Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

The holiday is over for Ryan Fox and the Kiwi golfer is gearing up for what he hopes will be an even better 2026.

Fox completed his second full season on the PGA Tour with two victories and a top 40 finish in the 2025 standings.

After that he took a fully deserved two months away from the game, relaxing back in Auckland with his family.

“The year I had let me do that, have a chance to take a break, be a dad, be normal and so I’m buzzing to be back into it this week,” Fox told media in Brisbane.

He didn’t touch his golf clubs for the first month of his break but has been training since then, playing some social golf. He’s now preparing for this week’s Australian PGA Championship in Queensland.

Fox has won in Australia three times, the first was in 2014 and it is a place he enjoys playing.

“Obviously this is the first tour I played when I turned pro and this year it fitted in perfectly (with my schedule).

“I didn’t want to take three months off golf and go back (to the US) early next year and find it (his game) again.

“We’re playing two great golf courses the next two weeks, great fields, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Fox won the Myrtle Beach Classic in May and the Canadian Open in June. So what about 2026?

“Obviously I want to build on it, it’s hard to beat a year like I had this year, other than missing the Tour Championship I ticked every box.”

He does want to make the international team for the first time and play the Presidents Cup against the USA at Medinah in Chicago in September 2026.

“That is something I feel I’ve missed out on the last couple of goes and I’m in a good place, I’m in all the big events next year so I really want to be a part of that team.”

The 38-year-old said he would also love to be contending in one of the major tournaments. He has previously finished in the top 20 at both the the Open Championship and the US Open.

“I know my golf game is good enough to compete with the best players in the world and I give myself a few more chances of that next year.”

So he’ll get back up to speed in Australia over the next two weeks at the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open.

“I’m coming in here not playing to keep status which is really nice, but I want to do well the next two weeks.

“It’s a good place to be, my golf game is in good shape at home so I’m excited to test it in tournament conditions again.”

Fox will play alongside nine other New Zealand golfers this week, including World Tour players Daniel Hillier and Kazuma Kobori.

“Kiwi golf is in a really good place at the moment with a bunch of guys on various tours around the world and to see young guys doing well and it’s cool to see so many of them here,” Fox said.

The Australian PGA Championship runs from 27-30 November at the Royal Queensland Golf Club.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Caps have been grouped with South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE for this summer’s T20 World Cup.

New Zealand are currently fourth in the world T20 rankings, one place ahead of South Africa, while Afghanistan are tenth, but will be a challenge in the Asian conditions.

The tournament which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka will run from 7 February to 8 March.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will meet in Colombo on 15 February.

It will be their first meeting since they contested three fiery matches at the 2025 Asia Cup.

India have been grouped with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia in Group A.

In Group B are Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.

England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal and debutants Italy are in Group C.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the Super Eights, where they are split into two groups of four.

The top two in each group will then progress to the semi-finals, which will be held on 4 March (in Kolkata or Colombo) and 5 March (in Mumbai).

Pakistan will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka because of ongoing political tensions with India.

The final will be hosted in Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan qualify, when it will be moved to Colombo.

The complete groups are as follows:

Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia

Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman

Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy

Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

New Zealand games:

February 8: New Zealand v Afghanistan, Chennai.

February 10: New Zealand v UAE, Chennai.

February 14: New Zealand v South Africa, Ahmedabad.

February 17: New Zealand v Canada, Chennai

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Breakers development player Tukaha Cooper has been banned from basketball for a month after testing positive for cannabis.

The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui tested Cooper after the Southland Sharks National Basketball League game against Saints in Wellington on 20 July.

The commission’s statement said the 23-year-old later admitted recreational use of cannabis.

The commission accepted that the use was out-of-competition and unrelated to sporting performance.

Cannabis is banned under the Substances of Abuse category in the Sports Anti-Doping Rules, which acknowledge that some substances are used outside of sport.

Cooper incurred a one-month sanction, backdated to 24 October 2025, on the condition that he complete a treatment plan for substance abuse.

The athlete has completed the treatment programme and is now eligible to return to sport.

Commission chief executive Rebecca Rolls said the approach under the Substances of Abuse category reflected a balance between supporting athlete health and maintaining the integrity of competition.

She noted that while the pathway was supportive, cannabis is still banned in sport.

“We encourage athletes to make informed choices and reach out for help when needed,” said Basketball New Zealand chief executive officer Belinda Edwards.

Cooper has not played for the Breakers during the current NBL season.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Analysis – Ten wins, three losses. That’s how it stacks up for the All Blacks this season, although as per usual those numbers don’t tell the full story behind Scott Robertson’s campaign. There are more figures to help put some context around it all, however, it’s fair to say that no matter how it’s spun, the All Blacks could have done better in 2025.

NZ Rugby will have a review, which they do at the end of every test block and season. This one feels different though – Robertson is now two years into his tenure and should have his feet under the desk by now, so the sort of explanations that presumably were used last year probably won’t wash this time around.

Read more:

Here are the things that will likely be considered when the review happens:

Titles

The Bledisloe Cup is safe for the 23rd year in a row, plus both tests were won in convincing fashion. However, that may well be more indicative of the Wallabies considering they’ve been god-awful in the second half of the season.

Other than that, it’s a couple of sponsor’s series trophies but no Rugby Championship. That’s the first time since 2001 the All Blacks have failed to win it over a two-year period, so now something fans used to take for granted is becoming an elusive prize.

Job titles

Two assistants leaving in two seasons isn’t good, no matter how you spin it. Especially since Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland had no firm plans on what to do next when they headed for the door.

Captaincy

Robertson went with Scott Barrett off the bat for his skipper, which made sense given that was the dynamic at the Crusaders and Barrett’s spot in the team has been assured in his 91-test career. From the start, the debate between him and Ardie Savea has been vocal, and after this season is a very compelling one.

However, it’s not particularly negative given the reasons why.

Savea started four tests and finished a couple more as captain, and generally made the correct calls and big plays expected of him. Plus, the emergence of Fabian Holland and Josh Lord means there is now a bit of depth in the second row, so it will be interesting to see what the picture looks like at the end of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition – one that Barrett is sitting out.

The way the All Blacks won

The first and third tests against France, the first against Argentina, Ireland and Scotland, but most of all the win over the Springboks at Eden Park showed what this team’s mental fortitude can be when they are put in a tough situation.

All of those saw very assured performances at the business end, with the right calls and key plays made.

Which is why the three losses are, in contrast, so disappointing. One week after Cordoba the All Blacks collapsed, unable to cope with a Pumas game plan designed to exploit their weaknesses. One week after Eden Park, they were destroyed by the Springboks for a record loss, basically giving up with 20 minutes to play. One week after Scotland, completely out-thought by England.

Crucial yellow cards played big roles in the losses to Argentina and England, but the All Blacks were more unlucky than malicious overall. Especially when you compare them to the sort of craziness that happened in other tests over the last few weeks, so it’s probably likely that while these fine margins will be highlighted, so will the fact that not one All Black was suspended for foul play this season.

While Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks are firmly in control of the narrative of test rugby and the way it’s played, you could make a fair case that England are ahead of the All Blacks in the innovation stakes right now too and not just because they won that match on a very flexible game plan.

Robertson has talked about the need for his players to be adaptable, meanwhile Steve Borthwick has literally started Ben Earl in his midfield. They’ve developed their own ‘Pom Squad’ that took that test away from the All Blacks, and while the English media love to overhype the slightest bit of promise, they are looking like becoming a consistent powerhouse two years out from the next World Cup.

If anything, this review should be asking how the All Blacks can start being talked about in the same way again.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Boomers v Tall Blacks

Friday, 28 November

Tip-off 9.30pm

MyState Bank Arena, Hobart, Tasmania

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

There will be no secrets between the Tall Blacks and Boomers when the Asia FIBA World Cup qualifiers tip off.

It is hard to have an air of mystery when the opposing coaches worked together for nearly a decade or when most of the players from both sides play in the same competition for 22 weeks at a time.

Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell and Boomers coach Dean Vickerman have both predominately called on players based in the Australian NBL for two games that start the lengthy qualification process for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

Flavell works as an assistant for the Breakers when he is not with the national team, likewise Vickerman is head coach at Melbourne United when he is not stepping in to the Boomers top job to cover for head coach Adam Caporn who has not come back for this qualification window.

The links between the Tall Blacks and Boomers are numerous.

Flavell has coached some of the Boomers and Vickerman has the Tall Blacks captain Finn Delany in his NBL squad. Boomers big man Keanu Pinder matches up with Tall Blacks forward Yanni Wetzell every day in practice for their Akita Northern Happinets side in Japan’s B-League.

Alex Ducas who will represent the green and gold for the first time since 2023 is well aware of what Tall Blacks weapon Tyrell Harrison, who will pull on the black singlet for the first time this year, is capable of as they play together for the Brisbane Bullets.

Friday’s game in Hobart will be the fourth time the Tall Blacks and Boomers have played each other in 2025.

The Australians are leading this year’s tally 2-1 but the Tall Blacks were the winners of the last game played in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown in May in Hamilton.

There are some roster changes from that inaugural series with the New Zealanders injecting some height that Flavell has not had his disposal before now.

“Sometimes we have the genuine bigs and sometimes we don’t but what a luxury it is to have [Harrison], Yanni Wetzell as well coming back and we have Sam Mennenga and we have Tohi Smith-Milner so genuine size all with a different skillset and our challenge is can we complement that all together and be a cohesive unit in this short window.

“Sometimes they are going to be asked to be interchangeable or be versatile and that is something I think Tall Blacks always have to do. Guys for their club team play a specific role and when they come into Tall Blacks they have to grow and they have to be able to step into these multi positional roles and that’s a strength of the Tall Blacks but that’s the way we have look at it and attack it.”

While the opposition in this qualification window is familiar, Flavell wants the Tall Blacks to also take a closer look at themselves while he looks at the big picture after 13 months in the head coach role.

“It’s given me a great opportunity to gather information over the last 12 months and have a good understanding of who we are again. Our focus for this window is to remember who we are and bring guys together.

“It’s a little bit of a start over again.

“We’re really laying a foundation for what lies ahead…that journey extends for a lot of these guys, for [17-year-old] Jackson [Ball] in particular, hopefully another 10 to 15 years for him so huge for us as Tall Blacks to keep developing our youth.”

The process to qualify for the Basketball World Cup starts in this window, continues in February and July next year. The Tall Blacks will plan to move into the second round of qualifying in August and November 2026 and March 2027. Before the global event in August 2027.

“I don’t think people can plan their lives over the next 16 months but while we can we want to continue to get as many people as we can back into the mix.

“This window is great, timing has worked out people are playing here or close to New Zealand, there are still a number of people who are not here as well but you can never really bank on what life is going to look like in six months time or whenever the next window is but while we have people we try to re-centre back to the Tall Blacks core and back to our kaupapa and remind themselves what it’s like to be a Tall Black and playing together.”

Re-establishing a long-time connection on the international stage

Wetzell has not played for the Tall Blacks so far this year and said it was “refreshing” to be back playing under Flavell who first brought him to basketball.

“I played for him as a junior, played for him in my first year as a professional when he was an assistant at South East [Melbourne Phoenix], now he got this job and it was an exciting call up and we have a great relationship so it was a no brainer for me to come back and join this team.

“I know what he likes out of players and we have that player-coach connection where there doesn’t need to be a ton of communication and we know how we see things so we will continue to grow that bond.”

Wetzell is also working on the connection and on-court chemistry with an eye on the world cup and the Olympics.

“There is nothing like playing with Kiwis it’s exciting to see a lot of the talent coming through I feel like we’re leaps and bounds from where we were 10 to 15 years ago.

“There is so much talent, not just within this group but you can see a bunch of these guys signing with big universities over in the States and there is going to be a massive influx of players coming through in the next few years to come.”

Harrison was first involved with the Tall Blacks in 2018 and he also played in Flavell’s first game in charge but the games against the Boomers mark a return to the side for the towering centre.

“I’d say we’re the underdogs but basketball is changing in New Zealand, it’s developing it’s improving and hopefully we can show that these two games as well.”

Harrison wants to be a regular for the national side as he too looks to the big events on the horizon.

“I try be available as much as I can and keep getting around this environment the culture and trying to get used to the coaching staff and the team.”

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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 time out of the game with serious injury and to focus on her mental health, Grace Wisnewski is falling back in love with football.

The Football Fern has just returned to Aotearoa as the Kiwis prepare to take on the Matilda’s in a two test series in Australia.

Following stints with the Phoenix and US club Lexington SC, Wisnewski joined FC Nordsjælland in Denmark earlier this year, where she has rediscovered her passion for the sport.

“I love the coaches, the staff and the team and and I think the way that they play football is very much kind of my style and I’m just loving it over there. For now I think it’s the best place for me to be and develop as a person and as a player.”

It had been a tough road back for the midfielder.

“I did my ACL and coming back from that was a bit challenging and then I was playing in America, which was challenging. But I’m very happy playing in Denmark right now and with the way I’m performing on the field, so hopefully I can implement that here.”

The 23-year-old took a break from the sport in 2022 to focus on her mental health.

“It’s important to look after yourself and some things are much bigger than football. I don’t regret taking my time off and I think that it did me the world of good. I think I’ve learned a lot about myself in the past couple of years and I feel like it’s helped me a lot on the field as well.”

Wisnewski commended fellow Football Fern Macey Fraser for her decision to also take time away from the game.

“It’s huge. I think it’s a massive part of the game and I guess people don’t talk about it as much, but when you’re happy off the field you can see it in your performance on the field. I have full respect for Macey for taking that time and and I hope it’s the best thing for her.”

While the conversation around mental health and athletes has become far less stigmatised, Wisnewski said more can be done to support players.

“I think it can definitely be spoken about more. I think people are more comfortable maybe taking a break, but I still think there’s a lot of room for improvement in speaking about it and being open to taking the break and looking after yourself.”

Wisnewski is set to play her first match for New Zealand since 2023 as the 15th ranked Australia and a returning Sam Kerr host the 33rd ranked kiwis.

“It’s always nice to come close to home and play against Australia. It’s little bit of a derby match.”

She has two internationals to her name, both which came in consecutive losses to the United States.

“I also feel like I’ve been around forever. I’d love to get some more caps. I’ve struggled a bit with injury the past couple years, which has been hard. But, I’m feeling good at the moment and I’m excited to be back and fit and hopefully get some more games under my belt. I love being a part of this team and I want to help this team as much as I can and try and be in those squads for World Cups and Olympics is definitely a goal of mine.”

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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 sailor Peter Burling says the control Team New Zealand wanted over him forced him out of the America’s Cup outfit.

Burling left Team New Zealand in April after 12 years with the syndicate.

The former Olympic gold and silver medallist skippered Team New Zealand to America’s Cup wins in Bermuda in 2017, Auckland in 2021 and Barcelona in 2024.

In June he announced he would be joining Italian team Luna Rossa for the 38th America’s Cup in 2027.

The 34-year-old has not given details of what led to his shock departure, but on the eve of the SailGP Grand Final in Abu Dhabi this week he spoke about the breakdown of the relationship.

“The uncertainty and the control Team New Zealand wanted over me was just crazy from my point of view,” Burling told SailGP.

Burling and Olympic team-mate Blair Tuke were named co-CEOs of the New Zealand SailGP team in 2020 and have been competing since.

Burling was asked if Team New Zealand wanted him to stop competing in SailGP.

“It wasn’t put in the words where you can’t do SailGP, it was more just a very large period of absolute uncertainty where they have full control over my time essentially.”

Burling was also asked if he thought it was fair.

“Well it’s sport. Sport is a reasonably cut-throat game and certain people expect certain things of others and if you’re not happy to do that then you’ve got to pick a different path,” Burling said.

“I’m really excited to compete at home and abroad with the Black Foils and continue to do that…. with the other path I don’t think it would have been possible.

“Definitely thought the departure was a little bit strange how it all unfolded, and how quickly it unfolded when I was away on a family holiday, not even in New Zealand.”

Burling and his crew sit second in the standings behind Great Britain heading into the SailGP final in Abu Dhabi.

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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 Silver Ferns have been grouped with Jamaica for next year’s Commonwealth Games netball competition in Glasgow.

The seedings have been taken from the world rankings with defending champions Australia top seeds, with New Zealand two, Jamaica three and England four.

The Silver Ferns, who took the bronze medal in Birmingham in 2022, have been grouped with silver medalists Jamaica along with Wales, Uganda, Scotland and Trinidad and Tobago.

New Zealand lost to Jamaica 67-51 in the semi-finals in Birmingham before going on to beat England 55-48 in the bronze medal match.

In the other group, Australia play England, South Africa, Malawi, Tonga and Northern Ireland.

The Silver Ferns are coming off a turbulent year with coach Dame Noeline Taurua stood down. She has since been reinstated and will return to the role in 2026.

New Zealand will open the tournament on 25 July against hosts Scotland.

The netball competition at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games will be held at the Hydro at the Scottish Events Campus.

“The Commonwealth Games is always a highlight in the international netball calendar for the players, officials, and netball family,” said World Netball President, Dame Liz Nicholl DBE.

“I have no doubt that Glasgow 2026 will live up to all expectations.”

Pool A: Australia (1), England (4), South Africa (5), Malawi (8), Tonga (9), Northern Ireland (12)

Pool B: New Zealand (2), Jamaica (3), Wales (6), Uganda (7), Scotland (10), Trinidad & Tobago (11)

Silver Ferns schedule:

25 July, New Zealand v Scotland

26 July New Zealand v Jamaica

28 July New Zealand v Uganda

29 July New Zealand v Wales

30 July New Zealand v Trinidad and Tobago

1 August semi-finals

2 August medal matches

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The man who first trained former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker among other boxing greats, Grant Arkell, has passed away aged 77.

Arkell was one of the most respected boxing trainers in New Zealand and opened the Papatoetoe Boxing Gym in 1990, which during its tenure was home to one of the greatest fighters the country has produced.

He began training a 10-year-old Parker at the Papatoetoe gym in 2004.

“A lot of little kids want to be Joseph Parker, just like when David was fighting, everybody want to be David Tua,” Arkell told RNZ in 2018.

“It’s a big inspiration for young ones who want to box.”

Arkell initially did not see anything special in Parker.

“He was a little short overweight boy, I won’t call him fat, he’s too big now. Little short plumpy boy who wasn’t really interested, he had more fun running round talking to the others. Joseph was more interested in fishing, he quite often went ‘sick’.”

But the coach soon noticed his speed, quickly increasing size and intelligence.

After urging him not to let his natural talents go to waste, Arkell said Parker finally begun to start realising some of his potential.

“He was fighting men when he was 15 and 16, because I couldn’t get anyone [his own age] to fight him.

Arkell also gave $4000 to Parker so he could be sent to the Youth World championships in Azerbaijan in 2010, however, this meant that Arkell couldn’t afford to go himself.

He would ensure his gym remained affordable to all those in need of it.

“I thought, if I’ve got to move out of here I’ve got to start up somewhere again, and I don’t want to lose [these kids]… it’s a big part of my life. It’s just a matter of trying to stay in this area so I can keep these kids going because most, the majority of them, come from around South Auckland. I think a lot of them would have been lost if this place had closed down,” he told RNZ in 2020 with the gym facing possible closure.

The gym was eventually forced to close its doors in 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Arkell trained Patrick Mailata at the beginning of his amateur boxing career, who would end up winning the Bronze Medal at 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Mose Auimatagi Jnr, and many other notable boxers including Tino Honey and Tane Tautalanoa.

He is survived by his wife Mary, his five children, 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

While expectations are always high, the Phoenix women would be delighted with the position they find themselves in the A-League.

Bev Priestman’s side scored their first win of the season on Sunday, beating Melbourne Victory for the first time with a 1-0 triumph in Porirua.

They had been winless in their previous seven meetings, with last season’s beaten grand finalists recording four draws and three defeats.

The Phoenix are unbeaten after three games and sit fifth in the standings.

“We need to keep our feet on the ground – there is still lots of work to do,” Priestman said.

“They showed a more mature performance to just grind out a win, and I knew I had to do that with the players that I had available.”

The Phoenix ranks have been depleted in recent weeks and they were without six first-team players for the Victory game.

Macey Fraser was granted a leave of absence to address her mental health earlier this month, while last week it was confirmed that they had lost midfielders Tessel Middag and Alyssa Whinham for the rest of the season after suffering ACL knee injuries.

Priestman addressed the team after losing Middag and Whinham.

“I didn’t want a poor me mindset, it wasn’t going to help us. [We need to] improve every week and just focus on the process,” Priestman said.

“We’ve chucked a whole lot of players together, almost half the team, and we’re growing and learning [about] each other and we’re starting to establish some maturity.

“When I got the group together I did speak about how it’s going to take everyone to get this team over the line, and this moment that we’re in right now speaks to that.”

Priestman, who is in her first season in charge at the Wellington club, said the start to the season had set them up nicely.

There is now a two-week break in the A-League as the Football Ferns take on Australia in a two-match series.

“It feels great going into the international window with a win. We’re on the board now and off we go.”

Teenager Pia Vlok scored the goal against Victory, and at 17 years and 80 days old Vlok became the youngest goal-scorer in the team’s short history.

“Young players sometimes can get overwhelmed… but she stuck to her role, she did her job [and] she executed, and that’s the sign of a great player.”

Priestman was also proud of the defensive showing against a quality Victory team.

“Everyone was immense. Towards the end it was just ‘defend for your life’ and they did that, and we have to take pride in a clean sheet.”

The Wellington Phoenix’s next game is at Melbourne City on 7 December.

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