Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland will take charge of the Blues on a three-year Super Rugby Pacific deal starting next year, after finishing up as an assistant at the Hurricanes.

Holland has been appointed Blues head coach in place of Vern Cotter, who will leave at the end of this season to take up the equivalent role with Queensland’s Reds, replacing the Wallabies head coach-in-waiting, Les Kiss.

It is the latest move in an 18-year professional coaching career for 53-year-old Holland.

He has held assistant posts with Munster in Ireland and the Crusaders and Hurricanes in Super Rugby, before four seasons as Hurricanes head coach.

A promotion followed in 2024, as an assistant to the newly appointed All Blacks coach Scott Robertston.

However, Holland announced late last year he wouldn’t renew his two-year contract with the national team, becoming the second assistant to leave the post after Leon MacDonald.

Robertson was subsequently sacked earlier this year by New Zealand Rugby following mixed results, and has been replaced by Dave Rennie.

Holland said his initial focus would be on his current role, having rejoined the competition-leading Hurricanes this year as an assistant.

“It’s meant a lot to me to return to the club this season after a few years away,” Holland said.

“While I’m excited about what lies ahead at the Blues, my focus remains solely on doing everything I can to bring the Super Rugby Pacific title to the Hurricanes.

“The opportunity to join the Blues from 2027 is incredibly exciting. It’s a club with a proud history and I see huge potential to add to that legacy.”

Blues chairman Don Mackinnon said the appointment represents a “significant step forward”.

“His experience at both Super Rugby and international level, including with the All Blacks, makes him an exceptional candidate to lead the Blues into our next chapter.

“Just as importantly, this appointment provides long-term certainty and stability for our club, our players, and our fans.”

Interim Hurricanes chief executive Tony Philp acknowledged Holland’s contributions this season and reinforced his commitment to the club throughout the remainder of the campaign.

“We are proud of Alfie and all he has done for our club, and we look forward to his efforts during the rest of the 2026 season,” Philp said.

“He has the utmost integrity and will do all he can for the Hurricanes in our pursuit of winning the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title.

“He will always be a Hurricane, and we look forward to doing battle with him in the coming seasons.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Wellington Phoenix have all but secured a place in the women’s A-League finals after recovering from conceding an early goal to beat Sydney FC 3-1.

Down 1-0 after five minutes, teenage forward Pia Vlok found an equaliser for the visitors soon afterwards on her return from concussion before defenders Marisa van der Meer and Brooke Nunn scored in the second half.

A ninth win for the season lifts coach Bev Priestman’s team to second place The team’s record-equalling ninth win of the season lifts the Phoenix to second on the table, three points behind Melbourne City, with a game in hand.

With three matches remaining in the regular season, they still have a shot at taking the top seeding into the play-offs.

Their 31 competition points from 17 matches is a club record, three more than their previous best return in the 2023-24 campaign, which was from 22 matches.

Priestman wasn’t getting carried away, however, describing the performance as “a bit of a mixed bag”.

“At the end of the day to score three goals [and] get three points on the road against what I felt was a much improved Sydney side … I’ve got to be happy with the outcome,” Priestman she said.

“Did we make it a painful process and got in our own way? I think so, but … I think that’s the first time we’ve come back from going a goal down to getting three points.

“At the end of the day good teams can do that.”

Priestman said she hadn’t turned her attentions to the premiership race, instead focusing on a midweek catch-up match away to Central Coast Mariners.

The Phoenix will stay in New South Wales for the match in Gosford on Wednesday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

NRL: Newcastle Knights v NZ Warriors

Kickoff 5pm, Saturday, 21 March

MacDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Live blog updates on RNZ website

Knowledgeable NRL commentators and armchair critics alike are taking a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror, wondering what they missed about Tanah Boyd.

Those feelings of regret are probably amplified, if you’re on the Gold Coast Titans football staff, who let the unheralded halfback slip through their fingers and across the Tasman last season, landing at NZ Warriors HQ.

After five years and 69 first-grade games for the Titans, Boyd needed a change of scenery, and signed a two-year deal that saw him buried on a depth chart and initially consigned to reserve grade.

Twelve months later, the apparent journeyman has the keys to an attack that has piled 40 points onto two of the competition’s leading contenders – the most in club history over the opening two rounds – while making his doubters eat their words.

Serving up humble pie is not on Boyd’s agenda.

“Not at all,” he insisted. “I just worry about me and this team, these four walls and what happens here – that’s all I worry about.

“I feel like my confidence is really high at the moment, and I just want to keep it that way and keep going well.”

When first-choice half Luke Metcalf fell to a season-ending knee injury last June, Boyd inherited a team that had probably peaked too soon and were running on fumes, as they neared playoffs.

He was unable to spark a revival, as they lost six of their last eight games, including a limp, one-and-done effort against Penrith Panthers in the first week of the post-season, but the new season has brought a different perspective.

With Metcalf still a few weeks away from a return, Boyd has had an entire summer to consolidate his starting spot.

“I just think I’m a lot clearer on my role and the boys are responding to me a lot better,” he said. “I think having a full pre-season and getting the reps with them has really helped, and made them a lot clearer as well.

“Everyone’s on the same page at the moment and we just have to keep it going now.”

Coach Andrew Webster has seen the continued development of Boyd’s game across the two seasons.

“Last year, he was in contention for round one and he did his calf 4-5 weeks before the start of the season,” he said. “He started the season in reserve grade and he was outstanding, but just couldn’t get an opportunity through good form and us winning games.

“He got his chance and right at the end, in the finals, I think you saw him growing in confidence and the team were really confident around him. The last two weeks, he’s been dominant.

“When he runs the footy, we look good. When he tackles, we look good, and he kicks well.

“It’s not an easy game, but those three simple things we want him to be good at.”

After two weeks, Boyd led the competition in scoring (32), try assists (4) and linebreak involvements (3), and his early-season form has changed the whole narrative around the Warriors halves. He’s no longer just keeping the jersey warm for Metcalf’s return, but has created a genuine contest for both positions.

“You don’t have to pigeonhole halves that can only wear the seven jersey,” Webster hinted after the season-opening win over Sydney Roosters, which he agreed was Boyd’s best showing in a Warriors uniform.

“Everyone’s getting a bit better at being a six or a seven, or you just look at them as two halves.

“I’m not suggesting anything at the moment. I’m just grateful we have four really good halfbacks at hand.”

Boyd’s current job security has been amplified by the early attrition among his competition, with Te Maire Martin (broken leg) and Chanel Harris-Tavita (concussion) joining Metcalf on the sidelines.

This week, Webster will roll out fifth-string half Luke Hanson, who may still have missed out to first-choice fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, if he had been available.

Boyd and Hanson bring a tried-and-proven combination from last season’s triumphant reserves campaign, and started both pre-season trials together last month.

“It’s a big advantage – similar hairstyle, similar size,” Webster quipped. “They’ve played a lot of games together and won a lot of games together, and while it’s not at NRL level, they’ve built that confidence in each other.

“They know what to do, they know each other’s game and I’m sure they’ll lean on each other at the right time.”

Boyd is looking forward to pairing up with his old mate at the next level.

“I love playing with Lukey,” he said. “He’s a fast player and loves to run the footy, so I love creating space for him and I feel like he plays his best footy when he’s got space.

“He’s a tough little bugger and they’ll definitely go after him with his defence, that’s for sure. I’m so excited for him, so pumped and he’s had a great pre-season.”

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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 Chiefs have been stunned by the Brumbies in a Super Rugby Pacific thriller in Canberra.

Leading 24-7 with just over 20 minutes remaining, it looked as if the Chiefs would canter to victory.

But instead, the Brumbies rallied with four second-half tries to win 33-24.

Catch up with all the action as it happened:

Chiefs team list:

1. Jared Proffit 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. Reuben O’Neill 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Simon Parker 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Daniel Rona 14. Leroy Carter 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson 17. Ollie Norris 18. George Dyer 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Xavier Roe 22. Josh Jacomb 23. Lalakai Foketi

“The Brumbies are a terrific side and the Force next week will be tough in Perth, so this is a good mini tour for us. If we get things right, it will help set us for the rest of the season.” – Head coach Jonno Gibbs.

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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 Black Caps have cantered to victory in the third T20 against South Africa at Eden Park.

Openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham put on 96 for the first wicket, setting up the crushing eight-wicket win in Auckland.

After being asked to bowl, the Black Caps restricted South Africa to just 136, Kyle Jameison, Bean Sears and Mitch Santner all taking two wickets apiece.

The target would prove not nearly enough.

A blistering opening stand would all but take the game away from the Proteas, though with the century partnership in sight, Conway fell for 39 with New Zealand still needing 41.

Tim Robinson got the hosts within one, before he was out LBW for 17.

Nick Kelly got the required single and with Latham, who finished unbeaten on 63, saw the Kiwis home with 22 balls to spare.

The Black Caps now lead the five match series 2-1.

See how the game unfolded in our blog:

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the Chiefs take on the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Kick-off is at 9.35pm.

Chiefs team list:

1. Jared Proffit 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. Reuben O’Neill 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Simon Parker 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Daniel Rona 14. Leroy Carter 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson 17. Ollie Norris 18. George Dyer 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Xavier Roe 22. Josh Jacomb 23. Lalakai Foketi

“The Brumbies are a terrific side and the Force next week will be tough in Perth, so this is a good mini tour for us. If we get things right, it will help set us for the rest of the season.” – Head coach Jonno Gibbs.

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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 Hurricanes have kicked clear at the top of the Super Rugby standings after hammering the Highlanders 50-7 in Dunedin.

A hat-trick for Fehi Fineanganofo and a brace for Cam Roigard saw the Hurricanes romp to a 10th straight win over the Southerners.

The Highlanders would strike first through Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as the fullback sliced through untouched to score beside the bar.

But that would be as good as it got for the home side as the Hurricanes went on a 50-point unanswered scoring spree.

Roigard’s first came as he threw an audacious dummy just a metre from the chalk and launched himself over.

Next was from a quick tap, Roigard catching the Highlanders napping from a scrum penalty.

The Cane’s stretched their advantage courtesy of a pinpoint, flat cross kick by Ruben Love which landed perfectly in the arms of Fineanganofo.

The tries kept coming after the break, the best of the night coming shortly after sparked by a Ruben Love break.

Some beautiful interchange between the Hurricanes putting Devan Flanders over to cap a 60-metre scorcher.

The wheels well and truly fell off the hosts as replacement Bailyn Sullivan cruised over the chalk with Fineanganofo completing his trio.

The half century came through Peter Lakai as he lunged over from close range, mercifully ending the desiccation.

Follow how the action unfolded:

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket action as the Black Caps take on South Africa in Auckland for the third T20 international match.

The five-match series is currently tied 1-1.

First ball at Eden Park is 7.15pm.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

NRL: Newcastle Knights v NZ Warriors

Kickoff 5pm, Saturday, 21 March

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Live blog updates on RNZ website

Analysis: For just the fourth time in club history, NZ Warriors have a chance to start an NRL season with three straight wins – but so do Newcastle Knights.

The Auckland-based outfit have succeeded in that aim just once, when coach Stephen Kearney guided his team to five consecutive wins in 2018.

Both teams are unbeaten, but both are also hit hard by injuries.

Here’s what you need to know:

History

Newcastle Knights remain one of the Warriors’ most beatable opponents – in 53 previous outings, the Warriors have 27 wins and the Knights 25, with one draw.

They also have 27 wins against North Queensland Cowboys across just 49 games.

The 18-18 draw against Newcastle came in 2000, before the introduction of Golden Point.

The rivals are 5-5 over their last 10 meetings, but the Warriors are 4-1 in the last five, including both games last season.

Their last encounter was the memorable 20-15 finish at McDonald Jones Stadium, where the Warriors trailled 15-14 into the final seconds. Tanah Boyd’s field goal attempt was charged down, but the ball fell to teenager second-rower Leka Halasima, who rolled 40 metres for the winning try.

The Warriors lost their next three games and limped into the playoffs, winning just one of their last eight. Two weeks after the Halasima miracle, they lost in identical circumstance against the Dolphins.

Meanwhile, the Knights would lose their next six games by an average of 33 points.

Newcastle’s biggest win of this rivalry came in the very first encounter, when they inflicted a 48-6 hiding in 1995 round nine. Centre Nathan Barnes had three tries and Andrew Johns kicked 8/9 from the tee.

Four years later, the Warriors had a measure of revenge, matching the winning margin and hold their opponent scoreless in a 42-0 win at Ericsson Stadium (Mt Smart). Lock Jason Death scored two tries and Matthew Ridge kicked 7/8, while also finding the tryline.

Form

Unbelievably, both these teams are unbeaten after two rounds of the 2026 NRL.

Maybe you can believe the Warriors going unblemished, even though they have faced title contenders Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders early.

Somewhat against expectations, they have put 40 points on each of these heavyweights and restricted them to a combined 12 second-half points.

Their 82 points are the most the club has scored in the opening two rounds of any season and their +58 points differential is bigger than at any time last season.

They rank among the competition leaders in set completion (84 percent), possession percentage (56) and post-contact metres (1280).

Newcastle were last season’s wooden-spooners with six wins and 18 losses, after winning their opening two games and three of their first four.

Their two victories this season have come against North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles, who are both winless over the first two weeks.

According to official NRL stats, they somehow lead the competition in try assists (12), despite scoring only 11 tries.

Teams

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 11. Leka Halasima, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd. 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 12. Jacob Laban, 17. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Demitric Vaimauga, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Morgan Gannon, 23. Mitch Barnett, 20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Reserve: 22. Jett Cleary

Late change in the Warriors line-up, with centre Adam Pompey remaining in Auckland on babywatch. Halasima will step into the midfield, with second-rower Marata Niukore promoted into the starting line-up.

Co-captain Mitch Barnett nears a return to play, after suffering a season-ending knee injury last June. He was named among the reserves and has made the extended interchange bench.

With Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad under concussion protocols, Luke Hanson is named at five-eighth for his NRL debut, while Taine Tuaupiki takes the fullback spot.

Knights: 1. Fletcher Hunt, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 18. Tyson Gamble, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Jermaine McEwen, 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Thomas Cant, 15. Mat Croker, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Francis Manuleleua, 19. Harrison Graham, 21. Cody Hopwood

Reserves: 22. James Schiller

Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook has lost his two marquee players – Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Dylan Brown (knee) – in injury. Fletcher Hunt will start at fullback, but five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has also succumbed to injury and will make way for Tysson Gamble.

The Knights still have plenty of firepower among the backs with international wings Greg Marzhew (Samoa) and Dom Young (England), and Origin centre Dane Gagai and Bradman Best.

Player to watch

With playmakers Ponga and Brown sidelined, the keys to the Knights are held by Sandon Smith, who played 47 games for Sydney Roosters, but was shuffled out the side door last season, as Daly Cherry-Evans arrived in a limo and walked the red carpet out front.

He took over the goalkicking, after Ponga limped off last week, and victory was well in hand (30-10), when Brown didn’t return for the second half, so the pressure will be on him this week.

Kiwi player to watch

Hooker Phoenix Crossland has played every minute of the opening two games and led the Knights in tackles (48) in their Vegas win over North Queensland.

With no specialist dummy half on the Knights interchange, he can probably expect a heavy workload again against the Warriors, but strangely, he has made exactly no dummy-half runs this season.

They said it

“You can definitely see they’re confident, they’re happy with the way they’re playing and they’re definitely playing with a lot of spirit.”

Warriors coach Andrew Webster assesses the Knights’ turnaround

“Plenty, but only the obvious ones and that’s wise, so everyone’s clear on what they have to do, when they get called upon, and we don’t miss a beat.”

Knights coach Justin Holbrook tested a few halves combinations in the pre-season.

What will happen

Big difference in the quality of opposition for these two teams so far. McDonald Jones is a formidable home venue for the Knights – but it won’t be enough.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Crusader Joel Lam is expecting plenty of banter as Moana Pasifika get set to meet his old side.

Lam has been handed halfback duties for Moana in Saturday night’s round five clash, his first start in Super Rugby, against the side he earnt his first cap with.

He anticipates a few verbal jabs to be thrown his way on the pitch.

“I’ve got a a lot of mates in the Crusaders team that I went to the academy with straight out of school, so definitely a lot of familiar faces in that line-up, so, there will probably be a bit of chat.”

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Lam, who started the year without a Super Rugby contract.

“I got brought in on a player interim contract for the pre-season block and managed to secure myself a few more weeks after the pre-season. Last year was full of challenges and growth, it was actually quite funny the way it played out.”

Lam wasn’t even playing the same code in 2025, before Samoa came out of nowhere to offer him an international debut.

“I got a bit of a taste of playing hooker at league and said, ‘why not?’ So signed up to the Hornby Panthers, played a few club games there, and then moved over to the ditch to Brisbane and played for Souths Logan Magpies. Then got a call from Manu Samoa and I was back on tour.”

The 23-year-old made his Samoa debut in a loss against Tonga last year.

He said the reconnecting with his cultural roots had been special.

“Jack, my cousin, skipper of Samoa. He has been a great mentor to me. Being exposed to Samoa has obviously led me down the path of reconnecting with that side of my family.”

Lam comes from rugby royalty, Pat, AJ, Ben and Jack among the famous names in the game.

“There’s a good chunk of us, 350 plus of us, granddad’s a brother of 21. There’s a lot of us in our aiga, which is pretty cool and special to me.”

After making his mark for Samoa, Moana came calling.

“They had always known I was from the Crusaders region, there’d been a few conversations along the way, they said, ‘we’ve seen and heard about you. We’re really keen to get you in.’ And as soon as I stepped in the door, I’ve just felt welcomed. It definitely feels at home here.”

Lam said his time in league helped sure up his defensive skills.

“It definitely gave me some, I don’t know if I can say this, but it gave me some balls. Making tackles off the back fence.”

Back in union, Lam has already spent more time on the field for Moana, having only played ten minutes off the bench for the Crusaders in 2023.

Despite limited opportunities, he looks back on his time in Christchurch fondly.

“The standards that they hold is something that I still carry to this day and how I go about my professionalism. I’ve taken a lot from what the organisation preaches.”

But after his time in the 13-man code, the nuggety number nine said his game has evolved.

“Moana Pasifika flair suits me more. The aggression, energy, and collisions.”

Lam gets the chance to unleash that new-found aggression on some old team-mates, who he said will be sure to remind him of his Crusader’s roots.

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