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NZ Defender Tim Payne Hits 4.2M Followers, Outpaces All Blacks

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

New Zealand defender Tim Payne’s Instagram followers rose from 4,715 to 4.2 million after influencer Valen Scarsini called him the least-known player.
Coach Darren Bazeley in Florida said he does not understand mechanics but believes Payne handles fame well.
Payne posted a Spanish video thanking Scarsini and called the 48-hour surge “pretty crazy.”
His follower count exceeds All Blacks star Kane Williamson’s 3.3 million and All Blacks’ 2.8 million, while midfielder Marko Stamenic said the spike will not affect his focus.

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Story summary

New Zealand defender Tim Payne’s Instagram followers rose from 4,715 to 4.2 million after influencer Valen Scarsini called him the least-known player.
Coach Darren Bazeley in Florida said he does not understand mechanics but believes Payne handles fame well.
Payne posted a Spanish video thanking Scarsini and called the 48-hour surge “pretty crazy.”
His follower count exceeds All Blacks star Kane Williamson’s 3.3 million and All Blacks’ 2.8 million, while midfielder Marko Stamenic said the spike will not affect his focus.