D'arcy And Goran

New signing Kodi Nikorima is all set to make his Warriors debut at his old home ground Suncorp Stadium after being named at standoff for Saturday's NRL Magic Round encounter with St George Illawarra in Brisbane (kick-off 7.30pm NZT).The 25-year-old Palmerston North-born Kiwi international will become Warrior #236 just eight days after being signed from the Brisbane Broncos.Nikorima knows Suncorp Stadium well, after playing at the venue in almost 50 of his 86 matches for the Broncos.His last outing for Brisbane was in its 29-6 seventh-round home win against Cronulla on April 27.Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney, who worked with Nikorima in the Kiwis and when he was an assistant coach at Brisbane, has teamed up the club's new arrival with veteran halfback Blake Green.While Nikorima is the notable addition to the starting line-up, Kearney has made another significant selection by bringing in Nathaniel Roache as the starting hooker with Issac Luke moved to the extended bench in jersey #22.In line to fill the ba

Incoming women's Black Sticks coach Graham Shaw joins D'Arcy and Goran to talk about his recent appointment as the coach of the women's national side.Shaw takes over from Sean Dancer, having coached the Irish women's team the last three and a half years.He famously helped Ireland win a silver medal at last year's Hockey World Cup.LISTEN TO GRAHAM SHAW TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricanes lock James Blackwell talks with D'Arcy and Goran about his side's recent victory over the Rebels in Super Rugby.After racing out to a 26-0 half-time lead, the 'Canes held on for a 29-19 win in Wellington.LISTEN TO JAMES BLACKWELL TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ABC's Peter Lusted joins D'Arcy and Goran to talk about the latest in Australian Sport, including Israel Folau's ongoing fight against Rugby Australia' and the woes of the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panther in the NRL.LISTEN TO PETER LUSTED TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors CEO Cameron George talks with D'Arcy and Goran about Kodi Nikorima's move from the Brisbane Broncos to the Warriors.Nikorima's signed a three and a half year deal with the New Zealand club effective immediately.George says they've been on the lookout for someone of his calibre for a while."Kodi's name has come up a couple of times, but it's probably more the recent weeks that we've really hotted up on the idea of Kodi."Nikorima has played 88 first grade games with the Broncos.LISTEN TO CAMERON GEORGE TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Herald Sports writer Patrick McKendry joins D'Arcy and Goran to discuss the latest news out of New Zealand Rugby regarding Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett.The Herald understands that both Retallick and Barrett are close to resigning, with Retallick likely heading to Japan for two seasons before returning to the international set-up in 2021.Barrett's deal is set to include a sabbatical clause, but it will be a non-playing clause meaning he will take time off to rest rather than playing for another club.LISTEN TO PATRICK MCKENDRY TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is a coach-laden Thursday on D'Arcy and Goran tonight.Coach Aaron Mauger believes the Highlanders defence is getting back on track.After conceding an average of 30 points in their first seven games; the Southern franchise has allowed just 12 points in the last two weeks.Mauger acknowledges there's been a big improvement in that area."There's holes in our defensive line at the moment, and the guys are working harder. The focus for us at the moment is building on the last couple of weeks and getting better at those areas we've been tweaking."Ben Smith returns at fullback for Saturday's match against the ChiefsThat sees Matt Faddes move to the right wing with Sio Tomkinson dropping to the reserves.Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has resisted making wholesale changes for his side's match against the Highlanders on Saturday night.Nepo Laulala, Brad Weber and Sean Wainui all return from injury in the only changes to the starting side.Angus Ta'avao and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi drop to the bench.Both coaches jo

A crystal ball gaze at the potential 2020 Crusaders midfield.With Ryan Crotty on All Blacks rest week, Braydon Ennor and Jack Goodhue are paired in midfield for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Sharks.Crotty is headed to Japan from next season and coach Scott Robertson says he's keen to mix and match.Captain Sam Whitelock, and first five Richie Mo'unga join Ryan Crotty on All Blacks rest weeks.Scott Barrett and Mitchell Dunshea form the second row with Mitchell Hunt starting at 10..@crusadersrugby have named their side to face @TheSharksZA on Friday. Kieran Read to play 150th game. pic.twitter.com/4xLNPVqi7K— Radio Sport (@radiosportnz) May 1, 2019See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coach who helped bring Lydia Ko her greatest golf success is dismayed by the former world number one's plight.The Kiwi golfer has made another major change to her game, dropping coach Ted Oh.Ko announced the decision on the eve of the Mediheal Championship where she attempts to defend her title this weekend.Last year's victory at the Mediheal Championship was Ko's 15 of her career but the only one since Oh took on the role in February 2018."We just mutually decided that it was time," Ko told the Golf Channel."We ended on good terms...I have a lot to thank Ted for. He gave me a really solid blueprint simplifying my swing."According to the Golf Channel, the 22-year-old is in no hurry to find a new coach.Ko has parted company with her swing coach Ted Oh, 14 months after sacking Gary Gilchrist.David Leadbetter who coached the Kiwi for her first three years as a pro where she won a dozen LPGA titles and two majors, says her game has regressed."She was always right up there in greens and regulation, and now she

All Black Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will continue to bide his time in Super Rugby.Despite starting against the Hurricanes, the two test halfback is firmly entrenched behind one test All Black Brad Weber at the Chiefs.Coach Colin Cooper says it's tough on Tahuriorangi but Weber has been outstanding as a player and leader."While we're missing key people, he's filled that void, he's playing on the top of his game, and Te Toiroa has just had to sit and wait."Speaking to D'Arcy and Goran, Tahuriorangi says that he hopes to be third start, but is waiting to get selected. He says that it was good to get out and "have a crack" against the Hurricanes last week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Blake Green and David Fusitu'a have all been selected for the Warriors' eighth-round NRL clash against the Newcastle Knights at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday.Green has missed the last three games against South Sydney, North Queensland and Melbourne while Tuivasa-Sheck and Fusitu'a were both ruled out of the Anzac Day battle against the Storm.Other features of the selection see Patrick Herbert, who shone in Melbourne in his first NRL outing, keep in place ahead of Solomone Kata while Adam Blair is demoted to the bench.Warriors coach Stephen Kearney is hopeful all Tuivasa-Sheck, Green and Fusitu'a will come through training this week to take their places against the Knights.Not selected is utility Jazz Tevaga, who was forced off the field with a leg injury after playing just 14 minutes against Melbourne.With Tuivasa-Sheck, Green and Fusitu'a named, Kearney has switched Peta Hiku back to left centre, Tohu Harris returns to the second row and Gerard Beale goes to the bench.Retained at

Watching Beauden Barrett and little brother Jordie give the opposition the sort of treatment they developed years ago when they lived on the family farm in Pungarehu and nobody could get the ball off them would have gladdened the hearts of the All Blacks selectors, if not the coaches and supporters of the Chiefs.The pair were so dominant for the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night in a 47-19 victory, there seemed to be more than just the pair of them on the pitch at times.Jordie looks a bit like Beauden after being put through a copier at 125 per cent, but there were also elements of the physicality of their sibling Scott, a Crusaders and All Blacks lock, in their performance as their side cemented their position as New Zealand's second-best franchise behind the high-flying red and blacks.Jordie, 22, looked so at home at fullback, he might as well have been back in his favourite corner of Taranaki along with his four brothers and three sisters. If there was any doubt about his best position after being

Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni has named an experienced squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup in France.The 23-woman squad, who have set the goal of making history for New Zealand by being the first team to win at a World Cup and first to advance from the group stage, is laden with experience with 17 players who competed at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.Six players Olivia Chance, Victoria Esson, Nadia Olla, Paige Satchell, Sarah Morton and Stephanie Skilton are all selected for their first FIFA Women's World Cup, while Hannah Wilkinson has recovered from a serious knee injury to earn her place.The squad has six players – Ria Percival, Abby Erceg, Ali Riley, Betsy Hassett, Katie Duncan and Annalie Longo (with Rosie White, 99 caps, hoping to bring up her century against the USA) with more than 100 A internationals for New Zealand."I am really happy with the group," said Sermanni. "We have a good balance of experienced players, who have been there and know what it is all about, and we have some you

Tomorrow is a big day for our local hockey teams, as both the men's and women's Black Sticks face off against their Australian counterparts in a trans-Tasman ANZAC Day match.Amongst the players will be 17-year-old Olivia Shannon, who signed with the women's team last year.She may be an international level hockey star, but Shannon has to juggle that career with her NCEA school work.She joined Daniel McHardy to preview the match and discuss her career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris has become the latest player to commit to New Zealand, extending his contract until 2021 with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs.27-year-old Harris made his Super Rugby and All Blacks debut in 2014, two years after his provincial debut for Bay of Plenty in 2016. He has played 20 Tests for the All Blacks, 51 games for the Chiefs and 29 games for Bay of Plenty.Harris said he was grateful to continue to play for the Chiefs for a further two years."I'm really excited to have re-signed with New Zealand rugby and to continue playing rugby for the Gallagher Chiefs for the next two seasons. I've had the privilege to be a part of this team for several years now and in that time I've developed and grown as a player. It is a fantastic environment to be a part of and I am grateful to be able to continue doing what I love," said Harris.Harris has played 16 of his 20 Tests in the last two seasons and All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen has welcomed the news of his recommitment to New Zealand."I

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has dismissed rumours that captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a doubt for the Anzac Day clash with the Melbourne Storm.Despite some reports that Tuivasa-Sheck was struggling with a hamstring injury, Kearney insisted the Warriors' talismanic captain is "fine to go" for the Thursday night clash in Melbourne."Yesterday was a light run, when it was two-days post our match. He completed training yesterday, and he's fine to go," Kearney told Daniel McHardy."Not unless you know something I don't. Unfortunately that's the distraction of social media where I'm pretty sure that's where it all comes from."Kearney went on to praise Tuivasa-Sheck, who has been one of the few bright sparks in the Warriors' disappointing season so far."Roger provides the team with stuff or moments that other players can't do. But what also Roger recognises is that he needs everyone doing their job for him to do his job."What I do know is we don't have a reliance on Roger. He's an important player in our team - the

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has made a rapid return to the Highlanders for their crucial Super Rugby derby against the Blues.Smith was to be out for six weeks after injuring his ankle against in the Highlanders' last match with the Blues, but instead has returned after just two games, to be named on the bench for the game on Saturday night.Fellow All Black Luke Whitelock has also returned from injury as the Highlanders aim to end a winless streak which stretches back to February.Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger praised the pair for their quick returns."[Smith] and Luke have both worked incredibly hard to make themselves available and their return this week provides the team with a bit of a boost,'' said Mauger."We are aware of the challenges the Blues will bring on Saturday, all the New Zealand conference games bring a high degree of intensity.''A third All Black - forward Jackson Hemopo - will return at lock to partner Tom Franklin at Forsyth Barr Stadium, while Sio Tomkinson takes the place of Rob Thompso

Israel Adesanya's UFC victory could change the sport in New Zealand.Adesanya became UFC's new interim middleweight champion after a violent unanimous decision win over American Kelvin Gastelum in Atlanta.A dominant fifth round performance from Adesanya saw him clinch the fight, with each judge scoring the fight 48-46.For Eugene Bareman, Adesanya's long-time coach, it was an amazing moment to watch. He joined D'Arcy and Goran to talk about the victory, what it means for the sport, and how Adesanya has been able to achieve more than they ever thought he would. Israel Adesanya hugs coach Eugene Bareman after winning the UFC interim middleweight championship. Photo / Getty ImagesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Rudan has revealed the personal inner turmoil that has played out behind the most successful Wellington Phoenix campaign in four years.The club confirmed on Monday their head coach would be leaving at the end of this A-League season and Rudan today fronted media at Westpac Stadium to explain his reasons for exiting with one year left to run on his contract.This was a very different Mark Rudan to the bullish, exuberant, confident character who faced the cameras and microphones in the very same room when he was unveiled as Wellington coach in late May.Instead, it was an apologetic, softly-spoken, repeatedly contrite Rudan who said the word "sorry" at least a dozen times during an at times emotional media conference.As has been widely reported, Rudan will head back to Sydney to be with his wife and teenaged sons, who he has lived apart from for the best part of the last year.Despite repeated attempts to sell them on a move to New Zealand, Rudan admitted he knew after his family spent an extended Christmas h

The Warriors have named Blake Green at starting halfback for the NRL match against the Cowboys on Saturday in Auckland.Green missed the last match against the Rabbitohs with a groin injury suffered in the warm-up.Peta Hiku was a last minute stand-in for the loss to the Rabbitohs.Kearney says Green, who didn't train today, is a maybe, though noted that he pulled up pretty well today.Nathaniel Roache is on the extended interchange for what could be his first match since round one when he suffered a leg injury.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.