Latest news with #Haig
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Rugby must tackle its coaching respect issue after Milton Haig quits
This focus on high-performance coaching set-ups is a result of the surprise announcement on Wednesday that New Zealand Under-20 head coach Milton Haig, having steered the team to a Rugby Championship title a few weeks ago, has stepped down just days before the team is due to depart for the Junior World Championships in Italy. Haig, an experienced coach who has strong provincial experience in New Zealand, was at the helm of Georgia at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has spent time with the Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath, said there were differences in opinion between him and his assistants about the team's style of rugby. He obviously felt those different views were irreconcilable and that, if he didn't have the support of his fellow coaches (Jarrad Hoeata, Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea), it would be best for the team – specifically the players – if he fell on his sword. It was the honourable thing to do – a selfless act that demonstrated a recognition that ego and personal ambition can never be put ahead of the interests of the team. But can the same be said of his assistants, who, based on the facts as they have been presented, didn't seem to recognise that they were there to support and facilitate Haig's strategic vision and not impose their own? Milton Haig, when working with the US women's team. Photo / Getty Images Haig's actions may have been honourable, but the longer-term ramifications of a head coach sacrificing himself to appease his assistants are potentially significant and dangerous for the elite game. Whatever happened to sucking it up? To not liking something but doing it anyway because that's your job? There are workplaces across the country where people won't agree with the strategy being pursued by the boss, or don't particularly like their management style, but they get on with doing what is required and requested because this is part and parcel of being an adult and beholden to uphold professional standards. Rugby, to its credit, has tried to build collaborative coaching environments where assistants and specialists are encouraged to own their field, but perhaps there needs to be a re-evaluation in the wake of Haig's departure about how far down the track they want to go in this shift away from authoritarian regimes. There's room for assistants to be empowered, but not so much that they forget the subordinate nature of their roles. The best environments should operate with an element of professional friction, but not so much that the pushback undermines or disrespects the head coach's ultimate authority. Haig's unexpected decision to quit is not quite the isolated act it may seem. It marks the third time in as many years that a New Zealand national team has had some kind of dramatic and sudden shift in its internal coaching dynamics. In 2022, the Black Ferns were left scrambling to put a coaching team together only five months before the World Cup. Last year, All Blacks assistant Leon MacDonald quit after just five tests. MacDonald's departure was explained as a lack of compatibility between him and head coach Scott Robertson. Leaving aside the question of why this discovery wasn't made earlier, when they worked together at the Crusaders, it does suggest that there is a creeping problem of people thinking that their ambition to be a head coach should be catered for in any role they take. Something seems wrong with the wider culture – that there has been a failure to manage expectations, define boundaries and instil within all those entering the elite coaching ranks that teams need not only a clear hierarchy, but for that hierarchy to be recognised, respected and understood. New Zealand's great strength in previous eras was the ability of high-performance coaching teams to be able to disagree but commit. Between 2004 and 2011, when the three heavyweight figures of Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith coached the All Blacks, the latter two didn't always agree with what the former was trying to achieve or the way he wanted them to do it, but they knew and respected that what they felt was ultimately not important. It was Henry's vision they were there to implement, not their own. Maybe now that a generation of Millennials is starting to win high-performance roles, that same ingrained respect for the hierarchy isn't there. Someone needs to get on top of this and restore order before every national coaching team is undermined or disrupted by the chaos that unfolds when there is confusion about who is in charge.
Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Title-winning NZ U-20 coach steps down after just a month
Milton Haig, pictured during his time in charge of Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, in 2022. New Zealand Under-20 head coach Milton Haig has stepped down just a month into the role, citing a difference in approach to the rest of his coaching staff. The former Southland player recently led the side to the Under-20 Rugby Championship title in South Africa, but said his decision was based on what he believed was best for the team. "I do not feel I'm fully aligned with the coaching group around things like playing style, so have made the difficult decision to step aside to give the team its best chance of reaching its full potential," he said. Haig was appointed last month and was due to take the side through to the World Championship in Italy in June and July. He has a lengthy coaching pedigree having previously coached Counties Manukau in the NPC, the national Georgia team, Bay of Plenty and Suntory Sungoliatah in Japan. Haig headed a four strong coaching group of Jarrad Hoeata, Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea who were all appointed by New Zealand Rugby. "Milton's a quality coach and person has done a great job laying the foundations for the team over the past two months. His record over time is evidence of his coaching ability and it was great to see the team perform so well in South Africa," NZR high performance player development manager Matt Sexton said. "We respect his decision to step away and admire his courage in putting the team before himself." Haig said winning in South Africa was a highlight for the team and himself. "Helping the players succeed was my primary motivation for taking the role and I believe they have the skills and drive to be successful at the World Championships in Italy," he said. Haig said he would continue in his role as a World Rugby high-performance consultant.
1News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
'Baby Blacks' coach Haig quits on eve of under-20s world champs
Milton Haig has delivered a bombshell only weeks before the World Rugby Under-20 championship by resigning as New Zealand's head coach. Haig, who helped coach the "Baby Blacks" to their repeat Under-20 Rugby Championship victory in South Africa recently, cited differences of opinion in the coaching group and said he believed his decision was best for the team. 'I'm grateful to New Zealand Rugby for the opportunity to return home and work with a talented group of players and management," Haig said in a statement. "Winning in South Africa was a highlight for the team and myself. Helping the players succeed was my primary motivation for taking the role and I believe they have the skills and drive to be successful at the World Championships in Italy. 'However, I do not feel I'm fully aligned with the coaching group around things like playing style, so have made the difficult decision to step aside to give the team its best chance of reaching its full potential. I sincerely wish the players, coaches and management all the best for the remainder of the campaign and will be supporting them from afar.' ADVERTISEMENT Jarrad Hoeata, Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea are the team's other coaches. Haig, a former head coach of the Georgia national team who coached at Suntory in Japan recently, said he would spend more time with family and focus fully on his role as a World Rugby high-performance consultant. For New Zealand Rugby, Haig's decision may bring back memories of All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald's sudden resignation last year. MacDonald, who has never spoken publicly about his decision, claimed differences of opinion with head coach Scott Robertson. The big difference in the case of Haig, however, is that he was the head coach. NZ Rugby high performance development manager Matt Sexton said: 'Milton's a quality coach and person and has done a great job laying the foundations for the team over the past two months. "His record over time is evidence of his coaching ability and it was great to see the team perform so well in South Africa. We respect his decision to step away and admire his courage in putting the team before himself.' Sexton said one coach would be added to the group ahead of the World Championship which starts for New Zealand with a match against hosts Italy on June 29.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Evil Scots beautician who shared glam selfies after stabbing drug dealer boyfriend to death jailed for eight years
Ex-hairdresser Dionne Christie, 24, was 12 weeks pregnant when she brutally knifed her partner in the heart STONE COLD KILLER Evil Scots beautician who shared glam selfies after stabbing drug dealer boyfriend to death jailed for eight years A WOMAN who killed her boyfriend after stabbing him in the heart has been jailed for eight and a half years. Dionne Christie struck Jevin Haig, 21, in the chest with his own 12-inch hunting knife as they struggled in the bedroom of her flat in Falkirk, Stirlingshire on June 26 2022. 5 Dionne Christie was found guilty of killing her partner, Jevin Haig Credit: Central Scotland News Agency 5 Jevin Haig was killed by a knife wound to the chest Credit: Collect 5 Evil Christie continued to post glamourous pouty selfies on social media during the trial Credit: Facebook The 24 year-old mum-of-two had been 12-weeks pregnant with Mr Haig's child at the time. First-offender Christie was today sentenced via video-link at the High Court in Glasgow. She had earlier stood trial in Stirling accused of murder before being convicted of the reduced charge of culpable homicide. We told how she shared glamorous selfies during the trial moaning it had been the "hardest years" of her life. Jurors concluded she had been acting under provocation at the time. Christie - who ran her own beauty aesthetics business - appeared emotional as the jail-term was imposed by judge Lady Poole. Jurors at the trial in March heard how Christie had delayed dialling 999 for several minutes after the incident. She had first gone to ask a neighbour to alert her mum that her "friend" was hurt, but that no ambulance was needed. Prosecutors had claimed this showed "wicked disregard" as to whether her lover lived or died. Christie had initially blamed Mr Haig, of Moredun, Edinburgh, during the emergency call. Jaw-dropping moment Melody Farris blames son for 'perfect murder' before she's convicted of husband's gruesome death She told the operator: "He has come in, he has been trying to start with me. "He has smashed all my house and brought out a knife - a big knife. "He has a got a stab mark right in his chest." Christie was asked during the call if Mr Haig had stabbed himself. She replied: "It is while we have been was grabbing me, he had the knife in his pants. Do not know how I have done this." Police initially turned up and Christie insisted her boyfriend had injured himself. But, forensic evidence linked her as being responsible including her DNA and fingerprint being on the knife. Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC had stated during the trial that Christie had stabbed Mr Haig in a fit of anger because he no longer had any money as a crime funded lifestyle was drying up. In texts the day before he died, Mr Haig told Christie he had been 'losing out on deals' and suggested they should stay in because a hotel they had discussed going to was 'dead'. 5 Christie has been caged for eight years for the death 5 Christie had initially blamed Mr Haig during the emergency call Credit: Central Scotland News Agency Christie - who used the name 'Designer' for messaging - replied back: 'You know what is dead? You.' She denied in evidence this had been an intention to kill and instead said the pair had gone on to chat and joke about a social media posting she had made. Christie also alleged Mr Haig had been trying to cut their unborn baby from her womb at the time of the attack. She did not know how he ended up being fatally injured. However, jurors heard claims the mum had previously been violent to Mr Haig including stabbing him in the leg and slashing his designer jacket. Ian Duguid KC, defending, today told the court: "As far as remorse and regret, these are both sentiments and emotions expressed by this young lady." Sentencing, Lady Poole said it appeared Mr Haig had not led a "blameless life", but that "did not excuse" Christie killing him. The judge: "Messages showed he cared for you and he was happy going for a scan appointment with you. "It was clear at the trial how upset his family are at his death. "Victim impact statements describe the deep grief and lasting impact the loss has had on them. "Your actions ended his life early."
STV News
07-05-2025
- STV News
Mum-of-two who killed boyfriend by stabbing him in heart jailed
A mum-of-two killed her boyfriend with a single stab wound to the heart has been jailed for eight and half years. Dionne Christie struck Jevin Haig in the chest with his own hunting knife as they struggled in the bedroom of her flat in Falkirk. The 24-year-old was found guilty of culpable homicide in March after a two-week trial. The 12-inch long knife – which Mr Haig was said to carry in his waistband at all times for 'protection' – sliced through his t-shirt, skin, cartilage and bone, entering his chest cavity and piercing his heart. Police Scotland Dionne Christie killed her partner with a hunting knife. The High Court in Stirling heard the wound caused massive blood loss and would have interrupted the electrical activity of the vital organ, meaning medical attention was so urgent that even if it had happened in an operating theatre, it might have been unsurvivable. Christie told the court that Mr Haig had been trying to cut their unborn baby out of her womb, grabbing her from behind and holding her tighter and tighter with his Bowie knife close to her stomach before she managed to get free, only to find he had a stab wound in his chest. She said she didn't know how this happened. The incident unfolded in Christie's Falkirk flat on June 26, 2022. Christie and her victim were both 21 at the time of the killing on June 26, 2022. Christie was the mum of two young girls and was 12 weeks pregnant with Mr Haig's child. Christie's defence lawyer, Ian Duguid KC, described the incident as 'a tragedy for both families'. The court heard that Christie delayed for several minutes before calling 999. She first went downstairs to ask a neighbour to call her mum – reassuring him that 'her friend' was hurt but didn't need an ambulance and her mother 'worked in the hospital'. Her mum was a cardiology department cleaner. Prosecutors said this showed such 'wicked disregard' for Mr Haig's life it meant she did not care whether he lived or died. During a ten-day trial, jurors heard that when she did call 999, Christie had immediately blamed Mr Haig. She told the operator: 'He's come in, he's been trying to start with me, he's smashed all my house and brought out a knife, a big knife. He's got a stab mark right in the chest.' The operator asked if Mr Haig had stabbed himself, and Christie initially responded: 'Sorry?'. She continued: 'It's while we've been like, he was grabbing me, he had the knife in his pants. don't know how I've done this.' When police arrived, minutes behind the ambulance, Christie said Mr Haig had stabbed himself. Forensic evidence revealed her DNA and a fingerprint on the knife, and a cut on her left ring finger showing where, the prosecution had claimed, her dominant hand had slipped over the hilt onto the blade as the knife hit home. Jurors heard that another explanation was that she had touched the knife before performing CPR. Christie told the court that after Mr Haig's death, she felt 'forced' to terminate the pregnancy. Graeme Jessop KC, the advocate depute, said she had stabbed Mr Haig in a fit of anger while packing his bags because he no longer had any money. In a text conversation the day before he died, Mr Haig told Christie he'd been 'losing out on deals' and suggested they should stay in because a hotel they'd discussed going to was 'dead'. Christie, who used the name 'Designer' for messaging, texted back: 'You know what's dead? You.' She told the court the message had not been about an intention to kill and pointed out the context – the pair had gone on to chat and joke about an Instagram story of Christie's. The court heard claims Christie had been violent previously towards Mr Haig, stabbing him in the leg, slashing the Canada Goose jacket, and cutting up most of his clothes. Christie, now 24, of Polmont, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Haig, from Moredun, Edinburgh. The jury of nine men and six women were told that if they accepted that Mr Haig had been trying to cut out the baby, they might consider that Christie had acted 'in hot blood' and could find her guilty of the alternative charge of culpable homicide. They found Christie guilty of culpable homicide by a majority verdict after deliberating for nearly five hours. On Wednesday, May 7, Ian Duguid KC, defending, told the court that Christie had expressed remorse and regret. In sentencing Christie, judget Lady Poole said it appeared Mr Haig had not led a 'blameless life', but that 'did not excuse' his killing. The judge said: 'Messages showed he cared for you and he was happy going for a scan appointment with you. 'It was clear at the trial how upset his family are at his death. 'Victim impact statements describe the deep grief and lasting impact the loss has had on them. Your actions ended his life early.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
