Latest news with #Waikato
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Man arrested, six injured, following Waikato burnout confrontation
Photo: Waikato police arrested and charged a 22-year-old man after a fight in Tahuna on Wednesday night left six people injured. Around 7.20pm police said they were alerted to a group fighting on Tahuna-Ohinewai Road after a person was assaulted when they confronted three men in a vehicle doing burnouts. Other members of the public tried to intervene, leaving six people injured, said Detective Sergeant Ben Norman. "After noticing the incident unfolding, an occupant of a nearby property has attempted to intervene. However, they were also assaulted by the alleged offenders." "Two people received serious injuries, and one other received minor injuries, they were transported to hospital. Three others received minor injuries," he said. Two of the offenders fled the scene on foot and one left in a stolen vehicle. A short time later, a 22-year-old man was found by officers and taken into custody. He was due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today charged with aggravated robbery and injures with intent to injure. "Police are following multiple lines of enquiry to identify and locate the remaining two offenders and encourage them to do the right thing and hand themselves in," Norman said. He said members of the community might see an increased police presence in the area. "While police would like to thank those who tried to intervene and assist other members of the public, police urge the public not to take matters into their own hands or confront individuals themselves as situations can escalate quickly." "Instead, stay in a safe location, gather as much information as you safely can, and contact police on 111." Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact police [ online] or call 105. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby final welcomed by business
sport life and society 12:45 pm today The cowbells might not be ringing out from the Stadium but Christchurch is expecting a full house for a super sport weekend. Despite the ban on the infamous Waikato instrument, the final between the Chiefs and Crusaders on Saturday is expected to be a sell out with bars looking to soak up the rest of the punters. Mason Lattimore is the owner and manager of Loft and Kaiser Brew Bar in Christchurch. He spoke to Charlotte Cook.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Media attention, political pressure credited with solving cardiac surgery waitlist at Waikato Hospital
A doctor works on a patient in a surgery. Photo: UnSplash/ JC Gellidon Media attention and political pressure have been credited with solving the eight-week cardiac surgery waitlist at Waikato Hospital. Cardiac Society of New Zealand chairperson Dr Martin Stiles said the cardiac waiting list peaked last year at 110 patients but had now reduced to only 10. "What that has meant for us is that we are able to get through the patients much more quickly, and the patients are waiting a much shorter time." Stiles - who was a cardiologist at Waikato Hospital but spoke in his role as chairperson - said the situation changed after 71-year-old Norm Davies went public with his story in September 2024. Davies had waited in hospital for more than a month for cardiac surgery and had been told to expect at least another three-week wait. "It was really frustrating at the time, because what we were telling patients was, 'yes you do need an operation but no we can't do it this week, or next week, or even the week after'," Stiles said. Cardiac Society of New Zealand chairperson Dr Martin Stiles. Photo: Supplied: Martin Stiles He said after the RNZ stories, senior management began to focus on the issue and political pressure was put on resolving the situation. "There was visibility at the top of the organisation, where previously there really wasn't." One of the problems was that up to 20 percent of planned operations were being cancelled because it wasn't clear that there would be a recovery bed available. "Now [surgeons] get on with the operation and ICU are committed to finding them a bed, and they are able to just get through the list just much more quickly." Stiles said he was aware of cardiac waitlist issues in other areas of the country, especially in major centres. "What I'd say to Auckland and Wellington is that with engagement from very senior management and perhaps some political pressure from the Ministry, these things can be turned around." However, Stiles said Waikato Hospital continued to generally be under enormous pressure. He hoped that when similar problems are raised, they would get a similar level of priority and solutions from the highest levels. "And I say when, not if." Stiles had concerns about outsourcing surgeries to private hospitals being used as a long-term solution. At present, Waikato cardiac patients are not having their surgeries outsourced because capacity within Waikato Hospital had been created. "When I heard that there were these ideas to have 10-year contracts with private hospitals for surgical waitlists I thought, well that may be useful for the private hospitals but what the public hospitals really need is ability to turn the tap on and turn the tap off in private." He said the risk became that public money would be used to build up private hospitals. "I work in private, it's good, but I would much rather see public money go into a public hospital, I don't want to see public money propping up overseas pension funds who own private hospitals." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Former Crusader Bryn Hall disappointed cowbells silenced for Super Rugby final
Some young Waikato fans. Photo: Bruce Lim / The chief executive of the Crusaders says he expects "polite applause" from visiting fans, renewing his stance that cowbells will be prohibited from the Super Rugby grand final. The Crusaders will host the Chiefs in Saturday's decider at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium, likely to be one of the last Super Rugby games played at the Addington venue. A capacity crowd of 17,000 is expected with ticket sales tracking towards a sell-out. Although the refusal has been made amid a backdrop of good-natured sparring by both franchises and their respective officials, Crusaders' chief executive Colin Mansbridge claimed the confined dimensions of the ground were a factor. "I don't think people appreciate how small the venue is," he told Checkpoint. "When it's full it's very intimate and very tight. "I think the [Chiefs supporters] should be able to sing and dance and have fun, but I don't think they have the right to turn it into their home ground." The ban was met with mixed views by people RNZ spoke to around central Christchurch on Wednesday. One woman said although the cowbells irked her, she did not know how the ban could be enforced. "I find them really annoying at any of the games that they play. I don't mind Waikato as a team, but yeah keep the bells away," she said. Another man, who was wearing a vintage Canterbury NPC jersey, felt the move was heavy-handed. "It's bulls**t really. Surely they could make a bit of noise." Meanwhile, a man claiming to be a Chiefs supporter said it would not have been an issue if his side had beaten the Blues in their qualifying final earlier this month, which would have given the team home advantage for the final. Former Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall said the cowbells were integral to Chiefs fandom and added to the atmosphere. "Well that's one-nil for the Crusaders (the ban)," he said. "I really enjoy it, it brings something different and it's part of their legacy when you do play the Chiefs. "It'll be disappointing not to have them there. But for the crowd not hearing them will be something positive for the Cantabs." Chiefs chief executive Simon Graafhuis has implored fans to download the digital cowbell to their phones as an alternative. "I think we'll just take it as a compliment that they're probably a little bit worried about our fans and the impact they can have," he said. Crusaders fans. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021 It remains to be seen whether Saturday's final will be the last Super Rugby game played at the Crusaders' post-quake headquarters. Christchurch's new 30,000 multi-use central city venue One New Zealand Stadium, also known as Te Kaha, is due to open in April. After the devastating Canterbury earthquakes damaged Lancaster Park beyond repair, Crusaders home games were moved to the upgraded Rugby League Park in Addington from 2012 onwards. The venue will host its fourth and last final on Saturday . Te Kaha Stadium Photo: Supplied / One NZ With next year's Super Rugby draw still to be finalised, Crusaders management have not ruled out home games at Apollo Projects Stadium during the early stages of next year's competition. One fan RNZ spoke to said he would not be sad to see the back of the ground. "It's cold, it's a hole. And I can see the new one down there, it's going to be awesome." Plans are in motion to bring back Super Round for the 2026 season with Te Kaha the frontrunner to host the event over Anzac weekend.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Three times the Lions got big decisions badly wrong
As the 2025 Lions tour prepares to launch, anticipation is high and the mood is overwhelmingly positive. However, history teaches us that it pays to be cautious heading into these expeditions, the heightened exposure and pressure-cooker environment can ruthlessly expose cracks in the operation, leading to bad decisions. Here are three examples from the last 40 years when the Lions got it badly wrong… Will Carling (centre) and the rest of the team wait for a Waikato conversion attempt. Pic: Anton Want/Allsport The midweek team is essential to all successful Lions tours, providing playing and morale-boosting support to the Saturday or Test the midweek team is winning, it boosts overall confidence as well as players with a spring in their step if called into Test action. Conversely, if the midweek team flops, the knock-on effects can be disastrous – as happed in New Zealand in that tour, England were by far the dominant force and it created a somewhat disgruntled midweek side, made up primarily of Scottish players who lost interest fairly early on and suffered fefeats by Otago, Auckland, Hawke's Bay and a hammering by Warren Gatland's Waikato. Richard Webster charges past Waikato players. Pic: Dave Rogers/Allsport The Scottish contingent were exposed as way off the pace but there were good players dragged down with them – notably the English pair of Stuart Barnes and Will Carling while Ireland's Mick Galwey, who had done superbly well to make the tour during a difficult period for Irish rugby. was also affected by the midweek malaise. Mick Galwey with the Lions in 1993. Pic: Dave Rogers/Allsport It was a hugely damaging experience with a chunk of players going 'off tour' – prioritising the social side over results as a rift grew within the party. 'Attitudes left a lot to be desired,' recalled Test wing Ieuan Evans years later. Ieuan Evans rounds Sam Doyle of New Zealand. Pic: AllsportUK/Allsport 'Too many were content with merely being a Lion instead of pushing themselves to the limit – they gave the impression they were on holiday. 'Some of those who played against Hawke's Bay didn't give a monkey's. They simply weren't trying. It was as if they were saying to themselves, 'We're not bothered. We're not going to get a Test place so we may as well enjoy ourselves'.' Having done superbly to tie the series 1-1, the midweek fiasco took its toll by the time of the decisive third Test and a talented Lions side lost a series they should have won. Martin Johnson, Andy Robinson and Graham Henry in 2001. Pic: Dave Rogers/ALLSPORT The 2001 Lions squad that travelled to Australia was one of the most talented groups of players ever assembled. When you look at some of the names – Martin Johnson, Brian O'Driscoll, Keith Wood, Jonny Wilkinson, Richard Hill, Jason Robinson – it was a collection of World XV icons, brimming with belief and natural ability. However, while there was no issue with their playing resources, there was a serious problem in another key area – the coaching ticket. Graham Henry is now revered as one of rugby's best-ever coaches and his record of success with Auckland and New Zealand stands up to any scrutiny. But Henry was entirely the wrong choice as coach of the Lions. Matt Dawson in action for the Lions in 2001. Pic: Adam Pretty/Allsport For a start, he was the first southern hemisphere Lions head, a fact which did not sit well with a lot of people — including a cohort of his players. His personality (stereotypical gruff Kiwi) was also at odds with creating the right spirit to mould four cultures into one over a short sense of 'humour' veered more towards put-down than punchline, which quickly created a gap between the head coach and his players that was never bridged. And, to top it off, Henry's coaching philosophy — in tandem with his equally intense assistants Andy Robinson and Phil Larder — was to work the players into the ground, to the point where injuries proved corrosive and players clearly ran out of juice as the tour progressed. Austin Healey playing for the Lions against the ACT Brumbies in 2001. Pic: Dave Rogers/Allsport The 2001 Lions tour documentary is highly watchable (the last one that is) and it is clear from that account just what a slog it all seems mad now in the era of micro-managed media but, back in 2001, players were allowed to produce newspaper columns that did not need to be cleared by managementEnglish scrum-halves Matt Dawson and Austin Healey were two who had such columns and both laid into the touring experience with the coaching, and Henry in particular, getting a proper kicking. The passage of time has not lessened the sense of just how 'off' it all was and, just to add to the 'what were we thinking?' vibe over appointing Henry, four years later he coached the All Blacks to a 3-0 series romp against the Lions. All Black match captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry during the All Blacks captain's run at Lansdowne Road in 2005. Pic:Perhaps Henry's rank unsuitability for the 2001 task was summed up by a speech he gave on that tour, captured on the tour documentary, in an attempt to motivate his spoke about how the Lions were not respected or rated in Australia and New Zealand, how people did not think they were skilful enough, fit enough or strong enough.'And I should know,' Henry concluded, 'because I am one of them.' Inspiring stuff. Lions coach Ian McGeechan (centre) in 2009. Pic:After the 2005 calamity, there was a lot of pressure on the Lions heading to South Africa four years later. Ian McGeechan was the safe pair of hands entrusted with getting the Lions back on track and he immediately brought the tour back to tourists lost a superb series 2-1 and, although their sole victory came in the dead-rubber third Test when the Springboks had rotated their team, there was lots of respect for how the Lions had played as credibility was if you place sentiment to one side and subject McGeechan's performance to some clinical scrutiny, his selection for the first Test in Durban has to be seriously questioned. Lions forwards Alun-Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell and Lee Mears in 2009. Pic:The Lions had gone extremely well in the build-up but the Test series was always going to be a different beast and the dogs in the Durban street knew the Boks were going to bulk up to bully their 2009 South Africa team was enormous, packed with leviathans like 'Beast' Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies — and that was just in the forwards. In order to beat them, the Lions needed to muscle up in the forwards before they could even think about playing rugby but McGeechan went for the more mobile route that had worked in meant starts for the front row of Gethin Jenkins, Lee Mears and Phil Vickery with Alun-Wyn Jones also picked in the second row and Tom Croft at blindside flanker. All good players but they could not compete their opponents when it came to size. South Africa's Jean de Villiers with teammate Bismarck du Plessis tackles Brian O'Driscoll. Pic: Duif du Toit/Lee Mears was a solid hooker and good at the basics but Mears was only 5ft9in tall up against yjr 6ft3in Bismark Du in the second row was early into his career and not ready for the raw power and nous of Bakkies Botha, who was three inches taller and nearly three stone heavier. Tom Croft was a superb top-of-the-ground backrow but only weighed in at 94kg, against the likes of Smith and Spies who were both around the 118kg mark. Springboks take part in a film shoot on Table Mountain ahead of the Lions tour. Pic: Carl Fourie/The frustrating aspect to it was that there were bigger Lions alternatives available. Loosehead Andrew Sheridan was a 6ft5on, 20st beast of a man, second row Simon Shaw was 6ft9in and pushing 20st, while Adam Jones at tighthead and Matthew Rees at hooker were big lumps also. The Lions also had access to the likes of Nathan Hines and Donncha O'Callaghan who had experience of playing in the backrow and the size to match the McGeechan opted for 'Lions Lite' and got caught it turned out, the Boks blitzed the Lions in the first 25 minutes and by the time the tourists got over their shell-shock, there was too much ground to make up — although they gave it a valiant try. For the second Test, the penny dropped and the Lions bulked up considerably — dominating the Boks for large chunks of the game and looking set for a famous win save for a freak Morne Steyn penalty. McGeechan did so much right for the Lions over the years, but his 2009 first Test selection was definitely not his finest hour.
