Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand has made a flying start to the Winter Olympics in Italy, with all three men qualifying for the final of the snowboard Big Air event.

Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson and Dane Menzies all finished inside the top 12 in a 30-man field to secure their spots in the high-pressure showdown at Livignio Snow Park on Sunday morning (NZT).

Farrell was the best of them, locking down seventh with his third and final run, reacting with animation when he landed his run and then again when the judges’ score was announced.

Needing to score 73.50 to finished inside the 12, Farrell produced a score of 81.50.

“Olympic finalist sounds incredible, I can’t believe it, it’s so good,” he told Sky Sport, reflecting on the additional pressure of being the 30th and last competitor to complete his run.

“There were a lot of people getting their runs done and I’m just waiting.

“I’ve got the best team ever, to keep me going forward. Everyone believes so much in me, it’s the best formula I could possible have to doing well.

“They kept me in a place where I felt like I could do anything and somehow in the last run I made it happen. Just crazy.”

Farrell, the oldest member of New Zealand’s 17-strong Olympic team at age 27, produced a combined score of 170.00. It was found by adding his two best runs.

That was enough to lift him one place ahead of Jamieson (168.25) while Menzies snuck through in 11th place with 164.00.

The top qualifier was Japan’s Hiroto Ogiwara (178.50), followed by Italy’s Ian Matteoli and Japan’s Kira Kimura.

The next New Zealanders in action will be Ruby Star Andrews and Sylvia Trotter in women’s freeski slopestyle qualifying on Saturday night (NZT).

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The New Zealand Breakers have been left with a mountain to climb to reach the NBL playoffs after being outplayed on their home court 114-83 by the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Missing a number of key players, the Breakers fell away in the second half after going to the main break with the scores locked at 52-52.

It completed a season-sweep for the Phoenix over the Breakers, having won all four of their games, and lifted the Melbourne club to the top of the table.

The Breakers dropped one place to eighth and will probably need to win all of their four remaining games to have any hope of reaching the top six, starting with tonight’s quick-turnaround contest against the Illawarra Hawks – also in Auckland.

Coach Petteri Koponen’s team will need to be better if they’re to beat the seventh-placed visitors, having been eclipsed in most departments by the Phoenix.

They were without rising star Karim Lopez, who picked up an injury in the buildup, adding to a medical list that also includes Sam Mennenga and Rob Baker, whose seasons have been ended prematurely by injury.

Izaiah Brockington stepped up to score 19 points while Tai Webster had 16 points and eight rebounds before he was ejected in the fourth quarter.

Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright mixed 15 points with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals before he was ejected in the final quarter after earning two technical fouls.

South East Melbourne’s defence also forced New Zealand into 14 second half turnovers and they dominated the third quarter, winning it 34-15.

Six of their players scored double figures, led by Ian Clark with 23 points.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Super Rugby Pacific is back after a real return to form last year, with the competition kicking off in Dunedin on 13 February. As usual, each team has gone through an eventful off season, so today we’re checking in on last year’s fairytale team, Moana Pasifika.

Highlanders team preview

Overview

Moana pretty much saved themselves from extinction by finishing in seventh place and memorably making the play-offs last year. That was done off the back of a gigantic workload by Ardie Savea, who will not be with the team this year as he plies his trade in Japan. His absence will be the talking point over Moana this year, as they look to keep the momentum going on and off the field.

The Good

Despite Savea leaving, the squad assembled by coach Tana Umaga is definitely beginning to make Moana look more like a favoured destination than second or third resort. Former Hurricane and All Black Ngani Laumape is the big addition to the midfield, while Jimmy Tupou and 132 kg Alefosio Aho will add a lot in the second row.

The Bad

While they’ve stepped out of last resort category, Moana are seemingly in another stage they probably don’t want to be in. Kyren Tamouefolau’s departure to the Chiefs is a sign that other teams are now very much eyeing up any young talent Moana produces, so the pressure is on to be a title contender simply to make those players stick around.

Big boots to fill

Miracle Faiilagi has been handed the unenviable task of replacing Savea as not only captain, but also the key loose forward. However, he will have plenty of help in the form of Semisi Paea and last year’s breakout star Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.

What makes Moana fans different

Moana went from playing in front of three men and a dog to establishing a fan base so dialled in they made North Harbour Stadium feel like Ellis Park. The most important game on the calendar is now definitely the crosstown derby with the Blues, which will likely be ramped up through both sides’ willingness to take shots at each other on social media.

Big games

Once again, it’s all of them. There will be an extra edge when Moana travel across town to play the Blues at Eden Park in round five, while they host their rivals in round 11. That run from round three on sees them play the Chiefs twice and the Crusaders once as well, after which we’ll have a decent barometer of what sort of post-Ardie reality Moana are in.

2026 squad

Props: Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Tito Tuipulotu

Hookers: Mamoru Harada, Millennium Sanerivi, Samiuela Moli

Locks: Alefosio Aho, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tauatevalu, Tom Savage

Loose Forwards: Dominic Ropeti, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Tupou Afungia

Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Taumateine, Melani Matavao, Siaosi Nginingini

First Fives: Faletoi Peni, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Patrick Pellegrini

Midfield: Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape, Tevita Latu

Outside Backs: Glen Vaihu, Israel Leota, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili

Next up on Monday: The Blues

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Seamer Matt Henry grabbed five wickets and came up clutch in the final over as the Black Caps saw off the United States by seven runs in a T20 World Cup warmup match in Mumbai.

It capped a difficult day for New Zealand, who couldn’t field ill batsmen Rachin Ravindra, with a viral infection having struck the team this week, according to coach Rob Walter.

Devon Conway was only cleared late to play the game while fellow-opener Finn Allen missed the game with a shoulder complaint.

Walter said he expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from for Sunday’s opening pool match against Afghanistan in Chennai.

Henry at least showed he was fit and firing, finishing with 5-32 as the US reached 201-8 off their 20 overs, in response to New Zealand’s 208-7.

The unheralded American side needed 12 to win off the final over but experienced seamer Henry halted them in their tracks, conceding just four runs and taking the wickets of Shubham Ranjane and Mohammad Mohsin off the second and fourth balls.

Earlier, Henry claimed the scalp of Andries Gous from the first ball of the chase and he later removed Milind Kumar for 43, while legspinner Ish Sodhi (2-27) dismissed top-scorer Saiteja Mukkamalla for 50.

New Zealand’s best with the bat was opener Tim Seifert, who blasted 66 off 31 balls before retiring to give others time at the crease.

Glenn Phillips struck a rapid 40 and Daryl Mitchell contributed 32.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots

Kick-off: 12:30pm, Monday 9 February

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

Part sport, part spectacle, part national holiday.

Whether they are tuning in for the iconic halftime show, the unforgettable ads, or maybe even some football, one hundred million eyes glued to screens during Super Bowl 60.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy goes on the line in the biggest day of the US sporting calendar.

Here is everything you need to know.

Who, where and when?

The Super Bowl returns to Levi’s Stadium for the first time in a decade as the Seattle Seahawks meet the New England Patriots at 12:30pm NZT Monday 9 February. Home of the San Francisco 49ers, the Silicon Valley stadium boasts a capacity of just under 70,000 and is hosting the Super Bowl for only the second time.

The teams

New England Patriots

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Patriots experienced a massive and unexpected turnaround this season. After consecutive 4-13 seasons, they finished the regular season with an impressive 14-3 record, earning first place in the AFC East and first division title since 2019.

Both offence and defence were excellent, going undefeated 8-0 on the road and posting their best winning percentage (.824) since their 2016 Super Bowl season.

The Patriots defeated the LA Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card Round, then the Houston Texans 28-16 in the Divisional Round. In the AFC Championship Game, they pulled out a hard-fought 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos.

That earned their first Super Bowl appearance since the Brady-Belichick era, an ominous sign to everyone that had consigned the perennial powerhouse franchise to history.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks finished with a 14-3 record, good enough for top seed in the NFC and their best regular-season mark in franchise history.

They carried that momentum into the playoffs, securing their first playoff win since 2019 and advancing through to defeat the LA Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game.

The win marked their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014 season and only the fourth in franchise history. They will be desperate to make up for the last time they made it this far, when they lost in dramatic fashion to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.

Key players

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has thrown for over 4000 yards and became an MVP candidate. Strategic additions like wide receiver Stefon Diggs elevated the team’s playmakers, while rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson also made a major impact, rushing for 911 yards and nine touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed a major free-agent deal, has delivered one of the best seasons of his career. Darnold has also thrown for over 4000 yards and came up clutch in the postseason. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards with 1,793 and broke the Seahawks single-season receiving record. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon and safety Nick Emmanwori’s big seasons have helped the Seahwaks defence rank among the league’s top units.

Any Kiwis?

There is! Seahawks runningback George Holani was born in Auckland and moved to the US at three-years-old.

Holani is of Tongan heritage and is one of 11 children. His football journey started at the age of eight, before also trying his hand at rugby.

Holani has been with the Seahawks since 2024 after joining as an undrafted free agent.

The 24-year-old is second on the depth chart and should get a few carries on Monday.

Halftime

It’s no secret that the halftime show is often more anticipated than the game for the many bandwagon fans.

This year will see the most streamed artist in the world take centre stage, the “King of Latin Trap”, rapper, singer, and songwriter, Benito Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny.

The choice has been met with some backlash in conservative circles, who have lashed out with ugly rhetoric against the Puerto Rican, in a similar vein to what Kendrick Lamar dealt with in 2025.

Whether or not you’re familiar with his music, expect a spectacle, as the man knows how to hype a crowd.

Fans will also get a dose of nostalgic punk rock courtesy of Green Day, who surged to popularity in the early 2000’s with his such as American idiot and Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Trump and Bad Bunny

Just as he inserted himself into the Super Bowl narrative in 2025 due to his feud with Taylor Swift, president Donald Trump has again bogarted headlines with his staunch opposition to Bad Bunny.

To the utter horror of a certain portion of American fans, spurred on by the president, the selection of a an artist who almost exclusively sings Spanish to perform at halftime is a crime against their country, Ironically ignoring the fact that Bad Bunny is a US citizen.

The Puerto Rican has been an outspoken critic of Trump, and the President in turn has boycotted the Superb Bowl.

“I’m anti-them,” Trump said. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”

Bad Bunny hit back at the president and his ICE squad during his Grammy acceptance speech.

“We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans,” he said deriding the recent wave of latino deportations.

History

The game came about due to there being two competing football competitions, the American Football League and the National Football League. The first AFL/NFL Championship game was held in 1967 after numerous attempts to make it work throughout the decade but it wasn’t officially named the ‘Super Bowl’ until 1970 when the leagues merged. Each edition became denoted by Roman numerals two years later.

The numbers

By the time the ball is kicked, billions will already have been banked. Tickets are starting at around $6000 NZD for the ‘cheap seats’, ad slots are selling for more than $12 million for 30 seconds, and Americans are set to spend north of $20 billion on Super Bowl Sunday.

Spare a thought for the poultry, with more than a billion chicken wings to be eaten and washed down with 300 million gallons of beer.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

One of the major talking points around the start of Super Rugby Pacific next weekend are tweaks to the laws, designed to make for a better viewing experience. While it does seemingly push the competition just that much farther away from the rigours of test rugby, the changes are being warmly received by the players themselves.

“I think it’s going to be good for the game,” said Brumbies and Wallabies fullback Tom Wright, at the competition launch in Auckland.

“Those two rules in particular, the ‘use it’ and the 50/22, you have to do your own homework and have to be switched on. Does it take one or two (penalties) early in the season where it pulls someone’s pants down? I hope it’s not mine or someone else in the Brumbies’ pants that get pulled down.”

The changes include a new sanction for joining a ruck after the referee has called ‘use it’, which should mean the ball is cleared quicker. Accidental offsides and teams delaying playing the ball away from a ruck are now free kicks, with quick taps given more room to occur.

It’s no longer mandatory for the referee to issue a yellow or red card to a player on the defending team when awarding a penalty try, while teams can pass the ball back over the halfway line when attempting a 50/22 kick.

Highlanders and All Blacks lock Fabian Holland said he reckoned the changes were “exciting”.

“It speeds up the game, it brings a different way of thinking around the way we play the game.”

Holland had sympathy for the officials and the job they do in controlling an increasingly confusing game. He said that the other change that sees the TMO’s influence further reduced was a positive.

“Everyone’s just trying to do their job, the TMO’s are just trying to do their job. No one is intentionally interfering with anything, they’re just trying to make the game better. But it’s good to see some laws coming in to speed up the game again and play fast footy.”

While this is not the first time a Super Rugby season has included law variations, these latest ones seem to be going down positively with fans. The same can’t be said about former test referee Mathieu Raynal on Sud Radio this week.

“They want more passing, more tries, less time spent in mauls and scrums, whereas we defend these specific elements and are against directions being set by the Southern Hemisphere,” he said.

“Our [French Top 14] championship works. Our stadiums are full, rugby is more watched than football in the country. We don’t want to follow directions coming from countries where stadiums are empty, where they are trying to recreate spectacle at any cost, even if it means sacrificing fairness and the principle of player safety.”

Ironically, Raynal is most remembered in this part of the world for his highly controversial call at the close of the 2022 Bledisloe Cup test in Melbourne, one that was justified as an act to punish time-wasting. With the Wallabies ahead and time up, Raynal awarded a free kick to the All Blacks after Bernard Foley was adjudged to have taken too long to kick a penalty to touch. The subsequent possession saw the All Blacks score a try to win the match 39-37.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

In one fateful hour, Auckland FC went from having goalkeeping riches to needing to go to market in a global search for a new shotstopper.

All White Oli Sail had played back-up to Michael Woud between the sticks for 14 consecutive games in the A-League this season.

Sail finally got a call-up off the bench on Saturday, against his former side Perth Glory, a game he was subbed out of just after the hour mark with a season-ending knee injury.

The 30-year-old had surgery on Wednesday and coach Steve Corica said Sail could be sidelined for six to seven months.

With Sail out and the team’s other contracted goalkeeper, Joe Knowles, also injured, as well as Reserves goalkeeper Eli Jones battling glandular fever and the club’s OFC Pro League keepers in Papua New Guinea, Corica said the club was actively looking for another goalie to join the ranks.

“There’s a lot of goalkeepers around, but a lot of them are unavailable at the moment,” Corica said.

A-League experience was not critical in the search for the replacement, but if they knew the league, Corica did see that as a bonus.

“The window’s open so we can bring players in. We can look overseas as well to bring a young goalkeeper back, the search is wide.”

After getting dropped, Woud was not benched for long and could now be crucial to turning around Auckland’s defensive lapses.

“He had a good start to the season, I think the last couple of games he’s made a couple of errors which was the decision to change him.

“But he knows what he’s done and how good he can play. I spoke to him [on Thursday] and he seems in good spirits and he’s going to have to be.

“He’s got his second chance really quickly so it’s up to him now.”

Confidence as a cure-all

Corica sees confidence as a cure-all to the situation Auckland FC are in.

Third on the A-League ladder with one win from six games in January, the team has conceded 10 goals in the calendar year and scored eight.

Corica has identified the next three games on the schedule – Sydney FC home, Sydney FC away and Wellington Phoenix away – as important for the team’s spirits.

He believed double success against Sydney would buoy them for the third and final New Zealand derby of the season.

Auckland’s leading goalscorers look different this season from last.

Jessie Randall, Lachie Brook and Sam Cosgrove are joint leaders on the club’s goalscoring tally this season with six each.

Guillermo May and Logan Rogerson who were leading that tally last season, have yet to make much of an impact on the scoresheet, with May slotting one goal and Rogerson still goalless.

Corica wanted more from that duo to ease the load on Randall, Brook and Cosgrove.

“Football is all about confidence and some players are confident players and if they’re feeling a little bit hard done by or not getting in the right positions to score that’s up to them to change that.

“We can try and help them in that department as well but we do have players that can score more goals and the more goals we score then we maybe aren’t in that situation that we let teams back into games.”

In Auckland’s first season in the A-League the club was known for scoring late winners or salvaging results after the 90-minute mark. In season two, late in the game is where Auckland have dropped points, especially of late.

“It really only started against Melbourne City, which was three weeks ago and that was the first time we’ve ever lost from a leading margin but since then the Central Coast game they came back and got a draw out of it but we expected to win that game at home and obviously against Perth it happened again so it’s a confidence thing as well.

“It’s like winning, when you’re winning games it just comes naturally and when you’re conceding goals late on and that period comes again this weekend they’ll start to think about it and it’s how we deal with it and the mentality and the strength we have to get through that period.”

Corica rued some missed opportunities to put distance between them and the other clubs earlier in the season but was up for the challenge of getting back to the top of the ladder with 11 games still to play.

“We’re still in a good position right now and I think the league is a lot closer this year from top to bottom, so the team that wins the league probably won’t get as many points as we did last season because everyone is beating everyone.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Finn Fisher-Black has defended his time trial title at the Elite Road National Championships in Cambridge, while Olympic triathlete Hayden Wilde showed he’s right up there with some of New Zealand’s best riders.

Fisher-Black went back to back with a time of 52:24.29 in the men’s 44.2 kilometre event, over a minute faster than Glenn Hayden in second place.

World Tour rider Ben Oliver came third and wild card Hayden Wilde, who is better known on the triathlon circuit, came fourth.

Two-time Olympic medallist Wilde was 2:06 slower than Fisher-Black. He finished faster than the likes of Paris Olympic track rider Tom Sexton, and World Tour riders Reuben Thompson, and George Bennett.

Wilde, 28, is currently ranked the No. 1 male triathlete in the world, having secured the prestigious 2025 T100 Triathlon World Championship title in December 2025.

He is back home for summer on his ‘off-season’. He competed in the 2020 edition of the road race, but Thursday was his first entry in the time trial.

Wilde is also competing in Saturday’s road race at the cycling nationals at Te Awamutu.

In the Elite Women’s time trial Ella Wyllie finished the 27.6 kilometre circuit with the quickest time in 37 minutes 45.34 seconds.

Mikayla Harvey was just 29 seconds behind, and Paris Olympic track rider Bryony Botha came third.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Pia Vlok was sitting in the changing rooms still on a high after becoming the first Phoenix women’s player to score an A-League hat-trick on Sunday, when she received a phone call from the Football Ferns coach.

National women’s coach Michael Mayne told Vlok she was getting her first Football Ferns call-up for this month’s World Cup qualifying leg in Solomon Islands.

The 17-year-old high school student had just helped the Phoenix women crush the Jets 5-1 in Newcastle, recording their biggest ever road win.

“After the game in the changing room, Mayne called Bev [Phoenix coach] and then she gave me the phone …it was Mayne and he was like ‘you can come to qualifiers’, it was awesome,” Vlok said.

“So surreal, after the hat-trick I was on such a high and then to get the call-up it was like the best week ever.”

The exciting forward said she had received tonnes of messages since.

“It’s crazy all the people who reach out, my phone’s been going off but it’s so nice and all my old friends.”

It’s fair to say her first season of A-league football has surpassed all her expectations.

“I was kind of just hoping to get some minutes, play some football, get in the squad was a goal …to start games and score goals, I wouldn’t have thought that [this] would happen.”

Vlok said her national call-up has come far sooner than she dared dream.

“I didn’t think it would happen so fast. A goal for me for a couple of years has been the World Cup next year but I didn’t see [this coming].”

Since Vlok got her Phoenix debut she’s looked threatening in front of goal and said on Sunday everything felt open.

“I didn’t even feel like there was a goalkeeper in there you know but I think it’s taken a bit to get there, at the start of the season maybe I was a bit more shy to shoot.”

Vlok, who grew up in Auckland, primarily played for boys’ teams in 2025 but also made some appearances for Auckland United’s women’s team before joining the Phoenix.

The power of Vlok’s shots has been impressive and the teenager said playing a lot of football with and against boys had helped her be physically ready for the league.

“It’s just so good for development, especially when I was really young …and having an older brother, I’m always trying to kick the ball harder, be better, stronger, so I think it just comes from that.

“Then going from Auckland United and National League to A-League I found it pretty smooth but definitely a step up, a lot a faster, more physical.”

Having more time to dedicate to training since joining the Phoenix had also made a big difference.

“I’ve got so much stronger, even just in pre-season the improvement’s been crazy.”

Vlok started her first day of the school year on Tuesday after the team got back from Australia.

She is part of the first intake of students at the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa (NZPAA) which opened as a charter school for athletes in Upper Hutt this year.

Vlok was greeted with a lot of ‘that’s so sick’ from her new classmates.

On days when she is training with the Phoenix she heads to school early in the afternoon, otherwise she does a regular school day.

“They are super flexible … on training days I probably do about three hours and then try and catch up after school.”

A win against Perth in Wellington tomorrow would see the Phoenix women go to the top of the A-league table.

“Hopefully I can score again in front of the home fans because they’re great …so exciting being up there and we’ve got so much support now.”

Phoenix coach Bev Priestman said the 17-year-old had not exceeded her expectations.

“I think there’s more to her than probably what people have seen …the minute she got on the pitch with great footballers she was not out of place and she trains like an animal …she’s a competitor,” Priestman said.

Priestman said expectations around the teenager would be high now.

“It’s early doors right, people are going to start scouting her now and ask different questions of her game and that’s the journey of a young player is to evolve and keep growing and stay humble and I’ve seen signs of that for sure.”

Does Priestman anticipate overseas clubs might start coming for Vlok?

“Yeah and I think we’ve got to be careful with that right, I think it has to be at the right time, we have Pia on a three-year deal, it’s very early in her career …you’re always advising minutes is the number one thing, young players want to play.

“Getting the right test at the right time can make a career, I’ve had young players in the past go to PSG (Paris Saint-Germain FC) and sit on a bench for an entire season, it’s cost them an Olympic Games. That’s the balance it’s developing players at the right time, I think Pia loves this environment.

“Players eventually go on and write a story of their own career but I think we have a really good environment to foster young talent.”

Priestman said Vlok was unique in that she had both technical ability as well as physical athleticism.

Priestman’s resume includes coaching in the English professional league, assistant coach of the England women’s national team, and head coach of Canada.

She was also an early mentor for Mayne when working for New Zealand Football more than a decade ago and naturally the Football Ferns coach sounded her out about Vlok.

“We have the discussions before selections and talk …that conversation [about Vlok] has been ongoing pretty early to be honest. It was nice …after the hattrick, I text Mayne and we arranged the call there and he got to tell her, which is always nice to see.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A State of Origin game will be played at Eden Park next year, according to reports in Australia.

The Australian and Code Sports report that a deal, worth about $5 million, has been finalised, with game two of rugby league’s State of Origin series between Queensland and NSW to be held in Auckland in 2027.

The game will reportedly kick off at 9.30pm NZT to suit Australian viewers in Queensland and NSW.

Last October it was reported that the New Zealand Government was in talks with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) to bring a game to Aotearoa.

The deal is reportedly part of the $70m Events Attraction Package.

ARLC boss Peter V’landys last year said New Zealand was a possible future venue.

“Next year we’re going to the MCG and then 2027 is available, so Origin in New Zealand is on our hit list,” he said.

State of Origin is an annual three match series between Queensland and New South Wales.

It has been held at neutral venues in recent years with Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne all hosting games.

The last time an Origin match was played outside of Australia was in 1987 when an exhibition game was played in Los Angeles, California.

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