Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand jockey James McDonald has won the Longines World’s Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time overall.

The 33-year-old, who is based in Australia, also won the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in 2022.

On his way to claiming the 2025 title, McDonald won 12 of the world’s Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races.

His qualifying victories included the Longines Hong Kong Cup, Longines Hong Kong Mile, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000, and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

McDonald dominated this year’s award, holding a sizeable lead throughout much of the competition.

The scoring process rewards jockeys for finishing in the top three, giving McDonald a total of 184 points on the year. Mickael Barzalona was second with 132 points, while William Buick was third with 114 points.

The awarding of the World’s Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee.

The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.

The award was established in 2014 as a way for the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to quantitatively recognise a jockey as the best among his or her global peers.

Italian jockey Frankie Dettori and Englishman Ryan Moore have won the award four times each.

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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 Ferns will resume their rivalry with France for a three-Test home series in 2026, as part of the new WXV Global Series.

The series headlines a four-match home schedule between August and the end of October, which includes a Test against Australia where New Zealand will look to retain the O’Reilly Cup.

The Black Ferns, fresh off beating France in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup bronze final, will host the world’s fourth ranked side in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch.

GM Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum said they were pleased to secure four homes Tests next year.

“There’s a real rivalry between the Black Ferns and France, so hosting them as part of the WXV Global Series is exciting. The Black Ferns have won eight of the last thirteen Tests between these two nations and these teams faced off in the 2021 and 2025 RWC playoffs too, which adds significant intensity to the match-up. 2026 also marks 30 years since these two teams first played against one another, so there is new and old history here that we know fans will get behind and celebrate,” Lendrum said.

The Black Ferns will play 10 test matches in total next year, with three Tests against Pacific rivals in April, which will include the traditional Pac4 fixtures.

As part of the WXV Global Series, the Black Ferns will play six Tests in a home and away format against some of the top 12 teams in the world.

Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu said the side had plenty to prove.

“We have a great mix of Tests here at home and overseas. We’ve always said we want to play as much rugby as possible, so with so many Tests overseas and at home next year we want to make the most of those,” Tukuafu said.

“We look forward to playing in four different venues across the motu (country) to see as many of our incredible fans as possible. For me personally having a Test at home in Hamilton is going to be special, and when we take the field, it will have been two years since the Black Ferns last played there.”

Previously played through March and April, Super Rugby Aupiki will now take place between June and August, with six regular season games and a grand final.

Black Ferns four home Test matches in 2026:

• Black Ferns v Australia, Saturday 22 August, Go Media Stadium, Auckland
• Black Ferns v France, Saturday 17 October, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
• Black Ferns v France, Saturday 24 October, Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
• Black Ferns v France, Saturday 31 October, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

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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 All Whites will play two final home games ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with New Zealand set to host its first ever FIFA Series in March.

The FIFA Series brings together four competing nations to play international fixtures against other top sides.

Which teams will travel to New Zealand for the event are yet to be confirmed.

The All Whites took part in the inaugural FIFA Series in 2024, held in Egypt, where they faced the hosts as well as Tunisia.

Due to travel and competition requirements, all matches will be played in Auckland, but New Zealand Football are exploring options to bring the team back later in the year, after the World Cup, with at least one game in the South Island.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said one of the requirements of hosting was a sole location to “maximise training time ahead of the FIFA World Cup”.

“This is massive, we know how excited people are for the FIFA World Cup 2026 already, and to have two final games at home against strong international opposition and properly see the team off is huge.”

The FIFA Series games will be played during the 23 – 31 March international window with exact dates and venue information still to be announced.

The matches are supported by the Government’s Events Attraction Package.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Two-time Olympian Lewis Clareburt is leaving New Zealand to chase his dream of a swimming medal at the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

The 2024 400m Individual Medley World Champion has announced he’s moving from Auckland to Melbourne where he’ll join Nunawading Swim Club in January 2026.

Clareburt will be coached by internationally renowned coach Jolyon Finck, and will train with Olympic athletes who also specialise in the medley disciplines.

The double Commonwealth Games swimming champion was forced to relocate to Auckland at the end of 2023 when he struggled to get lane space at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, which was shared by other sports and the public.

Clareburt won gold in the 400 medley and the 200 butterfly at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and made the 400 medley final at the Tokyo Olympics.

“We’re looking to create a really strong medley training group in Melbourne,” Clareburt said.

“At the moment there’s a really successful medley training group in the US and they’re winning all the medals internationally. If medley swimmers from Australia and New Zealand want to be on the podium we need to have a similar group in the southern hemisphere and that’s what we’re looking to set up.

“Being surrounded by this group day-in day-out is going to allow me to keep developing my swimming and pushing myself. I’m also 26 and have lived in New Zealand all my life, so this is an exciting opportunity for me and my partner to live in another country and experience a different culture.”

The 26-year-old paid tribute to the team which has supported him in Auckland.

“I can’t speak highly enough of my time in Auckland. Mitch Nairn has been an amazing coach and my physios and strength and conditioning team have been awesome,” he said.

“I’ll still be racing for New Zealand and I’ll be back home quite often for competitions and camps so it’s going to be a great mix for me and I’m excited for a new challenge which should help me reach my goals.”

Swimming New Zealand head of high performance Graeme Maw said the organisation was looking forward to supporting Clareburt as he builds toward LA2028.

“We’re excited to see Lewis continue to develop and chase his goal of a podium finish in LA,” Maw said.

“Swimming New Zealand has a strong and supportive relationship with Lewis and with his new coach in Melbourne, and he will remain fully supported by SNZ as he builds toward upcoming pinnacle events.”

– 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 for day two of their first test of the summer from Hagley Oval in Christchurch, and it’s advantage West Indies after day one.

New Zealand has played just two Test matches so far in 2025, beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in Bulawayo in August.

Since then they’ve played 17 white-ball games against Australia, England and West Indies.

“The team is clear in their test match identity, they’ve done incredibly well as a unit, so just to fall back into that,” coach Rob Walter said on the eve of the three match series.

New Zealand is ranked fifth in the World Test rankings, with West Indies eighth.

First ball is at 11am.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Mark Robinson thinks that an opportunity for the government to attract international business is right under its nose. The outgoing NZ Rugby (NZR) chief executive said that the sport is “an amazing opportunity for our country” and should be used far more broadly with government support.

“It’s something we’re good at as a country, it’s something that’s in our DNA. It’s something we’re passionate about and care about, and it’s something that we’re on the international stage. It provides really unique, offerings to the country at multiple levels,” said Robinson.

“I think the government’s been quite clear. They’ve got priorities … one of those is apparently about attracting international business. I’m not close enough to know where the sport’s on that agenda in terms of taking international investment.”

In September, the government launched the Sport Diplomacy Strategy 2025-2030 to coordinate efforts of nine agencies and “focus resources where they can have the greatest impact”. The initial focus is on India, the Pacific, and the United States, with Associate Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop saying that “these are markets where we can deliver strong diplomatic, and economic results”.

The All Blacks’ recent visit to Chicago was an example of what Robinson says the All Blacks brand power can achieve in one of them, with the revenue generated from the fixture against Ireland the highest for any test since the 2017 Lions tour.

Robinson’s walk to the door

It’s fair to say that Robinson is leaving NZR with as clear as conscience as he’s ever had. The former All Black midfielder took up the role of CEO in 2020 knowing full well that no matter what he did, he was doing arguably the least popular job in the country.

Some politicians might disagree with that, but at least they know that people vote for them at some stage. Being the boss of by far the most scrutinised sport means you are never going to please everyone, more often than not doing the complete opposite.

Robinson has overseen some sweeping changes to NZR, mostly financial and that’s raised the chagrin of fans who have criticised the governing body for not focusing enough on the game itself. However, he’s unapologetic about the direction the organisation has taken.

“We are a tiny, isolated island on the other side of the world with a leading sports brand. So we’re trying to grow value so we can invest in all levels of the game,” said Robinson.

“And unless you take a different approach to able to do that, we will not be successful in enhancing value of the game domestically and globally without some sort of partnership, and just to hope to be able to do that. I still remain of that view.”

But there are a few key areas that have dominated Robinson’s tenure. One is the All Black coaching situation, which he’s already aired some strong words about. While both he and Ian Foster will likely never agree on the way that all went down, saying “revisionist history” and “we’ve held the high ground” was a pretty stark departure from the closed-shop mentality of the past.

In fact, you could make a good case for NZR’s very well-earned reputation as a media-averse cone of silence being a relic of the past. While that attitude was very much tied to the All Blacks themselves, organisational access and openness has greatly improved under Robinson’s tenure.

One thing that has remained a somewhat frustratingly closed shop has been the partnership between NZR and private equity group Silver Lake. After seemingly endless talk about the deal being put together, which took the better part of two years, Silver Lake has barely been mentioned since and no representative has ever publicly fronted to speak on its behalf.

Robinson said that’s just the way the California-based firm operates.

“I don’t think it’s exclusive to NZR or the All Blacks or anything like that. I just think it’s their position. They love the game; they care about the game at all levels … there’s been a lot of time in New Zealand with stakeholders and partners and that sort of thing.”

He did acknowledge All Black fans’ concern at not knowing much about a group that effectively owns a part of the team that represents an entire country, but maintained that “there’s nothing mysterious or, unusual or unique about them in that regard”.

While Robinson’s announcement in June that he was stepping down was a bit of a surprise, when you look back on 2025 it does make a bit more sense. He has been upfront about transforming NZR’s financial model and while Silver Lake was a big part, that wasn’t all of it.

“The body of work over the last six years, I’m really proud of. If we look at community participation, it’s come back to pre-Covid times when a lot of sports haven’t been able to do that and the investment we’ve made in the community game through provincial unions is at an unprecedented level.”

That last part may raise a few eyebrows by those at the grassroots and provincial level who are facing all sorts of challenges keeping school-leavers both playing and attending rugby games, but the fact is that the All Black-dependant revenue model is generating more money than ever before. Robinson is adamant that it’s not just the best, but the only way forward for the game here.

“I think the positioning of the (All Black) brand now through digital reach and the fact that we’re in markets like the US with such a strong following, shows that our strategy in terms of the work we’ve done overseas is definitely worth it. Now we’ve got a handful of global partners, and we’ve got a growing fan base and much more strategic connection than we’ve ever had.”

Robinson didn’t have any advice for whoever succeeds him, with a replacement expected to be in the role by April next year. It’s likely to be a very different dynamic to his tenure as it’s extremely unlikely that the challenges he faced, in particular Covid and the governance saga, will happen again.

Then there’s the fact that the NZR board is now chaired by the high profile and likely far more prominent David Kirk, who may well end up being the face of the organisation far more than the CEO.

But that’s a story for 2026, a year that’s shaping up to be the hardest yet for the All Blacks in the professional era. Robinson will watch on from his new home in Australia, content with what he’s achieved over the last five years.

“We’ve done a phenomenal, positive work, and I’m really proud of that.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud is returning to the ASB Classic in Auckland this summer.

World number 12 Ruud is the second highest ranked player behind number 9 American Ben Shelton to confirm their entry for the tournament in January, with both players choosing to play in Auckland for a fourth time.

The shared experience for both Ruud and Shelton goes deeper, with both players coached by their fathers, who also both played on the ATP Tour. In the process Christian Ruud and Bryan Shelton competed at the ASB Classic in Auckland seven times between them from 1993 to 1998.

Ruud, who reached the top 100 six years ago and the top 50 one year later, has been inside the world’s top-12 ranked players over the last five years with a career high number 2 during 2022.

He made the final of the French Open at Roland Garros in 2022 and 2023 and the final of the US Open in New York in 2022.

This year the Norwegian won a further two titles, taking his tally to 14, with the highlight coming in his victory over Great Britain’s Jack Draper to win the Masters 1000 Madrid title.

“It was the biggest title I have won and my first Masters 1000. All-in-all this year was not exactly what I hoped for but this title made the year good and when I look back, that is what I am most proud of,” Ruud said.

Despite a rain-soaked tournament when he last played in Auckland in 2023, Ruud is looking forward to his return and is working hard on his preparations for 2026.

“We are already in pre-season here at home training and doing my best to improve many aspects of my game.

“My goal for 2026 is to be back in the top-10 and to make it back to the ATP Finals in Turin which is a big goal and benchmark to set yourself.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand Football boss Andrew Pragnell and All Whites coach Darren Bazeley are on an important mission in North America this week.

They are part of a New Zealand delegation of seven people who will be heading stateside for the 2026 Football World Cup draw.

While the duo will be “ball watching” during the draw in Washington DC to find out which teams the All Whites will be grouped with for New Zealand’s third appearance at a World Cup, that is a passive part of what they are up to.

They have no influence over how the draw plays out, but they can work the room and get themselves and their football wishes in front of some influential people.

Outside of the draw, which will be held on Saturday morning New Zealand time, Pragnell outlines the broader mission.

“All of the major football associations of the world will be represented there, there’s political representatives from most countries there, our [US] ambassador will be there and we will certainly be making the most of that,” he said.

“There are match agents and match promoters and so planning for our fixtures in June becomes really important as well.”

The delegation would also be attending days of workshops around World Cup-related topics like facilities, marketing and ticketing to get the lowdown on what to expect next June.

Won’t hide the emotion

“The draw is a huge event and the whole world stops to watch it,” the New Zealand Football chief executive said.

He would be among the football dignitaries, politicians and celebrities who would get to experience the “spectacle” of the FIFA event in person.

Pragnell attended the draw for the last FIFA Men’s World Cup, even though the All Whites failed to qualify, and was of course present in Auckland at the Aotea Centre in October 2022 when the draw for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was made.

Bazeley had been to draws for under-17 and under-20 World Cups in his previous role as a New Zealand age-group coach, but this would be his first senior draw.

Both agreed that the draw being hosted in the United States would amp up the show element of the event.

“What we expect of this World Cup is the entertainment country of the world meets the sport event of the world,” Pragnell said.

Going by what has happened at previous draws, Pragnell wore his heart on his sleeve in these moments when New Zealand’s pathway is revealed.

“I’ve struggled to keep the neutral face usually in these situations if I’m brutally honest, I struggle to hide that emotion, I’ll be doing my best to look calm but I’ll be feeling pretty tense as it all happens.”

Like football fans, Bazeley said the New Zealand players would also be tuning in live to the draw regardless of where in the world they are based.

The process

The All Whites will be the lowest ranked team at the World Cup, a position Bazeley did not truly reflect where the team should be.

On paper not too many countries would be worried about getting the world number 86 New Zealand in their group.

The 48 teams that will compete in the tournament are split into four pots of 12 for the draw:

• Hosts Canada, Mexico and the US are in Pot 1 which includes Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
• Pot 2 has Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria and Australia.
• Pot 3 will include Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
• Pot 4 will be Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, and the winners from the European play-off A, B, C and D, and the FIFA Play-Off tournament 1 and 2.

Once FIFA had released the pots and the process for the draw he had run a few possible opponents through his mind, Bazeley said.

“We’ve all been on the simulator simulating the draw and if I’m honest it changes every time so there is no way of really working out who we’re going to get.

“We know there is going to be a UEFA team in every group, so you’re going to get a European team, and we also know we’re going to get a team from Pot 1, Pot 2 and Pot 3 but the scenarios are so unlimited.

“But as soon as the balls come out and we know who is in our group I know my analyst here Logan he’ll be straight on to getting all of the games from the last two years of all these teams so he can start looking at them and doing some work.”

While on Saturday the All Whites would find out who they would be playing, the final sign off for when and where would not come until the following day.

“FIFA have reserved the right to have 24 hours to work out which venue each game will be in, so we will know we are playing that team in the first game and that team in the second game but we won’t quite know straight away where that game will be played because I think they are looking at which game potentially would get the biggest crowd and they can move that to the biggest venue of the two choices.”

While the New Zealand delegation were in North America they would also be scouting the potential base camps – of hotels and training grounds – for the All Whites throughout the tournament.

Bazeley said they wanted to find “the best position” to be based for what could be a wide-spread schedule.

“We could be looking at playing across three different cities and possibly two different countries.”

A couple of the travelling staff would move quickly to visit the potential base camps to decide which ones they would nominate as the preferred options to FIFA, Pragnell said.

A home send off

New Zealand-based football fans could get a chance to wish the All Whites well on their World Cup journey in the penultimate FIFA window before the global tournament.

“We’re contemplating bringing them home in March, that’s the last window before the June window which inevitably will be in North America, so we’re in some pretty exciting discussions,” Pragnell said.

The “really competitive matches” would be against another national team, Pragnell said.

“We’re hoping to announce something in the next couple of weeks, there is still a lot of T’s to be crossed and I’s to be dotted so watch this space.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Liam Lawson will be in Formula 1 in 2026 after being confirmed in one of the Racing Bulls seats.

It will be his first full season competing for one team after he started 2025 in Red Bull but was demoted to junior team Racing Bulls after just two races.

The man who replaced him, Yuki Tsunoda, is now without a full-time drive.

The Red Bull shake-up has Frenchman Isack Hadjar promoted to Red Bull to race alongside four time world champion Max Verstappen, while F2 driver Arvid Lindblad joins Lawson at Racing Bulls.

“I’m really looking forward to racing with VCARB in 2026,” Lawson said in a statement.

“It’s an opportunity I’ll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1.”

The change in 2026 is the new F1 regulations which include smaller cars featuring a greater use of electric power.

That change will have played a part in Lawson’s retention.

“Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year, he has excelled when conditions have been at their hardest and we look forward to building on this in 2026,” said Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane.

Although there is still one round remaining in 2025, Lawson is excited to get into the new season.

“I’m ready to get to work with the team as we prepare for the challenging season ahead. It’s going to be an exciting year and I can’t wait to kick it off with my first pre-season with the team,” Lawson said.

Hadjar’s promotion was an obvious decision as the French rookie has generally out performed Lawson in 2025 and had been tagged as a future star by Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko.

“I feel ready to go to Red Bull and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for,” Hadjar said.

Lawson will be joined at Racing Bulls by 18 year old Lindblad, who has been earmarked as a future F1 driver for some time.

The Briton has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship in New Zealand last summer.

He joins the likes of Lando Norris, Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson who have competed in that competition and are now driving in F1.

“Since I started this journey at five years old, it was always my goal to be in Formula One so it’s a proud moment to take this step,’ Lindblad said.

The reshuffle means there is no place for Tsunoda, who has spent five years in Formula 1.

The 25-year-old has under performed since replacing Lawson at Red Bull in round three and has scored just 33 points compared to Lawson’s 38.

Tsunoda will serve as Red Bull’s reserve driver next year.

The final round of the 2025 season is in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Football Ferns face the Matildas at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide for the second in their two-match friendly series.

The Matildas beat the Ferns comfortably 5-0 in their first match at Gosford on Saturday.

Tonight’s match will mark Annalie Longo’s last with the Ferns, as she retires from international football.

Kick-off is 10.30pm NZT.

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