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NZ Herald
14 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
ANZ Premiership: Hawke's Bay netballer and Mainland Tactix legend Ellie Bird to play final game for club in grand final
'When we are firing, we are firing.' Hawke's Bay-raised Ellie Bird (right) has been in red-hot form for the Mainland Tactix this season. Photo / Photosport The 32-year-old is moving to Melbourne next month, where her focus will be on building a new wellness business. 'It would be the cherry on top in terms of closure of this chapter in my life,' Bird said of finally winning the title. 'It would mean a lot.' Plenty of people in Hawke's Bay will be cheering on Bird and the Tactix on Sunday. Bird grew up on a farm near Waipukurau and played netball for her local primary, St Joseph's School. She went on to attend Central Hawke's Bay College and Iona College and played a couple of seasons for Hastings High School Old Girls netball club before heading off to Wellington and eventually Christchurch. Her older brother, Dominic Bird, is a former All Black and her father still lives in Hawke's Bay, in Twyford. Bird retired from professional netball in 2023, but the 1.96m goal shoot was sent an SOS to rejoin the Tactix in 2024. The last two seasons have been the most enjoyable of her career, she said. 'I retired two years ago and then got pulled back in. 'During that transition, I went from a really pressured approach in netball – I was putting so much pressure on myself – to coming back in and taking a lot more of an enjoyment approach. 'Obviously still doing my best and wanting to win, but not caring so much because it is just a game. 'The most important thing is enjoyment, because if you are not enjoying it, why are you doing it?' Bird said 'being out there with teammates that I absolutely love' had also been amazing. She said to play her final game alongside some long-standing teammates was going to be pretty special, including the likes of Erikana Pedersen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson and Karin Burger. The ANZ Premiership grand final will be held at Trusts Arena in Auckland at 4pm on Sunday, between the Mainland Tactix and the Northern Mystics.
1News
3 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
The big winners from the first three All Blacks Tests of the year
Analysis: Lock Fabian Holland was the best of the new crop, while a super-sub midfielder proved he is too valuable for the bench, writes Patrick McKendry. The hard data on the first three Tests of the year is in for All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, who will have seen several newcomers repay his faith, including Fabian Holland and Du'Plessis Kirifi, and several veterans enhance their reputations, most obviously Beauden Barrett and younger brother Jordie. Holland, the 22-year-old Netherlands-born lock with one of the better backstories at this level, looked every inch the international second-rower over three 80-minute Tests, with Kirifi displaying an impressive maturity in adapting to his late call-up to start Saturday's 29-19 victory over France in Hamilton. Beauden Barrett's stocks, meanwhile, probably rose after the weekend despite not being involved in the Test due to a hand fracture which Robertson is confident will heal in time for the start of the Rugby Championship next month. Barrett brought a calmness to the first two Tests that was not evident at Waikato Stadium under Damian McKenzie's stewardship, although that should be mitigated by the experimental look to the All Blacks line-up which clearly exacerbated the lack of cohesion. ADVERTISEMENT There is no doubt either than Jordie is by far the nation's best second-five and, if anything, his sabbatical at Irish club Leinster appears to have moulded him into a more complete Test player. Used to running against big European defenders, Jordie, who replaced Quinn Tupaea ahead of the final quarter, was the perfect player to break down the stubborn French resistance due to his willingness to charge headlong into metaphorical brick walls. It took bravery to consistently do that and also sent a message that Jordie, a late inclusion to the bench due to Rieko Ioane's hamstring issue on the eve of the match, was a threat every time he got the ball. It was Jordie's decisiveness to take on France replacement lock Romain Taofifenua – all 2.0m and 135kg of him – which led to Brodie McAlister's game-sealing try. His scramble back on defence to close out the flying Emilien Gailleton in the corner when his team was defending a 22-19 lead should not be underestimated either. Jordie Barrett, left, and brother Beauden after the first Test in Dunedin. (Source: Photosport) Tupaea, in his first Test in three years, appeared stretched at times as he re-adjusted to the pace of Test rugby. The All Blacks squad dispersed yesterday but one of Tupaea's review clips will likely feature an attack in the first half when his side, trailing 10-16 at the time, won excellent ball from a quick lineout in their own territory and McKenzie found him in a lot of space with Anton Lienert-Brown, Ruben Love and Will Jordan outside him. ADVERTISEMENT It was a four-on-two situation but, rather than exploit that with the array of attacking talent at his disposal, Tupaea cut back in, was tackled, and then penalised for not releasing the ball. French captain Gael Fickou showed his experience at the breakdown by coming in from the side and disrupting the All Blacks' support players. Robertson was clearly happy with the impact of his bench in Hamilton, and rightly so given the physicality of prop George Bower, hooker Brodie McAlister and loose forward Dalton Papali'i, but Jordie made the largest contribution and a problem for the head coach is that the 28-year-old is too valuable to be on the bench for the biggest Tests. Veteran hooker Codie Taylor's performances over the first two Tests also underlined his importance to the side, while Ardie Savea, installed as captain after Scott Barrett's calf tear in Dunedin, was his usual inspirational self. Will Jordan, who scored his 41st Test try in his 43rd Test at the weekend, is clearly the nation's best outside back – no matter where he plays in the back three. A word, too, on Tupou Vaa'i, the converted blindside flanker who was missed by his team in Hamilton. He may have been a reluctant convert from lock when first asked to play in the black No.6 jersey at the 2023 World Cup but he proved in Dunedin and Wellington that he has the instincts to excel there. With prop Tamaiti Williams (knee) and Wallace Sititi (ankle) to return, the All Blacks' pack will feature, power, pace and creativity for the upcoming Tests against Argentina, South Africa and Australia, starting with the Pumas in Cordoba on August 17. ADVERTISEMENT Look out, too, for the inclusion of the returning Leicester Fainga'anuku, a midfielder or wing who possesses all of the above qualities, for the Rugby Championship squad of 36 that Robertson will name on August 4.
1News
4 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
'Maybe Joseph Parker' - Kiwi back in title frame after Usyk's stunning win
Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight world champion and perhaps the best heavyweight boxer of his generation, has mentioned New Zealander Joseph Parker as a potential next opponent. Moments after Usyk spectacularly stopped Daniel Dubois in front of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium this morning to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time, the 38-year-old Ukranian, who many believed would retire after conquering the world yet again, said stopping was not on his agenda. 'Thirty-eight is a young guy, remember,' he said in the ring. 'Thirty-eight is only the start. 'Next, I don't know. I want to rest… I want to go home to my family, my wife and children. 'Maybe Tyson Fury, maybe Derek Chisora, maybe Anthony Joshua, maybe Joseph Parker.' ADVERTISEMENT Parker, 33, a former world champion, is the mandatory challenger of the WBO belt, one of several that Usyk holds. But such are the twists and turns of professional boxing that nothing is guaranteed. Indeed, Parker was lined up to fight Dubois in Riyadh in February only for the Englishman to pull out on the eve of the bout due to a conveniently-timed illness after having a conversation with Usyk, so no one on his team is sure about what will happen next. Joseph Parker knocks out Martin Bakole in Riyadh in February. (Source: Photosport) Parker's manager David Higgins told 1News: 'Our team thought it was great that Joseph was mentioned but at the same time Joseph is the mandatory challenger with the WBO. 'He's earned it on merit and waited a long time. A couple of the names [Usyk] mentioned he's already beaten twice. In our view it's a bit silly fighting someone he's already beaten twice. 'The funny thing about boxing is that anything can happen. On paper Joseph is the WBO mandatory challenger… in practice we hope he does [fight Parker] and if he doesn't, we'd hope the sanctioning body would strip the title or the title is vacated. ADVERTISEMENT 'You might see a scenario where Joseph fights for the WBO title but against someone else.' In other words, nothing much has changed, but that did not stop Parker from pushing his case in the ring afterwards. A social media post published by Parker shows the South Aucklander in the packed ring in the aftermath of the fight congratulating Usyk, still undefeated after 24 professional fights, and inquiring of his plans. 'Bro, I don't know,' Usyk responds in what is a friendly conversation. 'Give me the time, I want to rest.' Professional boxing's capricious paymaster Turki al-Sheik has already stated that he wants Usyk to fight rising English talent Moses Itauma next but previously the Saudi Arabian has spoken of his wish to lure Fury out of retirement to fight Usyk. Usyk, who has now beaten Dubois twice, this second time more convincingly via a stunning fifth-round stoppage, has already beaten Fury twice. He has also beaten Joshua twice. ADVERTISEMENT Such is his quality and accuracy that Usyk always appears improved in rematches so it would make little sense in terms of his legacy to fight either of those English opponents again. Not surprisingly, Higgins agrees. 'If Usyk is about legacy he'll fight Joseph because it will be for the undisputed title – all the belts… if Usyk chooses to vacate the WBO title and fight Fury or Joshua that's about money…' Higgins is not the only one who thinks Parker deserves his shot. English promoter Frank Warren, Dubois' handler, said immediately afterwards: 'The WBO have already ordered that he as the WBO champion has to make his mandatory defence against Joe Parker, so it's Joe Parker's time.' And none other than Lennox Lewis, the English former undisputed heavyweight champion, said: 'Joseph Parker has the best chance now. They have been freezing Joseph Parker out. Joseph needs that next fight so get him in there.' Higgins added: 'In just over 12 months Joe has beaten Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole – he's on a roll. He's earned his shot. Hopefully the merit-based system kicks in and Joseph gets his chance.'
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- 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
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
France player ratings: How they rated in third-test defeat against All Blacks
Star of the first test in Dunedin, quietened in Wellington and seldom sighted in the Tron. Spent most of his evening scrambling about on defensive chores; on evidence of recent weeks, he's better on the front foot. 13.) Nicolas Depoortere – 7 Great work in the melee to hold up Finau in 25th minute was typical of the defensive muscle that frustrated the All Blacks for much of the evening. 12.) Gael Fickou (c) – 7 Most-capped Frenchman on show was a workhorse on defence. 11.) Gabin Villiere – 8 Came off his wing to and did a heap of work amid the forwards with short carries and dabs. A menace when chasing kicks in play and restarts. 10.) Antoine Hastoy – 5 Flyhalf arrived with seven tests to his name and a reputation for a bit of flair. Ropey early-on with a missed touch-finder and a deadset spilling of the ball, he finished the first half with an ineffective flap at Lienert-Brown. Nailed a clever droppie and had some wily moments with his boot. Antoine Hastoy, of France, in action against the All Blacks in Hamilton. Photo / Photosport 9.) Nolann Le Garrec – 8 Only Frenchman to start all three tests bagged a smart, cheeky try from eighth-minute lineout drive. The halfback was more effective and decisive than in previous showings on tour, his control and direction keeping heat on the ABs in first 40 minutes. 8.) Mickael Guillard – 8 The mini-dreads make him highly noticeable, as does the 6ft 4in frame. As in Dunedin, he was possibly the pick of the loosies on the field: a breakdown menace, up for physical confrontations, deft in his handling and all with a massive workrate. 7.) Joshua Brennan – 5 Irish-Gaul backed up from impressive debut in Wellington. In his move from lock to openside, the French possibly gave the ABs a bit of a headstart with Kirifi well-versed in the No 7 trade. 6.) Alexandre Fischer – 6 Playing his second test, big flanker made plenty of big hits which was pretty much all his teammates would have wanted from him. 5.) Matthias Halagahu – 6 At 1.94m, he might be a little short for an international lock, and the ABs certainly didn't seem threatened in the middle of the lineout. 4.) Hugo Auradou – 8 Piled into plenty of gutsy work and was the spark of the maul that brought the opening try. Hugo Auradou is exhausted after the test in Hamilton. Photo / Dean Purcell 3.) Rabah Slimani – 6 Bruising work for 44 minutes before entire front row was subbed out. 2.) Pierre Bourgarit – 6 Nice work to set up and drive the maul that brought the opening try. This was a good-old fashioned shift of piling into bodies on a night where the French front rowers had (and probably wanted) few opportunities to show their fancy handling skills. 1.) Baptiste Erdocio – 4 Put in a daft late check on McKenzie that strengthened ABs' hand with lazy penalty, then got snotted by Tuipolotu in a ruck clear out. Reserves 16.) Gaetan Barlot – 5 17.) Paul Mallez – 5 18.) Demba Bamba – 5 19.) Romain Taofifenua – 6 20.) Killian Tixeront – 6 21.) Pierre Bochaton – 4 22.) Thibault Daubagna – 4 23.) Emilien Gailleton – 5
