Category: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland sprinter Lex Revell-Lewis has shaved one-hundredth of a second off his own national 400 metres record at the Adelaide Invitational.

Ideally drawn in lane six, with two faster opponents outside him, he was paced around the lap of the track in a time of 45.87s, finishing second behind Australian Luke van Ratingen (45.21s).

Last year, Revell-Lewis became the first Kiwi man to break 46 seconds for 400 metres, when he ran 45.88s in Melbourne.

Last week, he dipped under that barrier again, when he defended his national at Auckland in 45.97s, winning by more than a second. That performance earnt him a ticket to this months world indoor championships in Poland.

Earlier in the Adelaide meet, NZ javelin exponent Tori Moorby won her specialist event in 58.69m. Nick Southgate equalled his season best with 5.35m for second in the pole vault.

Sprinter Tommy Te Puni won the ‘B’ 100 metres final in 10.43s with a slight tailwind, before finishing third over 200 metres in 20.68s.

James Preston clocked 1m 45.07s to finish third over 800 metres and qualify for the world indoors, but New Zealand has already filled its quota of two in that event, with James Harding and Thomas Cowan both competing for US colleges.

Representing University of Oregon, Harding will contest the NCAA championship final this weekend.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC have moved to one point behind A-League men’s leaders the Jets with a 2-1 victory over them in Newcastle.

It was a victory of strength as the Aucklanders bid to not only retain the Premier’s Plate they won last year but also take the title crown in just their second year of operation.

It was the first time the Jets have been beaten this year, ending their 10-win run, while Auckland FC have turned it on after a diffident January to be unbeaten in their last six matches.

Sam Cosgrove has turned into a goal-scoring machine for the Aucklanders, with the Englishman nailing opportunities in the 15th and 52nd minutes to give him 10 goals for the season, while Clayton Taylor scored for the Jets in the 28th minute.

Cosgrove latched on to a cross from Jesse Randell for Auckland’s first goal, while he headed in a cross from Francis de Vries for his second.

Randell, who has been one of their stars in their current run of form, said it was a frantic match.

“I genuinely don’t think I have played a game like that in my life, I am absolutely knackered,” he told Sky Sport.

“It’s going to give so much confidence this win.”

The Aucklanders have five matches left in the regular season, with Macarthur the next opponents in Auckland on Saturday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix have moved into third place on the A-League women’s ladder with a comprehensive 3-0 home win over Brisbane Roar.

The result completed a great day for football in the capital, following the Phoenix men’s 2-0 over Perth Glory in the earlier match.

The Wellington women controlled their match, creating far more scoring opportunities than the Queensland side, as they started their drive towards the premiership and playoffs after a three-week break.

Manaia Elliott soared over two rivals to head in a superb Brooke Nunn cross in the 10th minute, while Emma Pijnenburg tapped in a half-volley, after some messy Brisbane defence six minutes later.

The Phoenix led 2-0 at halftime and Makala Woods, who blew two golden opportunities for goal in the first half, finally found the scoreboard in the 73rd minute, with the decisive shot, after a melee near the Roar net.

Brisbane’s best three chances were thwarted by brilliant saves from ‘Nix keeper Victoria Esson.

The Phoenix are now two points behind competition leaders Melbourne City, with Adelaide United separating them.

They welcomed back Macey Fraser in the second half and play Sydney FC in Sydney next weekend.

Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry said third was an amazing place on the ladder, but they still needed more consistency in their approach.

“We need to keep sharp through the whole 90 minutes leading into the finals,” she said on Sky Sport.

“Three-nil is a really good score and we are feeling really positive.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Crusaders have overcome three yellow cards and a plucky Highlanders side 29-18 to win their southern Super Rugby Pacific derby in Christchurch.

The defending champions avenged their season-opening 25-23 loss to their southern rivals last month, a big boost, after entering the match with only one win from four outings.

The Highlanders led 15-12 at halftime, after both teams scored two tries apiece, and the Crusaders temporarily lost front-rowers Codie Taylor and Finlay Brewis for yellow-card infringements in the first half.

They looked in danger of a red card, when Chay Fihaka cannoned high into the Highlanders first-five Cam Millar halfway through the second half, but it stayed yellow, as officials ruled a late dip at the contact. Millar stayed off the field, after failing a head injury assessment

In between, debutant flanker Johnny Lee scored two tries to give them the edge.

While they had another try disallowed for obstruction, the Crusaders had enough defensive smarts to hold onto their lead.

The Highlanders tried hard for a bonus point late in the match, but were held out.

Follow the live action here:

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fijian Drua have created history in Ba, with a tough 42-27 win over ACT Brumbies at the Four R Stadium in round five of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific competition.

It was their first victory over the Brumbies in seven matches so far, since 2022, handing the former competition leaders their second consecutive loss this year.

Drua flyhalf Isaiah Washington-Ravula also claimed a milestone of his own, becoming the first of his club to score 200 points in the competition.

Backed by more than 13,000 fans, led by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, the side played their first Super Rugby game at the stadium, which is now their third home ground.

Local media reports said fans were at the gates at 9am to purchase tickets for the game, following excitement during the week.

Despite giving away more penalties than their Australian opponents and being reduced to 13 players in the first half, because of yellow cards to Mesake Doge and Elia Canakaivata, the locals led 20-12 at halftime and built on that to claim their second win in the competition this season.

The game started with the temperature at 31 degrees, but a light drizzle at the break cooled off things for a while, before the rain came thundering down during the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Referee Paul Williams allowed the game to play and kept a a tight rein on discipline.

Drua debutant Sairusi Ravudi, who took over at hooker in a quick change before the game started, scored his first try of the series in the second half.

The Drua scored five tries – two by fullback Ilaisa Droasese – while Brumbies matched them, with lock forward Toby Macpherson claiming two of his own.

Brumbies featured two players of Fijian heritage – prop Lington Ieli and centurion Rob Valetini.

Follow the live action here:

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The defending champion Crusaders are looking to avenge their round one defeat against the Highlanders, as the sides rematch in Christchurch.

Since then, they have won just one match, while the Highlanders only boast one more to their name, as the seventh and eighth-placed sides lock horns again.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Crusaders: 1. Finlay Brewis. 2. Codie Taylor. 3. Fletcher Newell. 4. Antonio Shalfoon. 5. Tahlor Cahill. 6. Ethan Blackadder. 7. Johnny Lee, on debut. 8. Christian Lio-Willie. 9. Noah Hotham. 10. Rivez Reihana. 11. Sevu Reece. 12. David Havili (c). 13. Braydon Ennor. 14. Chay Fihaki. 15. Will Jordan.

Bench: 16. George Bell. 17. George Bower. 18. Seb Calder. 19. Will Tucker. 20. Xavier Saifoloi. 21. Kyle Preston. 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku. 23. Dallas McLeod.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot. 2. Jack Taylor. 3. Angus Ta’avao. 4. Tomás Lavanini. 5. Mitch Dunshea. 6. Te Kamaka Howden. 7. Sean Withy. (cc) 8. Lucas Casey. 9. Folau Fakatava. 10. Cameron Millar. 11. Jona Nareki. 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc). 13. Tanielu Tele’a. 14. Caleb Tangitau. 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: 16. Soane Vikena. 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown. 18. Rohan Wingham. 19. Oliver Haig. 20. Nikora Broughton. 21. Veveni Lasaqa. 22. Adam Lennox. 23. Reesjan Pasitoa.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix have given their A-League men’s playoff hopes a lifeline with a 2-0 home win over Perth Glory.

With their first win in eight games, the Phoenix move out of bottom place into ninth and, more crucially, just two points outside the top six.

Five matches remain for the Wellington side to build on this win, as they attempt to turn their season around, after the disastrous 5-0 loss to Auckland FC, which saw coach Giancarlo Italiano’s immediate resignation on 21 February.

Interim replacement Chris Greenacre enjoyed his first win in charge against Perth, with skipper Alex Rufer making a big difference to their attack in his return after suspension.

Locked at 0-0 at halftime, the Phoenix looking the more dominant team, but did not show it on the scoreboard.

Defender Corban Piper put them in the lead, when he headed in from a corner in the 55th minute.

They went further ahead with six minutes of regular time left, when Perth midfielder Nicholas Pennington scored an own goal, ending any hopes of victory for the visitors.

“We grinded and I think today was a very, very good performance, solid,” Rufer told Sky Sport.

The team had had a tough few weeks, but had adapted well to Greenacre’s approach, he said.

“Everyone put in a great shift tonight and [it’s] a massive three points.”

Wellington hadn’t won since 18 January against Sydney FC and they visit eighth-placed Brisbane Roar – ahead only on goal difference – next Saturday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Kiwi driver Liam Lawson has gained valuable Formula 1 points, finishing seventh in the sprint race, before Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai.

Mercedes driver George Russell, who won at Melbourne last week, took out the sprint from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Lawson started 13th on the grid, but gradually made ground during the 19-lap dash, moving into fifth with five laps to go, before losing a couple of places in the final two laps.

Driving on hard tyres, Lawson stayed out on the track, while others opted to pit.

His two points were his first this Formula 1 season, after finishing 13th at the Australian Grand Prix.

Lawson’s Racing Bulls team hailed his drive, but the Kiwi said the decision to use up a set of hard tyres in the sprint takes away an option for the Grand Prix.

“That is the problem,” he told Sky Sport. “We are one hard down and I think when we made the decision this morning we had to think about our speed.

“We tried to maximise today, take the advantage. Tomorrow will be hard for us to fight for the points.

“We need to find some speed, which we will try to do this afternoon [in qualifying], but yes, it potentially hurts us a little bit.”

The qualifying session starts at 8pm Saturday.

Russell held off the fast-starting Ferraris to stretch his championship lead to 11 points.

The Briton started on pole position at the Shanghai International Circuit and finished ahead of Ferrari duo Leclerc and Hamilton, after a late safety-car period.

Leclerc finished 0.674s behind Russell, after an earlier battle with Hamilton, as Ferrari had two cars in the top three of a Formula 1 race of any sort for the first time since 2024.

Hamilton and Russell battled for the lead early, with four changes in the opening five laps, before the Mercedes driver made a move that stuck and secured the eight points available for a sprint win.

Reigning champion Lando Norris finished fourth, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli fifth, after serving a 10-second penalty for a clash with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar on the opening lap.

Oscar Piastri finished sixth for McLaren, with Lawson seventh and Oliver Bearman taking the final point for Haas.

– Reuters/RNZ

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