Northland news in brief: Community champions honoured, Whangārei Lotto wins, severe thunderstorm watch
A winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold on MyLotto to a Whangārei player who bought their total winnings
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RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Rugby: Māori All Blacks seek another big scalp as Scotland loom
Zach Gallagher of the Māori All Blacks. Photo: Alan Lee / After a 53-20 win over a Japan XV, the Māori All Blacks have Scotland in their sights. It's been 25 years since the two teams last played each other, and they'll come together in Whangārei on Saturday afternoon as part of a double-header with the Black Ferns trial match. Zach Gallagher (C) during Maori All Blacks training. Photo: Alan Lee / It will be just the third game between the Māori All Blacks and Scotland, following matches in New Plymouth in 2000 and in Edinburgh in 1998. The Māori won the most recent clash, and lock Zach Gallagher said they would love to beat Scotland again and claim another famous victory over the world no.7 ranked side. "Being an inspiration for the younger generation is what we're about. How we do that is through winning and putting in some performances that we're really proud of. "We're a performance-based team at the end of the day and that's what we're really keen on doing this weekend." Gallagher said the Māori All Blacks are happy to be home. "We're meeting [Scotland] for the first time in 25 years, and while Japan was really special and a great place to play , it's awesome to be back in front of our home crowd in Aotearoa. "Playing the number seven team in the world will be a great challenge for us. We're really excited about this weekend and also playing a double-header after the Black Ferns teams as well." The Māori All Blacks have a good record against Six Nations teams. They have won nine of 14 matches, with the most recent victory a 32-17 triumph over Ireland in 2022 in Hamilton . 23-year-old Gallagher, who played for the Hurricanes this year but is headed to a yet to be revealed team for 2026, believes this weekend's clash will be a bruising affair. "They're (Scotland) a quality team. They're number seven in the world for a reason. We know what they'll be about. Some big physical players and a well structured teams. A lot of emphasis on set piece. We'll have to front up at the collision for sure. It'll be a great battle. "For us, nailing the set piece will probably be first and foremost. And then as always with Māori rugby, try and play some exciting footy. "Hopefully it's a free flowing game and we're able to let our backs run free." Zach Gallagher and Kershaw Sykes-Martin during Maori All Blacks training. Photo: Alan Lee / Gallagher made his Māori All Blacks debut in last weekend's win over the Japan XV and he said it was a wonderful moment. "It was my first time playing for the Māori All Blacks and my first time playing rugby in Japan. It was awesome to experience both in the one go." Of the iwi Te Ātiawa, Gallagher is loving his time with the team. "It's been really, really special. It's been awesome learning more about the team and what it means to a lot of people. "I've been educating myself throughout the week around the history of the team and the players and the management that have gone before me. To be a small part of history in this team is pretty special. It means a lot to myself personally and a lot to my family, and to be able to represent Māori in the community and wear the jersey is pretty amazing." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
Northland news in brief: Community champions honoured, Whangārei Lotto wins, severe thunderstorm watch
Three lucky lotto players from Northland will likely be celebrating a midweek windfall after each winning $23,690 with Lotto Second Division in Wednesday night's draw via MyLotto and Kamo Lotto. A winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold on MyLotto to a Whangārei player who bought their total winnings
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- RNZ News
Rugby: New look Māori All Blacks prepare for challenges home and away
Kurt Eklund will captain the Māori All Blacks. Photo: Photosport The Māori All Blacks have a new captain and 11 uncapped players for two matches against the Japan XV in Tokyo and Scotland in Whangārei. Hooker Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu) in his first time as Māori All Blacks captain will lead a 29-strong squad that includes new caps, which range from 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, to 31-year-old Gisborne-born, Taranaki prop Jared Proffit. Head coach Ross Filipo said 32-year-old Aucklander Eklund was the right fit for captain. "This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues. He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches." Māori Rugby board member Rob Clark (Waikato, Ngāti Tiipa) said the team and the board had a role in protecting the kaupapa and the identity of Māori rugby. "Māori rugby is the vehicle we use to express our indigenous identity. It holds the health and wellbeing of our people at the forefront, following in the pathways that have been paved before us and those that will follow. This team allows us to express our kaupapa to the world, to inspire all people and protect the taonga that is rugby in Aotearoa." The squad has assembled in Auckland to begin their campaign preparations before leaving for Japan on 25 June. The game againt the Japan XV in Tokyo is on 28 June and Scotland in Whangarei on 5 July. (iwi, province, Super Rugby club) * denotes new cap Props: Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) Jared Proffit* (Ngāti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs) Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Ngāti Porou/Tasman/Crusaders) Mason Tupaea* (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru/Waikato/Blues) Hookers: Jacob Devery* (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues) Locks: Zach Gallagher* (Te Ātiawa/Canterbury/Hurricanes) Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues) Antonio Shalfoon* (Whakatōhea/Tasman/Crusaders) Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders) Jahrome Brown* (Ngāti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs) Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes) Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders) Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Highlanders) Halfbacks: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou/Auckland) Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues) First five-eighths: Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine/Northland/Crusaders) Kaleb Trask (Ngāpuhi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) Midfield: Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues) Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes) Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs) Xavi Taele* (Ngāi Tahu/Auckland/Blues) Gideon Wrampling* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine/Waikato/Chiefs) Outside Backs: Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues) Jonah Lowe (Ngāti Pikiao/Hawke's Bay/Highlanders) Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Hawke's Bay/Blues) Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
