Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket action as the White Ferns take on South Africa in Auckland for their third T20 international match.

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

First ball at Eden Park is 2.45pm.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

He’s the unofficial Warriors hype man, and a worthy challenger to the Mad Butcher’s title of the club’s biggest fan.

Introducing Mark ‘the Mahi Man’ Dekker.

From filling water bottles, to leading the team victory song, there is no job Dekker won’t do for the club.

But this weekend’s role stands out.

Dekker will lead out the Warriors team onto the field for their round three NRL clash against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday evening to mark World Down Syndrome Day.

It is not the the first time he has been asked to do the honour, but after a slight hitch in 2024, Dekker is ready to deliver in Newcastle.

“He jumped the gun and ran out a bit too fast ahead of the boys. Hopefully this year he’ll take his time,” said friend Leityn Swann.

Dekker was introduced to the Warriors after Swann emailed and asked if he could attend a training.

Although it was supposed to end after a few trainings, the cub quickly fell in love with the Mahi Man.

Dekker is always on hand to offer high-fives to players before and after training, as well as cater to needs from hydration, to a chat on the mats during stretching sessions.

Halfback Tannah Boyd said Dekker is the “energiser” of the club.

“He’s amazing, he waits for us when we come out every day to train, he gets us fired up, he has a big role this weekend and he’s pumped for it.”

Swann said Dekker’s duties are wide ranging.

“He’s filling the waters and ice in the morning, setting up the field, getting all the equipment in the field ready for the coaches to come and lay the safety fields. And then I think he’s head of morale boosting.”

Swann said the Mahi Man had a special connection with players.

“Some of them are very patient and sit down and listen, they’ve got banter, I wish people could see what I get to see every day, the love and time he gets from them. He gets a sense of fulfilment with what he does.”

Dekker said it’s a special moment to be in the spotlight.

“I love my club.”

He said he is already preparing for the party when the Warriors win the 2026 grand final.

“Up the Wahs, baby!”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

When multihull sailor Liz Alonzi first spoke to investigators from the Sport Integrity Commission, she was asked if she would like to add her complaint to the “melting pot” of allegations about the culture of yachting in New Zealand.

At the time Alonzi drew comfort from knowing she was one of many from within the sport to blow the whistle. There was power in numbers, she thought.

“I felt hopeful. I walked away from that conversation thinking something would be done about it,” Alonzi said of her March 2025 interview with investigators.

Three months earlier, the commission had opened an investigation into Yachting New Zealand following a raft of complaints including allegations of aggressive behaviour, unfair and unsafe selection processes, and serious misconduct among both athletes and staff.

The investigation was considered the first major test of the new watchdog agency’s muscle.

More than a year later, the inquiry into Yachting NZ continues to drag on, leaving dozens of complainants in the dark.

The unresolved process ultimately drove Alonzi away from the sport.

“It’s been really detrimental,” she said.

“Because the behaviour problems from my original complaint have never been addressed, and the people involved faced no repercussions and continued targeting me, I chose to take a pretty big step away from yacht racing in Auckland.”

Alonzi is not alone – concerns about delays have emerged across other sports.

In a separate inquiry into Boxing NZ and its head coach Billy Meehan, launched in May last year, concerns have been raised that the lack of a timely resolution has further harmed athletes. 1News reported last month that several top athletes had pulled out of Commonwealth Games contention while they awaited the commission’s findings.

The drawn-out investigations were fuelling broader concerns about whether the agency, established in July 2024 to provide independent oversight of New Zealand sport, was equipped to respond effectively to serious complaints.

Several complainants told RNZ the length of time it was taking for cases to be investigated was eroding confidence in the commission.

Concerns had also been raised about the level of buy-in from the wider sports sector, with just four national sport and recreation bodies having adopted the commission’s National Code of Integrity.

The criticism comes as the commission this week held its inaugural wānanga in Auckland, as it seeks to build support for its work and lift engagement across the sector. The event, which was attended by around 250 sports leaders, included a keynote speech from former world number four tennis star Jelena Dokic, who had spoken publicly about abuse in sport.

Sport Integrity Commission chief executive, Rebecca Rolls, said investigations could take time because of the number and complexity of complaints, but it was committed to a thorough and fair process.

“Public confidence takes a while to get, and it’s quickly lost,” said Rolls.

“I know how important it is to have matters resolved at the earliest point and as quickly as possible, and that’s definitely my objective.

“But rushing can risk some flawed outcomes that will further cause harm or present legal frailties. We know that confidence comes from good sustainable outcomes, independence and fairness.”

Both the Yachting NZ and Boxing NZ investigations were launched under section 32 of the Sport and Recreation Act, which gives the commission special investigatory powers if it considers there is a threat to integrity.

Rolls said this legal lever was only used for the most serious and complex cases.

“That power [under section 32] was intended to be for a small number of cases that met high public interest threshold and by their nature are big and complex with multiple complainants. And that’s exactly what’s happened.

“The investigations have ticked those boxes well and truly.”

A “melting pot” of complaints is difficult to distill into findings.

Career-defining delays

For disaffected members of the high performance sailing community, the timing felt significant.

The establishment of the Sport Integrity Commission in July 2024 coincided with mounting frustration over Yachting NZ’s handling of Olympic selections.

A series of messy selection disputes had highlighted what former top windsurfer Bruce Trotter described as “deeply troubling process issues” and a “complete disregard” for best practice – allegations forcefully denied by Yachting NZ at the time.

It also brought to the surface other long-standing grievances in the sport, including allegations of sexism, harassment and bullying.

Following the Paris Games, in which the NZL sailing team brought home two medals, Yachting NZ initiated an “independent evaluation” of the Olympic cycle, dubbed Project Arotake.

But questions over the scope and design of that review, led by former NZ Olympic Committee boss Kereyn Smith, saw many seek the intervention of the Sport Integrity Commission.

Olympic boardsailor turned elite coach JP Tobin was among the initial wave of complainants to the commission.

He believed his complaint “paled in comparison” to some of the other allegations brought forward, and was particularly concerned about the impact the delays were having on athletes.

Tobin warned the delays were untenable in a high performance environment.

In the time since complainants first stepped forward with their concerns to the commission, Yachting NZ completed its own review of its Olympic sailing programme, and had forged ahead in implementing the recommendations from it.

As the mid-way point in the LA Olympic cycle nears, selection policies were being developed and campaign plans enacted.

For complainants, there was a sense the sport had moved on without them – with no clear accountability for those accused of wrongdoing.

“The high performance environment shifts fast – it’s super dynamic. So an organisation that’s tasked with this mandate needs to be able to respond,” Tobin said.

“So from where I’m sitting, this is not an organisation that’s fit for the purpose, because some of these complaints are seriously affecting people’s lives.

“It’s potentially career-defining because people are walking away, or choosing not to campaign in certain classes because the people they’ve complained about are still around.”

Tobin was also frustrated at what he saw as a lack of transparency and communication from the commission. He claimed over the past year he had received only a few, vague updates on the status of the investigation.

That criticism had been echoed by club stalwart Allan Roper, who lodged a complaint with the commission in January last year over alleged breaches of competition rules and Yachting NZ’s disputes processes.

Roper, who had competed internationally, said when the commission was first established he was hopeful that what he saw as long-standing issues within his sport would be resolved.

“I thought, here we go, we’ve finally got an independent body with teeth,” Roper said.

“But we’re now 15 months down the track [since the investigation started] and it seems like nothing’s happened. I do feel let down.”

Earlier this year Roper wrote to the minister for sport and recreation, Mark Mitchell, to express his concerns with the process.

“Significant public funding has been allocated to support the Commission’s work. Given this level of taxpayer investment, I believe there is a strong public interest in ensuring that investigations are conducted efficiently, transparently, and brought to a timely conclusion,” he wrote.

It was not the first time the minister had been called upon to step in.

Following last month’s media reports that some of the country’s leading women boxers had pulled out of Commonwealth Games contention as a result of delays with the investigation into Boxing NZ, Mitchell requested a briefing with the commission.

Mitchell told RNZ that at the meeting he had impressed upon the commission’s leaders the need for transparency with all parties involved in investigations.

“The Integrity Commission is still very new. It’s only just been formed and stood up, so they’re still building their own cadence and momentum,” said Mitchell.

“But I think that it is critically important that there’s transparency in keeping parties informed, keeping them apprised of what’s happening with the investigation, at what stage they’re at, any of the challenges that they’re facing inside it, and just being completely transparent around that.”

Talking code

Rebecca Rolls did not accept that the commission was falling short.

The chief executive said in cases of both sailing and boxing – the commission’s two publicly notified investigations – volume and wide-ranging nature of complaints had made investigations difficult to resolve quickly.

She argued that was, in part, by design.

Rolls said the commission’s work marked a shift from the more limited, often sport-led reviews into elite sports environments such as cycling, hockey, football and canoe racing that have played out in the past.

“If we go back a few years, while there was some really great work done, a lot of the investigations back in the day were by consent and pursuant to a terms of reference,” she said.

“So the investigations were quite confined. I guess that was in a box and that’s all it could be, but it wasn’t necessarily covering all the right things or in the right direction.”

While the high-profile investigations had captured the headlines, Rolls said they did not paint the full picture.

In its first year of operation, the commission received 283 complaints across 70 sport and recreation organisations.

More than half were resolved early through facilitation, mediation or warning letters, while 26 percent remained active and 16 percent were deemed out of scope.

“If you think about it in that context, it’s a very, very small number that end up in a section 32 investigation.”

Under the commission’s broad remit it is also responsible for the anti-doping work previously carried out by Drug Free Sport NZ, which was folded into the new agency, including drug testing, investigations and education.

According to reports published by the Sport Integrity Commission, in its first year of operation it carried out more than 1100 drug tests, with six athletes sanctioned for rule violations.

Two sports integrity experts, who spoke to RNZ on background, said the concerns emerging from sailing and boxing pointed to deeper structural tensions within the model itself.

They questioned whether the commission’s broad remit was workable – particularly the way its safeguarding role, dealing with complaints such as bullying and abuse, sat alongside its regulatory functions like anti-doping and competition manipulation, where clear rules and evidential thresholds apply.

The vast majority of complaints fell into the former category, in which behaviour was often difficult to define, prove and resolve.

The experts also pointed to the background of many investigators, noting policing experience did not always translate neatly to workplace or safeguarding inquiries.

Rolls, however, was confident the issue was not resourcing.

“I’m really confident that if I look across the investigations we have, hiring more people, for example, wouldn’t necessarily change the timing.

“We also have the ability to bring in, and we have done in some cases, external support to help with that resourcing.”

The challenges facing the commission were not unique to New Zealand.

In Australia, Sport Integrity Australia was inundated with more than 600 complaints in its first year, with administrators later acknowledging they were unprepared for the volume and complexity.

In the United States, the Center for SafeSport has faced sustained criticism over delays, transparency and independence.

Back here, a low uptake of sports adopting the commission’s National Code of Integrity was also hampering efforts for speedier resolutions.

The code, which was introduced in June last year, set out minimum standards to help organisations manage integrity issues.

Rolls said it also provided the commission with a separate set of powers that could be used to address integrity breaches.

“They’ll be a bit quicker, can be earlier in the process, and we will have additional information gathering powers under that regime,” said Rolls.

“So it means we can get through cases a bit quicker and then at the end we can use a disciplinary panel to make some decisions.”

The problem is, only four national sport and recreation organisations – NZ Esports Federation, Scouts Aotearoa, Weightlifting New Zealand and Ice Hockey New Zealand – have adopted the code. 

This week the commission announced a fifth adoptee, mountain-biking charity WORD Youth.

The low uptake on the code, which was finalised in the middle of last year, has led to further questions about the agency’s effectiveness.

Rolls said she expected uptake to increase over the coming year, noting larger organisations faced more complex adoption processes.

Sailing on

Earlier this month, complainants in the sailing investigation received an update from the commission.

“We have continued to make substantial progress, including engagement with Yachting NZ regarding the information obtained and the allegations raised, and they have cooperated with our enquiries.”

The letter went on to say the commission was in the final phase of drafting the report and concluding the investigation.

It is understood Yachting NZ received a similar letter.

The organisation, now under the leadership of Steve Armitage following the departure of long-serving chief executive David Abercrombie last year, said it had continued to cooperate with the investigation.

“We’re committed to carefully considering the outcomes as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen how we support and serve the yachting and boating community,” the organisation said in a statement.

For Liz Alonzi, she had come to terms that she would not find closure in the pages of a report.

“I know people who managed the integrity investigation into Gymnastics New Zealand [in 2018]. From talking to them and telling them what I was experiencing with the commission and what’s been going on, their recommendation to me has literally been just focus on healing yourself because you’re not going to get anything out of this,” she said.

“But I’d like to think that I’ve helped make it better for others.”

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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 Hurricane warning is in effect in Super Rugby Pacific. The ‘Canes have climbed to the top of the ladder, edging out the Brumbies on points differential and with a game in hand. The Brumbies have well and truly stalled after roaring out of the gates, losing their last two to the Reds and Drua respectively to concede top spot to the ‘Canes.

A blockbuster derby awaits as the competition leaders head under the roof in Dunedin to meet the Highlanders. The game will see a plethora of mouth-watering matchups including Jordie Barrett against Timoci Tavatavanawai, Peter Lakai squaring off with the rising Lucas Casey and two of the competition’s form wingers in Caleb Tangitau and Fehi Fineanganofo. Expect a slobberknocker in the deep south.

After a rough start to the year, the Crusaders recovered with a win in the southern derby last weekend, and head to the North Shore to meet a struggling Moana Pasifika. Moana finally get to play in Albany, their fortress of 2025, but sitting bottom of the ladder, it remains to be seen whether the same atmosphere will be on show.

A second generation star makes his long awaited Super Rugby debut, Payton Spencer named on the bench for the Blues, who head across the Tasman to meet the Waratahs, looking to keep an impressive streak in tact.

Selection notes

Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell will play his 50th Super Rugby match, while Nelson’s Cooper Grant makes his debut at first five. Kurtis Macdonald will also make his first appearance off the pine.

Making an obvious impact in Napier, Hurricanes front row Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, and Pasilio Tosi resume their place in the starting XV.

Co-captain Hugh Renton is back with the Highlanders for the first time since April last year while Mako teammate Andrew Knewstubb will play his first Super Rugby match coming off the bench.

Skipper Luke Jacobson returns at No.8 while Chiefs flanker Jahrome Brown returns to Canberra to take on his old side.

Former All Black Julian Savea is in the starting lineup for Moana for his first match of the 2026 season after recovering from a groin injury.

Last week’s Blues’ debutant Malachi Wrampling earns his first start.

Injury ward

Grant gets his callup for the Crusaders with Rivez Reihana out with delayed concussion symptoms. Skipper David Havili is also out with a heel injury.

Moana Pasifika’s Joel Lam has been given the No.9 jersey with Jonathan Taumateine, and Melani Matavao both injured and Augustine Pulu suspended for three weeks.

Sam Nock sits out for the Blues with concussion after taking the high shot from Pulu, with Stephen Perofeta and Patrick Tuipulotu still a couple of weeks away from a return to action.

Chiefs and All Blacks No.8 Wallace Sititi is nursing a hamstring injury, targeting return in round eight at the earliest.

The Hurricanes will be without Tyrel Lomax for up to three weeks with an ankle complaint, Isaia Walker-Leawere sits out the week due to concussion protocol and Kini Naholo’s foot is between two and four weeks from full fitness.

Highlanders playmakers Cameron Millar is out with concussion with Finn Hurley, yet to appear in 2026, not set to play before round eight.

Key stats

Blues captain Dalton Papali’i is leading the competition with 87 tackles, equalling his career high with 25 last Sunday.

The Highlanders have not beaten the Hurricanes since 2020, a nine-game losing streak.

Tavatavanawai has made 36 tackle breaks this season, 12 ahead of second.

The Chiefs have won their last five against the Brumbies.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa leads the way for linebreaks and tacklebreaks for forwards in Super Rugby.

The Blues are on an 11-game winning streak against the Waratahs.

Highlanders vs Hurricanes

Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 20 March

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Live blog updates on RNZ

Highlanders:

1. Ethan de Groot 2. Jack Taylor 3. Angus Ta’avao 4. Oliver Haig 5. Te Kamaka Howden 6. Sean Withy 7. Lucas Casey 8. Hugh Renton (cc) 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Reesjan Pasitoa 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Jonah Lowe 14. Caleb Tangitau 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Josh Bartlett 18. Sosefo Kautai 19. Tai Cribb 20. Veveni Lasaqa 21. Adam Lennox 22. Andrew Knewstubb (debut) 23. Tanielu Tele’a

“Every game that we play is a real arm wrestle for us, if we can play our best rugby then we are in with a chance.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.

Hurricanes:

1. Xavier Numia 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Pasilio Tosi 4. Caleb Delany 5. Warner Dearns 6. Devan Flanders 7. Peter Lakai 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cam Roigard 10. Ruben Love 11. Fehi Fineanganofo 12. Jordie Barrett (c) 13. Billy Proctor 14. Josh Moorby 15. Callum Harkin

Bench: 16. Vernon Bason (debut) 17. Siale Lauaki 18. Tevita Mafileo 19. Hugo Plummer 20. Brad Shields 21. Du’Plessis Kirifi 22. Ereatara Enari 23. Bailyn Sullivan

“We’re really excited to go down to Dunedin for our first Kiwi derby.” – Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.

Brumbies vs Chiefs

Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 20 March

GIO Stadium, Canberra

Live blog updates on RNZ

Chiefs:

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.

Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders

Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 21 March

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Live blog updates on RNZ

Moana:

1. Tito Tuipulotu 2. Millennium Sanerivi 3. Atu Moli 4. Tom Savage 5. Allan Craig 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c) 7. Niko Jones 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa 9. Joel Lam 10. Patrick Pellegrini 11. Glen Vaihu 12. Julian Savea 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo 14. Tevita Latu 15. William Havili

Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada 17. Abraham Pole 18. Chris Apoua 19. Veikoso Poloniati 20. Dominic Ropeti 21. Siaosi Nginingini 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop 23. Tevita Ofa.

“We’re in search of playing our game and hopefully we can get it..” – Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga.

Crusaders:

1. Finlay Brewis 2. George Bell 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Tahlor Cahill 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Ethan Blackadder (vc) 7. Johnny Lee 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Cooper Grant (debut) 11. Sevu Reece 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan (c)

Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. George Bower 18. Seb Calder 19. Antonio Shalfoon 20. Xavier Saifoloi 21. Kyle Preston 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku 23. Kurtis Macdonald (debut).

“We’re going week by week. The aim is to back up a win with a win, build our consistency, prepare well, and hit the ground running. We haven’t had the quickest starts, so doing those things will make it very satisfying.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney.

Waratahs vs Blues

Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 21 March

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Live blog updates on RNZ

Blues:

Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. Bradley Slater 3. Sam Matenga 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry 6. Anton Segner 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Malachi Wrampling 9. Finlay Christie 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. AJ Lam 14. Codemeru Vai 15. Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16. James Mullan 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Marcel Renata 19. Che Clark 20. Torian Barnes 21. Taufa Funaki 22. Xavi Taele 23. Payton Spencer (debut).

“The Waratahs are always a dangerous side particularly at home in Sydney, so we’ll need to be accurate and disciplined for 80 minutes.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter.

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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 defender Francis de Vries has played every A-League game – and nearly every minute – in the club’s history, making him the first player to bring up a milestone for the team.

Plucked out of amateur club football to join the new club in their first season in 2024, de Vries has come to epitomise what the reigning Premiers are about.

De Vries has been steadfast at the back and reliably accurate with his crosses into the box, for the side which will bring up 50 games in the A-League against Macarthur FC in front of their home fans on Saturday.

For two seasons de Vries has started every game.

Last season he played 2206 minutes during the regular season, getting subbed off for a total of 134 minutes.

In the finals, he was only on the bench for the last 10 minutes of the away semi-final when Auckland had the lead. The following week he played the full 90 minutes in the loss at home that ended the season earlier than expected.

This season he is on 1890 minutes from the 21 games played so far with coach Steve Corica not once subbing him.

He has played with a bandaged head after a tangle of bodies against Melbourne City in January and has captained the side from kick-off four times this season. Including taking the armband in November when he had only arrived back in the country in the early hours of Friday morning from All Whites duty in the United States and playing for Auckland at 3pm on the Sunday.

Corica has called the 31-year-old “very durable” and has enjoyed witnessing de Vries’ progression over his first 49 A-League games.

“You can see the qualities that he has, but he’s come a long way, I think, in two years,” Corica said.

“Obviously, 50 games is a small milestone for us as a club, which is great, and he’s the first player to hit it, full credit to him. He’s got a World Cup to look forward to as well, but for us we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”

De Vries credited “consistency and habits” for keeping him ready to go every time he is called on.

“Early bedtime, that’s non-negotiable, and then good social life outside of football, lots of support from family,” de Vries said.

“Just enjoy the routines of keeping yourself fit, it’s nice to go outside and stretch for 10 minutes, well, it’s not nice going on the ice bath, but it feels good afterwards.

“Just these things compound over time and if you can stick with a good, solid routine, you’re in a good spot.”

Before Auckland FC came calling de Vries was playing for local side Eastern Suburbs. Prior to that he was playing semi-professionally in Sweden until an ACL injury put a pause on his playing career.

Spending months out of football rehabbing the injury and wondering if he would ever get another professional contract meant de Vries does not take his latest playing streak for granted.

“Some games obviously cramp up a bit towards the end. But [being a hard worker] it’s part of how I want to be as a player, and I’m glad I’m able to do it for the team here.

“There’s lots of other boys that work just as hard, so I think it’s a whole team identity thing, and it’s nice to just be a part of.”

De Vries’ parents are also key to this journey for him. He said they were all encouragement and no sideline coaching when it came to the regular game day messaging when the centre-back is playing for Auckland or New Zealand.

“Dad’s got his routine in the morning, he’ll send me a message and it’s always lovely to see, and then I call them straight after the game.

“So it’s just lovely to share those moments. I think that’s what football can bring, that connection.

“They’re stoked to watch me play because I spent seven, eight years overseas, so they watched maybe two games live in that time and it was bad hours for New Zealand with the time difference, so it feels great to be able to share that with them.”

Auckland FC are one point behind league-leaders Newcastle Jets with five games left in the regular season and the race for the Premiers Plate.

Auckland are on a six-game unbeaten run and in a quirk of the draw play the same five opposition sides as the Jets in their remaining games.

“I like that we’re playing the same teams, whoever wins the Premiership will deserve it, I think, because they’re playing five top teams as well, just below us, all fighting for the top six,” Corica said.

“We’re one point behind, can’t really afford to drop too many points in these last five games.

“I do keep an eye on [the Jets], obviously, they’ve got a big game against Sydney as well, who came off a loss on the weekend. They’re trying to get as high as possible as well, so it’s going to be exciting.”

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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 Football Ferns squad has been named for the Oceania Qualifiers finals in Aotearoa next month, where the side will aim to book a ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.

The squad sees Ferns’ regulars Ally Green, Jacqui Hand, Gabi Rennie, and Kate Taylor, added to the group, who won all three Oceania Qualifiers games in the Solomon Islands earlier this month without conceding a goal.

The Football Ferns will first face Fiji in the semi-finals on Sunday, 12 April at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.

The winner of that game will then take on the winner of Papua New Guinea v American Samoa on Wednesday, 15 April at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, with the victorious side securing qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne said because the games come so quickly after the group stage, the decision was made to retain the vast majority of that squad.

“So we have real consistency and can hit the ground running once the players are back home,” Mayne said.

“The tournament in the Solomon Islands was a great start to the year, and while the scores reflected the difference in quality we have over those OFC nations, what was pleasing was the way in which we stayed connected to what we wanted to get from the fixtures in the way we played and approached those matches very professionally as a group.”

“The reality is, we have not played in New Zealand in over a year, so being back in Aotearoa is a real privilege and the prospect of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in front of our home fans and families is very special and not something we get to do very often.”

Full squad

Liz Anton

Hannah Blake

Kelli Brown

Claudia Bunge

Milly Clegg

Victoria Esson

Michaela Foster

Ally Green

Maya Hahn

Jacqui Hand

Deven Jackson

Grace Jale

Katie Kitching

Charlotte Lancaster

Meikayla Moore

Emma Pijnenburg

Gabi Rennie

Indiah-Paige Riley

Alina Santos

Rebekah Stott

Kate Taylor

Pia Vlok

Grace Wisnewski

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Head coach Clark Laidlaw will continue to guide the Hurricanes after re-signing with the franchise to the end of the next Super Rugby season.

Laidlaw’s contract renewal extends his tenure as head coach of the men’s team to a fourth season since joining the Hurricanes from the All Blacks Sevens ahead of the 2024 campaign.

The 48-year-old has led the Hurricanes to a semi-final and a qualifying final over the past two seasons, and has guided the team to the top of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific standings after five rounds.

Laidlaw said he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Hurricanes.

“It’s a huge honour and privilege to continue serving the club. I really feel like I’m at home here. I love being involved with the team. We play a brand of rugby that really fits with my thinking on the game,” Laidlaw said.

“We’re building a squad and a club with new owners and new leadership, and I feel I really align with how they see it, so that was a big part of my decision to stay. The identity of the team and the way we want to play the game is something I really align with as well.

“Some days you feel like you’re only getting started. I’m a couple years in, but I still think there’s loads to develop, loads for me to be better at, loads for the team to grow into, and this is the place I want to do that.”

Prior to his appointment as Hurricanes head coach, the former Scottish sevens international – who became a New Zealand citizen late last year – had been an assistant coach at the club between 2013 and 2015.

Laidlaw has previously coached the All Blacks Sevens and has had roles with London Irish, New Zealand U20, Samoa, Taranaki, and Wellington sevens.

He won the 2018 Sevens World Cup, 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2020 World Sevens Series, and a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while All Blacks Sevens head coach.

Interim Hurricanes chief executive Tony Philp was thrilled to secure Laidlaw’s services for another season.

“We’re excited that Clark has signed on with the Hurricanes until 2027,” Philp said.

“He embodies our values and has a unique ability to get the best out of people. Clark cares first, which fosters an environment of deep connection that then enables performances to be proud of.

“Having him on board for another year will ensure our culture deepens.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Hurricanes top the Super Rugby standings, but the real tests of their title credentials are yet to come.

They face the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night in their first New Zealand derby of the season, before games against the Reds, Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies and Crusaders.

All Blacks centre Billy Proctor returns to the Hurricanes lineup after missing last week’s win over the Force in Napier, and he faces a monumental challenge in trying to contain Highlanders midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, nicknamed ‘Jim the Difference’.

“It seems like a lot of teams have been struggling with Big Jim,” Proctor said.

“I guess our ability to shut down the space and not give him too much time on the ball and eliminate his threat at the breakdown is going to be big this week and will go a long way for us trying to get the win.”

This time last year the Hurricanes were languishing near the bottom of the ladder. All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard said they are pleased with how they’ve started in 2026, with three wins from four games.

“Yeah it’s been good, we’ve done a bit of reflecting and I think this time last year were dead last, so it’s quite the contrast.

“It’s been a unique start with the bye round one and we haven’t played a New Zealand team yet. We know that it’s going to be a massive challenge this week.”

So far the Hurricanes have played Moana Pasifika, the Fijian Drua, the Waratahs and the Force.

Roigard knows they’ll have to lift their performances if they want to keep winning, and he’s wary of a Highlanders side coming off a loss to the Crusaders.

“It’s our first New Zealand derby, whereas the Highlanders have had three or four already. So they’re going to be battle-hardened and they’re going to be ready for this game.

“It was [an] unfortunate result for them, losing to the Crusaders. But they’re back at home and there’ll be plenty of passion and they’ll be wanting to get one back over a New Zealand team.”

The Highlanders are seventh in the standings with just two wins from five games. However, they’ve played the Chiefs and Crusaders (twice) already this season and Proctor believes the hosts will be tough to beat in Dunedin on Friday night.

“They have a dangerous back three – there’s a lot of X-factor there. We touched on Big Jim before, someone that probably leads the comp in defenders beaten and he’s up there in the Jackal [winning turnovers] list too.

“There’s a few threats right there as well as their big ball-carrying forwards to go along with it. So plenty to handle out there, but we’re excited and looking forward to it.”

Proctor himself has been in strong form, scoring five tries in the three games he has played to be third-equal with Blues wing Caleb Clarke on the list of the season’s top tryscorers.

The Brumbies’ Charlie Cale leads the way with seven tries, while Max Jorgensen of the Waratahs has six.

“It’s guys like Cam making all the breaks and me being on the end of it,” Proctor said. “I’ve been benefiting from a lot of good play from everyone, so I’ve been enjoying it.”

Roigard will play inside Ruben Love for the first time this season, with the latter named to start at first-five against the Highlanders after returning from injury via the bench in last week’s victory over the Force.

“I think my first start for the Hurricanes was with him at 10 back in 2021. So it would be cool to wind the clock back,” Roigard said.

“I think he’ll bring a lot of control. He’s got a real dominant voice and I think that control in the right areas of the field is an element I’m looking forward to having and obviously his X-factor, the ability to break the game open and as it goes on, hopefully he’ll be able to pick on some tired bodies.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Moana Pasifika are finally back on the North Shore, entering round six of Super Rugby Pacific without having played a home game at North Harbour Stadium.

Albany became a fortress for the franchise in 2025, with fans turning out in force to witness historic results.

Among them was a first-ever win over the Blues, inspired by one of the greatest individual performances in Super Rugby history from Ardie Savea.

However, with Moana now languishing at the bottom of the Super Rugby ladder, there are concerns that the early-season momentum has stalled.

Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga expressed frustration with the schedule.

“It’s tough, but that’s out of our hands and we can’t do much about that. Hopefully it’ll change next year.”

Albany bore witness to Ardie Savea’s masterclass in 2025.

Under their current licensing agreement, Moana can host only five games in Auckland per season.

Umaga suggested the arrangement was driven by the Blues to avoid oversaturating the Auckland market.

“It is what it is, but we’re here now. We’ve got a few games on the trot at home, so we’ve just got to make sure that we don’t just talk about it. We’re actually living what we talk about, and we’re excited about being home. It really does excite us.”

Despite the delayed return, Umaga remains hopeful fans will turn out for Saturday night’s clash with defending champions, the Crusaders.

“We’re playing at home and that’s important for us, in front of our people and our family. Everyone loves playing at home. We had a home game in Pukekohe and obviously it’s not like it is here (Albany) for us, but it’s just one of those things, and wherever we go, we’ve just got to be good.”

After opening the season with a road win over the Drua, Moana have since suffered four straight defeats, several by heavy margins.

“We’re in search of playing our game and hopefully we can get it.”

Adding to their woes, Moana have lost former All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu for three weeks after he received a red card for a high shot on Blues halfback Sam Nock in Sunday’s loss at Eden Park.

“I’m happy that he (Nock) was able to get up straight away. It’s disappointing for us because we’ve had a few injuries in our halfbacks, and for Augie as well, because it’s only his second game back after a long layoff, and he’s worked so hard to get back to where he was.”

With their season at a crossroads, a return to Albany may provide the reset Moana Pasifika desperately need.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

After two games of the 2026 NRL season, NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan feels great – and you’d expect nothing less.

With a chance to recharge his batteries over the summer, the veteran is suitably bright-eyed and bushy tailed, contributing mightily to a winning start that has caught even the club’s most fervent fans by surprise.

In the space of seven days, they have piled 40 points on two highly-rated opponents and have their faithful believing this may be the year they break their championship drought.

“Very pleased, but it’s a long season,” Egan acknowledged. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves.

“We’ve obviously started very well and we’re very pleased, but we can’t rest on that. We’ve got to look forward to the Knights this week, who will be a really tough test.

“[I’m] feeling good, but it’s a long season and we have a long way to go.”

Maybe no-one on the Warriors roster can personally attest to exactly how long a season can become.

Twelve months ago, he led the competition in dummy-half runs, partly due to the fact he was playing every minute of every game in one of the most demanding positions on the field.

In fact, he logged the full 80 minutes for the first five games of their schedule and had many predicting a State of Origin call-up, such was his form.

By the end of the season, Egan, 28, was noticeably drained.

After darting an average of eight times for 73 metres across those first five fixtures, he didn’t run at all in his final regular-season outing against Parramatta Eels, then sat out the following week in a bid to freshen up.

He ran four times for 46 metres, but none in the first half, as the Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs by Penrith Panthers.

The 2026 campaign has started out very differently for Egan, with coach Andrew Webster introducing understudy Sam Healey with about half an hour to go against Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders.

“Obviously, if you can have a little break every now and then, that’s not a bad thing,” he said. “Having Sammy there and some great depth to the club is awesome – it’s been nice to have a little break the first couple of weeks.

“I haven’t spent too much time [on the sideline], but it’s obviously a different perspective. Whatever the coaching staff want, I’ll do it.

“If that means playing big minutes or if it doesn’t, I’m happy to do that.”

If the plan was to have Egan put his feet up until the final whistle, circumstances haven’t quite panned out that way.

Against the Roosters, he had to return for the final few minutes, when Healey left early for a concussion check, which he duly passed.

Against the Raiders, Egan was summoned back onto the field to play five-eighth, when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was also required for a head injury assessment, which he failed.

Halfback Tannah Boyd seemed somewhat bemused to see the hooker join him in unfamiliar territory.

“I definitely wasn’t going to give him space, because he’s a bit slower, the big fella,” Boyd chuckled.

“Nah, he’s fine – he’s that type of player. He’s so smart, Waydo, and knows the game so well, so he can fill in anywhere.”

Egan actually has previous experience in the Warriors No.6 jersey. During their disastrous 2022 campaign, he was forced to step in for Chanel Harris-Tavita less than half an hour into a home game against Melbourne Storm and was retained in the starting position eight days later against South Sydney.

Both games were lost.

He may yet find himself filling that role again this week, with both Harris-Tavita and Nicoll-Klokstad ruled out by concussion.

First-choice fullback Nicoll-Klokstad has been the team’s Swiss army knife, capable of covering any position in the backline, and without him, Webster’s options will be limited in the event of injury.

The only specialist back cover on the interchange is winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, so Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may be asked to play fullback or centre as required, but he has never played half.

Egan at least has that in his resume.

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