Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

An experienced New Zealand women’s hockey team’s been named for the defence of their FIH Nations Cup title in Auckland next month.

Head coach Phil Burrows has confirmed 20 players in the squad, including one new cap, Ruby Baker, 22, who played for New Zealand A, in a four-team international tournament in Dunedin in January.

“For our group, it’s a valuable pressure tournament leading into the World Cup later this year, especially as defending champions with the expectations that come from playing at home,” said Burrows.

“It’s also a special moment for Ruby Baker, who has thoroughly earned the opportunity to make her debut in front of a home crowd.”

The squad also features the return of several key players who missed last year’s Nations Cup success in Chile, when the Black Sticks beat Ireland in the final in a penalty shootout, including defenders Ella Hyatt-Brown, Liz Thompson, Mille Calder and Tessa Reid.

Former Netherlands under-21 rep, Christchurch born, Josephine Murray has also been selected, as she continues to solidify her place in the New Zealand set up.

The tournament will take place between 15-21 June, and feature eight teams in what is the country’s biggest international hockey event in nearly a decade.

The other teams taking part are India, Japan, the United States, Uruguay, Chile, France and South Korea.

“It’s an exciting time for hockey in New Zealand. Opportunities to host international tournaments on home soil don’t come around often, so it’s a great occasion for both the players and fans, said Burrows.

Black Sticks Women squad:

Anna Crowley, Britt Wang, Casey Crowley, Ella Hyatt-Brown, Emma Findlay, Grace O’Hanlon, Hannah Cotter, Hannah Gravenall, Holly Pearson, Josephine Murray, Julia Gluyas, Kaitlin Cotter, Liz Thompson, Mezzy Surridge, Millie Calder, Olivia Shannon, Paige Blake, Riana Pho, Ruby Baker, Tessa Reid.

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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 a week off, NZ Warriors arrive in Brisbane for NRL ‘Magic Round’, facing a perfect storm of obstacles, as they pursue their fifth straight win.

Firstly, they must pick up where they left off two weeks ago, when they accounted for Parramatta Eels 36-14 to continue their solid start to the 2026 season.

Bye weeks have not been kind to the Warriors previously, so carrying on that momentum has been a focus this time.

“Before we went on our three-day break, we had three days of training,” coach Andrew Webster reported. “We had two field sessions and a wrestling session, two gym sessions, so they were important.

“The boys made sure they were awesome sessions, because you can have one eye on your break and it doesn’t really matter, but we wanted to get some reps in.

“We spoke about how that sets up this week and, since the boys returned to training on Monday, they’ve been awesome.”

Secondly, the draw has pitted them against the defending NRL champions TWICE at their home ground this season, with Magic Round counting as a Warriors home fixture.

“Would I much rather play the Broncos here?” Webster mused during the weekly Mt Smart media session. “Of course I would, but the draw is what it is and we’re looking at it as how exciting it is to play in that atmosphere with that many fans.”

Thirdly, the Warriors haven’t beaten the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium since 2018. The draw feels like a stitch up.

“Someone asked me that at the start of the year about Melbourne too,” Webster responded. “You’ve got to end that at some point, so why can’t it be us this week?

“We’ve got so much respect for our opponent, but I don’t think we’re going there worried that we can’t beat them because of a hoodoo or because of history. We make our own history and we’re keen to do that.”

Here’s what you need to know about Warriors v Broncos at Magic Round.

History

This fixture represents another instalment in the Warriors’ oldest rivalry, as they again face their original opponents from 10 March, 1995.

Brisbane won that inaugural match-up at Mt Smart Stadium and have since enjoyed a 29-22-1 head-to-head advantage, including 5-4-1 in their last 10 meetings and 11-4 at Suncorp Stadium.

The 18-18 ‘Golden Point’ deadlock came in July 2019, when Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford missed several field goal attempts in extra time, and could not provide their teams with the winning edge.

Last time they met, the Broncos prevailed 26-12 at Suncorp, with centre Gehamat Shibasaki scoring two tries for the home side and halfback Adam Reynolds kicking 5/6 from the tee. Warriors half Luke Metcalf left the contest with a season-ending knee injury.

Brisbane went on to win the 2025 grand final 26-22, with a second-half comeback against Melbourne Storm.

The biggest margin of victory over the rivalry is Brisbane’s 44-6 effort in their second meeting in 1995, when legendary centre Steve Renouf scored four tries.

In 2013, the Warriors matched that 38-point difference, when they prevailed 56-18 in Brisbane, with Glen Fisiiahi, Konrad Hurrell, Tommy Leuluai and Manu Vatuvei all scoring try doubles.

Form

After back-to-back defeats, the Warriors have now won four in a row against Melbourne Storm, Gold Coast Titans, the Dolphins and Eels.

After the bye week, they still sat second on the competition table, two points behind Penrith Panthers and ahead of Sydney Roosters on points differential. Notably, they were six points clear of the ninth-placed Dolphins, consolidating their playoff aspirations.

The bye week has affected their statistical standings, but the Warriors are clearly best at completing sets (84 percent) and level with the Roosters in possession (53 percent).

They have committed the least errors (95) and handling errors (72) in the competition, and were the second-least penalised team (37), behind only the Panthers (35). Individually, front-rower Jackson Ford still led metres after contact (690).

One area the Warriors will need to address this week is their vulnerability coming out of bye weeks. In the three years under Webster, they are 4-4 after the rest.

In 2025, they produced their best performance of the season to beat Cronulla Sharks 40-10 in round 14, but lost momentum during their subsequent week off, suffering back-to-back defeats and winning just four of their last 11 regular season fixtures.

Meanwhile, Brisbane have struggled to follow up their dramatic grand final win last season, currently sitting outside the playoff reckoning with a 5-5 record, after back-to-back losses to the Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles.

Through 10 rounds, they had conceded more penalties (59) than any other team in the league, and sat second in errors and ineffective tackles. Half Ezra Mam led the league in missed tackles (48), while second-rower Jordan Riki had the most ineffective tackles (20).

Magic Round

The ‘Magic Round’ concept, where all games are played in one city, is based on Super League’s ‘Magic Weekend’ and was first held in 2019.

All subsequent gatherings have taken place in Brisbane, with the Warriors winning their first fixture against St George Illawarra Dragons, before losing the next three and winning the last two for a 3-3 record.

Their most famous victory came in 2024, when a depleted line-up accounted for the champion Penrith Panthers 22-20, with fullback Taine Tuaupiki scoring a late converted try to clinch the win.

Last year, the Warriors accounted for North Queensland Cowboys 30-26, but were held scoreless for the final 37 minutes, as the Cowboys rallied from 28-12 down at halftime.

Teams

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tativa, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15, Jackson Ford, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Tanner Stower-Smith, 20. Te Maire Martin

Reserves: 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 22. Luke Hanson, 23. Makaia Tafua

Coach Andrew Webster has tinkered with his winning line-up, promoting co-captain Mitch Barnett to the starting front row and moving in-form Jackson Ford to the bench.

Centre Roger Tuivaa-Sheck is sidelined by a shoulder injury, but he is replaced by Ali Leiataua, back from concussion protocols.

Hooker Wayde Egan left the field against Parramatta with a head knock, but served his protocols during the bye week, while veteran utility Te Maire Martin (broken leg) and front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith return to the bench from injuries.

There’s no room for Luke Metcalf, who was cleared to approach other teams during the week and subsequently signed with St George-Illawarra Dragons from 2027.

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Jesse Arthers, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Phillip Coates, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Preston Riki, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Xavier Willison, 11. Jaiyden Hunt, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Ben Talty, 16. Va’a Semu, 17. Aublix Tawha, 18. Hayze Perham, 19. Josh Rogers

Reserves: 20. Tom Duffy, 21. Luke Gale, 22. Kane Bradley

Meanwhile, the Broncos are also juggling personnel, as they deal with significant absences.

Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds returns from concussion, but front-rower Payne Haas (knee), centre Katoni Staggs (suspension) and wing Deine Mariner (leg) are all sidelined.

Guided by former NZ Kiwis coach Michael Maguire, their line-up includes former Warriors Reece Walsh and Jesse Arthars, and Kiwis Xavier Willison, Preston Riki, Jordan Riki (not related), Va’a Semu, Aublix Tawha and Hayze Perham.

Player to watch

Fullback Reece Walsh‘s ascent to the very top of the NRL has been stalled this season by a facial fracture that kept him out of three games.

Brisbane won two of those three without him, but have lost both since his return, and he’ll need to show some form, with State of Origin selectors watching intently.

Kiwi player to watch

In Haas’ absence, Kiwis forward Xavier Willison has had to step into a fulltime starting role and has filled the void admirably.

He’s been used at prop, lock and second row, as well as off the bench, but with Jack Gosiewski suffering concussion last week, Willison is back in the front row against the Warriors.

What will happen

A showdown between arguably the two dominant fanbases of the competition will see Suncorp packed to the rafters.

The Wahs faithful will lay the platform for their team to perform on the field and, after everything that’s happened over the past week, the players will – hopefully – be recharged and ready to tear into their opponents.

Warriors by six.

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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 shut out Adelaide United’s attack and the outside noise to secure their first A-League grand final appearance.

An achievement that coach Steve Corica has been striving towards since he joined the club three years ago, when he had no players, no equipment and no confirmed home ground, but also leaves the veteran of the league a little bit torn about what he wants to happen next.

A 3-0 win in the second semifinal in Adelaide on Friday night was a result that defied the odds.

It was the first time Auckland had scored three goals in 90 minutes since late February, and the first clean sheet in the same length of time.

It ended Adelaide’s 11-game unbeaten streak and silenced a sold-out home crowd that had not seen the Reds lose at Coopers Stadium on a Friday this season.

For Corica the 4-1 victory on aggregate goals with his “walking wounded” squad was a way to keep the doubters quiet and prove he had the right plan to get the club to the very last game of the season.

“It was a very big talk that we had this week leading into the game, we knew everyone wrote us off so that was motivation,” Corica said.

“But we knew what we had in the changing room.

“We know we’ve had our fair share of injuries, and we still have, but we showed the depth in the squad as well.”

Corica praised the defensive efforts that limited Adelaide’s attack to just one shot on target in a match that history suggested could have ended in a draw like it did in Auckland last week.

“We defended really well, we set up well, the boys were animals really.

“We did well in both boxes and I’m extremely proud of the effort, the performance as well.

“We know they’re a good footballing team but we didn’t allow them to play their stuff.”

After falling short at the semifinal stage last season, despite winning the Premiers Plate, Corica said the team had learned from the experience.

“We wanted to remain calm coming into the game as well. We didn’t want to get too excited about it because then we don’t perform at a good level.

“But the boys, you could see they were up for it from the start defensively.”

As most clubs across the league would have, Corica and the players had set out a goal of getting to – and winning – the grand final this season.

Where Corica is conflicted is about who he wants his side to face in the biggest game of the season.

The other semifinal, between Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC, will be played on Saturday night in Newcastle.

If Sydney win, Auckland will host the grand final.

If Newcastle win, Auckland will be on the road to McDonald Jones Stadium with the opportunity to lift silverware for the second season in a row.

Corica said it would be “very nice” to be playing at home in a grand final – the only catch is it would be against the club he played, captained, coached and won A-League titles for.

“It’s also going to be a little bit emotional if that happens.”

By winning in front of a parochial Adelaide crowd on Friday, Auckland further cemented their road form this season so Corica was also prepared to take on the reigning premiers at their home ground.

Wherever Auckland’s history-making match takes place next week, Corica and players are one win away from securing the trophy that has been missing from their cabinet.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix’s first A-League grand final appearance has been years in the making.

After a record-breaking season, the women finished the regular season in second place to qualify for the playoffs for the first time.

To secure a place in the grand final, they had to come back from a one-goal deficit to beat Brisbane Roar after ,extra time on aggregate goals across the two-legged home and away playoff.

The grand final also marks a special milestone of the team’s 100th game.

Two seasons ago, Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill told RNZ the women’s season deserved a grade of C-minus.

Gill must be at an ‘A’ now, with room to improve, should they defeat three-time Premiers Plate winners Melbourne City at AAMI park on Saturday night.

How did the Phoenix women go from the bottom to the top?

Previous results

The Phoenix joined the women’s A-League in 2021 and are the ‘newest’ club still in the competition. (Western United joined in 2022 but had to sit this season out, due to financial issues).

Before this season’s run to the grand final, the end-of-season standings were not good reading.

In their first season, the Phoenix finished last in a 10-team competition. They recorded only two wins in 14 games during a season in which they were based in Wollongong, New South Wales, due to COVID travel restrictions.

The next season produced the same outcome – last in a then-11-team competition.

After two wooden spoon seasons, the 2023/24 campaign saw the Phoenix finish eighth, which was their best-ever finish before this season.

Last season, they dropped to ninth with seven wins, three draws and 13 losses.

Coaches

The Phoenix have had four coaches in five seasons.

Bev Priestman has been the most successful and most controversial appointment.

Priestman joined the Phoenix this season, after serving a one-year ban from all football for her involvement in a drone spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Before her appointment in Wellington, Priestman coached the Canada women’s national team, which won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She also brought Canada to the 2023 Football World Cup, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.

The Englishwoman is considered the most-credentialed coach currently in the A-League and the Phoenix have her locked in for another season.

Over time, the Phoenix have now had three women as coaches, with Gemma Lewis as the inaugural coach, followed by Natalie Lawerence, before Paul Temple had two seasons in charge.

Captains

Being given the captain’s armband has often resulted in a player not spending much time on the pitch.

Goalkeeper Lily Alfeld was the team’s first-ever player signing and inaugural captain, and played all but one game of the first season, before injury curtailed her career. She missed all the 2022/23 campaign after off-season knee surgery and a back injury, before moving into an off-field role with the club.

Football Fern Annalie Longo then had a couple of injury-riddled seasons as captain and stepped away from football at the end of last season.

During her time as skipper, Longo also had to defend the team environment, when midfielder and vice-captain Chloe Knott quit during the 2023/24 season, citing the pressures of combining fulltime work and playing professionally.

This season, CJ Bott was named captain, but announced her pregnancy in January and sat out the remainder of the season.

Bott is still the club captain, with Mackenzie Barry taking the onfield captaincy duties.

International players

The Phoenix were on the back foot, when the club first entered the A-League, because they could not sign visa players for the first two seasons of their existence.

From the 2023/24 season, Football Australia relaxed the restrictions imposed on the women’s team, removing the limit on New Zealand signings and the quota of Australian players.

This season, their leading goalscorer is American Makala Woods, who signed as an injury replacement for Dutch midfielder Tessel Middag at the start of the year.

English forward Brooke Nunn has also made her mark in front of goal, being among the team’s leading scorers and the A-League leader in goal assists. Both Nunn and Woods will be back next season.

American defender Ellie Walker has been a constant in the backline this season, as has Spanish defender Lucía León, who the Phoenix picked up from Adelaide United in the off-season, as the first new signing of the season.

One Phoenix signing who made the biggest noise when she joined the squad was Nepalese international striker Sabitra ‘Samba’ Bhandari.

Before injury ended her season, the Nepalese community in New Zealand and Australia showed up in big numbers to support their national team captain in the A-League.

Locals

Defender Mackenzie Barry has seen it all with the Phoenix as a day-one player.

Barry is the team’s most-capped player and has started every game this season. She is a product of NZ Football’s Future Ferns domestic programme.

The Football Fern has said the Phoenix are the only A-League team she wanted to play for and she is signed up for next season as part of what she saw as Priestman’s two-year project.

By comparison, Football Fern Grace Jale has played for several A-League clubs, but this is the first time she is part of playoff football.

Under Priestman, Jale is having the best club season of her career and picked up several awards at the club’s awards night. She has also signed for next season.

Teenage star Pia Vlok has had a breakout season, including the club’s first hat-trick, and her success also lead to her first call-up to the Football Ferns.

Goalkeeper Vic Esson has helped the Phoenix to the best defensive record in the competition, returning to New Zealand after seven seasons overseas, where she won several trophies.

Attacker Manaia Elliott brought up her 50-game milestone for the Phoenix this season and has been a regular in the side in her third year as a professional.

Centreback Marisa van der Meer made a comeback to the Phoenix, after back-to-back anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injuries. More than 700 days after she last played for the club, she scored in their opening game and went on to play 22 games during the regular season.

Midfielder Macey Fraser rejoined Wellington Phoenix, after she was released by National Women’s Soccer League club Utah Royals, but the Football Fern took a mental health break and she returned to the team in March.

Knees

Female footballers are more at risk of knee injuries than their male counterparts, a phenomenon that is now so prolific, it is part a FIFA study.

This season, three Phoenix players suffered ACL injuries, including two in the same month (November).

The frequency of the season-ending injury at their club lead the Phoenix to investigate if something was wrong with their ACL injury prevention practices, but they found their practices were “comprehensive and aligned with industry standards”.

The team’s latest significant injury is to forward Emma Main, who has a chronic lumbar spine injury that meant she missed the playoff series and was rehabilitating for next season.

Support

The Phoenix had a record crowd of nearly 6000 at Porirua Park for Sunday’s semifinal win, but last season, the numbers were a lot lower with an average of 739 people at home games – the lowest in the league by far.

Not surprisingly, connection with the fans increased, as the Phoenix moved up the competition standings.

“We’ve always had a really good fanbase, but definitely this year, it’s grown a lot,” Barry said.

However, getting corporate buy-in was a struggle for the Phoenix early on, with general manager David Dome issuing a public plea in 2021 for commercial assistance to find a shirt sponsor for their new women’s team.

The Phoenix owners invested heavily into the women’s team and, in previous seasons, Gill highlighted that more was spent on the women’s programme than the men’s.

“We operate at a good level of budget for players and staffing, and we’ve probably got one of the biggest football departments in the league, so there is a high expectation on that programme,” he said.

Before the playoffs, Barry said the team trained at “one of the best facilities in the whole league”.

“I think, even though it’s not verbally said, there is an expectation for us to do well. I think we can see the investment that’s been put into our team and, compared to other women’s teams in the A-League, it’s miles ahead 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

Follow all the action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United for the second leg of the A-League men’s semifinal.

Adelaide United have a few things AFC don’t have, but would like, including a championship and a football-first stadium.

Both of those things will be front of mind at Coopers Stadium.

Unable to get an advantage over Adelaide in the first leg at home in Penrose, with a 1-1 draw on Saturday, Auckland now must win at the home of football in South Australia to progress to the grand final for the first time.

“It’s going to be hostile, but who cares?,” Auckland coach Steve Corica said of the 16,500 capacity Coopers Stadium that has football as the main tenant.

“The players want to play in front of good crowds, that’s a good crowd. It’s a good field.

“We’ve been there before, we’ve played there, we’ve done well there. We haven’t beaten them there, but they haven’t beaten us either.”

Kickoff is at 9.35pm.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United for the second leg of the A-League men’s semifinal.

Adelaide United have a few things AFC don’t have, but would like, including a championship and a football-first stadium.

Both of those things will be front of mind at Coopers Stadium.

Unable to get an advantage over Adelaide in the first leg at home in Penrose, with a 1-1 draw on Saturday, Auckland now must win at the home of football in South Australia to progress to the grand final for the first time.

“It’s going to be hostile, but who cares?,” Auckland coach Steve Corica said of the 16,500 capacity Coopers Stadium that has football as the main tenant.

“The players want to play in front of good crowds, that’s a good crowd. It’s a good field.

“We’ve been there before, we’ve played there, we’ve done well there. We haven’t beaten them there, but they haven’t beaten us either.”

Kickoff is at 9.35pm.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action, as the Chiefs take on the Highlanders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Team lists

Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Ahio, 4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15. Damian McKenzie

Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Benét Kumeroa, 18. George Dyer, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Daniel Rona, 23. Isaac Hutchinson

“It will be important this week against a very combative Highlanders defence that we can shift the point of attack quickly and effectively. We had a tough battle against them in round two and are preparing for more of the same this week at home” – Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbes

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomás Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Tanielu Tele’a, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16. Henry Bell, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Sean Withy, 21. Veveni Lasaqa, 22. Folau Fakatava, 23. Taine Robinson

“It’s hard to get wins, and so when you get those real tight ones and let them slip, it really hurts you at this end of the season” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph

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Source: Radio New Zealand

All three local hopes have been knocked out of the New Zealand Pro surf championship at Raglan in the first round.

The World Surf League arrived at Manu Bay on Friday, marking the first time New Zealand has hosted a combined men’s and women’s Championship Tour event.

Thousands of spectators gathered along the shoreline to watch the world’s best surfers tackle one of the most famous left-hand breaks in the world.

Fifteen-year-old local wildcard Alani Morse was beaten in the first round by 13th seed Bettylou Sakura Johnson of Hawaii.

Morse, who took the day off school to compete against her heroes, told the World Surf League (WSL) it was an amazing experience.

“It was such an honour, to share the line-up with those girls … I can’t think of anything more special … I’m just super excited to be here and what an opportunity,” Morse said.

The teenager said it felt amazing to have the whole town behind her.

“I just can’t even explain how that support has been to me … it’s super cool to share the journey and experience with them.

“On the beach everyone’s cheering and I felt like they were out there with me and I think that’s the best thing in the world and probably one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life.”

Billy Stairmand, who also lives in Raglan, carried much of the home expectation as the country’s most experienced competitor, but was beaten by Morgan Cibilic of Australia.

Wildcard Tom Butland entered the Championship Tour with nothing to lose but was beaten by Luke Thompson of South Africa in his heat.

Those to progress so far on the first day of the New Zealand Pro WSL event include eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmour of Australia and five-time world champion Carissa Moore of Hawaii.

Moore, the first Olympic champion, surfed in New Zealand in her 2010 rookie season where she won the event in Taranaki. She told WSL that New Zealand had a special place in her heart.

“I was really struggling in my rookie year, I started off with two last places and then I came here and found a sense of community … and I got my first CT win and so it really feels so special to be back here,” Moore said.

Raglan will be centre stage of world surfing for the next 10 days.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Aussies have well and truly fallen off the Super Rugby Pacific pace.

After threatening to emulate the glory days of ACT Brumbies in the early rounds, the men from Canberra have collapsed dramatically, leaving the top four firmly in Kiwi hands.

Queensland Reds appear the only other genuine contenders from across the ditch, but couldn’t cash in at home against the Chiefs last week, leaving them to round out the top six.

The Hurricanes have kicked clear at the top, five points ahead of the second-placed Chiefs. The Blues and Crusaders both appear locked for the post-season.

The Highlanders need a miracle, if they are to progress to the playoffs, needing to beat both the Chiefs and Hurricanes to give themselves any chance.

A pair of cracking derbies headline this weekend’s round, with the Blues hosting the Hurricanes, while the Highlanders head to Hamilton to meet the Chiefs.

Both Moana Pasifika and the Crusaders have the week off.

Selection notes

Beauden Barrett returns to the Blues’ starting first-five jersey for his side’s crucial clash with the ‘Canes.

Anton Segner replaces Dalton Papali’i, who fractured his jaw against the Crusaders, while Xavi Taele also gets the start in the Blues midfield.

After mauling Moana Pasifika, the Hurricanes have made eight changes to the starting line-up, with Caleb Delany notching up his 50th game.

For the Chiefs, Damian McKenzie moves to fullback, while in-form Quinn Tupaea gets a rest, as Lalakai Foketi takes his place at second five.

The only change to the Highlanders line-up comes at centre, where Tanielu Tele’a replaces the suspended Jona Nareki.

Injury ward

Hurricanes workhorse Du’Plessis Kirifi is missing for the week with a knee injury, while Cam Roigard will remain sidelined for at least another two weeks with a calf complaint.

Chiefs lock Josh Lord is out with concussion, while the side’s back stocks are depleted, with Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter and Etene Nanai-Seturo all missing from action.

Props Ben Ake and Sam Matega are both out for the Blues.

Finn Hurley is still unavailable for the Highlanders, due to a hamstring.

Key stats

The Chiefs are one away from their 250th Super Rugby win, a number matched only by the Crusaders, Brumbies and Hurricanes.

Hurricanes flyer Fehi Fineanganofo needs one more try to equal Ben Lam and Joe Roff’s season record of 16.

The Blues have won their last five against the Hurricanes at Eden Park.

Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens leads the competition with 10 try assists.

The Chiefs average the most metres this season with 529 per game.

Chiefs v Highlanders

Kickoff 7.05pm, Friday, 15 May

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Live blog updates on RNZ

Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Ahio, 4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15. Damian McKenzie

Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Benét Kumeroa, 18. George Dyer, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Daniel Rona, 23. Isaac Hutchinson

“It will be important this week against a very combative Highlanders defence that we can shift the point of attack quickly and effectively. We had a tough battle against them in round two and are preparing for more of the same this week at home.”

Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbes

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomás Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Tanielu Tele’a, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16. Henry Bell, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Sean Withy, 21. Veveni Lasaqa, 22. Folau Fakatava, 23. Taine Robinson

“It’s hard to get wins, and so when you get those real tight ones and let them slip, it really hurts you at this end of the season.”

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph

Blues v Hurricanes

Kickoff 7.05pm, Saturday, 16 May

Eden Park, Auckland

Live blog updates on RNZ

Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Malachi Wrampling, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. Xavi Taele, 14. AJ Lam, 15. Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Flyn Yates, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Che Clark, 22. Finlay Christie, 23. Stephen Perofeta

“The Hurricanes are in top form, so we know the challenge in front of us, and the focus is on delivering an accurate, physical performance.”

Blues coach Vern Cotter

Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Jordie Barrett (c), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Fehi Fineanganofo, 15. Callum Harkin

Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Siale Lauaki, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Jordi Viljoen, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Bailyn Sullivan

“We’re well aware of the threat that the Blues possess. I’m sure they’re highly motivated about the opportunity to beat us and continue that fight for the top two. It’s going to be a highly physical and exciting game.”

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw

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