Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Caps welcome back the side’s all-time leading run-scorer Kane Williamson in a 14-strong squad for the first Test against West Indies starting next month.

Pace bowlers Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Blair Tickner have been included

Williamson has returned to the side after missing the Test series in Zimbabwe over the winter. Williamson’s last Test for New Zealand was against England in December last year, when he scored his 33rd Test century.

The former New Zealand captain retired from T20 internationals early this month. The 35 year-old skipped the ODI series against West Indies to manage his workload and focus on preparing for the upcoming Test series.

Duffy and Foulkes made their Test debuts together in Zimbabwe in August, with Foulkes claiming the best match figures by a Black Cap on Test debut of 9 for 75.

Tickner returns to the Test side for the first time since 2023 and following back-to-back player of the match performances against England in the ODI series earlier this month.

Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Phillips weren’t considered for the first Test as they work their way back from injury.

Daryl Mitchell has been selected in the Test squad, after recovering from the minor groin injury he picked up during the first ODI against the West Indies on 16 November.

Matt Fisher (shin), Will O’Rourke (back) and Ben Sears (hamstring) were not considered for selection due to injury.

Black Caps head coach Rob Walter welcomed the return of Williamson to the Test side.

“Kane’s ability on the field speaks for itself and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the Test group,” Walter said.

“He’s had a bit of time off to get himself ready for red-ball cricket, and I know he’s looking forward to playing for Northern Districts in the second round of the Plunket Shield in the lead-up to the first Test.”

Walter spoke on Foulkes’ selection after his Test debut in Zimbabwe earlier in the year.

“Zak couldn’t have performed much better in his first Test against Zimbabwe. That, along with his recent form across the white-ball tours, has rightfully earned him selection.”

Walter said Duffy and Tickner were experienced campaigners and had impressed in their white-ball opportunities so far this summer and backed them to do so in the Test arena.

The first Test at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval starts on 2 December. The second Test starts at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 10 December with the third and final Test beginning at Bay Oval in Tauranga on 18 December.

Blackcaps Test squad v West Indies

Tom Latham (c) – Canterbury

Tom Blundell (wk) – Wellington Firebirds

Michael Bracewell – Wellington Firebirds

Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds

Jacob Duffy – Otago Volts

Rachin Ravindra – Wellington Firebirds

Zak Foulkes – Canterbury

Matt Henry – Canterbury

Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury

Mitchell Santner – Northern Districts

Nathan Smith – Wellington Firebirds

Blair Tickner – Central Districts

Kane Williamson – Northern Districts

Will Young – Central Districts

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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 Kiwis have been drawn with defending champions Australia for next year’s Rugby League World Cup.

They are in a four-team Group A along with Fiji and Cook Islands.

England, Samoa and Lebanon are in Group B, while Tonga, Papua New Guinea and France are in Group C.

Group A teams will each play three matches against the other teams in Group A. Group B and C teams will each play three matches against the teams in the adjacent group.

The top two teams from Group A will progress to the Semi-Finals, while the top two teams from a combined table of Group B and Pool C will progress to the Semi-Finals.

New Zealand and Australia will meet in the tournament opener in Sydney on 15 October, 2026.

The Kiwi Ferns are in Group B of the women’s tournament along with Papua New Guinea, France and Fiji, while Australia, England, Samoa and Wales are in group A.

Each team will play three matches against the other teams in their Group. The top two teams from each Group will progress to the Semi-Finals.

There is a double-header in Christchurch on 25 October with the Kiwis playing Cook Islands and the Kiwi Ferns playing France.

The finals will be played in Brisbane on 15 November.

Kiwis’ World Cup draw

Kiwis v Australia: October 15, Sydney

Kiwis v Cook Islands, October 25, Christchurch

Kiwis v Fiji, October 31, Gold Coast

Kiwi Ferns’ World Cup draw

Kiwi Ferns v Fiji, October 18, Newcastle

Kiwi Ferns v France, October 25, Christchurch

Kiwi Ferns v Papua New Guinea, October 31, Gold Coast

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Liam Lawson apologised to his team after he squandered valuable F1 points at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

A first-corner clash forced the young Kiwi into the pits and out of the points.

Lawson started the race sixth on the grid after an impressive qualifying series in the wet, and hopes were high that he’d be able to add to the points he picked up with his seventh-place finish in the last round in Brazil.

However, the very short run to the first corner in Vegas caused problems for a number of cars and Lawson had too much speed and was forced to go wide and made contact with the Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.

While he immediately lost a place it appeared that Lawson hadn’t suffered too much damage. However two laps later he was forced into the pits to change the front wing, dropping him to the back of the field.

“Apologies to the team, it was extremely slippery into turn one and once I committed to brake, the cars in front started checking up and I didn’t have anywhere to go,” Lawson said afterwards.

Lawson’s Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar did manage to finish in the top 10, enhancing his reputation, as both drivers look to confirm their places for 2026.

“I’m disappointed for the team today as the car has been fast this weekend,” Lawson said.

“We should have had two cars in the points today, so it’s a shame given where we started.”

Lawson wasn’t the only one apologising after the race.

McLaren had both cars disqualified for a technical infringement, meaning the championship race remains alive with two Grands Prix remaining.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix, while Lando Norris, who was second, and fourth-placed Piastri had their points stripped after a post-race FIA inspection found the thickness of the under-car skid-plank assembly was below the permitted minimum.

It appears the skid-plate was thinner because of excessive wear on the rough Las Vegas track.

It means Norris has a lead of 24 points over Verstappen and Piastri, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi the last two Grands Prix of the season.

“We apologise to Lando and Oscar for the loss of points today, at a critical time in their Championship campaigns after two strong performances from them all weekend,” McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said in a statement.

“As a team, we also apologise to our partners and fans, whose support means so much.

“While this outcome is extremely disappointing, we remain fully focused on the last two races of the season.”

Lawson officially finished the Las Vegas race in 14th place and he remains 14th in the Drivers’ Championship.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Waikato motorsport event has been cancelled, after a competitor was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

MotorSport New Zealand said a competitor suffered a medical episode during a race at the NZIGP Waikato Challenge at Hampton Downs on Sunday.

They pulled to the side of the track and responders were on the scene immediately.

The rest of the event was called off.

MotorSport NZ president Deborah Day said its thoughts and best wishes were with the competitor and their family.

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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 were unable to assert themselves after the international break in a 1-1 A-League draw with Brisbane Roar.

With five key Auckland players sidelined by injury or suspension after red cards, Brisbane pushed the home side to the brink at Mt Smart on Sunday afternoon.

Auckland hit the lead early with an immense strike from well outside the box from Australian winger Lachlan Brook.

He curled a stunning 18th-minute free-kick into the top corner for his first goal of the season.

Brisbane was on the verge of the equaliser, when Brisbane’s Michael Ruse hit the crossbar.

The visitors continued to press forward and were rewarded in first-half stoppage time, when Michael Ruhs slipped a pass through to Justic Vidic.

Vidic fired the ball into the back of the net, squaring up the score before the halftime break.

Neither side could truly rise to the occasion in a tight second half.

Brisbane faced a scare in stoppage time, when Auckland captain Francis de Vries struck the crossbar.

Defending the final corner of the game, Brisbane did all they needed to split the points.

Auckland remain unbeaten after five games, one point off Sydney FC in top spot.

The Roar are in fifth, pleased with a credible performance on the road.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix women are on the board in the A-League, thanks to a 38th-minute goal from teenage star Pia Vlok.

Wellington defeated heavyweights Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Porirua Park on Sunday afternoon in their third match of the 2025/26 season.

Vlok’s goal makes her the youngest-ever scorer for the Phoenix women, beating Milly Clegg’s record by one day.

The 17-year-old netted from the back post, after a sweeping move downfield from the Phoenix attack.

Vlok’s heroics in her second start for Wellington secured the team’s first win of the campaign.

She made her debut against Newcastle last week, impressing coach Bev Priestman enough to earn a second successive start.

Originally from Auckland, Vlok, signed a three-year deal with Wellington last August.

After a Round One bye, the Phoenix drew twice, before claiming victory in their third match.

The Wellington side are in the top six for the first time this season, up to fifth, two points behind leaders Newcastle Jets.

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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 were unable to assert themselves after the international break in a 1-1 A-League draw with Brisbane Roar.

With five key players in blue sidelined by injury or suspension after red cards, Brisbane pushed the home side to the brink at Mt Smart on Sunday afternoon.

Auckland hit the lead early with an immense strike from well outside the box from Australian winger Lachlan Brook.

He curled a stunning 18th minute free kick into the top corner for his first goal of the season.

Brisbane was on the verge of the equaliser when Brisbane’s Michael Ruse hit the crossbar.

The visitors continued to press forward and were rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Michael Ruhs slipped a pass through to Justic Vidic.

Vidic fired the ball into the back of the net squaring up the score ahead of the halftime break.

Neither side could truly rise to the occasion in a tight second half.

Brisbane faced a scare in stoppage time when Auckland captain Francis de Vries struck the crossbar.

Defending the final corner of the game, Brisbane did all they needed to split the points.

Auckland remain unbeaten after five games, one point off the top spot held by Sydney FC.

The Roar are in fifth following Sunday’s 1-1 result, pleased with a credible performance on the road.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Waikato motorsport event has been cancelled after a competitor was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

MotorSport New Zealand says a competitor suffered a medical episode during a race at the NZIGP Waikato Challenge at Hampton Downs on Sunday.

It says they pulled to the side of the track and responders were on the scene immediately.

The rest of the event has been called off.

MotorSport NZ president Deborah Day says their thoughts and best wishes are with the competitor and their family.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kiwi Liam Lawson will start from sixth on the grid, as he tries to gather more Formula One championship points at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Lawson currently sits 14th on the championship standings with 36 points, with Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar in 10th, seven points ahead.

His best finish so far this season was fifth at the Azerbaijan GP in September, when he qualified third.

Lawson is currently battling for his Racing Bulls seat next year.

The race start is scheduled for 5pn NZT.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A chorus of former England cricket stars have torn into the current ‘Bazball’ side, after the team suffered an embarrassing Ashes test defeat in Perth inside just two days.

Long-time commentator and former test opener Geoffrey Boycott has unleashed a scathing column in the The Telegraph, declaring he could no longer take the team seriously, after Australia won by eight wickets.

He labelled the Ben Stokes-led and Brendon McCullum-coached side “stupid”, and dismissed their batting as utterly “brainless”.

England was on top for most of the first four sessions, but lost control with a batting collapse after lunch on day two.

“They never learn, because they never listen to anyone outside their own bubble,” Boycott said.

Ex-captain Michael Vaughan, who captained the side in the 2000s, didn’t hold back either.

He accused England of repeating the very mistakes that haunted them in the last Ashes series two year ago.

Now part of Australia’s Fox Cricket commentary team, alongside Australian counterparts Mark Waugh, Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist, Vaughan was quick to underline the gravity of the defeat.

“It disappoints me hugely,” Vaughan told Fox Sports.

“We’ve been saying we want Bazball with brains, but the brains haven’t arrived,” he told the BBC.

Recent former England pace-bowler Stuart Broad’s internal agony in the Channel 7 commentary box went viral, after ex-skipper Joe Root became the third England batter to fall in just six deliveries on day two.

Arms tightly crossed and eyes squeezed shut, Broad pinched his nose and drew a long, pained breath, as Mitchell Starc claimed another wicket.

The moment prompted co-commentator and former Australian test batter Matthew Hayden to cheekily remind Broad to “stay in the commentary box”.

England allrounder and legend Sir Ian Botham weighed in before the series.

The former captain told Reuters he was unimpressed with the England’s preparations, which included whiteball cricket in New Zealand, arguing touring sides traditionally needed time to acclimatise to Australian conditions.

“It’s not the way I would prepare,” Botham told reporters in Australia. “The ball does seems to get to you quicker [in Perth] and the light’s different.

“You’ve got the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ – there’s all kinds of things go into the melting pot.”

Stokes, McCullum and the England players will have a chance to prove the critics wrong in the second test, which begins on 4 December at Brisbane’s Gabba.

Meanwhile, Stokes reacted to the defeat, admitting he was “a little bit shellshocked”, after Australian hero Travis Head wrestled Australia out of a tough spot to claim victory.

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