Sky Sport Presents: Playmakers

This week on Playmakers Rugby Stories, Black Ferns Olympic gold medallist Ruby Tui has a korero with her departing sevens coach Allan Bunting... as they dive into how he turned around the side from Silver in Rio 2016 to gold in Tokyo, with one of the best sporting cultures Aotearoa's ever seen.

This week on Playmakers Rugby Stories... Jeff Wilson dives into the All Blacks early 2000's era with Mils Muliaina... and yes, Mils talks about THAT game in 2007... plus, how he even came to be in the All Blacks after his family moved to Invercargill from Samoa...   Also... Mils isn't actually his name...

This week, Jeff Wilson takes a trip down memory lane with All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan. 

JK, who is arguably one of the most passionate figures of the game, explains how a shy teenager from Mangere found rugby, before living a life that included one of the greatest All Blacks careers, the discovery of fine wine & culture in Italy and big decisions, which included a switch to Rugby League & coaching

Sky's Joey Wheeler catches up with former team-mate Elliot Dixon, to find out everything from rugby in Japan, playing for the All Blacks, and his infamous try for the Highlanders in the 2015 Super Rugby final. 

Sky Sport's Joey Wheeler chats to former Highlander Michael Collins about growing up in Queenstown and fulfilling his dream to become a professional rugby player.

With the Farah Palmer Cup about to kick off, Auckland coach and Black Ferns legend Anna Richards talks footy with Sky Sport's Rikki Swannell.

Hurricanes centurion, 11 test All Black and current Force cult hero Jeremy Thrush joins Mils Muliaina to talk footy, mullets, practical jokes and the Canes' rise to the top of Super Rugby in 2015-16.

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Jeff Wilson enlists the help of one of the best; former All Black's captain Kieran Read, as they dive into 'what makes good leadership?

From All Blacks great to preparing for his French Rugby semi-final this weekend, with an eye on another title.. Jerome Kaino dials in from his home in France to catch up with Mils Muliaina, and takes a look back on his successful run and ponders life after rugby

The one that got away, Nick Evans, talks about leaving New Zealand and forging a highly successful career with English club Harlequins. He talks to Sky Sport's Tony Johnson about his life in rugby and why he turned down the All Blacks when they asked him back.

The greatest try scorer in All Blacks test history, Doug Howlett, joins Justin Marshall to talk his sudden rise, his crazy pace and doing the haka against the All Blacks.

Former Highlander Brendan "the chainsaw" Laney gives Jeff Wilson the lowdown on his rise to cult hero status, the nickname and the harsh criticism he faced after his sudden call up into the Scotland side.

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby's best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Mils Muliaina catches up with one of New Zealand Rugby's most colourful figures, Adam Thomson. Find out how Sevens changed his career, how he recovered from 57 days in a Tokyo hospital, what inspired his famous try-scoring celebration, and whether he's going to make another NPC comeback. 

This week on Playmakers Rugby Stories, Rikki Swannell catches up with Black Fern Shakira Baker as she opens up about returning to the game after rupturing both her ACL's, and the heart condition which almost ended her career

Ravinder Hunia and Storm Purvis break down all six ANZ Premiership teams: Player movements and structures, coach inclusions as well as previewing round 1 of the competition.

Who is looking the strongest?

Who needs to stamp their mark early?

Who is the pick-up of the season?

TUNE IN TO FIND OUT! #NetballChat #KoreroPoitarawhiti

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby's best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Jeff Wilson catches up with one of the most famous men in New Zealand, Stephen 'Beaver' Donald. 

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Karl Te Nana catches up with one of the greatest Chiefs of all-time, Liam Messam.

Ravinder Hunia chats with the author of “Roar” Dr. Stacy Sims who specialises in helping females better understand their physiology and to rethink the way we look at ‘taboo’ topics like periods and menopause to ensure optimum physical outcomes for women in sport.

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Karl Te Nana catches up with good friend Rico Gear.

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, KT catches up with Chris Masoe, to find out what it was like playing with Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo, learning from Richie McCaw, getting told off by Eric Rush and falling in love with France. 

NZ MMA Fighter Genah Fabian is preparing to return to the US to compete in the Professional Fighter's League in May with $1 million in prize money up for grabs and a potential match up with boxing superstar Claressa Shields on the line.

The PFL is run by Kiwi Kickboxer, and Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo who also weighs in on Fabian's upcoming bout and encourages more Kiwis to sign to the promotion.

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Ross Karl sits down with recently retired Blues hooker James Parsons. The North Harbour centurion opens up on the concussion issues that forced him to retire from the sport, meditation, making his debut for the All Blacks, and leaving Richie McCaw behind on a bus.

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Justin Marshall catches up with nomad Hadleigh Parkes to find out how he went from playing for Manawatu, to representing Wales at the World Cup.

NZ UFC fighters Carlos Ulberg and Kai Kara France chat to Ravinder Hunia about preparations for UFC 259 from Las Vegas.

Ulberg will be make his light heavyweight debut, while 8th ranked Kara-France looks to climb the flyweight rankings.

#UFC259 

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Justin Marshall catches up with his old mate Robbie Deans to discuss his success in Christchurch, coaching the Wallabies, and his move to Japan. 

Sky Sport delves into some of rugby’s best stories from the characters that have made the game great. This week, Israel Dagg and Richie McCaw catch up ten years on from the Christchurch Earthquake, reflecting on a season like no other and their remarkable quest for a title in 2011.

Professional mixed martial arts fighter Nyrene Crowley has travelled Asia in pursuit of her fighting dream and has now returned home to NZ to promote the sport and encourage more women in Aotearoa to take up MMA.

How does one travel abroad for 3 years without family by her side? What toll does it take on an athlete's mental health? Crowley found it tough but was comforted with the support of WWE sister Dakota Kai (Cheree Crowley) who is based in Florida.

PREVIEW: NZ UFC Lightweight fighter Dan Hooker will face debutant Michael Chandler UFC 257 on Fight Island.

Find out what attracted Hooker to face an unknown and Hooker's hopes for his UFC future.

Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier will headline the event #UFC257

No one fits the description of a playmaker better than Tai Webster. The Tall Blacks guard is back at the Sky Sport Breakers, and will be a key part of their 2021 NBL season. Sky Sport presenter Jeff McTainsh catches up with the globe-trotting Webster, to preview the upcoming season, his journey to the top, and his experiences in Nebraska, Germany and Turkey.

Goran Paladin sits down with the new coach of the Warriors, Nathan Brown.

In his most in-depth interview since taking on New Zealand sport’s toughest job, Brown speaks of the pressures that come with coaching, why his previous experience has made him the man he is today, and how he’s going to push the Warriors towards that elusive NRL premiership.

Rugby league great Adam Blair talks to Goran Paladin about his colourful career.

In part two, the former Kiwis captain gives an honest appraisal of New Zealand’s disastrous 2017 World Cup campaign, his relationship with supercoaches Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett, signing with the Warriors, and life inside the NRL bubble, as Covid played havoc with the 2020 season.

New Zealand rugby league great Adam Blair talks to Goran Paladin about his colourful career.

In part one, the former Kiwis captain opens up about his early troubles in Melbourne and how his NRL career almost ended before it began, the salary cap controversy at the Storm, his unhappy time with the Tigers, and how the brawler became a Bronco under Wayne Bennett, playing in one of the greatest Grand Finals of all-time, the 2015 decider against the Cowboys. 

High-profile administrator, Raelene Castle opens up to Ravinder Hunia on life and leadership.

The newly appointed Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand discusses her controversial career, which has included demanding positions on both sides of the Tasman.

After overseeing kiwi netball, she made headlines as CEO of the Bulldogs in Sydney, before her role as head of Australian Rugby during a tumultuous time for the code.

Her honest interview with Playmakers includes the Israel Folou saga, the sexism and misogny she encountered in Aussie media, and what plans she has in her new job.

Rising NZ netball star Maia Wilson talks about how she turned Silver Ferns selections heartache into her biggest success story so far and how her Maori heritage continues to steer her in the right direction.

Sky Sport’s rugby experts, Justin Marshall and Grant Nisbett look back on the All Blacks’ 2020 Tri-Nations campaign. As one of the greatest halfbacks to ever wear the black jersey, and a former captain, Marshy knows the pressures that come with playing at the top. But, what does he give New Zealand out of ten for the season?

Sky Sport’s Mils Muliaina catches up with one of the best to ever wear the All Blacks 11 jersey, the rocket man, Joe Rokocoko.

Sky Sport’s rugby experts, Justin Marshall and Grant Nisbett sit down with Australian legend, David Campese, in Sydney. The outspoken 1991 World Cup winner admires the All Blacks, but thinks the modern game lacks the flair of the 1980s and 90s. The famously tackle-shy wing/fullback also explains why Sean Fitzpatrick laughed at him after bringing down Jonah Lomu in a Bledisloe Cup match near the end of his career.

This week's Playmakers episode sees rugby league legend Honey Hireme-Smiler recount on her successful professional sporting career spanning 18 years. 

Life, Love, Loss & League with host Ravinder Hunia.

The Kiwi State of Origin view. New Zealand rugby league great Adam Blair and commentator Glen Larmer look back on Queensland’s incredible win over New South Wales. Blues supporter, Goran Paladin asks them how the heck the Maroons did it with a team labelled “the worst ever”.

Sky Sport’s rugby experts, Justin Marshall and Grant Nisbett sit down with former Australian Governor-General, and rugby nut, Sir Peter Cosgrove in Sydney. They discuss his life in the military and public office, as well as his involvement with his country’s bid to host the World Cup. He also loves telling stories about a life well lived, including an unexpected encounter with royalty after the All Blacks beat the Wallabies at RWC in 2015.

Tony Johnson catches up with John Wright, legendary cricketer and the first foreigner to coach the Indian national team. Now a musician, they cover his varied career and fascinating life. 

The Kiwi State of Origin view. Coming down from their opening game high, Queensland fans Wairangi Koopu and Adam Blair discuss the second clash in Sydney with Blues supporter, Goran Paladin. Amongst the hubris, Wairangi explains why a couple of trips to the Gold Coast qualifies him as a Maroon, while Adam (who actually played for the junior Queenslanders), reveals how modern wingers practice their acrobatic dives over corner posts.

Sky Sport’s rugby experts, Justin Marshall and Grant Nisbett, discuss the Wallabies’ upset Bledisloe test victory with Australian Players’ Association boss, and former international, Justin Harrison. You'll be surprised at which All Blacks great the lanky forward, known as "Googy", focused on during the Haka, someone he lightheartedly describes as "Milli Vanilli".

This week on Playmakers, Bathurst winner and Supercars Champ Shane Van Gisbergen joins Stephen McIvor to chat about his career, from early beginnings, to the dizzying heights of Supercars success, and heartbreak and triumph at The Great Race.

Wairangi Koopu is fizzing because he reckons he was born a Queenslander, and Adam Blair claims Dane Gagai as one of ours, in the loosest State of Origin 1 breakdown on either side of the Tasman. Hosted by Goran Paladin.

Kiwi Ferns legend Honey Hireme, coach Ricky Henry and Sky Sport's Ravinder Hunia talk about initiating the newbies, and 25 years of women's league history in NZ, before Saturday's test against Samoa in Auckland. 

Sky Sport’s rugby experts, Justin Marshall and Grant Nisbett, discuss this year’s Bledisloe battles with former Wallabies captain, Phil Kearns.

In a special mini Pod, Scott Dixon joins Stephen McIvor to discuss his sixth IndyCar title, what the future holds, and how a young Kiwi Supercars champ by the name of Scott McLaughlin is placed to join the league. 

This week, Kirstie Stanway chats to Black Fern Sevens player Ruby Tui. Hear stories of humble beginnings, fighting to pay her way at University, the Olympics, and almost fighting Rafael Nadal over a toaster.