dunedin Thunder and leads them with seven goals. The puck drops for the first semifinal at 4pm tomorrow.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Reviewing the performances of Scott Robertson and his men
Four more tries elevated his tally to 42 (from 44 tests) to edge ever closer to claiming the All Blacks' record. With 10 more tests this year few would bet against Jordan reeling in Jeff Willson (44 tires in 60 tests), Beauden Barrett (45 in 136), Julian Savea (46 in 54), Joe Rokocoko (46 in 68) and Christian Cullen 46 in 58, before setting his sights on Doug Howlett (49 in 62). Biggest mover: Fabian Holland Three successive 80-minute shifts is a huge effort for anyone, let alone a test rookie. Holland started on debut at his adopted Dunedin home to realise his dream of becoming the first Netherlands-born All Black. And with Scott Barrett ruled out of tests two and three against France, he retained starting status alongside Patrick Tuipulotu. Some test rookies need time to find their feet, to grasp the increased pace and physicality. Holland, though, never looked overawed. Comparisons to Brodie Retallick are premature – Holland has a long way to match Retallick's physicality with ball in hand – but with 27 lineout wins, 44 of 46 tackles and 112 rucks hit across the three tests, there is no questioning his long-term value to the All Blacks. Holland is 22 and merely getting started. Injuries permitting, he could well forge into a test centurion. His towering presence offsets major second-row depth concerns, too, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Sam Darry, the latter debuting last season before injury struck him down, waiting in the wings behind Barrett, Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i. All Blacks lock Fabian Holland has impressed in three test. Photo / SmartFrame Bench balance and finishing One clear directive from the All Blacks this year, after the four tests they lost in 2024 came after leading at half time, was to improve their finishing. Elements of this area have, indeed, improved. The scrum is one notable weapon thanks to the depth of their front row stocks. In the first test in Dunedin and the third in Hamilton, the All Blacks replacement front row earned crucial, match-turning penalties. With what's to come such depth and confidence in this platform cannot be understated. The balance of the All Blacks bench is not there yet, though. In the first and second tests, with their best side selected, the All Blacks scored 10 points in the final quarter. And while they finished strong in Hamilton, Jordie Barrett injected the most impact, with a try-saving tackle and the definitive line break for Brodie McAlister's late strike. Barrett would usually be starting, though. The tactic of selecting two loose forwards on the bench hasn't paid off – and the lineout malfunctioned to lose three throws when the pressure ramped up in the third test. When the likes of Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi, Scott Barrett, Asafo Aumua and Caleb Clarke return from injury, the All Blacks bench will significantly strengthen by putting the squeeze on the starting side. Playing style The intent to play fast – with quick taps and lineouts – and impose fatigue was widely evident from the All Blacks. This year, everyone is one the same page. Even under scoreboard pressure they did not deviate from the script. Through offloads, pace and attacking intent, the All Blacks are, essentially, playing to their inherent strengths. Wayne Smith's chaos theory, based on movement and keeping the ball alive with multiple attacking threats, appears to have influenced the stylistic shift. To achieve that, the All Blacks must achieve lightning quick ball. Their breakdown was compromised in the first and third tests to shine a light on their carry-and-clean urgency and technique. French No 8 Mickaël Guillard caused problems there and as the Pumas and Springboks loom, the All Blacks must address this area. Their penchant for conceding points from restarts and striking the right kick-pass balance will be other focal points. They will, though, be pleased with the leadership and composure to overcome late disruption and fight through difficult situations to emerge on top. That wasn't always the case last year. Selection Project 4/4/4 – four deep in each position over four years to win a fourth World Cup – is progressing with six more rookies – Ollie Norris, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Brodie McAlister, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Holland, Christian Lio-Willie – introduced. After missing multiple opportunities to expose fringe talent last year Robertson seized his first chance to rotate in the third test by making 10 starting changes. While the raft of adjustments stunted performance, the benefits of blooding prospects should show in time. The drop off from incumbents to the next tier is most telling at hooker and halfback. Aumua's return from his hamstring issue will improve the hooking stocks but Codie Taylor is only truly appreciated in his absence. Cam Roigard is levels above his competition, too. No one in New Zealand compares to Roigard's booming boot and sniping runs. Roigard, having only played 12 tests, is in the infancy of his All Blacks career but he is already among the world's elite halfbacks, such is his growing influence. Elsewhere, selection questions remain at centre, where Billy Proctor needs further investment, blindside flanker with the All Blacks likely to persist with Tupou Vaa'i's switch despite Samipeni Finau's impressive performance in Hamilton and the up-for-grab wings. First five-eighths depth evokes concern, but it is perhaps unfair to judge Damian McKenzie on one performance in a vastly reshaped team. Damian McKenzie makes a break against France. Photo / Photosport Biggest concern Of all the positional question marks, wing is among the most contestable. New Zealand has a long history of producing superb finishers but uncertainty prevails over who will emerge to demand starting status. Two late reshuffles – Caleb Clarke's injury in Wellington and Rieko Ioane's withdrawal in Hamilton – didn't help progress plans but after selecting two specialist wings in July, the All Blacks are arguably no closer to determining their best finishing options. Clarke's ankle injury that may sideline him for another five-to-six weeks was a notable setback as the second test stage was set for him to recapture the form that locked down the No 11 jersey for the first time in his career last year. Clarke could yet tick many boxes for the All Blacks. He's a power wing, in the mould Robertson tends to favour, and the best edge option in the air – one area France exposed the All Blacks. But after a quiet season where he's yet to score a try, Clarke needs game time to cement his claims. Jordan, the All Blacks' first-choice fullback, was their best winger against France. By some distance, too. He scored two tries in Dunedin after shifting to the edge in the first minute – and was then among the All Blacks most prominent figures two weeks later after a late promotion from the bench. Sevu Reece wasn't helped by his first-minute exit in Dunedin after a head knock but he has everything to prove at test level after an underwhelming All Blacks season last year where his pace and erratic tendencies sparked concern. Reece is also 28 – the age when All Blacks wingers traditionally decline. By the 2027 World Cup, it's difficult to envision him being the form finisher the All Blacks need. The jury remains out on Rieko Ioane's back-to-the-future switch from centre to the wing, too, which shouldn't surprise given this test series was the first time in four years he started on the edge at any level. There's a strong argument the All Blacks missed a trick by not selecting form Chiefs wings Emoni Narawa and Leory Carter in their July squad – and instead including six midfielders. Narawa started the second test in Wellington but only after Clarke's late exit to continue a lack of faith in his abilities at test level. Other emerging options include Caleb Tangitau, a revelation for the Highlanders before injury prematurely ended his campaign, and Crusaders wing/fullbacks Chay Fihaki. Leicester Fainga'anuku has returned from France to play for Tasman in the NPC and is a certainty to be called up for the All Blacks northern tour squad. Where Fainga'anuku features remains to be seen but he spent the bulk of his two years with Toulon at centre. Context Would the All Blacks have won this series against France's first-choice team? There's no definitive answer, but it does pose context to take stock of the vastly understrength opposition to start the year. The All Blacks can only play who is in front of them. NZ Rugby had no say in the longstanding agreement between the French Top 14 clubs and Les Bleus that prevents the national team from selecting players involved in their domestic final for the July internationals, which duly undermines the elite arena. The second test blowout aside, where rookies were thrown to the wolves, France's performances belied their second-string nature to speak to the Top 14's depth of talent. France cannot be accused of turning up merely for wines on Waiheke, picnics in Hamilton Gardens or soaking up Dunedin's St Clair beach. Their defensive effort in the final week of their arduous season, where they made 292 tackles, 172 more than the All Blacks, underscores their tenacity for the fight. Scott Robertson's men will faces tougher challenges against Argentina and South Africa. Photo / Photosport Assessing the All Blacks against the backdrop of France leaving their best talent at home, though, is a somewhat fraught exercise. In some ways it's the ideal start that allowed traditional rust to be shaken off and Robertson the selection freedom to use his full squad while banking wins. Now the real business arrives in the form of the Rugby Championship, starting with two away tests in Argentina before the world champion Springboks arrive for a tilt at breaking Eden Park's 50 match unbeaten run and a return clash in Wellington the following week. Those four tests between August 17 and September 13 will reveal exactly where the All Blacks sit. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
