Early Sports Chat for 11 August 2025
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RNZ News
3 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Football: Poland join list of All Whites' top-ranked opponents
Poland's Robert Lewandowski. Photo: ANDRZEJ IWANCZUK The All Whites have added world number 37 Poland to a playing schedule that already had two other top-40 ranked sides locked in, as they continue the long build-up to next year's FIFA World Cup. New Zealand will take on Poland in Chorzów on 10 October at the second-largest stadium in the country, the 54,378-capacity Stadion Śląski. The game could feature a showdown between New Zealand's all-time men's leading goalscorer, Chris Wood (44 international goals), and Poland's all-time top scorer Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, who currently has 85 goals for his country. The match will take place five days before the team faces fellow European side Norway (FIFA rank 33) at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. The two October European games follow September's home-and-away Soccer Ashes series against Australia's Socceroos (FIFA rank 24). All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said getting games against top-50 ranked opposition was part of the plan ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. "We want to make sure we are in the best place to perform come the tournament, so we're continuing to test ourselves against the kinds of top-ranked sides we could face next year. "We've shown moments against higher-ranked sides so far in this cycle, but the win over African champions Côte d'Ivoire in June really gives us confidence that we can get results at this level, which is what we'll need to do to achieve our goal of getting out of the group at the FIFA World Cup. "Poland are an experienced team with some major threats, so we're looking forward to taking them on and showing what we can do against a strong European side." Before the international fixtures Bazeley will be keeping a close eye on his players around the world in different club competitions. "We've still got players out of season, just starting the season and we've got players mid-season in the MLS and some of the European places so every one is in a different position. "We've had probably about 20 players move club in the last month, two months, so that's a little bit unsettling for everybody but until the seasons start everywhere we don't know if they've been good moves or not so. "So looking forward to seeing a lot of football over the next six to nine months before we get into that world cup." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Rugby: Final Ferns farewell before World Cup defence
The theme of the Black Ferns World Cup campaign is to 'be brave.' Coach Alan Bunting embodied this notion during their farewell at Manurewa Intermediate today, belting out a rendition of Dua Lipa's Levitating . His performance captured the energy of the goodbye perfectly, as the Ferns boogied away with their young fans before departing for their Rugby World Cup defence in England. Black Ferns (from left) Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorenson McGee at today's farewell. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Ferns fever ran absolutely rampant in South Auckland, as a deafening reception greeted the squad. Bunting said it was special to see the students so inspired by the Black Ferns. "I know that every one of these ladies here had someone to look up to and I know that for you to be her, you had to see her. These connections are vital to the Black Ferns heartbeat and we will take that with us." Black Ferns fever ran rampant at Manurewa Intermediate on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Following formalities was a Q+A with members of the school's champion girls sevens team. Asked who inspired her on her rugby journey, flanker Jorja Miller responded "Probably Richie McCaw," which drew a bit of a groan from the audience, before she continued "and Portia Woodman", as the crowd erupted in cheers. "Do you ever get scared during a game?" prop Chryss Viliko was asked. "Of course, but you overcome that and find the joy in it." Manurewa Intermediate student asks Black Ferns a question during their World Cup farewell. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi The fitting final question went to prop Tanya Kalounivale: "What do you want all the kids who love to play rugby to know?" "Enjoy the little moments." A dance party then broke out with players, staff and students rocking out to Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston and Beyonce. But the Ferns know the serious stuff is just around the corner. "It's a bit daunting but I feel we have done the hard yards to get to this position, we are prepared for what's to and we have the support of our nation and that's all that matters," Kalounivale said. "We are all we have over there." Coach Alan Bunting addresses students at Manurewa Intermediate. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi It marks a debut tournament for fellow prop Viliko. "When I think about it I get emotional, I think about my family and the people I carry with me and who have supported me on my journey." She said it won't be just her whanau she carries to the United Kingdom. "We stand on the shoulders of the wahine toa who have played before us, we wouldn't be here without them." Manurewa Intermediate students in full voice as they farewell the Black Ferns ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaign. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi As for what 'being brave' looks like come World Cup time? "Putting our hand up, giving it a go, and playing with freedom." The quest to go back to back begins. Manurewa Intermediate pupils were excited to see the players on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi 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
NZ Warriors star Kurt Capewell suffers delayed concussion after returning against Bulldogs
NZ Warriors v St George-Illawarra Dragons 8pm Friday, 15 August Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Kurt Capewell reflects on defeat to Canterbury Bulldogs. Photo: NZ Warriors star Kurt Capewell has suffered a case of delayed concussion that has forced him out of their crucial NRL clash with St George-Illawarra Dragons on Friday. The Queensland second-rower was sent from the field for a head injury assessment during the second half against Canterbury Bulldogs last Saturday, but passed the check and was allowed back after a 15-minute stand-down. Capewell duly re-entered the contest with five minutes remaining, but was subsequently re-assessed and ruled out against the Dragons. "I think the biggest thing for that scenario is you do the assessment and they pass, then those symptoms raise their head the next day or the week after," coach Andrew Webster said. "I've heard of players get delayed concussions. I don't think anyone has a crystal ball as a process and our medical team do a great job off that. "He passed and, if anything, we're like let's do the right thing by Kurt this week and make sure he's OK." While it's not ideal that a player can suffer a head knock, pass a check and return to the game, and then present with symptoms afterwards, it illustrates that the process is not foolproof, because each concussion case is different. "Six-day turnaround… we had a look at him the next day and the day after, and we wanted to give him time," Webster said. "That's all it was. "I think our medical team did a great job." Capewell will be replaced in the starting line-up by teenage sensation Leka Halasima, but his absence further erodes the Warriors depth. With utility Te Maire Martin also sitting out the encounter with concussion, Webster has no real back cover on his bench. Halfback Martin lasted just 23 minutes, before reeling from a tackle, and he was ruled out almost immediately he arrived at the sideline. "He had the wobbly boot, but he knew what was going on straight away," Webster said. "Everyone saw he was in a rush to get back in the defence. "Ask any boxer, if you don't take the standing eight count in those scenarios and take your time to get to your feet, you can lose your legs a bit. "He was frustrated, because he couldn't remember everything. He was in a rush and had the wobbly boot, but that's no reason not to go through the proper protocols and he's obviously not playing." Normally, without Martin, Capewell could slip into centre, where he made his State of Origin debut for the Maroons, and the backline rotate around that. On Saturday, when Martin left, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shifted to the halves and Capewell into the midfield. Without Capewell, his team may have to turn to Halasima, who apparently has the ability to play in the midfield and probably covered there during Capewell's HIA. Halasima himself had to leave moments after Martin for a head check, but passed and returned to play the entire second half with no apparent ill effects. Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick, 20. Ed Kosi, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Kayliss Fatialofa, 25. Bunty Afoa Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
