Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Being yourself, and giving your all.

That is what the Special Olympics is all about, according to one of the national summer games’ “athlete leaders”.

Tauranga track and field competitor Hayley Little was one of 1200 athletes set to compete at this year’s national summer games in Christchurch.

The games were officially set in motion during Wednesday’s opening ceremony at Wolfbrook Arena.

For Little, this was her second Special Olympics event having previously competed at the Berlin World Summer Games in 2023.

Although she did not reap the rewards she was gunning for at that event, she was philosophical about her debut games showing.

“So I came fifth in my [400 metre event] and disqualified in my [800 metre event] because my foot came out of the line and I came into the lane too soon,” she said.

“It was a learning curve for me because I learnt how to be courageous and smile in defeat and be happy for my team-mates who got medals and it was just an amazing experience just to be running in a different country.”

The 33-year-old was one of 10 competitors chosen as an athlete leader for the games, which returns to Ōtautahi for the first time in 20 years.

Little had also overcome immense obstacles, virtually since she was born.

She has both spina bifida occulta and hydrocephalus which means water on the brain.

At only a week old, she underwent her first round of brain surgery.

“I was in and out of hospital until I was about two. And one time when I was in hospital I caught a virus and I ended up on life support. The doctor said they can’t do anything about it.”

“[They talked to mum] and said ‘you’re going to take the tubes out’. So they took the tubes out and I started breathing and here I am.”

Little was one of 10 competitors picked as an athlete leader for the latest instalment of the national summer games.

She saw her role as making a difference for her peers, the same way the Special Olympics had made in hers.

“It’s helping other athletes to recognise their dreams and help them become the best version of themselves.

“I never thought I’d be an athlete leader. I never thought I would go to Berlin. I never thought a lot of things, actually. And Special Olympics has helped me achieve those goals.”

A crowd of over 5000 was expected at Wednesday’s opening ceremony before competition begins Thursday.

Special Olympics NZ chief executive Fran Scholey told RNZ the event was about inclusion

“We want every single athlete to be able to shine. We’ve got families that are coming that have never seen their child participate,” she said.

“So when we take a step back and look at what we’re providing, we’re providing an opportunity for more than just that sport.

“And we’re using sport as that vehicle for them to grow confidence, meet new friends, and take on any challenge that they see in front of them.”

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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 ripped through the West Indies on the first day of the second test in Wellington, but it’s come at a cost.

Late on day one the West Indies were dismissed for just 205, with a top score of just 48 from Shai Hope to put the Kiwis well in the ascendancy at 24 without loss.

However, after taking four wickets in the first innings, seamer Blair Tickner was forced from the field with a serious looking shoulder injury after landing awkwardly attempting to save a boundary.

Tickner joins Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Kyle Jameison, Mitch Santner and Tom Blundell on the Black Caps injury list.

Opting to bowl first on a green looking surface, Tickner struck twice in the first session, removing Brandon King for 33 before trapping first drop Kavem Hodge in front for a duck.

Michael Rae picked up his maiden test wicket, removing opener John Campbell for 44 while Shai Hope carried his strong form into the capital but held out to Kane Williamson off the bowling of Tickner with his half century in sight.

Skipper Roston Chase played Tickner onto the stumps for his fourth before he debutants combined to remove the hero from the first test Justin Greaves as he edged Rae behind for Mitch Hay.

Rae had his third when Kemar Roach played all around a straight one which replays showed was clattering into his middle peg.

Glen Phillips came into the attack and sent one through the gate of Tevin Imlach, but the celebrations were short lived as Tickner was taken to hospital for treatment.

There would be no wag of the Windie’s tail, Devon Conway running out Anderson Phillip while Jacob Duffy sent Jayden Seales to the sheds for a duck as the visitors were all out shortly before the end of the days play.

Skipper Tom Latham (7*) and Devon Conway (16*) survived to stumps with the Black Caps 181 runs behind.

Play resumes at 11am.

As it happened on day one:

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A seven-time Grand Slam champion, an Olympic medalist and the Philippines’ first top 50 player were among the initial 25 players confirmed for the 2026 ASB Classic women’s tennis tournament in Auckland.

A field that cut off direct entries at world number 92 for a WTA 250 tournament and included some of the sport’s most recognisable names did not happen by chance.

Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin spent months finding the players that were the right fit for the tournament starting 5 January.

Sometimes a situation fell in Lamperin’s favour, other times he needed to take a loss and move on.

“Relationships are key,” Lamperin said.

“We know that the fans want to see some famous names which is why we go for the highest ranked player, someone like Venus Williams would also fall into that category, but at the same time we need to refresh what we are doing year after year.

“It’s our ambition to bring the new stars of tomorrow to Auckland.”

Lamperin sometimes needed a crystal ball.

“For example the three young ones that we signed [Iva Jovic, Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen] when we approached them they were ranked between 100 and 150 and six months later they are in the top 50.

“We scout the world of tennis on the yearly basis and we need to make decisions fairly early in advance to decide which players we want to bring to Auckland.

“You need to predict where the players are going to be ranked within the next six to 12 months and so far we’ve been right. It doesn’t mean we’ll get it right every year but it seems to be working and it brings really good balance to the draw between the top stars and the up and coming ones.”

The field would be headed by two proven stars at the highest level in Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and American Emma Navarro, ranked 14th and 15th respectively in the current WTA world rankings.

The pair have both risen inside the top 10 and between them have won 19 WTA singles titles.

Svitolina, with a career high ranking of No. 3 in the world, was runner-up at the ASB Classic in 2024 to Coco Gauff, who had edged Navarro in the semifinals.

Eighteen-year-old American Iva Jovic, the first Filipino to make the world’s top 50 in Alexandra Eala, and 23-year-old Janice Tjen from Indonesia have chalked up five WTA wins between them already and will be seeded from third to fifth at the tournament.

Lamperin said the field “will give us some great match ups”.

“Matches that people aren’t used to seeing on the tour and new stories that we can create and start in Auckland.”

New Zealand’s Lulu Sun qualified directly under her world ranking for the tournament, which would allow a second New Zealander to compete as a confirmed Wild Card when the 32-strong field was finalised.

Not everything had gone Lamperin’s way in the process to locking in the field.

This year’s runner-up Naomi Osaka was to be returning to have another crack at winning the title after an injury-hit end to her latest appearance in Aotearoa, but she withdrew in November.

Osaka’s absence was not ground Lamperin wanted to cover, other than to express his “disappointment”.

“It was a personal decision from Naomi we were extremely disappointed, however we can’t sit still and do nothing, the only thing we could do was go after more players to replace her which is what we did with Elina and Emma so it worked out really well for us.”

While the Auckland tournament lost one player to Australia, with Osaka to play for Japan at the United Cup in Perth, Lamperin did get a player off an Australian tournament.

Britain’s Katie Boulter, who was plotting a full return to the sport after injury, would also get a Wild Card. A timely situation given this week she missed out on qualifying for the main draw of the Australian Open later in January.

“I approached Katie in July at Wimbledon and at the time she was close to the top 30 or 40 and she would go to Brisbane [International tennis tournament], the schedule changed because her ranking dropped and she had a few niggling injuries and now it makes perfect sense for her to start the season in Auckland and try and get as many matches as possible under her belt trying to get her ranking back up and be in contention for the season in the Grand Slams in the future.”

American Sloane Stephens, the 2016 ASB Classic winner, who has won eight titles including the US Open in 2017 also got a Wild Card.

A total of four Wild Cards would be given and six players would also get a place in the main draw through qualifying.

Initial 22 player field (with seeding and world ranking)

Elina Svitolina (UKR) 1, 14; Emma Navarro (USA) 2, 15; Iva Jovic (USA) 3, 35; Alexandra Eala (PHI) 4, 52; Janice Tjen (IDN) 5, 53; Magda Linette (POL) 6, 55; Wang Xinyu (CHN) 7, 56; Peyton Stearns (USA) 8, 63; Sonay Kartal (GBR) 9, 69; Donna Vekic (CRO) 10, 70; Francesca Jones (GBR) 11, 74; Varvara Gracheva (FRA) 12, 77; Camila Osorio (COL) 13, 78; Renata Zarazua (MEX) 14, 79; Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 15, 81; Petra Marcinko (CRO) 16, 82; Caty McNally (USA) 17, 83; Ella Seidel (GER) 18, 84; Alycia Parks 19, 85; Lulu Sun (NZL) 20, 90; Panna Udvardy (HUN) 21, 91, Sara Bejlek (CRO) 22, 92.

Main Draw Wild Cards: Venus Williams (USA), Sloane Stephens (USA), Katie Boulter (GBR).

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Another big year for our national game is in the books, so it’s once again time to recognise the highs and lows of rugby. NZ Rugby will be issuing their official awards on Thursday, but it is once again up to us to cover off what fans really want recognised.

Here are the unofficial 2025 NZ Rugby awards:

Feel good comeback of the year award

Rob Penney took the Crusaders from first to worst and back again, with this year’s Super Rugby Pacific title win presumably feeling like one of the sweetest victories in history. Penney also managed to rectify his public image after getting about as offside with the media as possible, and will now guide the perennial champions into their new home at One NZ Stadium next season.

Feel bad comeback of the year award

The Sky Stadium curse returned with a vengeance this year, with the All Blacks suffering the worst loss in their entire history. That’s now six losses and draws in the last 10 tests there, with NZ Rugby very tellingly scheduling the 2026 Wellington fixture against lowly Italy.

Best moment

The All Blacks rose to the occasion in the most hyped test of the year, which was also Ardie Savea’s 100th. The win was extra satisfying as the Springboks mounted an impressive comeback, ultimately thwarted by a massive defensive play by Savea.

Player of the year

It’s fashionably unfashionable to recognise a loosehead prop for their efforts, but Fletcher Newell played every minute of the Crusaders’ playoff run and then held a starting spot for the All Blacks for the entire season. While the All Black set piece had its issues throughout the season, Newell and Ethan de Groot’s performances flipped the script on who everyone had presumed would start in the front row.

Social media award

Beauden Barrett’s post-match interview in which he asked for leniency for Tadhg Beirne quickly racked up over a million views across all platforms, and may have played a part in the Irish lock getting his red card rescinded.

Special mention to the Blues and Moana Pasifika for disregarding any form of niceties in their cross-town rivalry, while the Crusaders banning cowbells from the Super Rugby Pacific final was an inspired bit of tomfoolery.

Worst moment

The NPC Mascot Race was mired with controversy after Canterbury put current NZ sprint champion Tiaan Whelpton in the Larry the Lamb costume, to make up for the woeful sheep coming last in the also controversial 2024 race. The treacherous move saw Larry win comfortably, bringing shame to the otherwise prestigious event.

Ironman award

Ardie Savea played 14 games for Moana Pasifika, starting and finishing nearly all as captain, then went the distance in most of his 13 tests as well. Just for good measure, Savea also started as captain for the All Blacks in four tests.

Biggest pack of chumps

Anyone who took the R360 threat seriously, specifically journalists based in Sydney who usually cover the NRL and Zac Lomax for believing them.

Team of the year

It’s been a long time since any national team has headed off with no clue about what will happen on their rugby tour, but the inaugural NZ U85kg side went to Sri Lanka with the biggest air of mystery over them since the 1905 Originals.

What followed was two comprehensive and entertaining wins over the 37th ranked test side in the world in front of over 50,000 spectators in Kandy and Colombo. Not bad for a side made up of grassroots club players.

Tourism award

France’s tour in July didn’t just bring a sizeable squad of players, but also the biggest travelling media contingent seen in New Zealand since the last Lions tour. Dunedin and Hamilton were always going to struggle in comparison to Paris, but the assessment of both was so cuttingly Gallic you could literally smell the exhale of a Gauloises while reading.

One L’Equipe journalist described Dunedin as “a widow”, while Midi Olympique (average readership 2.7 million per issue) compared Hamilton to the Soviet Union, before adding that it was intended as an insult to the former Cold War superpower. France will return with a full strength side next year, so it will be interesting to learn what their media think of Christchurch.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Caps take on the West Indies at Cello Basin Reserve for their second Test of the summer.

New Zealand will pin their hopes on a rookie attack and field a new wicketkeeper when they take on the West Indies in the second test in Wellington starting this morning, following a slew of injuries.

First ball is at 11am.

Squad: Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke*, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitchell Hay*, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Rae*, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

*uncapped Test player

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Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker says he’s “devastated” by his positive doping test and is confident the defence mounted by his team will clear him of wrongdoing.

Former WBO world champion Parker has given his first interview since he was found to have returned a positive result for a banned substance on October 25 – the day he lost at fight against Briton Fabio Wardley in London.

He told the boxingscene.com website he was helping authorities with their investigation into the routine test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) and believed his name would be cleared.

“I was devastated. You have to do all these voluntary drug tests in camp and then all of a sudden you get a bit of a surprise and shock that you fail on a fight day,” Parker said, when reflecting on the moment he found out about the positive test.

“You start questioning ‘why did I have that cup of tea? or why did I do this? or why did I do that?’

“There’s a lot of things you think about. I’ve never failed a drugs test before, so it was a surprise and shock.

“So, I’m just gonna go through the process of trying to get it cleared, and I want to be in the ring as soon as possible.”

Multiple media outlets reported cocaine was the substance in Parker’s “adverse finding” but the 33-year-old denied taking any recreational drug.

“In the past I’ve enjoyed myself. I wouldn’t say “recreational drugs”, but I went out and had a few beers and that,” he told boxingscene.com.

“That’s the old me, when I was young fighter. Now, after every fight, all I do is go home to the wife and kids. My life is on track. I’m focused on living the best that I can live and doing the best that I can do.

“I did not take any prohibited substance, I did not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use. I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name.”

Parker faced the possibility of a ban of up to two years if he failed to clear his name.

The Aucklander was speaking on Australia’s Gold Coast, where he was supporting good friend Jai Opetaia, the Australian who successfully defended his IBF cruiserweight title in a win over German Huseyin Cinkara.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A special kind of sporting fever has arrived in Christchurch ahead of the start of the highly anticipated return of the Special Olympics.

The official start of the 2025 National Summer Games would be marked by Wednesday’s opening ceremony at Wolfbrook Arena.

The first set of teams began arriving a day before athletes – alongside police – took part in the traditional torch run in the central city.

More than 1200 athletes would be competing in the five-day event, across 10 sporting codes.

Six venues throughout Christchurch, including the brand new Parakiore sport and recreation centre, would be hosting events.

The first signs of fervour could be seen during Tuesday’s Law Enforcement Torch Run, as the ‘flame of hope’ was carried from Victoria Square to the Bridge of Remembrance.

Call-and-response chants (“We are the Torch Run, the mighty mighty Torch Run”) were heard as the throng of participants made their way down Oxford Terrace, alongside the Avon River.

The torch was shared among multiple athletes during the 600-metre jaunt.

It followed recent torch run events held in other centres around the country as part of the games’ build-up.

Police inspector Rupert Friend told RNZ his voice was feeling a bit croaky after leading a lot of the chanting.

“It’s all about awareness for Special Olympics so we got to make some noise as we go through town. I think we did pretty well,” he said.

Special Olympics NZ chief executive Fran Scholey said the opening ceremony would be a “spectacular” start to the games.

“It’s here, it’s finally here and we can’t wait for action to start. We hope Christchurch is ready.” she said.

“This is an enormous event and we only have a very small team who have worked overtime in the past few months. We would never be able to deliver these games without the wonderful support of our 800 volunteers and the Christchurch City Council.”

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger addressed athletes at the Bridge of Remembrance following the torch run,

“What a wonderful way to kick off the National Summer Games,” Mauger said.

“I can’t wait to see the many incredible athletes in action across our city’s stunning facilities.”

Athletes would continue to arrive on Wednesday morning before opening ceremony festivities.

Teams would be based at the University of Canterbury, where the student accommodation complex had been transformed into the Athletes Village.

The opening ceremony begins at 4pm.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

It took Auckland FC 35 games in the A-League to be awarded a kick from the penalty spot. When the time came they failed to convert – twice.

Coach Steve Corica hoped that did not happen again.

Two penalties in the second half of Saturday’s derby game were saved by Wellington Phoenix custodian Josh Oluwayemi.

Oluwayemi first denied Sam Cosgrove just after the hour mark and then stopped Francis de Vries eight minutes later before the All White converted off the rebound.

The misses were not costly, with Auckland winning 3-1 to keep their unbeaten run in the New Zealand derby going, but Corica knew there could be another game this season when a successful penalty could turn a game to their advantage.

“It’s not great to miss pens like that… you would hope to score the pens when they come,” Corica said.

Cosgrove, who is the side’s current leading scorer with five goals, and last season’s leading goal-scorer Guillermo May were among those Auckland would turn to should a penalty kick be awarded.

May, who started off the bench in the round seven fixture, was not on the field yet when the penalties were blown and he suggested the team “were not prepared” when they faced their first penalty.

“Some games we deserved some more [penalties] these two came together and we need to prepare better,” May said.

Corica was not convinced they needed to step up the penalty taking at practice.

“They’ve all taken them in different circumstances in penalty shoot-outs but there is normally one or two who would take them on the day,” Corica said.

“It’s all a confidence thing picking the right spot and scoring, unfortunately Sam missed his one but that happens sometimes but you don’t want it to happen too often.”

Going into round eight of the last A-League season, Auckland had won the six games they had played and were at the top of the points ladder.

This season the record looks a bit different. Four wins, two draws and a loss and sitting in third.

However Auckland have netted 10 goals so far, the same number they had at this stage in their inaugural season.

“This is more like a normal season,” Corica said. “Six wins in a row I don’t think I’ve ever done it [before last season] while I’ve been coaching.”

Corica said that the results so far were “a good sign”.

“[We’re] hard to beat.”

Friday’s game against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford marked the start of three away games to see out the calendar year which could be a turning point for the season.

“it’s a difficult period for us being away from home, I actually quite like it because if you go by last season we picked up a lot of points away from home so if we play our cards right and take our chances we can pick teams off and hopefully do what we did last year and pick up a lot of points along the way.”

The Mariners have also had some problems finding the back of the net in the last round.

“I watched the game against Sydney last week they hit the crossbar four times and they came away with a loss.

“They’re a good team, especially at home, they’ve got good young players aggressive as well defensively.

“I said to the boys we actually really need to be switched on the away games is going to be a big telling point of where we’re going to finish at the end of the season if we can start picking up points away from home.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Black Caps’ Test captain Tom Latham says a proposed T20 franchise league in New Zealand is a great initiative and would boost the standard of cricket in Aotearoa.

The Black Caps are preparing to face the West Indies in the second Test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, starting on Wednesday.

The official launch of the 2025-26 season of Super Smash took place in Christchurch on Tuesday but the future of the T20 domestic competition is up in the air.

RNZ understands a bid by a private consortium to establish a new T20 competition has led to a power struggle over the future shape of the domestic game.

On Friday, NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink stood down from day-to-day duties at the national body amid an ongoing fight for his survival.

Weenink faced allegations of working to “actively undermine” the private consortium bid – a proposal supported by all six major associations and the NZ Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA).

However, several senior cricket figures told RNZ while a proposed private Twenty20 franchise league has been a flashpoint for tensions, the crisis runs far deeper.

NZ Cricket said the organisation was “considering the merits of the NZ20 proposal”, along with other options, as part of broader work looking at the future of domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand.

While Latham has represented New Zealand across all formats, he’s best known as a mainstay of the Test side and considered a titan of international cricket’s top order in the Test arena.

Latham, who has not played any franchise cricket, said NZ20 would be a great move.

“You look at the way cricket’s moving around the world where I think we’re the only Test playing nation that doesn’t have a franchise competition but I think what it will bring to cricket here in New Zealand will be hugely beneficial,” Latham said.

“Super Smash has produced great cricketers for us up to this point but I think being able to push the game forward here in New Zealand, I think it will only do great things. I would love to see it happen and I’m sure you talk to a lot of the players, will be in the same camp and a lot of the guys have played franchise cricket around the world.”

Latham said the presence of international players in a New Zealand competition would boost the standard of cricket here.

” …Being able to mix with overseas players that have had great international careers … to learn off the likes of those sort of guys would be hugely beneficial not only to the guys that play cricket for New Zealand but also to the younger generation coming through here.”

Latham said the shorter format of franchise cricket was also appealing to players.

“You’re there for four or five weeks or whatever it is … you talk to a lot of guys that play franchise cricket around the world … they have a lot of fun, they learn a lot of from different players and playing in different conditions so I think it’s a great initiative and hopefully one that can get off the ground.”

Among the options being considered by NZ Cricket is exploring ways to monetise the existing Super Smash competition, or entering New Zealand teams in Australia’s men’s and women’s Big Bash competitions.

But Latham said his preference was firmly on creating a New Zealand based league.

“I would much rather see us have our own competition here where we are using all of our talent as best we can to boost cricket here in New Zealand and I think it’s a really good opportunity to do that.”

The independent assessment of the options was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies. Blundell, who is coming back from a hamstring injury, was always an outside chance for the Wellington Test.

Canterbury’s Mitchell Hay is set to be the first wicket-keeper to make a Test debut for New Zealand since 2017.

Two other potential debutants in Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae have been named in the 14-man squad for the second test.

The Black Caps will be bolstered by the return of Glenn Phillips, who has recovered from a groin injury.

Phillips played the first two Plunket Shield fixtures for Otago, scoring 130 runs at an average of 43, and taking nine wickets at an average of 33.

“I’m sure everyone’s seen he’s been lifting the house down from a strength point of view and he’s ready to go. He obviously joined us for the last couple of days down at Hagley. It’s great to see him back in the squad, he’s such an important member for not only this Test group but the white ball formats as well. To see him back running around doing his thing I’m sure he’s ready to get stuck in,” Latham said.

Kyle Jamieson is continuing his red-ball return-to-play plan, playing the recent Plunket Shield match for Canterbury and will continue to work closely with coaching staff on his return.

A playing XI will be announced at the toss at 10.30am on day one of the second Test.

The first Test in Christchurch ended in a draw after a spirited fight back from the West Indies.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is to leave the Formula 1 team.

The 82 year old has been with the outfit since they joined Formula 1 in 2005.

The Telegraph is reporting that Marko will head into retirement.

Marko, who drove in Formula 1 in the early nineties, had indicated after Monday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he would take the break between championships to consider his future.

Team Principal Christian Horner [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/573819/former-red-bull-boss-christian-horner-leaves-with-a-reported-184m-handshake left mid-season and was replaced by Laurent Mekies.

Marko has been a long time supporter of four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Marko would have also played a key part in the hiring of New Zealander Liam Lawson in 2023 and the decision to keep him at Racing Bulls last week.

The Austrian was left blinded in one eye after debris pierced his visor during the French Grand Prix. He retired shortly afterwards.

During his time with Red Bull the team won six world constructors’ championships, while Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen won four drivers’ championships each.

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