Latest news with #AntonLienertBrown
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Anton Lienert-Brown to play in Japan, signs on again with NZ Rugby
Anton Lienert-Brown looks to pass for the All Blacks against France in the third test at Hamilton, Saturday 19 July 2025. Photo: Photosport Veteran All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will miss Super Rugby next year as part of a sabbatical to play in Japan. The sabbatical is allowed for in his current contract, which is valid until the end of 2026. His new contract announced today will see him available for the All Blacks, the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Waikato in NPC until the end of 2028. The 30-year-old chalked up his 86th cap for the All Blacks against France in Hamilton on Saturday. He will team up with Ardie Savea at the Kobe Steelers for Japan's League One competition , where his former mentor at the Chiefs, Dave Rennie, is coach and former All Blacks and Chiefs team-mate Brodie Retallick is captain. Lienert-Brown and Savea will return home after their stints in Japan and be available for the All Blacks' July series. Lienert-Brown has had an interrupted season, after a month out with a leg injury followed by a few months recuperating from a broken collarbone suffered against the Force in April. "I'm excited to re-commit to New Zealand Rugby through to 2028. This year's been frustrating with injuries outside of my control but pulling on the black jersey again last Saturday reminded me just how special this journey really is. "Representing Waikato, the Chiefs, and my country is something I never take for granted. My decision to stay reflects my commitment, not just to the teams I play for, but to giving everything I've got to the work that lies ahead." Lienert-Brown has played 126 games through 12 Super Rugby campaigns and 22 matches for Waikato. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Lienert-Brown was a player who embodied the values of the All Blacks jersey. "His experience, composure, and clarity in the midfield are hugely valuable. He's overcome injury setbacks in recent years and has shown real resilience. We're thrilled to have him locked in through to 2028, and the experience he'll gain in Japan will only enhance his game and leadership."
France 24
19-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Robertson relieved as All Blacks survive fierce France challenge
New Zealand took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as an under-strength France faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one. Robertson commended the "gallant" performance of the tourists, who had left most of their best players at home. "They've come over here to our beautiful winter and put on a performance like that. They'd be very proud," Robertson told reporters. "We'll be better for the experience as a group. Ten points down at one stage and we found a way, played some really good footy and we're better for it." France's bigger forward pack and greater physical commitment helped them dominate the first half. The visitors led 10-0 early and then 19-10 on the stroke of half-time before centre Anton Lienert-Brown scored a key try to reduce the deficit at the break to two points. The hosts played with greater energy in the second half, keeping France scoreless and creating tries for forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, who were both making their first Test starts. Captain Ardie Savea admitted his New Zealand side, featuring 10 starting changes, were caught off guard. "We got kind of punched in the nose in the first half and then, you know, we came back in the second," Savea said. "We were able to build phases and build pressure. We converted it into points." The victory sealed a series in which France were highly competitive despite their depleted squad. They lost a combative first Test 31-27 in Dunedin but were well beaten 41-17 in the second Test in Wellington. "I'm really proud of the boys, the effort we put in today," said France lock Joshua Brennan. "It's a shame we lost but we played against a great All Black team and I'm just proud of the performance." Courage not enough "These last two weeks, the way we've evolved our rugby as well, I'm really proud," added Brennan. New Zealand have swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018. "We hung on, we were courageous, but at this level, it's not enough unfortunately," France wing Theo Attissogbe told Canal Plus television. "So we have to be realistic, we're leaving with three defeats, but we're going to continue to work hard and we'll see what we're lacking to reach the level of the best in the world." France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec crossed early for the first of his 16 points, darting down the blind side from a lineout drive. His conversion and a penalty goal put the visitors 10 points clear before All Blacks wing Will Jordan struck against the run of play, chasing down a clever kick from scrum-half Cortez Ratima to score his 42nd try in 44 Tests. France scored two more Le Garrec penalties and a drop-goal by fly-half Antoine Hastoy. The home side finally edged ahead 22-19 when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flanker Kirifi crossed for his first Test try. Hooker McAlister had a moment to savour on debut off the bench when he supported a break by Jordie Barrett and ran 15 metres to score the final try and seal the match in the dying minutes.
RNZ News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks talk up Hamilton before tonight's test against France
The French rugby team might have snubbed Hamilton, but the All Blacks were full of praise for the city before tonight's test against 'Les Bleus'. France have never played a test match in Hamilton and more than 25,000 fans are expected to fill the stands. Last week, they caused a stir with their decision to go to Auckland after the Wellington test , staying there before the series finale against the All Blacks down State Highway 1. The All Blacks have been in the city all week though, training on local fields and enjoying the city. Coach Scott Robertson said it was obvious they were in "rugby country". "You walk down the street, everyone's so passionate," he said. "They love this team, so it's great to be here." All Blacks coach Scott Robertson loves being back in 'The Tron'. Photo: Kerry Marshall/ Midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown offered a local menu plan for fans who wanted to "eat like an All Black". "Go to Hamilton East, go over to Made, Reggie's Pizza - you can't beat it," he said. "Get a gelato on the way out, you'll be happy." Lienert-Brown plays for the local Chiefs Super Rugby team and said his usual order was a Classic Margherita. Anton Lienert-Brown dispensed dining advice for visitors to Hamilton. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Fullback Ruben Love wasn't so familiar with the city, but had warm memories of the wider region. "I was here in 2022 for the Māori All Blacks and we went out to Ngāruawāhia," he said. "I think it's just out of Hamilton and we went to the pa there [Tūrangawaewae Marae] to visit the Kīngitanga. "That was pretty special, I'll never forget that." FMG Stadium Waikato director Ben Slatter said ticketholders should aim to arrive early. "With a soldout crowd expected, arriving early is essential - you won't want to miss the haka or kickoff." Mayor Paula Southgate said the city was thrilled to host the game. "It's a truly historic moment," she said. "Whether you're at the meet and greet, in the stands or watching from home, it's going to be an unforgettable weekend." Local hotels, restaurants and retailers were bracing for a weekend of record foot traffic. "Big games like this bring incredible energy and major economic impact," Southgate said. "Last time the All Blacks played here, we saw more than 8500 bed nights and $1.7 million in tourism spend - a huge boost for our local businesses and economy." Tonight's clash marks the final of the three New Zealand tests, with the All Blacks already clinching the series with victory in the first two. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
France 24
13-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
All Blacks to make wholesale changes for third France Test
An improved All Blacks outclassed a depleted France 43-17 in the second Test in Wellington to seal the series with a game to spare. New Zealand made only two changes to the starting team who scraped to a 31-27 win in the first Test in Dunedin. Speaking the day after the victory, Holland said a new-look line-up will be fielded on Saturday in Hamilton, staying true to a pre-series pledge to give all 35 New Zealand squad members game time. "The general mindset was to make sure that everyone gets a taste of some Test footy in these three games, so I don't think anything will change there," Holland told reporters on Sunday. Next week's team is set to include uncapped hooker Brodie McAlister, loose forwards Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson, and backs Noah Hotham, Ruben Love and Anton Lienert-Brown. Holland was delighted with the improvement shown in Wellington as the All Blacks opened up a 29-3 half-time lead over a vastly inexperienced France side, who left most of their first-choice players at home. "We know we've got lots and lots of areas we still need to be better," said Holland. Coaching challenge "There'll be no lack of motivation to keep getting better and I'm sure the boys will add something when they get their opportunity." Tighter French defence forced New Zealand into mistakes in a second half that saw France and New Zealand both score 14 points. "We felt in the last 20 minutes we could have finished better than we did and really put them away," said Holland. "We've just got to have variations that don't over-complicate things. That's the challenge in coaching these days, I reckon." Holland said Tupou Vaa'i was a doubt for the third Test after the back-row forward failed an initial head injury assessment after being substituted in the second half. Vaa'i has been a standout performer in the series, scoring tries in both Tests to justify a decision to convert the athletic 25-year-old to the back row from lock, where he won his first 38 All Blacks caps. "It's exciting I reckon, obviously Tupou gives you another big man in your lineout but also he's a mobile man and he's quick around the park," Holland said, indicating Vaa'i would continue in his new role. "He likes to put a shoulder on defensively in there and has all the good attributes of a number six so I reckon it's really exciting." Holland said wing Caleb Clarke, who was replaced in the second Test starting line-up after suffering an ankle injury in training, will be out for "five to six weeks". It means Clarke is ruled out of the opening two Rugby Championship Tests in Argentina on August 16 and 23.
