A call for New Zealand Rugby to protect referees more. 

The Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union has postponed fixtures this weekend after a referee was so seriously abused he had to be escorted to his car over safety fears. 

Last month, the union said in response to escalating abuse towards match officials – highlighted by a person threatening to stab a referee – that they would cancel all senior club games if behaviour didn’t improve. 

Mike Hester, Participation Development Manager at NZ Rugby Union, joined Jason Pine to unpack the situation. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A call for New Zealand Rugby to protect referees more.&nbsp;
The Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union has postponed fixtures this weekend after a referee was so seriously abused he had to be escorted to his car over safety fears.&nbsp;
Last month, the union said in response to escalating abuse towards match officials – highlighted by a person threatening to stab a referee – that they would cancel all senior club games if behaviour didn’t improve.&nbsp;
Mike Hester, Participation Development Manager at NZ Rugby Union, joined Jason Pine to unpack the situation.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB brings you all the action and reaction to the sporting weekend.

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

Mike Hester: Participation Development Manager at NZR on referee abuse, Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union cancelling fixtures

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8bd167ce-d622-43eb-a195-b30a00322a55/transcript

New Zealand Cricket is faced with ever-growing tension and a major decision.  

The organisation is considering an overhaul of the domestic game, a privatised T20 league, dubbed NZ20.  

Former NZ Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the complexities of the situation, what will happen, and whether it’s a good idea. 

Vaughan told D’Arcy that it’s been coming for a long time.  

He says the tension between international and domestic cricket has been gathering momentum, and the time for NZ Cricket to make some difficult decisions will arrive very soon.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

New Zealand Cricket is faced with ever-growing tension and a major decision. &nbsp;
The organisation is considering an overhaul of the domestic game, a privatised T20 league, dubbed NZ20. &nbsp;
Former NZ Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the complexities of the situation, what will happen, and whether it’s a good idea.&nbsp;
Vaughan told D’Arcy that it’s been coming for a long time. &nbsp;
He says the tension between international and domestic cricket has been gathering momentum, and the time for NZ Cricket to make some difficult decisions will arrive very soon. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Justin Vaughan: Former NZ Cricket CEO on the tension around NZ20

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/58f0f9db-6cc6-42b2-ac86-b40d002eea9c/transcript

On the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for 8th March 2026, D’Arcy Waldegrave takes over, chatting with Warriors Assistant Coach Stacey Jones about the team’s thorough thrashing of the Raiders last night.  

Former NZ Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan talks NZ20 – what's happening? Is it a good idea? 

And Auckland FC is facing off against the table topping Newcastle Jets tonight, so CEO Nick Becker joined D’Arcy to preview the clash. 

Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for 8th March 2026, D’Arcy Waldegrave takes over, chatting with Warriors Assistant Coach Stacey Jones about the team’s thorough thrashing of the Raiders last night. &nbsp;
Former NZ Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan talks NZ20 – what's happening? Is it a good idea?&nbsp;
And Auckland FC is facing off against the table topping Newcastle Jets tonight, so CEO Nick Becker joined D’Arcy to preview the clash.&nbsp;
Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 14 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7e35f581-bb44-44b7-bfa4-b40d002484de/transcript

The Warriors have gone two-from-two in league's NRL in emphatic fashion. 

Coach Andrew Webster's praising the side's mental strength after they shook off a slow start to power away in the second half for a thumping 40-6 win over the Canberra Raiders in Auckland. 

Scores were locked at six-all due to the wet conditions, before the Warriors laid on a six-try blitz in the second spell. 

Warriors Assistant Coach Stacey Jones told D’Arcy that they made their own luck by working hard on the kick-chase part of the game, and put it back on the Raiders – especially in the second half.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Warriors have gone two-from-two in league's NRL in emphatic fashion.&nbsp;
Coach Andrew Webster's praising the side's mental strength after they shook off a slow start to power away in the second half for a thumping 40-6 win over the Canberra Raiders in Auckland.&nbsp;
Scores were locked at six-all due to the wet conditions, before the Warriors laid on a six-try blitz in the second spell.&nbsp;
Warriors Assistant Coach Stacey Jones told D’Arcy that they made their own luck by working hard on the kick-chase part of the game, and put it back on the Raiders – especially in the second half. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Stacey Jones: Warriors Assistant Coach on the team's decisive win over the Raiders

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f962af74-926b-451c-8d30-b40d00269476/transcript

Mike Hester: Participation Development Manager at NZR on referee abuse, Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union cancelling fixtures

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