Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Southland’s Josh Burnett has become just the sixth rider to win three or more Tour of Southland titles, joining an elusive club that includes Brian Fowler and Hayden Roulston.

Burnett (team PowerNet), who rides for a professional team in Spain, started the day with a 19 second lead over Cambridge’s Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel Cycling Team). However an outstanding individual time trial by Wilson in the morning saw him take the stage victory and cut the lead to just 10sec heading into the final 77km stage, from Winton to Invercargill.

The fast and furious final stage was lashed by wind and rain throughout, with Wilson making a bold attack on the penultimate lap of the tour’s Waikiwi circuit finish before the two frontrunners finished safely in the bunch to repeat the one-two finish they recorded in 2024.

Burnett’s name now joins the likes of Warwick Dalton, Tino Tabak, Fowler, Roulston and Michael Vink as riders who have won New Zealand’s most prestigious stage race three or more times.

It almost didn’t happen, with Burnett originally ruled out of the November event by a badly broken arm and only coming back into the equation when an extreme weather event meant the 2025 edition was postponed until January.

“I was just planning on helping the Mito-Q boys out and cleaning their bikes. To get this opportunity, I’m super grateful to PowerNet, it’s such a well-run team. Both on and off the bike we’ve had such a good time this week. It’s a massive credit to Aaron (Sinclair) who has put this team together for the past few years. All I’ve had to think about is riding my bike,” Burnett said.

To get the chance to return from riding for his Spanish professional team, Burgos Burpellet BH, and win his home race was something special, Burnett said.

“It definitely hasn’t sunk in. I was just taking it day by day and I’m just really proud to be from this region,” he said.

“There’s no other bike race in the world where I get this amount of support so I’ve got to lap it up where I can. In Spain I can’t even read the signs, so when I’m here I make the most of it.”

Burnett, who also won the King of the Mountain classification, paid credit to his team mates, who were challenged throughout the week, particularly after losing team captain Ollie Jones to a crash on Tuesday.

“For sure there were some expectations on my shoulders all week, but I think it was mainly transferred onto my team mates, making them ride the front for three days, so a big shout out to those boys, because without them I wouldn’t have had the chance to contest the stages or be in contention.”

Burnett highlighted the battle he had with Wilson for the second Southland tour in a row. The pair sparred throughout the week, especially with one-two finishes on both the Remarkables and Bluff Hill finishes. Daniel Whitehouse (Quality Food Southland/Gough Brothers) was third overall at 1min 38sec.

“Massive credit to Matt because he is super strong and I’m sure he’s going to win a Southland one day, that’s for sure.”

The final stage was won by Southland’s Nick Kergozou, the second time he has won the finale. Kergozou (Open Country-TES) said he was proud to win the stage and claim his fourth Sprint Ace title in his ninth Southland tour.

“I’m ecstatic with that. Matt Wilson was putting it in the gutter pretty hard. He was throwing it all out there and I knew I just had to follow to keep the sprint jersey alive.”

Timaru’s Noah Hollamby (Onya Bike) completed an outstanding debut Tour of Southland, winning the under 23 jersey and finishing fourth overall. Australian Ben Dyball (Macaulay Ford-Good Tech Team) was the leading over 35 rider, and fifth overall.

Macaulay Ford-Good Tech Team won the teams classification, while Christchurch’s James Krzanich (Lattitude Cycling Team) was named the Most Combative rider for the final stage and the tour overall.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has won silver at the X-Games in the Slopestyle in her final hit out before the Winter Olympics.

The reigning Olympic Slopestyle champion scored a mark of 93.00 to finish behind British star Mia Brookes, while Japan’s Cocomo Murase was third.

Nine of the world’s top snowboarders were wrapping up their final preparations for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina at the competition in Aspen.

Sadowski-Synnott landed a complicated switch backside 1260 on her third and final run, and later said she was tested by the field.

“The girls all have their own style and creativity and they pushed me really hard,” Sadowski-Synnott said

And reigning World Champion Luca Harrington won silver for New Zealand in the men’s Freeski Big Air competition with a score of 97.00.

Harrington couldn’t quite shake Italian rival Miro Tabanelli who claimed gold.

X-Games women’s Slopestyle

1 96.33 – Mia Brookes, GBR, 2 93.00 – Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, NZL, 3 89.66 – Cocomo Murase, JPN.

X-Games men’s Freeski Big Air Slopestyle

1 98.00 Miro Tabanelli, ITA, 2 97.00 Luca Harrington, NZL, 3 96.33 Matey Svancer, AUT

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Breakers forward Sam Mennenga has been sidelined with a broken left wrist in the latest injury blow for the Auckland club.

Mennenga hit the floor at Spark Arena in the fourth quarter of a dramatic two-point loss to the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night.

A team spokesperson said the 24-year-old will undergo further scans after the heavy fall.

Mennenga finished the game with 20 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. His absence will likely hurt the Breakers’ chances of reaching the playoffs.

A post-game X-ray confirmed the fracture, and he’s booked for an MRI scan early next week to assess the damage.

“Unfortunately, he will be out for 6-8 weeks to allow the bone time to heal,” Breakers head of operations Dillon Boucher said.

The Breakers led in the final seconds before Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton, playing his first season for the Sixers, hit a 3-point buzzer-beater in overtime for the 112-110 win.

And in a double blow, Auckland forward Max Darling also faces scans for a knee injury.

The club said it will evaluate its roster over the coming days.

– RNZ

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A disastrous last few seconds has cost the Breakers as they were beaten by the Adelaide 36ers in their NBL game in Auckland.

The top of the table 36ers won the game 112-110 with a buzzer-beater in over-time.

The Breakers trailed by 10 points with three minutes remaining in regulation before captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright inspired his side and sent the game into extra time.

The Breakers were well placed for most of the overtime period, however they conceded a turnover when they failed to inbound the ball in time with just ten seconds remaining and leading by one.

Bryce Cotton then stepped up with a three-pointer with one second remaining to clinch the game and silence the local fans.

Karim Lopez, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Izaiah Brockington all scored 21 points for the Breakers while Sam Mennenga had 20.

The Breakers are seventh on the table with a 10 and 17 record.

They play Melbourne United at home next Friday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The Wellington Phoenix’s unbeaten start to 2026 has come to an end.

The Phoenix have been beaten 4-1 at the Newcastle Jets.

The Jets led 1-0 at half-time after scoring their opener just one minute into the game.

Newcastle then added another two in the second half before the Phoenix were able to respond when new Norwegian attacking midfielder Sander Kartum scored just a handful of minutes into his club and A-League debut.

Wellington remain eighth, two points outside the top six, while the result moves Newcastle level with Auckland FC at the top of the ladder.

Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano was disappointed with the final result.

“Always disappointed when we lose, especially when it was pretty even in terms of big chances created,” Italiano said.

“It was a 50-50 game in terms of possession, we just got punished for some sloppy defending.

“But in fairness they probably deserved the points.”

Italiano doesn’t believe his side has taken a step backwards after two wins and a draw to start the year.

“If we didn’t make any chances, we got torched 4-1 and we weren’t in the game then I would be a little bit worried.

“On a better day honestly it could have been four-all. If we defend a little bit better we could have won the game 4-3.

“I’m still positive with how the team played in certain periods.”

Italiano named the same eleven which started Sunday’s 2-0 win over Sydney FC and included Kartum on the bench following his arrival from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

The Phoenix play Melbourne City at home next Friday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

With an average age of 20 in the NZ Winter Olympic team, Lyon Farrell is probably considered over the hill in snowboarding years for a first Winter Olympics.

At 27, Farrell is three year’s older than the next oldest members of the 17-strong team, which has been confirmed for next month’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Farrell achieved a long held dream when his selection in the Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air disciplines was confirmed on Friday.

Mentally, Farrell said he felt like a 20-year-old.

“Just staying in it, riding with a bunch of 19-year-olds …I’m still learning new tricks and giving these young guys a run for their money,” Farrell said.

Farrell grew up in Maui, Hawaii but first learned to ski at Coronet Peak in Queenstown with his parents and siblings.

His Mom was American, and his Dad a Kiwi. His grandparents live in Arrowtown and Farrell spent a lot of his childhood in the South Island.

He switched to snowboarding, following in his big brothers footsteps and entered his first competition in 2011.

He first started training with the New Zealand team in 2014 when he was just 15, then got the opportunity to ride with the USA team.

Farrell was with the US team from 2015 to 2022 but missed out on the last Olympics after tearing his ACL in the lead-up and thought that dream might be over.

Things were very different in 2014 when no New Zealand male athletes were sent to the Sochi Winter Olympics that year.

“So that conversation was never really there, there wasn’t really a structured team around slopestyle riding…I didn’t really see it as something that could happen.

“And then 2018 was when Zoi [Sadowski-Synnott] and Nico [Porteous] really started crushing it and I was like whoa all the guys that I’d been snowboarding with when I was 15-16 years old are doing amazing, I’d love to see what’s going on.”

New Zealand had its most successful Winter Olympic Games at Beijing 2022, where Kiwi athletes claimed two gold medals and a silver.

Sadowski-Synnott made history, winning New Zealand’s first Winter Olympic gold medal in Snowboard Slopestyle, alongside a silver in Big Air. She also won a Big Air bronze medal at PyeongChang 2018 and is off to her third Olympics next month.

Farrell had worked with Sean Thompson, Sadowski-Synnott’s coach, when he was as young as 13. He finished second in the Snowboard Halfpipe at the 2014 Junior World Championships under Thompson.

Four year’s ago Farrell started thinking about switching his allegiances back to New Zealand.

“That friendship and connection I had with the Kiwi team was still super strong and at the time it made the most sense to go back to where I started …really paying homage to the place that I learnt how to snowboard.”

Farrell said he didn’t want to look back when he eventually retired and wonder if he could have been a better snowboarder.

“Didn’t really have to do with the Olympics, it more had to do with could I reach my full potential as an athlete. When I started to look at it I saw that the people I was riding with back in 2014 had created something incredible and that was what I wanted to be a part of.”

He said a big drawcard was to work with coaches Tom Willmott and Thompson again.

“I believe that they are the best in the world and that the New Zealand team was the best place I could possibly be, so I chose to step away from the US team and go where what I thought was better and I feel it continues to show me that it is.”

After watching a new generation of New Zealand snowboarders emerge, Farrell said he felt lucky to just be involved.

“They’ve kind of lifted me to a level now where I feel like I’m not just a good Kiwi but I’m good on the world stage and I can actually do better than I probably ever have before.”

Growing up, professional sport was a part of Farrell’s household.

His mother Angela Cochran was a professional windsurfer for a couple of decades and still competes, so it was no surprise that Farrell ended up competing in an extreme sport.

“I think it was kind of unavoidable being that my Mum was in a freestyle kind of sport where flipping and spinning and pushing yourself was part of the programme.”

Cochran, who still lived in Maui, competed against New Zealand Olympic medallist Barbara Kendall in the 1990s and 2000s.

The Windsurfing Hall of Famers were still great friends.

“Maui was kind of the mecca of windsurfing and she did a lot of racing and wave sailing with Barbara, so Barbara was kind of my main connection whenever I was in the North Island flying through to see my grandparents in the South Island I’d always be with Barbara and her family, it’s pretty cool to have that connection.

“I don’t windsurf but I picked up a couple of other wind sports along the way, little bit of winging, little bit of stand up paddle, downwind foiling, all sorts of random stuff when I have time in the summer.”

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games would take place from February 6-22 across iconic Italian alpine venues.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Black Caps coach Rob Walter said the players all feel for pace bowler Adam Milne, who has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup because of a torn hamstring.

Milne suffered the injury while bowling in South Africa’s SA20 league on Sunday, with scans later revealing it was bad enough to prevent him from playing in next month’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Milne, 33, has been replaced by all-rounder Kyle Jamieson, who is playing for the New Zealand white-ball teams in India as they prepare for the World Cup.

“We’re all gutted for Adam,” Milne said.

“He’d worked so hard to get himself ready for the tournament and was looking back to his best in his eight games for the Eastern Cape Sunrisers.

“It’s unfortunate timing for Adam, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Jamieson would be a worthy replacement, Walter said.

“It’s great that Kyle is already with us here in India.

“He’s an integral member of our pace-bowling group and has hit the ground running on this tour.

“He’s a hard worker with a good set of skills and experiences that will hold him [in] good stead for the tournament.”

Walter confirmed a replacement travelling reserve for the T20 World Cup would be confirmed later.

The Black Caps are playing India in the second of five T20 internationals in Raipur on Saturday at 2.30am (NZ time).

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix captain CJ Bott will sit out the remainder of the women’s A-League season after announcing her pregnancy.

Bott and her fiancé have announced they’re expecting their first child in July.

“It’s crazy,” she said. “I’m still wrapping my head around it but it’s something that I’ve always dreamed about and it’s really special.

“We’re over the moon and we’re really excited for this next phase of our lives.

“To bring a little baby into the team will be a lot of fun.”

As a result, Bott will sit out the remainder of the A-League. But the experienced Football Fern is contracted to the Phoenix for another season and plans to play on.

“The next phase of my life is going to be a bit nuts. It already is crazy playing football professionally but adding a little one into the mix will be a lot busier.

“But I think it will be fun and a challenge that I’m more than ready to take on.”

And she still hopes to contribute to the team this season.

“I plan to be as involved as much as I can with the team.

“I’m gutted to be missing out and not being able to do my part, but I definitely have a role off the field, so I still feel very involved and I’ll be supporting from the sidelines.”

Bott will remain the women’s club captain while Mackenzie Barry will continue to lead the side in her absence.

The Phoenix sit eighth on the table and play Adelaide in Porirua on Sunday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Seventeen athletes have been confirmed for next month’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics – the biggest snow sports contingent that New Zealand has sent to a Winter Olympics.

Nine athletes were selected on Friday to join their eight team-mates who were conditionally selected in October last year. All 17 athletes are now unconditionally selected having confirmed Winter Olympic quota spots.

For Freeski Halfpipe athlete, Ben Harrington, selection to the New Zealand team is a family affair, younger sibling Luca selected earlier.

“I’m super stoked to join the New Zealand Team for Milano Cortina 2026 … It’s also pretty cool to be in the same team as my younger brother,” Harrington said.

“Having been to Beijing in 2022, I have an idea of what’s coming in terms of the Olympic set up. I’ll be looking to use that experience this time around and hopefully make everyone proud who’s supported me along the way,” he said.

Harrington is joined by Gustav Legnavsky in the Freeski Halfpipe, who, at just 16 years old, also competed at Beijing 2022.

Mischa Thomas completes the Freeski Halfpipe athletes for this round of selections. She has Olympic experience from Gangwon 2024 as part of the NZ Team at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Thomas has shown strong form in 2025 including winning both the European Cup in Halfpipe in Corvatsch, Switzerland and the European Cup Premium at Laax, Switzerland in Slopestyle.

The selections of Sylvia Trotter and Lucas Ball make a total of five athletes who will compete in the Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air discipline at Milano Cortina 2026.

Trotter finished tenth at the Stubai Freeski Slopestyle World Cup and seventh at the Secret Garden Freeski Big Air World Cup. Both results were Trotter’s debut World Cup events in the discipline.

Lucia Georgalli joins Zoi Sadwoski-Synnott in the NZ Team for the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air competition.

Georgalli can draw on her experiences at the Winter Youth Olympic Games at Gangwon 2024 where she picked up a silver medal in the Snowboard Slopestyle and a bronze in the Big Air.

Three athletes will compete in the Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air at Milano Cortina 2026.

Dane Menzies has strong 2025 form behind him, notably placing fourth in the World Cup in Aspen USA in Slopestyle and fifth in the World Cup in Beijing in Big Air. He also picked up a third place in the 2026 World Cup in Snowmass USA in Slopestyle.

Rocco Jamieson established himself on the international stage in 2025 with World Cup podium finishes at Cardrona and Switzerland before making a standout debut at X Games Aspen 2025, securing a bronze medal.

Lyon Farrell completes the Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air contingent, a consistent performer who was able to achieve top 10 placings in Big Air in World Cup events in the USA and China.

Snow Sports NZ chief executive Nic Cavanagh said the athletes selected represented some of the finest talent to emerge in snow sports in New Zealand, now competing at the absolute top of their game.

“In addition to experienced Olympians and World Champions, we are seeing a crop of fearless, young athletes emerge and stamp their mark on the international stage. Their potential is enormous and this is a chance for New Zealanders to watch and cheer from afar as they showcase what they’ve been working on for many years,” he said.

Cavanagh said the future was bright for snow sports in New Zealand.

“This is an illustration of how rich the talent is in the sport right now, and how hard the athletes have worked for selection. Behind them is a community of parents, coaches, supporters, clubs and resorts who have nurtured their development over many years, and who can share in their success. As a community we should be very proud of their accomplishments,” he said.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from 6-22 February 2026 across iconic Italian alpine venues.

Full NZ Team athletes selected for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

Ruby Star Andrews – Women’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

Lucas Ball – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

Ben Barclay – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

Lyon Farrell – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air

Lucia Georgalli – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air

Ben Harrington – Men’s Freeski Halfpipe

Luca Harrington – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

Luke Harrold – Men’s Freeski Halfpipe

Rocco Jamieson – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air

Gustav Legnavsky – Men’s Freeski Halfpipe

Cam Melville Ives – Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe

Fin Melville Ives – Men’s Freeski Halfpipe

Dane Menzies – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air

Alice Robinson – Women’s Alpine Skiing

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air

Mischa Thomas – Women’s Freeski Halfpipe

Sylvia Trotter – Women’s Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air

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Source: Radio New Zealand

French coach Fabien Galthié has fired a shot a NZ Rugby after the sacking of Scott Robertson as All Black coach. Galthié, who named his side for the upcoming Six Nations tournament yesterday, said he was “perplexed” at the decision making around Robertson and his predecessor Ian Foster.

“New Zealand’s national policy does not help its national team. That’s my point of view,” Galthié told L’Equipe.

“Today, I don’t know the reasons for Scott Robertson’s departure. They make decisions and take responsibility for them. That’s their problem.”

Galthié said he was in the same room as Foster when the All Black coach learned that his place would be taken by Robertson in 2023.

“In the same way as when I was with Ian Foster at Shape of the Game (a World Rugby forum) in spring 2023. All the coaches who were taking part in the World Cup were there,” he said.

“Around midday, I’m in a workshop. Someone comes to see him, shows him something, and he learns that Scott Robertson has been appointed in his place. They had already started preparing for the World Cup, which was taking place a few months later.”

Galthié was impressed with the way Foster took the news.

“He reacted with great class; he didn’t dwell on it. I just felt a buzz around him. I didn’t find (the situation) very tactful.”

Galthié’s French side comfortably beat the All Blacks in the opening match of the 2023 World Cup, however sensationally lost to eventual champions South Africa in the quarterfinals. Foster’s All Blacks made it all the way to the final before going down 12-11 in a dramatic final.

France will travel to Christchurch in July to open the All Black test season, with the FFR this week confirming that it will likely be a weakened team due to the series overlapping with the Top 14 finals. Galthié brought France to New Zealand last year under the same circumstances and lost the series 3-0, although his impressive young side pushed the All Blacks in the first and third tests.

Meanwhile, the French coach caused a shock with his squad selection this week, dropping the experienced trio of Grégory Alldritt, Gaël Fickou and Damian Penaud.

“You have to be fair, create healthy competition and healthy rivalry,” said Galthié.

“There’s a reassuring, supportive psychological approach, close to what we call building trust, but you also have to be open to other potential players… again, the most important thing is to be fair and that’s the case for these three players.”

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