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NZ Herald
20-07-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Former All Black Kevin Mealamu joins Creative NZ board, shares health update
'I always thought I'd be illustrating a few more children's books, which I've been lucky enough to do. I think even governance, I don't think it's something that many people think about doing. I think I feel really very honoured and blessed and privileged to be able to do it.' Whilst navigating the complex ecosystems of governance, having joined the board of New Zealand Rugby too, Mealamu has also been on the mend after finding out he has a heart condition known as Atrial Fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat. Keven Mealamu (right) with All Blacks teammate Jerome Kaino and the Webb Ellis trophy after winning the Rugby World Cup final in 2015. Photo / Photosport Last year, he shared footage on social media showing him collapsing at a gym. He found out he had the condition after two heavy training bouts in preparation for a charity boxing event in 2022. 'Sometimes when I look back, I think to myself, 'what was I thinking?' But it's probably that mentality of coming out of professional sports, just loving the opportunity to challenge yourself,' Mealamu tells Culture 101. Since then, he's undergone medical procedures and been in and out of hospital to treat it for the past three years. 'I had one done before Christmas and it had been in rhythm. But I found out a couple of weeks ago it's gone back into AFib again. 'I don't have the symptoms where some people find it really hard to walk or [it] just comes on really spontaneously. But I'm able to control mine.' Bringing a lens that connects people Mealamu's ultimate dream to be an All Black was always a clear vision in his head. But he knew he couldn't just sit and wait around – someone had to pay the bills, he says. So while chasing a professional rugby career, he took on an apprenticeship opportunity that came via his school coach: signwriting. To get to his workplace, he remembers he would bike from Māngere to Ōtara, which he considered part of his training as well. 'I can't remember how many times I'd get a flatty and have to be shamefully walking my bike all the way home. So when I had the opportunity to go into rugby, it was probably one of the cool things. I was like, 'yes, I don't have to bike to work anymore'.' Keven Mealamu thanks his supporters after his last game for the Blues at Eden Park, Auckland on June 12, 2015. Photo / Photosport Now he sees how the two fields – art and sport – align in that they can both have an impact on the community. 'You can feel the passion in what both art and sport do. You can feel the passion in who's presenting it,' Mealamu says. 'You look at one of the most influential rugby players around in the world at the moment, Ardie Savea, and just the way he expresses himself and the way he carries himself, there's a strong cultural bit to him as well.' Being at the helm is a big part of who he is, he says, having captained the All Blacks three times and remaining a key part of the leadership group for more than a decade. 'I think what I do bring to the [Creative New Zealand] board is an authentic Pacific Island New Zealander leader. So that lens, I think, is really important. A lens that has been through community all the way to the very top of my sport but also work[s] well with other leaders and community.' But if there's something he's wistful about, it's the fact he didn't join earlier. 'I just wish I was on earlier to be able to share that moment with my Mum, because as proud as I am being able to have both my parents around as I became an All Black, this one also would have been something that she would have been really proud of as well.' – RNZ
The South African
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Female fans crush on single Siya Kolisi after Rachel's crying post
Siya Kolisi has attracted a flurry of attention from female admirers after the Springboks returned to his hometown of Gqeberha. The captain of the South African rugby team is newly single after splitting from his former wife, Rachel Kolisi, last October. Although the Springbok captain sat out the game against Italy over an injury 'niggle', Siya Kolisi kept himself busy in the lead up to the game by spending time with friends and family in his hometown of Gqeberha. On matchday, Siya brought out the Webb Ellis trophy for the crowd gathered at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. In pictures posted on the Springboks' social media account, Siya was seen getting a lot of love from his hometown fans, including his female ones. One image saw a fan hold up a handwritten poster that read: 'Hey Siya, I only came to C ya. #crush'. In the image were several beautiful ladies who smiled in a selfie taken by him. Meanwhile, Siya Kolisi's TikTok video of him happily dancing in public has attracted mixed views after his former wife, Rachel Kolisi, posted her own video of her crying amid an anxiety attack. Rachel shared an emotional post about going through a divorce and the difficulties in co-parenting. At several points, the former Springbok WAG burst into tears. @siyakolisi There's no place like home 🕺🏾 I love being in GQ! #southafrica #gqeberha ♬ iWalk Ye Phara (feat. Moonchild Sanelly, K.O & Zulu Mkhathini) – DJ Maphorisa & DJ Raybel While many sympathised with Rachel, others didn't believe her emotional state should influence her ex, Siya. @vickeydouglas283: 'So he must cry because she is crying? Guys, life is not a Nigerian movie' @nozipee: 'I'm happy he's not showing the world what it wants to see….. heal in private. They wanna see you crash out so bad' @thembisil.e: 'Argh man, he's just living his life'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Evergreen Nonu re-signs with Toulon, aged 43
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw and Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand (L-R) pose with the Webb Ellis trophy after winning the Rugby World Cup Final against Australia at Twickenham in London, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File Photo New Zealand great Ma'a Nonu has extended his stay with Toulon after signing a one-year deal with the Top 14 club at the age of 43. The evergreen centre made a surprise comeback to Toulon in February, arriving as medical cover for the last months of the 2024-25 season and becoming the oldest Top 14 player when he took the field against Castres in March. A twice-World Cup winner capped 103 times for the All Blacks, Nonu is in his third stint at Toulon after spells from 2015-18 and 2020-21. Toulon also confirmed the arrival of seven new players including former England number eight Zach Mercer, Italy centre Ignacio Brex and New Caledonia-born talent Patrick Tuifua, a hulking 20-year-old flanker who turned down a Super Rugby contract with New Zealand side Wellington Hurricanes. Toulon were knocked out of the 2025 semi-finals by runners-up Bordeaux-Begles. The new Top 14 season starts on September 6. REUTERS
The Star
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Evergreen Nonu re-signs with Toulon, aged 43
FILE PHOTO: Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw and Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand (L-R) pose with the Webb Ellis trophy after winning the Rugby World Cup Final against Australia at Twickenham in London, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File Photo (Reuters) -New Zealand great Ma'a Nonu has extended his stay with Toulon after signing a one-year deal with the Top 14 club at the age of 43. The evergreen centre made a surprise comeback to Toulon in February, arriving as medical cover for the last months of the 2024-25 season and becoming the oldest Top 14 player when he took the field against Castres in March. A twice-World Cup winner capped 103 times for the All Blacks, Nonu is in his third stint at Toulon after spells from 2015-18 and 2020-21. Toulon also confirmed the arrival of seven new players including former England number eight Zach Mercer, Italy centre Ignacio Brex and New Caledonia-born talent Patrick Tuifua, a hulking 20-year-old flanker who turned down a Super Rugby contract with New Zealand side Wellington Hurricanes. Toulon were knocked out of the 2025 semi-finals by runners-up Bordeaux-Begles. The new Top 14 season starts on September 6. (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
1995 Springbok replica jersey price: What you should expect to pay
NOSTALGIA The 1995 Springbok replica jersey, commemorates South Africa's first Rugby World Cup victory and features a modern tight-fit design with Nike branding, contrasting with the original's looser fit and lack of sponsors. Picture: AFP As the SA Rugby Union (Saru) announced new kit for the coming season, the standout was the 1995 replica Springbok jersey to commemorate the side's first Rugby World Cup victory 30 years later, to the day. On June 24, the Springboks won their first Rugby World Cup title on home soil at Ellis Park as they beat New Zealand in the final. It was a landmark victory that unified the new Rainbow Nation, with the iconic images seen of Francois Pienaar and SA President Nelson Mandela holding the Webb Ellis trophy aloft. Before it was the precedent for SA politicians, Mandela saw the significance of donning the Springbok jersey, which had previously been one synonymous with Apartheid.
