Cowboys chief operating officer and former Warriors hardman Micheal Luck says their results haven't been up to scratch in recent years and believe Payten can change that.
Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon is gutted head coach Aaron Mauger has been shown the door.
Mauger's contract has not been renewed after three years in charge.
Dixon, who is in camp with the North squad ahead of tomorrow's game against the South in Wellington, says it's tough.
Former champ Andy Murray is out at the US Open, thrashed in straight sets in the second round by Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime
Football's Oceania Champions League has been cancelled for 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the eight teams still standing to receive 25 thousand dollars prize money.
