Sports Chat for 30 June 2025
An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
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RNZ News
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Ardie Savea backing under-fire Moana Pasifika
All Black Ardie Savea is backing his under-fire Super Rugby Pacific side. Savea captained Moana Pasifika to their most successful season on record this year, but the franchise's funding model is now under scrutiny. Moana Pasifika became part of the Pasifika Medical Association Group a year ago and Te Puni Kokiri has launched an independent review into allegations of use of public funding by the group for the professional rugby side. The Pasifika Medical Association is rejecting claims that public funds have been used in an inappropriate manner. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
40 minutes ago
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors star Luke Metcalf to miss remainder of NRL season with knee injury
Luke Metcalf is helped off the field against Brisbane Broncos. Photo: Tertius Pickard/ NZ Warriors star Luke Metcalf is out for the rest of the NRL season, after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Brisbane Broncos last weekend . Metcalf, 26, was cut in half by a perfect tackle from Broncos second-rower Brendan Piakura in the second half and had to be helped off the field. Coach Andrew Webster was not optimistic about his prognosis after the game. Subsequent scans have confirmed the worst - the same injury that also claimed co-captain Mitch Barnett last month. Webster will now likely turn to either Te Maire Martin, who has played a interchange utility role this season , or newcomer Tanah Boyd, who has yet to make his debut for the Warriors. After 69 first-grade games for Gold Coast titans, Boyd, 24, has waited for his chance at his new club, helping the reserves to top of the NSW Cup competition. Whether as a starter or off the bench, he will likely get his chance now. Metcalf led the Dally M Medal standings halfway through the current season, when judging goes behind closed doors. No player has maintained their halfway lead to the end of the season since 2017, when Melbourne Storm hooker Cam Smith took out the NRL Most Valuable Player crown. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will also miss the next month, with a mild lateral collateral ligament sprain in his left knee, after colliding awkwardly with Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki, as he scored on half-time. He is due back for the Gold Coast Titans game on 26 July, and will likely be replaced by understudy Taine Tuaupiki. Webster is also juggling players in the wing position, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sidelined 4-6 weeks with an ankle complaint. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
‘The Lord's team' - Ardie Savea weighs in on Moana Pasifika situation
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 July Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Even though the All Black season is about to kick off this Saturday, the unfolding situation around the future of Moana Pasifika was addressed by this year's most high profile player today. Ardie Savea, who was named Super Rugby Pacific player of the year thanks to an outstanding season, said that "it would be a huge loss" if Moana was to be cut from the competition. "I think it will be a huge loss if Moana wasn't in any rugby competition. I think any competition needs them in," said Savea at the team's home of North Harbour Stadium, where the All Blacks are preparing for the first test against France. "Like I said, we're the Lord's team, we're the people's team. So hopefully, you know, whatever that looks like above my shoulders, it can work out." This week Moana Pasifika owners Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMA) have denied any public funding has gone into the side, while Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has launched an independent review into allegations of inappropriate use of public funding allocated for Whānau Ora commissioning services. On top of this Sky TV are believed to be close to ending their jersey sponsorship deal and NZ Rugby's projected reduced broadcast deal will likely affect the amount of funding Moana receive. Savea is contracted until the end of the 2027 season, however, has a clause that allows him to spend next season playing overseas. The 96-test loose forward confirmed last month that he would be heading back for another lucrative short term deal at Japanese team Kubota Spears in 2026. Meanwhile, Savea is part of a now very intriguing loose forward picture for the All Blacks. He will certainly start Saturday's season opener, but just who joins him will be interesting. "It's hard because the loosie roles are quite interchangeable now on the field. You know, there's no specific role. t's not about you individually. It's how you collectively as a trio work together," said Savea. Former Hurricanes teammate Du'Plessis Kirifi and impressive Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie are in line to make test debuts, while Samipeni Finau will likely start at blindside, "I played with Dupes for a while at the Canes and Christian, they've played awesome and they're in here for a reason. (But) All Blacks is a different level. So it's up to us to get around each other and best prepare for this level." The expectations are high for the All Blacks to start their campaign off with a big win over a very inexperienced and understrength French team, which was today further hampered with news of an injuries to fullback Cheikh Tiberghien and wing Gabin Villière. However, in typical All Black fashion, Savea said no opponent would be taken lightly. "It's what the jersey demands, and it doesn't matter who you play. You have to go out there and put your best foot forward. That's just the standard we uphold for ourselves."
