NRL: NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster latest victim of social media fake news

NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has struggled to hide his emotions when confronted by a fake social media post announcing the death of wife Emma.

At the weekly Warriors media opportunity, Webster, 44, was taken aback, after he was asked about a phenomenon plaguing sports stars that have been increasingly targeted by seemingly AI-generated news of tragedy.

One such Facebook post declared "the world of New Zealand rugby league is quietly mourning the passing of Emma Webster, the devoted wife of New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster".

"To hear you talk about my wife like that is not very nice," Webster told the reporter. "I'm not on social media, so I only hear about it from people like you today.

"At the same time, if you want to live in that world and be part of it, you're going to get this. I'm sure somebody's got enough technology to create something like that, they've got enough technology to get rid of it, so that stuff never happens.

"There are smarter people than me who can do that. I'll stay in my lane - I'll make sure my family know that's not true - and I'm sure somebody can put an end to it."

When Webster was named 2023 Dally M Coach of the Year in his debut season with the Warriors, he quickly credited his spouse for her support in his acceptance speech.

"She's been amazing," he said. "We moved countries, had a baby, I became a head coach, so there was a lot of pressure and a lot of things happening in a short amount of time.

"She just handled it in her stride and never complained once. She allowed me to chase my dreams and I'll always be grateful for that."

The social media 'death notice' used the image of Andrew and Emma Webster from that night.

"Emma was known not only for her warmth and grace but also for her steadfast support, serving as a calming unwavering presence behind one of the sport's most respected figures," the post said.

Webster is just the latest sports star targeted with false claims of illness, retirement or death over recent months.

Some NZ sporting bodies have had to warn fans not to subscribe to unofficial sites containing this unsubstantiated material.

Unknown to him, Webster features in such posts almost weekly, usually directing an imaginary tirade against opposition coaches - but nothing as brazen as this.

These days, he tries to avoid the chatter of the outside world, whether that be through social or mainstream media.

"I know, when I was on it [social media], I could be grazing and two hours later I'd still be scrolling through my phone," he said. "I think it doesn't keep me clear on what I want to do.

"If you want to be elite at anything you do, you've got to have a creative mind. You've got to be clear in what you do and, if you're scrolling all the time, you're just filling your head with crap information."

For elite athletes - and probably achievers in most walks of life - social media has become a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it can cause damage to mental wellbeing and reputations, but on the other, it has become a valuable tool for developing profile.

Webster was loathe to advise his players on how to use social media.

"They don't need me to be their dad all the time," he said. "They don't need me giving them lectures on life's lessons.

"I'm here for them. We've had people far more qualified than me tell them what it does to the brain - how you can't learn as well, how you can't sleep at night.

"There are so many different reasons why you shouldn't be on it, but at the same time, these players have got a brand and they can be successful by furthering their careers.

"You're only in this for a short time and, as long as they using it in the right manner, I'm fully supportive, as long as they know how to deal with this sort of stuff and can give themselves an out."

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