Latest news with #internationalseason
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Silver Ferns head into international season without caption
The Silver Ferns are heading into the next international season without their captain. Ameliaranne Ekenasio is taking a break, which makes yesterday's eligibility announcement by Netball New Zealand even more important. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
'First priority should be Samoa or Tonga' - Pacific rugby players choose club over country
Samoa kick off their international season against Scotland in Auckland tomorrow night, however with some notable omissions from their lineup. Photo: Manu Samoa Manu Samoa vs Scotland Kickoff: 8:05pm Friday, 18 July Eden Park, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Provincial pay cheques are continuing to cost the Pacific Islands their top talent. Samoa kick off their international season against Scotland in Auckland on Friday night, however with some notable omissions from their line-up. Miracle Faiʻilagi, Ereatara Enari, Danny Toala, Jonathan Taumateine, Lalomilo Lalomilo and Neria Fomai have all made themselves unavailable for the test, opting to focus on club commitments with the NPC kicking off on 31 July. With NPC contracts worth more than what Samoa can offer, players are forced to choose club over country. Samoa forward coach Census Johnston was disappointed by the snub, particularly on the back of Moana Pasifika's Super Rugby rise. "It has been a bit of a subject at the moment, you think teams like Moana are there for to develop Samoan, and Tongan players, they should make themselves available and their first priority should be Samoa or Tonga." However, Johnston understood the reasons behind the players opting to skip the Scotland test. "They've got to make money for their families. But that's probably where we need to look at with World Rugby in terms of trying to make sure there is a bit more funding for those boys to make sure that they do choose country over club." Samoan stalwart Rodney Iona said the squad had enough depth to compensate and said there was no ill-will toward the unavailable players. "Obviously everyone's got their own reasons, but it's something that doesn't hurt the team. Boys will choose what they need to do and what they have to do whether it's family or whatever. The new boys that have come in and filled those spots are ready to go and I can see the keenness and throughout the week I felt like boys have stepped up and really taken on those roles. So, no hard feelings. Whatever the case is, it's all good. We've got boys that are representing the jersey now." The situation is yet another setback for Pasifika rugby, with recent questions raised regarding the Moana Pasifika's financial future. Johnston said Moana's demise would mark yet another significant blow to Pasifika rugby. "I'm not in their camp, but I've had a couple of chats with everybody, they've done something really special this season and it'd be a shame for them to not be able to front up for the following season. I'm hoping they do pull through, but who knows?" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Herald
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Erasmus building depth and experience while keeping an eye on 2027 World Cup
'That said, it doesn't mean those players are the only ones who will be in the mix this year. There are players who are returning from injury within the next few weeks and months and we would like to see some of the players who have been playing well get a chance this season.' With their opening match of the season against the Barbarians about two weeks away, Erasmus said the focus in the next two weeks and in the match will be to get their structures in place as they prepare for a challenging international season. 'It's difficult to plan around the Barbarians because they are a team consisting of players from many different countries, so our focus in that match will be our game and what we want to achieve,' he said. 'It will serve as a good opportunity for the players who have returned from Japan to get back into the swing of things and perhaps to give a few players who have not played Test rugby a feel of what it is to play at this level.' Erasmus also gave an injury update that Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom are nursing long-term injuries. But Gerhard Steenekamp, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ben-Jason Dixon, Augustus and Lukhanyo Am have to be cleared medically before they will be available for selection. Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams and Makazole Mapimpi, who are also carrying niggling injuries, are expected to return to action in the coming weeks.
