D'arcy And Goran

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's returned to New Zealand with his special silverware in tow.The Warriors captain has arrived back in Auckland with his Dally M Medal and trophy for fullback of the year from last night's awards dinner in Sydney.Tuivasa-Sheck says it's still sinking in."I'm just glad to be the player that can bring it back here."LISTEN TO ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABVOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordie Barrett will probably have to wait a while to make good on his big mistake in Wellington against the Springboks.The fullback's quick throw-in to Rieko Ioane, which went to ground and bounced perfectly for Willie le Roux to score in the famous South African victory, will be a difficult one to live down and while he won't play for the All Blacks against the Pumas on Sunday and is unlikely to play in the test the following week in Pretoria, the 21-year-old is still very much in the frame.Unfortunately for Barrett, who scored an excellent try in combination with brother Beauden to open the scoring at Westpac Stadium, his learning curve in terms of game management came in the All Blacks' first defeat at home to the Boks since 2009.Steve Hansen's determination to name a strong side for the next two weeks in preparation for the World Cup means Barrett will have to do the rest of his learning on the training paddock but such has been the young Hurricane's quick rise since he made his test debut last year (his

LISTEN TO RICHIE BARNETT TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEThe NRL has been accused of using its "third-string" legal counsel against Billy Slater's expertly-prepared and high-powered defence of a shoulder charge.The Melbourne champion will play in Sunday's NRL grand final after successfully defending his shoulder charge citing in a near-three hour judiciary hearing.Slater was given an inside line to slip out of the charges against him, according to Fox League's NRL 360 host Paul Kent.The veteran rugby league commentator tore strips off the NRL administration after it was revealed on Monday the game's foremost legal counsel was unavailable to represent the NRL Match Review Committee at Tuesday night's hearing.The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday the game's top judiciary prosecutor Peter McGrath SC was overseas and unavailable for the trial.His back-up NRL judiciary counsel Anthony Lo Surdo SC was also unavailable on Monday night — forcing the NRL to delay the trial until Tuesday night — reportedly angering th

Hockey New Zealand have enlisted an employment lawyer to lead their review.Maria Dew, of Bankside Chambers, will head the investigation into the women's Black Sticks and its team culture.Dew has worked in several complex and sensitive employment investigations.Hockey NZ last month announced it would undergo a review into the team, following claims that coach Mark Hager created a negative environment within the side.The controversy started when Hager sent out an email that was meant to be sent to a support staff person but instead went to all players in the squad just before a key match at the World Cup, which they unexpectedly lost.Three players were specifically criticised for aspects of their game, and Hager felt the general attitude towards training was wrong.Former goalkeeper Amelia Gibson is the only player to have spoken out against the Hager regime but others in the current group are understood to be unhappy.However, several former players have also shown their public support for Hager in a letter sign

This year's end of year tour could be the last the All Blacks play in its current form.French newspaper Midi Olympique reports from 2020, World Rugby wants to introduce a 'League of Nations' format involving the top 12 teams in the world.The idea of World Rugby vice president Agustin Pichot reportedly sees an international competition dividing into four groups of three, with three pool games followed by a semi-final and final.The report says the World League would be played alternately in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere each November, with the North to hold the proposed first edition in 2020.NZ Rugby Playera Association Rob Nichol told D'Arcy and Goran that is way too premature to debate the idea."What Gus has probably done is put this out there... he wants to see some conversation."He says that is worth considering how they could improve the standards of the smaller teams around the world, and how they can fill the international window better.The groups would also be held in different countries.World Ru

LISTEN TO MARG FOSTER DISCUSS THE PERFORMANCE WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVESilver Ferns defenders could be on the chopping block as coach Noeline Taurua looks to change things up ahead of next month's Constellation Cup.Concluding their first international campaign since the Commonwealth Games with a 5-goal loss to the Australian Diamonds yesterday, the Ferns looked to be in promising form with evident improvements across the court.However, one win from three games wasn't good enough for Taurua.Earlier today she said the Series closer had exposed the Ferns' lack of fight on the court as she urged her side to toughen up before facing the Diamonds again next month.Taurua suggested that the new-look side could be switched up again, with the possibility of calling up players from the wider squad not used in the Quad Series, and potentially from the New Zealand A squad, ahead of the team naming next week."There were areas where we were exposed and probably never had enough firepower to look at changing up ... so we n

LISTEN TO CAT TUIVAITI TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEThe Silver Ferns may have decisively snapped their four-game losing streak but head coach Noeline Taurua has urged her side not to get ahead of themselves."There were some beautiful signs out there but we've got to be realistic," Taurua told Radio Sport."We aren't going to build Rome in a day and can't get too carried away with ourselves."The Ferns dominated South Africa's Proteas 61-37 last night at Tauranga's Baypark Arena with a vastly improved performance just three days after suffering a historic loss to England in Auckland.With world-class shooting statistics and a defence unit that played with confidence, Taurua was pleased with the Ferns' performance as she claimed her first win as head coach of the national side.However, Taurua was realistic about her approach ahead of Sunday's final Quad Series game when the Ferns play the Australian Diamonds and warned that it would be a truer test of the Kiwi side's skill."Massive step up against South Africa,

LISTEN TO JOHN HART TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEFormer All Blacks coach John Hart was happy to step on to the board of the Blues, but insists New Zealand Rugby's presence on it will be temporary.Hart, along with Richard Dellabarca and Sam Lotu-Iiga, was appointed to the board for the Super Rugby club by NZR, after an independent review of the club's governance structure."My understanding is it's an interim move," Hart told D'Arcy and Goran of his appointment."NZR have stepped in as an interim move and ultimately they'll want to bring back some private equity interest. That will take time. All the other franchises have that structure and I'm sure that's where the New Zealand Union see the Blues of the future."Hart, who coached the All Blacks from 1996-1999, has strong ties to the game in the Auckland region. A former coach of the province, Hart is a life member of the Auckland union."I'm a passionate rugby man, I'm a passionate Aucklander and we'd all like to see the Blues do well."I guess they're hoping I

The Warriors appear to be at long odds to retain one of their best players for the 2019 NRL season.Veteran hooker Isaac Luke has been offered a heavily reduced one-year deal to stay at the Mount Smart club, with the Newcastle Knights among the contenders to sign him.A shift to Newcastle would be a snug fit for Luke, and would likely see him competing with compatriot Danny Levi for the hooking role.The move would be a blow for the Warriors and would require young hookers Nathaniel Rozche and Jazz Tevaga to potentially fill the void, while 2018 Karl Laughton could also be in the mix unless the club looks elsewhere.Todd Lowrie, part of the Newcastle Knights coaching system, told D'Arcy and Goran that he could not confirm or deny if Luke would be heading across the ditch. Luke's decision should be known within the next week.LISTEN TO TODD LOWRIE TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LISTEN TO KARL BUDGE TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEBig John is back.The ASB Classic has secured the signature of popular American John Isner, and tournament director Karl Budge is confident of attracting at least one more top 10 player for the 2019 event.Budge is aiming for Juan Martin del Potro, who was a big hit this year in his first appearance on Stanley Street since 2009.Del Potro would be a tough get. He's always a marquee player, not far below the 'big four' but has stormed back into prominence this year after reaching the last eight at Wimbledon and the semifinals at Roland Garros (only stopped by Rafa Nadal on both occasions) then finishing runner up to Novak Djokovic in New York.So, is Budge actually confident of landing the Argentine?"Yes, we are," Budge told Radio Sport. "We spoke again on Monday. He is a guy that doesn't make decisions at this time of year. Every year when I have been tournament director he has said no to me at this time. [But] in that November period once he is off tour, stopp

LISTEN TO HAIDEE TIFFEN TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEAmy Satterthwaite won't be short on spin bowling options as she embarks on her first assignment as new White Ferns captain this month.New Zealand has named a 13-strong squad for three T20s in Australia, starting at the end of this month, and 15 players for the women's world T20 in the West Indies in November.There are five spin options in Australia, with a sixth, Anna Peterson added for the world tournament.''We are blessed with a group of versatile cricketers and know that spin should play a large part in the Caribbean, especially with the slower nature of the pitches over there,'' White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen said.Peterson and Hannah Rowe are the additions for the world tournament, while the Australian games will be played in Sydney on September 29, Brisbane on October 1 and Canberra on October 5.Tiffen liked the good mix of youth and experience in the groups.Satterthwaite has replaced Suzie Bates as skipper, Bates standing down last week.''Amy is a

The Wellington Phoenix appear unlikely to introduce music during corners and general play this upcoming A-League season.The idea has been floated by competition organisers to try and attract crowds back to games.Phoenix general manager David Dome told D'Arcy and Goran he's keen to investigate the idea of having controlled flares at games, but he's not convinced by the idea of additional music."I can't see how that is going to lend itself to the spectacle anymore than our fans do where they are singing and chanting at those times."LISTEN TO DAVID DOME TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rowing New Zeland is promising a full review into its disappointing World Championship campaign but insists its funding isn't under threat.New Zealand's returning with its worst world championship haul since 2001, three medals.Rowing receives for than $5 million a year in high performance funding and CEO Simon Peterson says that's locked in until the Tokyo Olympics."We're a tier one sport which gives us that guaranteed funding for a four year cycle through to Tokyo. We'll be asking serious questions around these results as they are not trending in the right direction, but in terms of overall finance for Tokyo, it's not affected."LISTEN TO SIMON PETERSON TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Silver Ferns have found an extra benefit from their new 'vote for their captain' system.Laura Langman was today unveiled as New Zealand's captain, with former captain Katrina Grant the vice captain.The pair were selected after other players, and management voted by choosing a three, two, one points system.Coach Noeline Taurua told D'Arcy and Goran it was a successful system for a number of reasons."This whole process has identified other players within the Silver Ferns squad that have potential for leadership roles in the future, and I think that's fantastic."Langman says she'll be drawing on all the experience within the side for their first match against England."To be out collectively what fits best for this group going forwards, and we want to put a stake in the ground on Saturday."LISTEN TO LAURA LANGMAN AND NOELINE TAURUA TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly a week after crashing out of the finals in the NRL League, coach Stephen Kearney has opened up about the Warriors loss. Kearney told D'Arcy and Goran that it was disappointing and that it left an empty taste in the mouth. "I just don't think we did that, in terms of gave our best performance." He says that the team worked really hard to get themselves into that position. He looked across the season as a whole, and discussed what happens next with player signings. LISTEN TO STEPHEN KEARNEY TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORANSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzie Bates is relinquishing the leadership reins at the White Ferns to focus on her game.She's stood down as captain of the New Zealand women's cricket team, after almost seven years in the role.Bates says the captaincy initially helped her perform, but in the last 12 to 18 months with the extra cricket she's played, it's weighed heavily."I think it has affected my performances in the long run, especially at the end of season when perhaps I've been more fatigued."Bates says she believed her side was capable of winning each world cup she attended as captain."The 2013 World Cup India, where were playing so well but lost to the West Indies in the finals hit a few of us pretty hard, and then to not even make the semi finals at the World Cup in England."Bates told D'Arcy and Goran that, despite not always agreeing with coach Haidee Tiffen, that wasn't why she stood down. Amy Satterthwaite has been appointed the new White Ferns captain, having been part of the leadership team for several years."Even just captainin

Temalisi Fakahokotau will miss the remainder of the netball season and potentially next year's world cup.The influential Silver Ferns defender has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in training for the Quad Series.New coach Noeline Taurua told D'Arcy and Goran if Fakahokotau has surgery, it's likely to be a year before she can manage full impact on court."Usually it's between nine to 12 months , but also you don't want to push it as there's always the worry that you could do it again if you move too fast too soon.."Noeline Taurua has called in Northern Mystics defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson as defensive cover for the Quad Series.Taurua says Sokolich-Beatson has fitted in seamlessly."The good thing I suppose is that she, and the New Zealand squad members were also involved in camps, so she has as much as up to play as everybody else."The Silver Ferns face England in their Quad Series opener in Auckland on Saturday, while the 2019 Netball World Cup starts in Liverpool in exactly 10 mo

The Australian Open tournament director has urged world tennis chiefs to lock in a position on in-match coaching in light of the stormy US Open women's final.Craig Tiley says the rise of Japanese winner Naomi Osaka is only good news for his tournament.But Tiley is refusing to be critical of Serena Williams' behaviour in the final, instead referring to the first judgment that started the spiral.He says the whole thing centered around coaching and the sport has to get itself sorted out as to whether it does or doesn't allow it during matches.ASB Classic Tournament director Karl Budge has waded into the debate as well.He told Craig Cummings that it comes down to human nature the differences between umpires and in the different tournaments.LISTEN TO KARL BUDGE TALK WITH CRAIG CUMMINGSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noeline Taurua will have only a small say in deciding who'll captain the Silver Ferns.The new coach, Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie, a High Performance Sport representative, and all of the players will vote on who should lead the Ferns.Taurua says they're taking a collective approach."We'll look hopefully by tomorrow afternoon to know, one, what is our structure, is it a leadership structure, or are we going captain-vice captain, and then who those people are."Noeline Taurua says the Silver Ferns captain will be unveiled on Thursday ahead of Saturday's Quad Series opener against England in Auckland.Former Australian coach Kath Harby-Williams told Craig Cummings that her pick for skipper would be Laura Langman.She talked about what a good captain needs, and what the Silver Ferns need to do to support their pick.LISTEN TO KATH HARBY-WILLIAMS TALK WITH CRAIG CUMMINGS ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ranfurly Shield has changed hands once again.Waikato defeated Taranaki over the weekend, taking the shield back for the 12th time.Assistant coach Roger Randle talked with Nigel Yalden about how they prepared for the match and what the win means for the team, the coaches and the region.LISTEN TO ROGER RANDLE TALK WITH NIGEL YALDEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.