December 18, 2024 • 12 mins
League convert Michaela Blyde has revealed her switch involved intense discussions with New Zealand Rugby.
Blyde is committed to the Black Ferns Sevens until May, when she'll join the Warriors for next year's NRL-W season.
She joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the big move.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk z'b Hi, Mikayla.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:14):
I'm good? Thank you, Darcy?
Speaker 4 (00:15):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
I'm very happy and I'm sure you are as well.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
That news came out late afternoon yesterday that you're off
to be a.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Wha up there was so this is why? Tell us
how that? How did that turn up? What happened there?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
To be honest, it was very surprising. It wasn't on
the cards for me to play n R l W
anytime soon. But after Paris, I had some good conversations
with my family and my fiance and it was a
good opportunity for me to spread my wings and challenge
myself as an athlete, because you know, two Olympic gold
(00:51):
medals is pretty good, right, so I've done no really, yeah,
I thought, oh, let's challenge myself in a different area,
and the Warriors presented me an incredible opportunity that I
couldn't say no to. And you know, when I look
back as when I was a kid growing up, Obviously
my family are rugby union people, but we always watched
(01:14):
the Warriors on TV and everyone knows who they are
everyone does the up, the wars, the runaway, So I
couldn't help but want to be a part of the
culture and a part of the team for the ner
LW for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Who approached who do you know what?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
It was actually another league team that approached my agency first,
and I cut That's how the conversation sparked up, and
I was like, Oh, I'm quite keen to just focus
on being with family and my partner and just relaxed
because obviously the season leading into Paris was just absolutely hictic,
and so I didn't really have a second thought about it.
(01:51):
But after a little bit, I decided that it was
actually probably a really good good idea to look into
it a little bit more deeply. And then after attending
Sean Johnson's last home game against the Bulldogs a couple
months back, the environment was amazing. The culture is so
cool that you just can't help but want to be
a part of it. And so that was definitely the
(02:13):
light bulb moment where I was like, you know what,
this is actually what I want to do, and this
is the club and the culture that I want to
be a part of. And so had some conversations with
some pretty important people and put pen to paper on Tuesday,
I believe, no Monday, actually just on Monday.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
So did you approach them when you decided will they
come to get you? Or did your agent go, hey,
there's been some interest. I'm just interested in that process.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Mikayla, Well, I think it started when the New Zealand
Warriors posted a quote that Goussie and I, Sarah Hidney
and I said at the at Sewn Johnson's last home game,
and they posted it on Instagram, and then all of
a sudden, a few other teams rang my agency and said, hey,
(03:00):
is Mikala Buite interested in playing league? And so that's
kind of really how it sparked up. So I guess Paon,
who interviewed Gossy and I should be really patting himself
on the back right now because if he didn't ask
that question, if we were interested in NRLW in the future,
then I don't know if we would be here today
having a chat. But yeah, the Warriors expressed interest after
(03:20):
that that night and had some good conversations, and the end,
after having a good think about it, the Warriors were
the team that I wanted to be a part of
for next year.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
So who was it? Do you remember the name of
the person?
Speaker 3 (03:34):
I believe his name is Ronald Griffiths, the coach of
the Warriors NLW team for next year.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Look at that. There you go. Now we got to
the bottom of that one. So what do you know
you got? Have you got any experience in rugby league
at all?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
No, not at all. But it's the same size rugby ball.
You catch him pass quite similarly, and the tackling is
slightly different. But I'll get used to it very quickly.
I'm sure I'll be relying on all my team to
help me in learning the rules as fast as possible.
(04:10):
I understand the rules, and I know that a lot
of you know the penalties, the scrums. There's no line
out and the scrums barely a scrum, and there's suctickles
unless there's a penalty. So I understand all of that stuff.
It's just a matter of creating habits. My habit now
is when I get tackled, I place the ball as
(04:31):
a staple, or when I tackle, you've obviously got a
release straight away to then go for the ball. So
there's all those little habits that have been instilled in
me since twenty twelve that I'm going to have to
shake off. But I'm sure that I'll have There's so
much support at the Warriors who will allow me to
learn and grow my league skill set in my own time.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
What did your.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Friends and family say when the news came out? That's
the reaction being from them and your former teammates, all,
I suppose your current teammates within the Black Fans.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Yeah, my family are very proud. They understand that I'm
one of the older girls in the Black Friend sevens
now and I've stayed loyal and committed to the program
since I was sixteen, and so they're definitely very proud
of me making this massive decision to explore other options.
But my teammates were a little bit surprised. I always
(05:23):
said to those who went to league in fifteen in
the last few years, I used to tease them and say, oh,
where's your loyalty to sevens one team my dream? But
now I've gone back on that and gone to league myself.
It's the awkward, but my teammates are very supportive, and
especially because I'm playing for the Warriors and everyone knows
who they are. Everyone sees otherwise, and you know, they
(05:45):
are well aware of the brand and the culture, and
so they're very happy for me to go and play
for the Warriors and explore that option deeply next year
for twenty twenty five. So lots of support around me,
which is exciting and it just makes them news even
more exciting for myself and my family having this much
support around me.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Mckaylor.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
The reaction from ends. How does that operate?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
It's a one year contract, So do you disappear, play
for a year, come back pick up where you left off.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
How does that mechanic work?
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Yeah, so obviously it's a pretty intense discussion. So my
twenty twenty five and twenty twenty six contract has been
terminated with Indied AU. I have now re signed with
Blackfood and Sevens until May, which is when the World
Series ends for the seven circuit. I will then transition
(06:35):
into the Warrior's environment straight after that, and then for
twenty twenty six, I have full intentions of coming back
to the Indied AU as long as they're wanting me back.
It obviously depends on how I pull up after the
league season, But for me personally, I'm just staying focused
in present in my seventh season with the Black Friend
Sevens from January to May, and then I'll put all
(06:58):
my focus into the Warriors environment when the seven season
has finished. But first and foremost, I'm ready to win
a world series with the Black Food seven than my sisters.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Do you get a week off before you transfer or not?
Do you a cup of team to lie down? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Yeah, I'll get a couple of weeks just to be
able to go home and pack my bags because we've
got to move to Auckland. So that's a big move
for a little old mikaelab Bly from Tartanaki, So I
will definitely need some time to rearrange and get some
stuff sorted so i can move up to Auckland. But
I'm very fortunate to have my partner's family all live
(07:33):
in Auckland, and so I'll be close to family and
have their support as well if I need a home
cooked meal, which is very cool. So very glad that
I'll be close to them, But yet get a couple
of weeks and then the o'll transition into the Warriors camp.
I believe. I think my first day is the twenty
sixth of May, so I'm very excited for it, but yeah,
(07:54):
still staying very focused and present with the Black Friend
sevens for now.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Mikaela Blide joins us on the program. What about other
players that have transferred You said you used to rip
on them before. Are you worth any former Ferns within
the Warriors setup? Did you talk to any former Ferns
about what they thought of their transition to rugby league?
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Yeah, obviously Gayl was the first one to transition back
in twenty twenty two, and seeing her grow as the
player that she is not only that but a fantastic
leader on the field as well, which we all knew
she's a very talented human being. So yeah, Gail was
obviously the first one that transition. Then Nile was not
long after her, and then asked to Tyler and Stacey
(08:37):
and Tamika did the same thing. And I think it's
just great because as female rugby players we have those
opportunities to transition to different coades. But not only that,
it's to be paid to do it as well. And
then also you don't see a lot of men transition
from rugby to league too often. You've obviously got the
classics of Sunny Bill Williams and Roger To of Akashikho
(08:57):
have done it, but to see more females do it
is really exciting for our game and the opportunity for
us to be full time played, full time paid athletes
in rugby. So we can't help that celebrate it, you know,
So it's important that we see the positive side of
it all. I've been in obviously good conversations with the
girls to understand how the ENTERLW work and especially with
(09:22):
the contracts and all that. So it's a big scary world,
but it's extremely exciting for females to have these opportunities
to be paid a sleetes to complete, to compete either
in rugby union or league or both. So yeah, I'm
just very proud to be a part of that legacy
who have the ability to be able to participate in both.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Codes Trailblazer and last but not least. And you started it,
so I'll finish it. Did they shower you in money?
Is it financially worth? It was that part of the
reason you went across. They said, look look at these
handfuls of gold, Makayla, it's worth you while.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Right, I mean, obviously it's important that the women rugby
players are supported as much as they can because you know,
there are still some players who are having to work,
but then there are others who are full time. So
obviously now with being more of a professional athlete, there's
more money involved in these types of opportunity, so we've
(10:20):
got to celebrate all of that as well. And so yeah,
obviously there is money involved, but for me, it's just
an amazing opportunity to grow myself as a rugby player
and hopefully grow my skill set as a league player
and you know, potentially play some really good rugby. I mean,
I don't want to hype myself up too much because
I might be terrible at playing league, so I'm going
(10:43):
to try and make sure that I can, you know,
better my skill set. So the Warriors aren't investing in
an average league player, So I'll get practicing as soon
as I can watch the seventh season is finished, and
then hopefully it'll be worth it.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
All two hundred and fifty tries across two hundred appearances
for the New Zealand seven side, I think you're going
to be okay. Plus the glut of medals and world
championships and oh before you go, can I have the
number of your arms, trainer, please, because after I meet you,
I've got gun envy.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Yeah, it's called genetics. And I was very fortunate to
be blessed with parents who are very fit and strong
and healthy. So I was blessed with a mother who yeah,
definitely didn't struggle on gaining muscle in the gym, So
very grateful for her. And I guess in regards to
(11:38):
the rugby world, you've got to have strong arms otherwise
you'll struggle to tackle people and send people off. So yeah,
just do some buys and tries, lots of buyers and tries.
Lots of shoulder press press ups are also really good.
Just anything upper body, really and you'll start to grow
some boulders for shoulders.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
I'm sure I'm trying, but I'm fifty five. Mikaela Bly,
thanks so much for joining us. Really appreciate your time. Congratulations,
really looking forward to being at Mount Spartan screaming up
the wires and seeing you tear off down the wing
to score after.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Score after score after score after score. And you have
happy holidays. Merry Christmas, thank you.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Darcy, Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year to you
as well. And afterwards.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk z'b Hi, Mikayla.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:14):
I'm good? Thank you, Darcy?
Speaker 4 (00:15):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
I'm very happy and I'm sure you are as well.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
That news came out late afternoon yesterday that you're off
to be a.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Wha up there was so this is why? Tell us
how that? How did that turn up? What happened there?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
To be honest, it was very surprising. It wasn't on
the cards for me to play n R l W
anytime soon. But after Paris, I had some good conversations
with my family and my fiance and it was a
good opportunity for me to spread my wings and challenge
myself as an athlete, because you know, two Olympic gold
(00:51):
medals is pretty good, right, so I've done no really, yeah,
I thought, oh, let's challenge myself in a different area,
and the Warriors presented me an incredible opportunity that I
couldn't say no to. And you know, when I look
back as when I was a kid growing up, Obviously
my family are rugby union people, but we always watched
(01:14):
the Warriors on TV and everyone knows who they are
everyone does the up, the wars, the runaway, So I
couldn't help but want to be a part of the
culture and a part of the team for the ner
LW for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Who approached who do you know what?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
It was actually another league team that approached my agency first,
and I cut That's how the conversation sparked up, and
I was like, Oh, I'm quite keen to just focus
on being with family and my partner and just relaxed
because obviously the season leading into Paris was just absolutely hictic,
and so I didn't really have a second thought about it.
(01:51):
But after a little bit, I decided that it was
actually probably a really good good idea to look into
it a little bit more deeply. And then after attending
Sean Johnson's last home game against the Bulldogs a couple
months back, the environment was amazing. The culture is so
cool that you just can't help but want to be
a part of it. And so that was definitely the
(02:13):
light bulb moment where I was like, you know what,
this is actually what I want to do, and this
is the club and the culture that I want to
be a part of. And so had some conversations with
some pretty important people and put pen to paper on Tuesday,
I believe, no Monday, actually just on Monday.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
So did you approach them when you decided will they
come to get you? Or did your agent go, hey,
there's been some interest. I'm just interested in that process.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Mikayla, Well, I think it started when the New Zealand
Warriors posted a quote that Goussie and I, Sarah Hidney
and I said at the at Sewn Johnson's last home game,
and they posted it on Instagram, and then all of
a sudden, a few other teams rang my agency and said, hey,
(03:00):
is Mikala Buite interested in playing league? And so that's
kind of really how it sparked up. So I guess Paon,
who interviewed Gossy and I should be really patting himself
on the back right now because if he didn't ask
that question, if we were interested in NRLW in the future,
then I don't know if we would be here today
having a chat. But yeah, the Warriors expressed interest after
(03:20):
that that night and had some good conversations, and the end,
after having a good think about it, the Warriors were
the team that I wanted to be a part of
for next year.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
So who was it? Do you remember the name of
the person?
Speaker 3 (03:34):
I believe his name is Ronald Griffiths, the coach of
the Warriors NLW team for next year.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Look at that. There you go. Now we got to
the bottom of that one. So what do you know
you got? Have you got any experience in rugby league
at all?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
No, not at all. But it's the same size rugby ball.
You catch him pass quite similarly, and the tackling is
slightly different. But I'll get used to it very quickly.
I'm sure I'll be relying on all my team to
help me in learning the rules as fast as possible.
(04:10):
I understand the rules, and I know that a lot
of you know the penalties, the scrums. There's no line
out and the scrums barely a scrum, and there's suctickles
unless there's a penalty. So I understand all of that stuff.
It's just a matter of creating habits. My habit now
is when I get tackled, I place the ball as
(04:31):
a staple, or when I tackle, you've obviously got a
release straight away to then go for the ball. So
there's all those little habits that have been instilled in
me since twenty twelve that I'm going to have to
shake off. But I'm sure that I'll have There's so
much support at the Warriors who will allow me to
learn and grow my league skill set in my own time.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
What did your.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Friends and family say when the news came out? That's
the reaction being from them and your former teammates, all,
I suppose your current teammates within the Black Fans.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Yeah, my family are very proud. They understand that I'm
one of the older girls in the Black Friend sevens
now and I've stayed loyal and committed to the program
since I was sixteen, and so they're definitely very proud
of me making this massive decision to explore other options.
But my teammates were a little bit surprised. I always
(05:23):
said to those who went to league in fifteen in
the last few years, I used to tease them and say, oh,
where's your loyalty to sevens one team my dream? But
now I've gone back on that and gone to league myself.
It's the awkward, but my teammates are very supportive, and
especially because I'm playing for the Warriors and everyone knows
who they are. Everyone sees otherwise, and you know, they
(05:45):
are well aware of the brand and the culture, and
so they're very happy for me to go and play
for the Warriors and explore that option deeply next year
for twenty twenty five. So lots of support around me,
which is exciting and it just makes them news even
more exciting for myself and my family having this much
support around me.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Mckaylor.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
The reaction from ends. How does that operate?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
It's a one year contract, So do you disappear, play
for a year, come back pick up where you left off.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
How does that mechanic work?
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Yeah, so obviously it's a pretty intense discussion. So my
twenty twenty five and twenty twenty six contract has been
terminated with Indied AU. I have now re signed with
Blackfood and Sevens until May, which is when the World
Series ends for the seven circuit. I will then transition
(06:35):
into the Warrior's environment straight after that, and then for
twenty twenty six, I have full intentions of coming back
to the Indied AU as long as they're wanting me back.
It obviously depends on how I pull up after the
league season, But for me personally, I'm just staying focused
in present in my seventh season with the Black Friend
Sevens from January to May, and then I'll put all
(06:58):
my focus into the Warriors environment when the seven season
has finished. But first and foremost, I'm ready to win
a world series with the Black Food seven than my sisters.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Do you get a week off before you transfer or not?
Do you a cup of team to lie down? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Yeah, I'll get a couple of weeks just to be
able to go home and pack my bags because we've
got to move to Auckland. So that's a big move
for a little old mikaelab Bly from Tartanaki, So I
will definitely need some time to rearrange and get some
stuff sorted so i can move up to Auckland. But
I'm very fortunate to have my partner's family all live
(07:33):
in Auckland, and so I'll be close to family and
have their support as well if I need a home
cooked meal, which is very cool. So very glad that
I'll be close to them, But yet get a couple
of weeks and then the o'll transition into the Warriors camp.
I believe. I think my first day is the twenty
sixth of May, so I'm very excited for it, but yeah,
(07:54):
still staying very focused and present with the Black Friend
sevens for now.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Mikaela Blide joins us on the program. What about other
players that have transferred You said you used to rip
on them before. Are you worth any former Ferns within
the Warriors setup? Did you talk to any former Ferns
about what they thought of their transition to rugby league?
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Yeah, obviously Gayl was the first one to transition back
in twenty twenty two, and seeing her grow as the
player that she is not only that but a fantastic
leader on the field as well, which we all knew
she's a very talented human being. So yeah, Gail was
obviously the first one that transition. Then Nile was not
long after her, and then asked to Tyler and Stacey
(08:37):
and Tamika did the same thing. And I think it's
just great because as female rugby players we have those
opportunities to transition to different coades. But not only that,
it's to be paid to do it as well. And
then also you don't see a lot of men transition
from rugby to league too often. You've obviously got the
classics of Sunny Bill Williams and Roger To of Akashikho
(08:57):
have done it, but to see more females do it
is really exciting for our game and the opportunity for
us to be full time played, full time paid athletes
in rugby. So we can't help that celebrate it, you know,
So it's important that we see the positive side of
it all. I've been in obviously good conversations with the
girls to understand how the ENTERLW work and especially with
(09:22):
the contracts and all that. So it's a big scary world,
but it's extremely exciting for females to have these opportunities
to be paid a sleetes to complete, to compete either
in rugby union or league or both. So yeah, I'm
just very proud to be a part of that legacy
who have the ability to be able to participate in both.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Codes Trailblazer and last but not least. And you started it,
so I'll finish it. Did they shower you in money?
Is it financially worth? It was that part of the
reason you went across. They said, look look at these
handfuls of gold, Makayla, it's worth you while.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Right, I mean, obviously it's important that the women rugby
players are supported as much as they can because you know,
there are still some players who are having to work,
but then there are others who are full time. So
obviously now with being more of a professional athlete, there's
more money involved in these types of opportunity, so we've
(10:20):
got to celebrate all of that as well. And so yeah,
obviously there is money involved, but for me, it's just
an amazing opportunity to grow myself as a rugby player
and hopefully grow my skill set as a league player
and you know, potentially play some really good rugby. I mean,
I don't want to hype myself up too much because
I might be terrible at playing league, so I'm going
(10:43):
to try and make sure that I can, you know,
better my skill set. So the Warriors aren't investing in
an average league player, So I'll get practicing as soon
as I can watch the seventh season is finished, and
then hopefully it'll be worth it.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
All two hundred and fifty tries across two hundred appearances
for the New Zealand seven side, I think you're going
to be okay. Plus the glut of medals and world
championships and oh before you go, can I have the
number of your arms, trainer, please, because after I meet you,
I've got gun envy.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Yeah, it's called genetics. And I was very fortunate to
be blessed with parents who are very fit and strong
and healthy. So I was blessed with a mother who yeah,
definitely didn't struggle on gaining muscle in the gym, So
very grateful for her. And I guess in regards to
(11:38):
the rugby world, you've got to have strong arms otherwise
you'll struggle to tackle people and send people off. So yeah,
just do some buys and tries, lots of buyers and tries.
Lots of shoulder press press ups are also really good.
Just anything upper body, really and you'll start to grow
some boulders for shoulders.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
I'm sure I'm trying, but I'm fifty five. Mikaela Bly,
thanks so much for joining us. Really appreciate your time. Congratulations,
really looking forward to being at Mount Spartan screaming up
the wires and seeing you tear off down the wing
to score after.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Score after score after score after score. And you have
happy holidays. Merry Christmas, thank you.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Darcy, Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year to you
as well. And afterwards.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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