British and Irish Lions tour kicking off in Perth
Across the ditch the British and Irish Lions tour is set to kick off in Perth while the Barbarians super squad head to Cape Town with a number of All Blacks in tow for a game with the Springboks. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.
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RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Rugby: Pollock relishing 'big occasions' after eye-catching performance in Lions opener
Henry Pollock (left) congratulates Lions teammate Dan Sheehan after scoring a try during their win over the Western Force in Perth. Photo: Photosport British & Irish Lions forward Henry Pollock said he is relishing the competition for places in Andy Farrell's line-up after a stand-out performance in the 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth kicked off the squad's six-week Australian tour. The 20-year-old number eight, making his first Lions start, put on a lively showing in front of a big crowd at Perth Stadium, setting up one try before earning field position for another as well as picking up a yellow card in the first half. "I love the big occasions," said Pollock, who is the youngest member of the Lions squad. "What a great group and I just wanted to be here." Pollock was included in the travelling party despite playing just once for England. The Northampton Saints forward scored a pair of tries on his debut against Wales in the Six Nations in March. He was prominent from the start against the Force, and it was his line-break in the 15th minute that set up Welsh scrumhalf Tomos Williams to give the Lions a lead that Farrell's side would not relinquish. Pollock was sin-binned in the 39th minute and then put the Lions in the perfect position to score through Joe McCarthy in the 53rd minute when he chased down his own chip behind the Force defence. "It was a fun game and we all really enjoyed it," said Pollock. "It's an amazing group and environment to be part of - we're the four best nations, the best players in the northern hemisphere. "I'm honoured to be here ... this kind of campaign and this kind of group is only together for a short amount of time and we're trying to write history. "So we're just trying to get as close as we can together. "There's loads of boys fighting for positions and that's what you want." Pollock's lack of experience saw his inclusion in the squad questioned in some quarters, but Farrell is confident the Englishman will continue to improve as the tour progresses. "He is certainly a point of difference," said Farrell. "He is learning all the time." -Reuters
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson joins Jason Pine live on Newstalk ZB to take listeners' calls
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is set to join Newstalk ZB's Weekend Sport with Jason Pine to talk about his first squad selection of the year and take listeners calls. It comes after Robertson, about to start his second year in the role, named his first All Blacks squad of 2025 on Monday ahead of the home series against France, beginning next week. Watch above or listen live from 1pm on Newstalk ZB below. Six new faces picked for first squad of 2025 Following a spate of injuries and departures offshore, Robertson has put his faith in six newcomers to face Les Bleus, themselves weakened by an inability to select from their full complement for the tour opener, writes the Herald's Alex Powell. After close to a decade of service at both Super Rugby and NPC level, Hurricanes standout and co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi has earned his first-call up. The 28-year-old was arguably the form No 7 in this year's competition, and takes the place of Sam Cane – who left Aotearoa for Japan at the end of 2024. His inclusion, though, comes at the expense of Ethan Blackadder, who was overlooked, and after Peter Lakai's injury, with Robertson naming just five specialist loose forwards. The Highlanders have contributed two of the six new players, despite finishing Super Rugby Pacific as the lowest-placed of the New Zealand sides. Versatile back Timoci Tavatavanawai has earned his maiden selection, and provides Robertson with cover in both the midfield and on the wing. The 27-year-old was a clear standout in the early rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, but was unable to steer his side into a playoffs place. Tavatavanawai is one of six midfielders picked in the 35-man squad, but is also an option to cover the wing, with incumbent Mark Tele'a having signed to join Japanese side Toyota Verblitz from next season. Having impressed for both the All Blacks XV and as a development player with the All Blacks, Fabian Holland's rapid rise into Robertson's plans has taken the next step. An injury to Sam Darry, who himself debuted in 2024, means Holland wins his first selection, after only recently qualifying for New Zealand having relocated from the Netherlands. In the front row, the Chiefs make up the rest of the uncapped brigade. Following injury to Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 25-year-old prop Ollie Norris has been called up for the first time and will contest the No 1 jersey with incumbents Ethan de Groot and Tamaiti Williams. Hooker Brodie McAlister, meanwhile, is arguably the squad's one and only bolter. The 28-year-old moved north from the Crusaders to the Chiefs at the start of the season, but largely played back-up to Samisoni Taukei'aho. His inclusion comes with Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua sidelined by a hamstring injury, and ahead of Crusaders youngster George Bell, who was selected for the first time and debuted last year. 'Around three-quarters of the players named today were part of our squad for the 2024 northern tour, which is important because we want to continue to build on the rugby we were playing at the end of last year,' Robertson said on Monday. 'We have balanced that with an exciting group of new and returning players who have performed during Super Rugby Pacific. 'For the five uncapped players – Ollie, Brodie, Fabian, Du'Plessis and Timoci – this is a particularly special day. 'These players have all impressed us with their talent and work ethic and have earned their opportunity to be part of this All Blacks squad. 'We know that each of these players possesses the ability to make their mark in the black jersey and we look forward to working with them over the coming weeks.' Elsewhere, Quinn Tupaea returns to the All Blacks for the first time since 2022. The 26-year-old's World Cup dreams were crushed when a reckless tackle by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain left him with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, and forced Tupaea to spend the last two years building back to form. But Tupaea's selection leaves no room for Crusaders captain David Havili, despite leading his side to the Super Rugby Pacific title last week. Meanwhile an ankle injury to loose forward Wallace Sititi has ruled him out of the French series, with the uncapped Christian Lio-Willie called in as his replacement. Sititi was initially named in the 35-man squad on Monday, but the All Blacks announced on Thursday he would require surgery. Blues loose forward Dalton Papali'i replaces Lio-Willie as injury cover for Luke Jacobson, who races to prove his fitness to face France. Chiefs prop George Dyer joined the squad as training cover yesterday.
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors licking wounds after season-altering defeat to Brisbane Broncos
The Warriors are braced for the worst over Luke Metcalf's knee injury. Photo: Tertius Pickard/ Analysis - NZ Warriors have plenty to think about, as they head into their third and final bye of the NRL season, stinging from their fifth defeat - and first back-to-back losses - against Brisbane Broncos. Trailling 18-0 at halftime, they showed signs of a comeback, as they scored consecutive tries to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Leka Halasima, but could not complete the task. Adding injury to insult, they lost the services of arguably their two best players this season and coach Andrew Webster may need to spend the next fortnight grooming re-inforcements. Here are some takeaways from the calamitous Broncos result. Without doubt, the biggest story of the Warriors' early-season success has been the emergence of Luke Metcalf in the No.7 jersey previously owned by club legend Shaun Johnson. Many had their reservations about his ability to stamp himself on the game as Johnson had, but he had silenced those critics to such an extent, he actually led the Dally M Medal standings into the 14th round, when the judging went behind closed doors. The last player to win the league's MVP award after leading at halfway was Melbourne Storm hooker Cameron Smith in 2017, so maintaining that standing was always likely to be difficult. Despite his thrilling form, there was always the fear that Metcalf would eventually succumb to injury. His 2023 club debut was delayed until the 12th round, after a hamstring injury in training, then he suffered a recurrence to miss his team's playoff run. He missed most of last season with a broken leg, which is why his elevation to the lead job came as such a surprise. When Metcalf ran out for the second half against Penrith Panthers last week with a heavily bandaged thigh, that seemed an omen. Just a cork, said Webster. It's onwards and upwards for him. As he passed the ball with 15 minutes remaining against Brisbane, Metcalf was cut in half by a perfect tackle from Broncos second-rower Brendan Piakura and could not find his feet. Piakura was put on report, but even Webster admitted afterwards the contact looked good. Pending the obligatory scans, the Warriors have indicated Metcalf's injury is a knee - and they have already lost co-captain Mitch Barnett for the rest of the campaign to one of those. The club isn't short of halves options, with Te Maire Martin and Tanah Boyd offering considerable first-grade experience in their resumes. Youngster Jett Cleary helped Warriors reserves to victory over Manly on Saturday and, if further misfortune strikes the squad, he may yet make a NRL debut this season. The real question will be can any of them bring the same strike power shown by Metcalf through the early season, as they try to clinch a post-season spot. Metcalf's loss only exacerbated an injury crisis that saw fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad leave the field at halftime, also with a knee injury. He seemed to fall badly, as he tried to stop Broncos centre Gehamet Shibasaki scoring before the break. After missing a game with concussion, Nicoll-Klokstad was about to pass Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco for competition lead in running metres. Averaging 208m per game, he needed 190 against Brisbane to overhaul Tedesco, whose team had a bye. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad suffered an injury against Brisbane Broncos. Photo: DAVE HUNT/AAP If he is also lost for a prolonged period, the Warriors have Taine Tuaupiki to replace him - except Tuaupiki may be required on the wing, after a subpar display from Ed Kosi, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak nursing an ankle complaint . Another option could see Tuaupiki at fullback, Adam Pompey on the wing and Kurt Capewell into the centres, with Leka Halasima promoted to start in the second row. "They certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that," Webster assessed on both Nicoll-Klokstad and Metcalf afterwards. The Warriors have been well served by their 'next man up' philosophy, but every week now, Webster has to move his pieces to cover another vacancy. Nicoll-Klokstad's knee did not seem as bad as Metcalf's, but they've now reached a stage where every additional injury just reduces their margin for error. In his 101st NRL appearance, against the club that rekindled his career in 2022, Te Maire Martin logged a season-high 51 minutes off the bench and showed his ability to step into whatever role was required of him moving forward. Initially, he replaced hooker Wayde Egan, who left the field in the first half for a head check. Right around the time he returned, Nicoll-Klokstad went missing, so Martin slotted into fullback. Te Maire Martin fills in everywhere against Brisbane Broncos. Photo: Tertius Pickard/ When Metcalf hobbled off, Martin went into the halves, Pompey shifted to wing, Capewell to centre and the Warriors had the luxury of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at the back - where many still believe he belongs. "We practice Te Maire everywhere as much as we can," Webster said. "He played fullback here at the Broncos and did a really good job while he was here. "I don't know how many guys can come on to play hooker, then move to fullback at halftime and then to halfback, and does a good job in all three roles. "That's why you need those utility players and I don't think many clubs have that player." Ironically, Martin is off contract this season and he is now well placed to push his claims for an extension at the Warriors, where he'd love to stay. Whether he steps into Metcalf's position or keeps a spot on the bench, he has already shown his value. From the moment Marata Niukore dropped the ball almost at the opening kickoff, the Warriors were their own worst enemies in terms of making basic errors. That mistake led to Katoni Staggs' opening try. They were twice pinged for obstructing kickchasers and gave up two points through a penalty for not setting a scrum in timely fashion. The discipline that was a hallmark of their early games seemed to completely desert them. They were perhaps unlucky on one of those escort calls, when Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was clearly offside in his pursuit. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside," said Webster, who spent the second half on the sideline, à la Ricky Stuart, after overseeing Nicoll-Klokstad's replacement at the break. "He was three metres offside… it was like they just made it up. Reece Walsh was way in front, the first infringement was that. "I don't know how they missed it. I'm not a touch judge, I'm not a referee and I could see it." Webster isn't usually one to question the officials, but he may hear more about those comments this week. That's probably more an indication of his frustration beginning to show. Incredibly, Tuivasa-Sheck's second-half try broke an 11-year drought at Suncorp Stadium. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scores a drought-breaking try at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Tertius Pickard/ In 2014, he was still playing on the wing with Sydney Roosters, when he featured in a 30-26 win over the Broncos, scoring one of their five tries. Since then, he had gone 10 subsequent visits without scoring, missing two seasons, when he changed codes to pursue his All Blacks dream. Tuivasa-Sheck finished as his team's top metre-eater against Brisbane, with 175 run-ning metres, and was probably their best performer on the night. The Warriors now sit fourth on the NRL table - four points behind leaders Canberra Raiders and Canterbury Bulldogs, and four points ahead of their next closest pursuers, the Broncos and Sydney Roosters. They have just suffered their first consecutive losses of the season and have a 10-5 record. Their solid start to the campaign has built them a buffer over their rivals, but they are now trending in the wrong direction. They have a bye week to regroup and regalvanise for the run home. Erin Clark reflects on Warriors defeat to Broncos. Photo: Tertius Pickard/ No matter what happens, they will still hold fourth in two weeks, after Round 19, but there are seven teams, covered by just two competition points, breathing down their necks and, unless they turn their form around, they risk being swamped for a playoff spot. They will likely be down at least four starters - Metcalf, Nicoll-Kolkstad, Watene-Zelezniak and Barnett - when they host Wests Tigers on Sunday, 13 July. They have emerged from two previous byes this season with losses. By Round 5, they had turned around a disappointing season-opening loss to the Raiders with three straight wins, but came out of the bye with their worst defeat so far against Melbourne Storm. By Round 15, they had rebounded from another loss to the Raiders with back-to-back wins, including their best performance of the season against Cronulla Sharks, but have lost twice since that rest week. The Warriors need to arrest that trend against the Tigers (5-10) - the good news (?) is they have no momentum to lose this time. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
