BENJI MARSHALL & ZOE BALBI WED
Kiwi rugby league football captain Benji Marshall married the beautiful Australian television presenter Zoe Balbi yesterday in a lavish ceremony in Byron Bay. A red velvet wedding cake and Stan Walker‘s gift of song celebrated the love birds special day.
[Photo - Getty Images].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.1.13~
ORIGIN RULES OF RUGBY LEAGUE GIVE NEW ZEALAND A SAFE CHANCE TO DEVELOP SPORTS TALENT
From 2013 no [rugby league] player will be eligible to play for New South Wales or Queensland [two Australian States] in the State of Origin tests unless he has lived in that state before the age of 13, or unless he is the son of an Origin player.
–RFL outlines new safe guards to ensure New Zealand rugby league sports codes has a decent chance at developing talent right through the grades system in New Zealand. NZ has become a fish tank of sorts, merely growing talent for Australia. So the news is seen as excellent for Kiwi sports.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 19.12.12~
RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS: SONNY BILL WILLIAMS TO FACE SHAUN JOHNSON AT EDEN PARK
Shaun Johnson will play Sonny Bill Williams in a rugby league match when The Vodafone Warriors face Roosters at Eden Park.–Read more.
[Photo: SBW. Credit: NG].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 23.11.12~
SPORTS NEWS: NRL RUGBY LEAGUE ON THE SHOULDER CHARGE RULES
NRL rugby league’s rules banning the shoulder charge in rugby league was played out on TV between Patria Hulme and Wally Lewis. Lewis is all for it. Patria says players health is more important. (more…)
A TOUGH CHALLENGE – SONNY BILL WILLIAMS SIGNING TO SYDNEY ROOSTERS RUGBY LEAGUE
In sports worst kept secret, Sonny Bill Williams return to rugby league for the Sydney Roosters was confirmed. At the press conference SBW said returning to league was “tough” and a ”huge challenge.” More at SMH.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 13.11.12~
RUGBY LEAGUE’S MANU VATUVEI WILL FIGHT GOLD MEDAL ROWER ERIC MURRAY
Olympic rowing champion Eric Murray (far right) will don the boxing gloves to fight Warriors rugby league winger Manu Vatuvei in a charity bout in December. ReadUp@TV3.
Good to see the sports codes crossing over for a good cause. Work it.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 4.11.12~
SPORTS GOSSIP – SBW’s AGENT ACCREDITATION STATS & RUGBY LEAGUE OR RUGBY FOR SBW, NEXT?
NRL are considering blocking Williams’ widely-discussed return to rugby league with the Sydney Roosters due to the fact the dual international is managed by non-accredited player agent Khoder Nasser.
“The Roosters understand that if they are to bring Sonny Bill to the game, they need to come and approach us about that,” Mattiske said.
“They need to get to a point where they’ve got a contract they can bring to us for registration – at this stage we’re waiting for that to happen.”
But to date there is no contract in place, an issue recently appointed Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said would be his first item of business.
SMH.
New Zealand’s Mike Kilpatrick gets catty on it in their sports tone for yahoo. Here’s some quotes:
The NRL apparently considering blocking a deal with the Roosters as Nasser, who has attracted much controversy over the years, is unwilling to become an accredited agent and his workings with SBW need explained before the NRL will accept his contract.
PLENTY OF ABILITY – TONY MUNDINE WISHES SONNY BILL WILLIAMS WELL IN NEXT BOXING BOUT BEFORE RUGBY LEAGUE YEAR RESTARTS
“He’s got plenty of ability I wish him well… The thing that adds a bit of spice to it is because of the whole All Black/South Africa factor involve.”
–says boxing great Anthony Mundane, in wishing Sonny Bill well in upcoming fight with 44-year-old South African veteran Francois Botha, dubbed the “White Buffalo”, on November 24 before joining the Sydney Roosters for his NRL career resumes.–The Telegraph.
Also check out: Herald Sun for light-hearted boxing fun sports news. Photo: Getty Zimbio.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 25.10.12~
RUGBY LEAGUE: AUSTRALIA 18. NEW ZEALAND 10.
Rugby League News: The Sydney Morning Herald reports: “Australia downed New Zealand 18-10 in a high quality rugby league Test in Townsville on Saturday night.
In an arm-wrestle of a game, Tim Sheens‘ side outlasted the Kiwis in front of a capacity crowd of more than 26,000.
New Zealand have not beaten Australia in a one-off Test since 2003 and skipper Cameron Smith becomes only the third man to captain a side to three trophies in a year after helping Melbourne to the NRL premiership and Queensland to a seventh straight State of Origin series.” –SMH.
NZH reported: “The Kiwis produced one of their best performances in recent times in a one-off test against the Kangaroos, however they still came up short, losing a thrilling match in Townsville 18-10.
Although the signs were positive enough, the ultimate failing was familiar – they simply didn’t score enough points.
Ten is never going to be enough to beat Australia. They had their chances to at least double that tally, but the final pass never stuck, and in the end the Kangaroos claimed the victory thanks to a second half penalty and a try by Darius Boyd eight minutes from full time.
Until that point the game was anyone’s, with Josh Hoffman coming closest to breaking it open for the Kiwis.”–NZH.
Australia: Tries: C. Smith, J. Tamou, D. Boyd; Goals J. Thurston 3
New Zealand: Tries I. Luke, G. Beale; Goal K. Inu.
[Photo - Bradley Kanaris Getty]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aoteroa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 14.10.12~
SAM KASIANO’S KIWI RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM CLASH AGAINST THE ROOS HAS BUZZ
Heading into a rugby league test match between the Kiwis and the lads across the ditch (Aussie) the pre-match psych up is always going to be funny reading on a quiet Saturday afternoon.
A lot of interest is on Kiwi’s prop Sam Kasiano. A wee slip of a Polynesian lad who is of Samoan lineage, Sam weighs in at a slight 130kgs. Kasiano is said to be media shy.
In fact a “crippling shyness” is what Sam team buds say of Sam if you believe the rugby league tabloids.
(There’s no shyness that a 21 piece bucket of KFC won’t melt to - before a media interview with Sam then :).
Australia’s captain, Cameron Smith, says: “If you look at the way the Bulldogs played this year [Sam] Kasiano was a huge threat with the ball – he was a 130kg halfback playing with the footy. He’s the world’s biggest halfback.” (more…)
MATTHEW ELLIOTT STILL WANTS TONY IRO ON BOARD VODAFONE WARRIORS COACHING TEAM
If Tony Iro wants the job, he will be the assistant coach of the Vodafone Warriors next year according to new coach Matthew Elliott.
I liked the way Owen Glenn (one of the Warriors club owners) positioned Elliot’s coach placement today at the press conference saying, “give him a fair go,” thus easing any unrealistic expectations and allowing breathing space for a newbie coach to settle in.
I’ve always liked the Warriors (a Kiwi thing). Unpretentious, grass roots sports stars too, homegrown tough lads of the South Pacific too. They’re bros to the days.
Of the new coach, Glenn said: “In my interview with Matthew, I was immensely impressed by the clarity of his vision for the Vodafone Warriors in the years to come. Having personally made the commitment to add substantial resources to the club, I came away very confident that he will have a hugely positive impact on our team.” See video.
Go the Mighty Warriors! :)
[Photo: Tony Iro in coaching mode - The Telegraph].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 12.10.12~
MATTHEW ELLIOTT TO COACH RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL’S WARRIORS?
Rugby league football in New Zealand is taking a closer look at Matthew Elliott‘s coaching profile. The Vodafone Warriors team, might have found themselves a good guy who can do the job. Elliott’s coaching history has been with Bradford, Canberra and Penrith in a coaching capacity. (more…)
KERRE WOODHAM MC’S A BIG NIGHT FOR RUGBY LEAGUE – TONILEE & MICHEAL LUCK’S FOOTBALL CLUB’S CELEBRATIONS
Kate Woodham and Kerre Woodham hang out. A-List photo.
One of New Zealand’s most favorite journalistic-minded celebrity personality, Kerre Woodham had the chance to MC a fanstastic night of rugby league for the Vodafone Warriors team.
In her much loved weekend reports, the cheeky Kerre writes: “I had the pleasure of being master of ceremonies at the Vodafone Warriors’ awards evening this week and what a great night it was.
The team may have had a pretty average season but there was still much to celebrate and a very special departing Warrior to honour.
Micheal Luck has played 100 games for the Warriors but is leaving New Zealand to take up a job with the North Queensland Cowboys.
It was testament to his professionalism and popularity that he received a standing ovation from the 750-strong crowd when he was called to the stage.
He gave a very gracious speech, thanking all the people who had made his time in New Zealand such a special experience. But it was his moving tribute to his wife ToniLee that really tugged at the heartstrings.
The couple met as teenagers in Townsville and it was ToniLee, according to Micheal, who was responsible for his success as a player and a man.”
Photo: Micheal Luck and ToniLee. A Norrie Montgomery photograph.
For more of Kerre’s words, jet2theStory.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 7.10.12~
NRL GRAND FOOTBALL FINAL BITES: MELBOURNE STORM 14. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 4.
Photo: Melbourne Storm trio Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk celebrate the team’s grand final victory. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph.
It was a high drama infamous NRL grand final this year. Melbourne Storms 14. Canterbury Bulldogs 4.
News.Com.Au reported: “Coach Craig Bellamy’s men put themselves back in the history books as premiers after defeating Canterbury 14-4 at ANZ Stadium last night.
It was a spiteful encounter with the Bulldogs, the aftermath of which will play out this week.
Halfback Cooper Cronk’s masterful display earned him the Clive Churchill Medal.
Captain Cameron Smith said Storm’s victory was one for grit and belief. “To all those players in the purple jerseys, you have
been outstanding his year,” he said. “We hit a rough spot, a lot of people were doubting where we would finish. We hung tough, we stuck solid, and we got the rewards.”
Melbourne dominated from the outset, controlling the ball in attack in a manner unheard of in a grand final.
For all of the drama, including a biting incident on star fullback Billy Slater, check it. Go Melbourne. Congratulations.
[Photo: Storm fullback Billy Slater is put in a head lock by David Stagg after Sam Perret scored a try for the Bulldogs. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 1.10.12~
RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL NEWS: BULLDOGS 32. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 8.
The Canterbury Bulldogs were unstoppable against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. 32-8 the final score. The Herald Sun reported:
“With their trademark combination of glitz, guts, brutal defence and brilliant tip-on attack, the Bulldogs booked a date with destiny by turning on a long-range try blitz to end South Sydney’s season. As always, two-time premiership-winning coach Des Hasler attempted to deflect attention away from the brilliant six-tries-to-one victory.”
BULLDOGS 32 (S Perrett 2 G Eastwood K Inu F Pritchard J Wright tries K Inu 4 goals) (more…)
VALERIE ADAMS GETS HER GOLD MEDAL AT THE CLOUD, AUCKLAND CITY, SUSANA TALAGI GUTTENBEIL IS STILL TALENTED & A YOUNG MAYA ANGELOU POET RISES IN NEW ZEALAND
Gotta admit, I kinda shed a few tears of pride when Val Adams got her London gold medal at The Cloud in Auckland City New Zealand.
I shed a few more when Kevin “Blackie” Black said that Val was now ‘right up there with Sir Peter Snell‘ in the legacy of NZ’s athletes on the Close Up TV show too.
Most of all, Val’s grattitude to her coach, sponsors, management and her humility, awareness of community support, and huge strength – all blended with down home charm, is just so winning when Val Adams rocks a sports show.
Click on her pic to watch Tangata Pasifika‘s coverage.
Also in this week’s episode of T.P is the most amazing new poet too. “Totally enamored,” is how I felt listening to new poetic verse being written and breathed fresh within New Zealand shores. Wow! We have a dream that is living, active, breathing as life. So kool. NZ has a local young Maya Angelou poet in the hood. I think that poet should write Val’s Champion poem. :)
Val Adams Photo: Greg Bowker – NZH.
Photo: Val’s coach, Jean-Pierre Egger. Coach Mag photo.
News story: Susana Talagi Guttenbeil – a journalist of Samoan, Nuiian and European lineage is in Catherine Graham‘s star Tangata Pasifika TV current events show talent line up. Winner, still. :)
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 21.9.12~
SOONI BIRU UIRIAMUZU, MILEY CYRUS, SARAH SHAHI & THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – 6th SEPTEMBER 2012
Global sports star: Sooni Biru Uiriamuzu‘s Japanese press–TripleM Media.
The Horiwood Top Ten today are:
1. Miley Cyrus
2. Disconnect movie cast – Venice film festival 2012
3. Michelle Obama
4. Rockin Robin – The Jackson 5, 1979
5. Chris Hemsworth – GQ
6. New Zealand All Blacks tag
7. Brain Science Online Khan Academy, Madonna + USA news
8. LA Kings hockey team
9. Christchurch electrical avenue storm imagery
10. Sarah Shahi – USA
Mobilizing the USA’s youth to give a remote toss about politics and voting is taking a 200% Hollywood effort. In that regard, full credit to Miley Cyrus for burning some of her cool cred, to reconnect youth to having a say and knowing they have a say when it comes to voting the future direction of a nation. Photo captions: Miley’s Bun@Mileys_Bun: Never back down @MileyCyrus at the PSA for Rock The Vote!! pic.twitter.com/CJM0Putx. Photo 2: Tish Cyrus twitter. Photo: 3:
Top Ten Kiwis are:
1. Brooke Fraser
2. Daniel Carter
3. Richie McCaw
4. Laura Dekker
5. Lisa Carrington
6. Russell Crowe
7. Sophie Pascoe
8. Maori Men
9. Sonny Bill Japan
10. Trelise Cooper fashion designer (fashions featured).
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.9.12~
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS HITS JAPAN FOR WILD KNIGHTS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Rugby/ Rugby League/ Boxing Entertainer News: Reuters reports via UK Eurosports:
Sonny Bill Williams has hit Japan to play rugby football for his new club Wild Nights. 12 weeks is the duration of SBW’s contract with sponsor Panasonic. SBW is now a part of the “wild samurai group” of Japan’s rugby family.
More @YahooNews. Sports stars in NZ don’t get much bigger than Sonny Bill. The price of his fame? Much like an actor working on film locations around the world, SBW is like a sports gypsy ya’ll.
In reality Sonny Bills should move on from sports and be a Hollywood movies action star. Sorry, he just should.
[Photo: Daily Telegraph.Au].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 30.8.12~
WEST TIGER’S BENJI MARSHALL SUPPORTS THE CHILDREN’S CANCER INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA – GOOD ONE!
Young Benji Marshall is making waves in NRL football news this week. Benji’s player-profile can be viewed at his photo’s connect. Aaron Woods, Jarrad Szczuldo, Tom Humble and Manaia Rudolph are four players signed to West Tigeers, Benji’s home club.
A community focused person, Benji’s charity of choice is the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia. He enjoys playing golf, driving cars, listening to music and relaxing with family. Click on the link to make a difference if you’d like to.
Tim Sheens has named his team to play The Storms. Check it at the score line. Stuff.Co.NZ also has Marshall’s latest press heading into the game of rugby league football.
[Photo: GS. Featured too: Jarrad Szczudlo].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 29.8.12~
THE ROCK, NICOLE KIDMAN & THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – 18.8.12
Looking at our most voted trends today, from a Hollywood casting perspective – perhaps Nicole Kidman should make a movie with The Rock? That’s the audience vibe today.
The Horiwood Top Ten are:
1. Sports-Star Cross: Sonny Bill Williams sports a silver rugby cup
2. Dwayne Johnson‘s box office star appeal tally 2011
4. Pussy Riot: Nicole Kidman & Mario Testino‘s fashion nod to Russian’s arty young people
5. Neil Armstrong Kiwi tribute: Peter Hillary
6. Hollywood casting: Calvin Klein, Alexander Skarsgard, the standard of Hollywood’s leads
7. Dwayne Johnson + fast cars films
8. Nicole Kidman & Mario Testino - cheeky V magazine cover image
9. Rugby League-Rugby Sevens: NRL Sports – Mr Shaun Johnson
10. Tie A: Chris Hemsworth - GQ Photo Shoot, July 2012
10. Tie B: Sports News: Waka Ama IVF Va’a World Sprints Champs Results, Canada 2012
Extra trend observes:
No.11: Art-Top Ten: Japanese Maple Trees & The Horiwood Top Ten - 22nd August 2012
No.26: Favorite Royals: Princess Beatrice & Princess Eugenie
Exports News/ Economy: No. 34: + water, – water: Powdered Water Milk Production Exports – Aotearoa New Zealand
[Photos: Various sources: Rachel Hunter.Com, Google Images photo image archives collection. Photo 2: replay - Photo: Maple tree of Nippon as snapped in the USA. The Atlantic.].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 28.8.12~
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS SPORTS A SILVER RUGBY CUP
"Fill up my cup, mazel tov"--Yiddish song lyrics
Alright, it’s the photo rugby football fans and rugby league fans have all been waiting to see on the website, Mr Sonny Bill Williams of The Chiefs, modelling rugby football’s latest silver trophy.
Photo caption: Liam Messam & Sonny Bill Williams (R) of New Zealand’s All Blacks celebrating after beating Australia’s Wallabies’ in their Bledisloe Cup rugby union test match in Auckland August 25, 2012. Photo: Nigel Marple for Getty Images, courtesy of Yahoo Sports.
Crowd flash mob dancing, Oprah Winfrey City concerts & Fergie and the lads of the Black Eyed Peas ramping up the fun in Illinois, one year or so back.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 28.8.12~
NRL SPORTS BUZZ: SHAUN JOHNSON COULD STAR FOR SEVENS RUGBY, RIO OLYMPICS 2016
Exciting sports news today is: NRL: Shaun Johnson hints at switch to sevens.
The idea as far as sports templates go, is brilliant. Today’s press, show’s Johnson’s talent as a sports star.
Also: Olympics attractive for Warriors’ Johnson.
[Photo: Stuff]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 23.8.12~
GLOBAL SPORTS STAR SONNY BILL WILLIAMS REFLECTS ON CLUB RUGBY SEASON IN THE CHIEFS
“That’s something I’ll look back on, how we suffered all through the year and came from nowhere as a team and now we’re forever going to be known as Super 15 champions so that’s pretty special.”–Sonny Bill Williams remembers his club rugby championship season, before heading overseas for a new chapter in sport.
All the best.
[Photo: Zimbio sports]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 23.8.12~
GRADUATION TEES, BENJI MARSHALL TALKS JAPAN & A FEW TRENDING TOPICS – 11.16.12
Quick whizz trending topics on this website right now are:
the remarkables mountains, breaking amish, channing tatum, rihanna, maori, islands, sarah shahi, christopher chandler, abe lincoln, celebrities yawning, celebrities crying, celebrities travelling, celebrities guzzling wine in australia, big jugs, maui the fisherman, best christmas cards, take that mitches, iron men of fashion, steve hansen, rolling stone magazine, fox sports australia, benji marshall, sonny bill williams rugby japan, ben smith, haka all blacks, prince charles, richard gere, wissam al mana, sir jerry mateparae, samuel affleck, entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, adam thomson, daniel carter aig, wu guanzhong, levi sherwood, nfl football, rudolph valentino, hairy ukrainians rugby, miranda kerr, billy slater. celebrity freaks, tamati ellison, sam holden, stephenie meyer 2012, richie mccaw, photos of scottish rugby, kieran read, hang over iii scenes funny, julian savea, life science news, prince william young, f*ckin perfect song, agriculture usa, chris rock stand up, french wine china, xi jin ping, china news, maria tutaia, obama russia, myanmar, noah shannon, give us all ya oil, hot kiwi girls, super geeks song list, mens fashions, bikini beach summer pics, fat people smiling. william levy laughing. best hats. smile pics.
Sports Video: BM – Aussie Japan Maori cross-over sports korero.
Tee Shirt designs – Jazzy Jeff.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 16.11.12~
November 15, 2012 | Categories: Australia, Benji Marshall, Education, Hats, Japan, News, Pop Cultural Commentary, Rugby, Rugby League Football, Sports, Sports Agents, Sports Apparel, Tee Shirts, Teen Moms, Trends | Leave A Comment »