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Live: All Blacks v Wales

Source: Radio New Zealand

The All Blacks take on Wales for their final test of the year in Cardiff.

Coach Scott Robertson has made 13 changes to the side – captain Scott Barrett and Simon Parker are the only survivors from the loss to England at Twickenham, with an entirely new backline named.

As expected, one of them is Ruben Love starting at fullback – his first appearance on the tour.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4.10am.

Team lists

Wales: 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Dewi Lake, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Alex Mann, 7. Harri Deaves, 8. Aaron Wainwright, 9. Tomos Williams, 10. Dan Edwards, 11. Tom Rogers, 12. Joe Hawkins, 13. Max Llewellyn, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 15. Blair Murray

Bench: 16. Brodie Coghlan, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Archie Griffin, 19. Freddie Thomas, 20. Taine Plumtree, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Jarrod Evans, 23. Nick Tompkins

All Blacks: 1.Tamaiti Williams, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Ruben Love

Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Fletcher Newell, 18. George Bower, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Christian Lio-Willie, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23. Sevu Reece

Scott Barrett will captain the All Blacks against Wales. www.photosport.nz

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Phoenix lose home match to Macarthur FC

Source: Radio New Zealand

Macarthur FC players celebrate after Harry Sawyer’s winning goal against the Phoenix. Photosport

Wellington Phoenix have lost their A-League home match against Macarthur FC 1-0.

Harry Sawyer scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute.

The visitors were the sharper side, creating more scoring opportunities, while the Phoenix struggled to get their attack in order enough to threaten the Macarthur goal.

The score would have been higher, but for some daring saves by goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi. He got a touch on Sawyer’s goal, but could not prevent it going into the net.

The result leaves the Wellington side with one win and a draw from five matches. They are eighth on the table, but that could change over the course of the weekend.

Macarthur’s second win for the season puts them two points ahead of the Phoenix in seventh place.

Auckland FC, who lead the A-League table on 10 points, play fifth-placed Brisbane Roar at Mt Smart Stadium at 3pm Sunday.

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Formula One: Kiwi Liam Lawson qualifies sixth for Las Vegas Grand Prix

Source: Radio New Zealand

Liam Lawson landed on the second row of the starting grid at Las Vegas. AFP

Kiwi Liam Lawson will start from sixth on the grid for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, after a gutsy drive in qualifying.

In a frenetic final lap, Lawson went from the fifth-fastest lap time to third, before dropping back to sixth, as Brit Lando Norris stormed to his first Las Vegas pole with a brilliant final lap.

Norris timed 1m 47.934s, with 0.323secs back to Dutchman Max Verstappen. Spaniard Carlos Sainz was third fastest, ahead of Brit George Russell and Aussie Oscar Piastri. Lawson was next in 1m 49.062s, 1.128sec behind Norris’ time.

Fernando Alonso, Lawson’s Racing Bulls team-mate Isack Hadjar, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.

Lawson’s best qualifying position was third in the Azerbaijan GP in September.

The three qualifying sessions on the Las Vegas Strip were chaotic, with rain causing a slippery surface, although it dried out in the closing stages.

Lawson finished 10th fastest in the first qualifying stage and then sixth in the final two sessions.

He had an eventful final practice session, his Racing Bulls car almost being hit by Brit Lewis Hamilton, while earlier, pieces of carbon fibre could be seen flying from his car onto the track.

Lawson, who is fighting for a place in the Racing Bulls team next year, is 14th in the championship standings heading in to Las Vegas, with teammate Hadjar 10th.

Norris leads Piastri by 24 points in the championship, while defending champion Verstappen is 49 points off the lead.

“Boy, that was stressful, stressful as hell,” said Norris. “It’s so slippery out there.

“As soon as you hit the kerb a bit wrong, like I did, you snap one way, lose the car the other way. Close to hitting the wall.

“No-one has driven around here in the rain before, so it was difficult to know what to expect.”

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who normally excels in wet conditions, will start last at a street circuit his team had hoped would favour them.

Television footage showed him hitting a bollard, which may have become stuck under the car, before the seven-time world champion failed to beat the chequered flag for a final flying lap that he aborted.

“Couldn’t get the tyres to work,” the Briton said over the radio.

Leclerc also had his hands full, his Ferrari stalling on track and then re-starting in that phase.

Alex Albon smashed his Williams’ suspension, when he hit the wall at the end of an opening phase that also left Mercedes’ Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli in 17th and Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda 19th.

“It was very strange, like ice,” said Tsunoda. “I don’t know what has happened specifically, but clearly something isn’t working.”

Norris made it through Q1 in 13th, with Piastri a safer sixth, while Russell set the pace, ahead of Verstappen, on the treacherous surface.

The second phase was delayed slightly for repairs to the bollard at turn 14 and to clear debris from the track, as the rain eased off and a dry line emerged.

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Dog owner, pooch rescued from Arrowtown cliff by helicopter

Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighters and a helicopter crew teamed up to pluck a person and their dog to safety (file photo). Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust

A person and their dog have been winched to safety by helicopter, after getting stuck on a cliff in Otago.

Emergency services were called about 1pm Saturday and responded to the incident close to Thompson Hill, near Arrowtown, along the Twin Rivers Trail.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the pair had to be rescued using harnesses and a helicopter, as they were trapped about 60 metres down.

The person became stuck, when they tried to rescue their dog and found they could not get back up to the track.

Two crews of firefighters from Frankton and one crew from Arrowtown were sent to the scene.

The rescue was wrapped up by 4pm Saturday, the spokesperson said, and there were no reports of injuries.

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Fatal Sanson fire: ‘It will take time to get answers for the family,’ say police

Source: Radio New Zealand

August, Hugo and Goldie died in a house fire in Sanson on 15 November. GIVEALITTLE / SUPPLIED

Police say it may be some time before they can provide answers to the family of four who died in a housefire in the Manawatū town of Sanson this month.

On Saturday, Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed the names of those who died in the 15 November blaze – Goldie May Iris Field, 1, Hugo John Field, 5, August James Field, 7, and 36-year-old Dean Michael Field.

Grantham said the whānau were receiving “wrap-around support”, as they dealt with the devastating loss, and acknowledged the grief felt throughout the community.

“The scene examination at the property has been completed and this was handed back to family on Thursday morning,” he said.

Grantham stressed that the investigation into the fatal incident remained active.

“Police’s investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing and it will take time for us to get answers for the family,” Grantham said.

“We would like to acknowledge the community for their outpouring of support for the family, as they come to terms with this tragedy.

“I would also like to thank the many police staff who have worked tirelessly over the last week and continue to work on this difficult investigation.”

Police have not released any further details about the cause of the fire.

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Ngāi Tahu takes Crown to High Court over proposed changes to Conservation Act

Source: Radio New Zealand

Justin Tipa says proposed changes to the Conservation Act would move decision-making on concessions on conservation land to the minister alone. Supplied / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is taking the Crown to the High Court over proposed Conservation Act changes, claiming the plans are a threat to its Waitangi Treaty settlement.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka proposed the changes in August to address a backlog of concession applications that he said “sometimes take years to process”.

The changes included streamlining and centralising conservation land management, and a review of Section 4 of the Conservation Act, requiring the Department of Conservation (DOC) to give effect to the principles of the treaty.

Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa told RNZ the proposal would shift decision-making from conservation boards and the Conservation Authority to the minister.

He said the Ngāi Tahu treaty settlement guaranteed the iwi representation in decision-makng and the proposal would lead to the privatisation of public conservation land.

“What they are proposing is that concessions may be granted up to 60 years for critical infrastructure and that essentially means that, on public conservation land, it’s going to be privatised by stealth.

“It’s alienating Māori, it’s alienating Ngāi Tahu, it’s alienating New Zealanders from the whenua.”

Wellington High Court. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Tipa said the iwi had been left with no other choice and taking action in the High Court was not a step taken lightly.

“That’s the problem iwi are confronted with. Governments come and go, and they have no institutional memory of their commitment, so we are compelled to spend significant amounts of our settlements defending and protecting our settlements.

“Every time a new government comes into power, we are having to educate and re-educate on what our claims are, what they mean, how they work with legislation.

“At the end of the day, treaty settlements didn’t appear our of thin air. They were the culmination of sustained legal political and social dialogue spanning decades.”

Two-thirds of public conservation land sits within the Ngāi Tahu rohe and Tipa said vital contribution of localised knowledge would be lost.

“We always stand at the ready to engage with government departments, with ministers and ministries to help shape policy, and test thinking.

“Unfortunately, the advice we attempted to give fell on deaf ears and they went ahead with these proposals that would undermine the integrity of the Ngāi Tahu settlement.”

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka proposed the changes to address a backlog of concession applications. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told RNZ he had been advised Ngāi Tahu had taken the matter to court.

“Our government remains focused on delivering clear, decisive conservation reform that strengthens biodiversity and provides greater certainty for communities,” he said. “We are progressing this work diligently.”

Tipa said the High Court action was only the first step and the iwi was determined to hold the Crown to the promises it made almost 30 years ago, when the Deed of Settlement was signed.

“I would like to see the changes scrapped, but if they don’t, we stand ready to engage,” he said.

“I don’t have a lot of faith. I’ve seen this government consistently overturn the rule of law.

“They don’t listen to the majority of New Zealanders. There’s a minority in this country that has a very large powerbase in this country and, unless we stand up and take action, I don’t have a lot of faith in the future for Māori under this government.”

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UFC Fight Night: Arman Tsarukyan v Dan Hooker, what you need to know

Source: Radio New Zealand

Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker face off at UFC Fight Night. Getty Images

UFC Fight Night: Arman Tsarukyan v Dan Hooker

Main event starts approximately 7am NZT, Sunday

ABHA Arena, Doha

Live blog updates on RNZ

Dan ‘The Hangman’ Hooker is back in mixed martial arts action this Sunday morning, taking on Arman Tsarukyan in a lightweight fight that headlines UFC Fight Night in Doha.

Hooker returns to the Octagon for the first time since August last year, when he defeated Mateusz Gamrot in a split decision over five rounds.

Meanwhile, Tsarukyan’s last fight was a split-decision win of his own, although you have to go even further back for that. The Armenian’s victory over Charles Oliveira was in April last year, before he suffered a back injury that’s kept him out of action since.

Where is Hooker’s career right now

Dan Hooker is currently sixth-ranked lightweight in UFC. Photosport

Hooker, 35, arrives as the sixth-ranked fighter in the lightweight division, while Tsarukyan is No.1 among the contenders chasing Ilia Topuria’s championship belt.

It feels like the City Kickboxing stalwart is definitely on the backend of his long career, especially since most headlines about him lately have been for fights he’s organised in his backyard, rather those he’s participated in.

This match-up is the most onbrand one for Hooker though, as no-one is keen to go near the dangerous Tsarukyan right now. In the past, Hooker has jumped at the chance to face the likes of Edson Barboza, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, while his most notable risk was a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev.

Hooker lost all of those fights, but rides a three-win streak into this one.

Who is Arman Tsarukyan

Tsarukyan, 29, has been in the UFC since 2019 and his debut fight was a memorable battle with Makhachev that earned ‘Fight of the Night’ status. Since then, he’s only suffered one loss and currently has a four-fight win streak.

Tsarukyan is being positioned as a serious challenger for Topuria’s title, with this fight seen by many as a stepping stone to a co-main event at a future numbered UFC card. He is known for his wrestling and grappling skills, and being able to stifle the pace of opponents that prefer a stand-up fight.

Tale of the tape

Kiwi Dan Hooker grapples with Paul Felder in their Auckland lightweight bout in 2022. Photosport

Dan ‘The Hangman’ Hooker

Age: 35

Based in Auckland, New Zealand

UFC record: 24-12 (11 KO, 7 submissions)

Height: 1.83m

Weight: 71kg

Arman ‘Ahalkalakets’ Tsarukyan

Age: 29

Based in Yerevan, Armenia

UFC record: 22-3 (9 KO, 5 submissions)

Height: 1.70m

Weight: 70kg

What they’re saying

“He’s a good fighter. He’s dangerous on the feet, but on the ground, I think my game is way better.

“I think I’m more powerful on the striking – my hands, my legs – I kick harder, I punch harder. Maybe my technique is not that good, but on the feet, if I punch him, I can knock him out.” – Arman Tsarukyan

“I did say it would be the first decapitation in UFC history. I said I would kick his head clean off his shoulders and they will have to sew it back on afterwards.” – Dan Hooker

What will happen

While Hooker certainly has the fighting spirit, it’s difficult to see him coming out on top of this one.

The main thing in his favour is Tsarukyan’s long absence from the ring, but even then, the match-up is showing a potentially long, slow submission battle.

One thing for sure, Hooker would rather die than quit, so Tsarukyan will have to bring something extra in the arsenal to make sure the result goes his way. Expect some elbows and ground-and-pound, if he gets on top from the second round onwards.

Hooker simply needs to stay on his feet and take the fight to Tsarukyan to have any chance. It’s not impossible and he does possess very experienced kickboxing ability, so one decent shot early could change the trajectory of this fight dramatically.

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Serious crash shuts Matamata road

Source: Radio New Zealand

Emergency services were called to Manuka Street, after a pedestrian was struck by a car. RNZ / Tim Brown

Police are responding to a serious crash in Matamata on Saturday afternoon, after a pedestrian was struck by a car.

Emergency services were called to Manuka Street about 1.50pm. Initial indications suggested there were serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit was notified and the road was closed, while emergency services were at the scene.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.

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The Ashes live: Australia v England first test, day two

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action on day two of the five-test Ashes series between archrivals Australia and England.

The first test will be played in front of a soldout crowd at Perth Stadium.

First ball is scheduled for 2.20pm NZT

Perth Stadium is hosting the first test of the Ashes series. SAEED KHAN

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Live: Black Caps v West Indies – third one-dayer

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Caps face the West Indies for the final one-day in their series at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

New Zealand have already sealed the three-game series, beating their rivals by five wickets with three balls to spare in a rain-curtailed second ODI at Napier on Wednesday.

First ball is scheduled for 2pm.

Devon Conway hits out against West Indies. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

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