New Zealand Rugby board visits Heartland unions in Gisborne and Ruatōria
New Zealand Rugby board members enjoyed glorious weather for their visit to Gisborne and trip to Ruatōria for the Ngāti Porou East Coast-Poverty Bay derby. Pictured are (from left) Marise James, Doug Jones (of Gisborne), Julia Raue, 132-test All Black Keven Mealamu, Catherine Savage, Caren Rangi, Grant Jarrold, 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning skipper and board chair David Kirk, Gisborne-born, eight-test All Black Matthew Cooper and New Zealand Rugby president Greg Barclay (of Gisborne). Photo / Paul Rickard
The new board of New Zealand Rugby may be dominated by metropolitan residents and a Sydney-based chairman, but the board members valued the opportunity to experience the culture of Heartland rugby in Poverty Bay and East Coast over King's birthday weekend.
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RNZ News
2 hours ago
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"Celebration and reflection"
Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji leads his teammates as players of of Fiji perform the Cibi prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Fiji at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 17, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. Photo: World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images The former Flying Fijians captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, has announced his retirement from test rugby. Nayacalevu, 33, made the announcement through the Fiji Rugby Union in Suva on Wednesday. He made his international debut in 2012 and went on to earn 43 caps for the Flying Fijians, becoming a fan favorite for his powerful runs, defensive prowess, and inspirational leadership. He captained Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Fiji famously beat Australia 22-15, the first time they had beaten the Wallabies in 15s for nearly 70 years. Nayacalevu was also involved in a spat with the union after he alleged corruption in the ranks. In a tell-all with the Daily Mail, he made claims including that the team almost boycotted the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match against England because they weren't paid what was "promised" to them by the union. The union said it engaged the services of I. Naiveli & Co Chartered Accountants to conduct an investigation, and no players came forward with evidence of corruption. Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji leads the Cibi during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Wales and Fiji at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on September 10, 2023 in Bordeaux, France. Photo: World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images Before earning his test caps, Nayacalevu was also a key member of the Fiji sevens team. "Today is a day of both celebration and reflection - a day I never imagined would come so quickly when I first wore the white jersey of Fiji back in 2012," he said. "After more than a decade representing my country, my family, and myself on the rugby field, I stand before you to announce my retirement from international rugby. "This is not an easy decision - because rugby has been more than just a game to me. It's been my passion, my purpose, and my teacher. "It has taken me around the world, allowed me to form lifelong bonds, and given me the honor of standing shoulder to shoulder with warriors who bleed for this nation." Nayacalevu thanked his team-mates, saying they had "become my brothers". "We've shared sweat, pain, joy, and glory together. I'll carry those memories forever. "To the coaches and staff who believed in me and helped shape me into the player and man I am today - vinaka vakalevu." Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji celebrates after he dives in to score a try against Wales Photo: PHOTOSPORT Nayacalevu said he owed a lot to his family, and also paid tribute to the fans. "To the people of Fiji - thank you for your endless love. Whether it was a roar from the crowd at home, a flag in the stands overseas, or a quiet word of encouragement - I felt your pride every time I stepped onto the field." FRU Board chairman John Sanday, said Nayacalevu was a true Fiji rugby ambassador "on and off the field". "His dedication, skill, and leadership have inspired countless young players across the nation," Sanday, a former Flying Fijian himself, said. "While we will miss seeing him in the white jersey, his legacy will live on." Flying Fijians head coach, Mick Byrne, also acknowledged Nayacalevu. "Waisea has been an inspirational captain for many years. Leading them through a successful 2023 [Rugby World Cup]," Byrne said. "It was a pleasure to work with Waisea over the past season. He was very supportive and a strong voice for the players." Nayacalevu will continue playing club rugby in France for Nice. He is expected to play in France's third tier, Pro D2, having played previosuly for Ospreys in Wales, plus Stade Français and Toulon in France.
NZ Herald
4 hours ago
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On The Up: Inside the provincial football team taking on and beating cashed-up big city clubs
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Photo / Neil Reid The National League during that period has been made up of: the top four finishers in the Northern League; the Wellington Phoenix Reserves and the top three from the Central League; and the Southern League's top two sides. To make Napier City Rovers' achievement even more profound, one of the five other clubs – the Wellington Phoenix Reserves – are guaranteed a National League spot regardless of where they finish in the Central League via their participation agreement with NZF. Napier City Rovers captain Jim Hoyle has had another strong year with the football club he's called home since 2015. Photo / Neil Reid As Napier City Rovers hunt a hoped-for fourth successive qualification to the competition, coach Bill Robertson has opened up on how his side has bucked the otherwise big-city domination of the league spots. 'There's a lot of hard work that goes into our success,' he said. 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Napier City Rovers hope to take another step towards the hoped-for fourth successive National League qualification on Sunday when they host Wellington team Western Suburbs in round-10 Central League action. Robertson's team go into the match in fourth place, two competition points ahead of their weekend rivals. The coach is after his team to concentrate on their 'processes' rather than the points table; saying if they do that successfully, the results will follow. Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson wants his players to concentrate on their processes, not the Central League points table. Photo / Neil Reid But there's no mistaking the burning desire throughout the coaching, management, and playing group to again reach the National League. 'That would be an incredible achievement,' Robertson said. 'The consistency we've shown to perform at a high level and secure the results we need to qualify for the past three years is fantastic. We're obviously trying to do that again. 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Striker Jordan Annear - pictured having a break after a training session - was outstanding in Napier City Rovers' Chatham Cup second round win over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves. Photo / Neil Reid In came Annear – later rightly judged man of the match after a storming performance – Kaeden Atkins, and Jack Albertini. Like Annear, Atkins and Albertini also took their chance to remind Robertson of just how well they can contribute. 'The boys that came in did well,' Robertson said. 'There's good depth in the squad and we need that. 'All the other games we've played, aside from the Central League loss to the Wellington Phoenix, we've been very competitive. 'And I think we can improve in the second half of the season which is a positive. There's definitely more to see from us in the second half of the season.' >> Inside the Rovers video series: Episode 1: Match Fit Episode 2: Teen's Dream Episode 3: New Beginnings Episode 4: For Keeps Episode 5: Kiwi Steve Episode 6: Capital Punishment Episode 7: Bouncing back Episode 8: The Centurion Episode 9: The Running Man Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
14 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.
