Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Queenstown skier Alice Robinson is a genuine contender for the podium in two events at the Winter Olympics in February.

Robinson has followed up her historic Super G World Cup win last week by finishing second in the same discipline at the latest event in France.

The 24-year-old finished behind Sofia Goggia of Italy at Val d’lsere.

The result keeps her on top of the overall Super G standings, while she also tops the standings in her previously favoured event the Giant Slalom.

“With Super G it’s taken me some time to really feel confident and trust enough in my skiing to just go for it and trust what I can do, and I feel like the last two races I’ve felt really good,” Robinson said afterwards.

“We did a little bit of work this summer trying to up my Super G and just ticking away so I am really happy.”

Last week she won her maiden Super G World Cup title in St.Moritz becoming the first New Zealander to podium in the event.

Robinson has seven career World Cup victories and 22 World Cup podiums.

She continues to progress into a genuine contender in the speed disciplines.

“I was a little annoyed when I came through the finish because it was so close and I thought I could have done it better,” Robinson said, “I’m happy I was still able to stay in touch on that kind of course, where I’m not always the strongest.”

Sofia Goggia of Italy took her eighth Super G World Cup win today, 0.15 seconds ahead of Robinson with legendary American ski racer Lindsey Vonn finishing in third, 0.21 seconds behind Robinson’s time.

With two podiums (1st and 2nd) from a total of two Super G FIS World Cup races this season, Robinson retains the red bib and leads the 2025/26 Super G World Cup standings.

“It’s so cool to have the red bib in Super G and honestly so cool to share the podium today with Lindsey and Sofia, it’s like a dream podium because they’re both so awesome.”

Robinson has one more race for 2025 and will be back in the Giant Slalom World Cup bib in Semmering, Austria on the 27th of December.

She has also been named as a Halberg Award finalist.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

White Ferns batter Suzie Bates has sustained a quadricep tear which has ruled her out of all cricket until March.

Bates suffered the injury last month when fielding during a Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match.

Subsequent scans revealed that due to the severity of the tear she will require three months of rehabilitation.

The recovery timeline means Bates will be unavailable for Otago for the remainder of the domestic home summer and for the White Ferns home series against Zimbabwe in February.

Bates said she was committed to being available for New Zealand’s T20 and ODI series against South Africa in March.

“I’m gutted to be missing out this summer, I was really looking forward to another season with the Sparks, especially the Super Smash,” said Bates.

“I’m determined to get back on the field with the White Ferns in March so that’ll be my focus for now.”

The Super Smash starts on Boxing Day at Seddon Park with Northern Districts hosting the Auckland men’s and women’s teams.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Gordon Walker, one of New Zealand’s most successful coaches, has resigned as head coach for Canoe Racing New Zealand.

The 53-year-old has coached Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most successful Olympian, since 2010. During that time, Carrington has won eight Olympic gold medals and 15 World Championship titles.

Walker has won Coach of the Year at the Halberg Awards six times and was named Coach of the Decade in 2021.

Since 2016, he has also overseen the women’s sprint programme and guided the K4 to World Championship success in 2023 and Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.

He said the decision to walk way wasn’t easy.

“It’s hard to name a single reason for stepping aside, other than knowing in my heart that this is the right moment,” Walker said.

“Since 2010, I’ve given everything I have to this sport, because that’s what it demands if you want to succeed at the Olympic level. For the past sixteen years, there hasn’t been a single day when kayaking hasn’t been on my mind, how to be better, how to win, how to dream further. This has never been a nine-to-five job, it’s been a life commitment.”

“I’m deeply grateful for everything this sport has given me. I know how fortunate I’ve been. I’ve loved every part of it, especially the people, and the relationships I’ve built run deep. I’ll always feel connected to the athletes and staff, and I’ll be right behind them, cheering them on in whatever comes next.”

Dame Lisa Carrington said Walker, who will stay with CRNZ until March, played an instrumental role in her success.

“Being coached by Gordy for the past 15 years has been both an honour and a privilege. He is without question one of New Zealand’s greatest coaches and I can’t thank him enough for his vision, commitment and belief,” Carrington said.

“I also want to acknowledge the role Gordy’s family played during this time with CRNZ. His wife Viv and their children Stella, Lola and Freddie have been a constant source of support.”

Canoe Racing New Zealand CEO Graham Oberlin-Brown said Walker’s contribution to the sport has been immense.

“Gordon has been an integral part of CRNZ’s success story, guiding our athletes to world-leading performances and helping establish New Zealand as a global powerhouse in canoe sprint. His dedication, expertise, and leadership have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire future generations,” Oberlim-Brown said.

“Whilst Gordon is resigning from the Head Coach position, we know he is keen to ensure a smooth transition through the next few months before the trials next March.”

“Our coaches, particularly Chris Mehak have worked very closely with Gordon and the women’s team in 2023 and 2024. Chris and the wider team have proven capability to coach Olympic, World Cup, and World Championship gold medal-winning athletes and crews. During this transition, we’re focused on maintaining stability and continuity and ensuring our athletes including Lisa Carrington, have the best possible support. We will be recruiting for an additional coach to increase the capacity of the coaching team following Gordon’s departure.”

“Our high-performance programme is incredibly strong. We have a clear roadmap to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This is a change in leadership, not a change in direction. Our athletes and programme remain focused on LA 2028 success.”

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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 are off the bottom of the A-League table, after beating Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in Wellington.

Midfielder Corban Piper scored the first goal in the 31st minute, after Kasuki Nagasawa pounced on a poor pass from a Mariners defender.

Nagasawa surged forward, finding an unmarked Piper, who neatly tucked away the opening goal.

The Phoenix lead lasted until just before halftime, with the Mariners equalising through Sabit Ngor, after replacement goalkeeper Eamonn McCarron failed to cleanly stop a Miguel Di Pizio shot from long range.

McCarron had come into the game, after starting goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi left in the 11th minute, with an ankle injury.

The Phoenix re-established themselves early in the second half, after video review ruled a Mariners handball inside the area, which Manjrekar James converted from the spot.

A third goal followed three minutes later, courtesy of winger Carlo Armiento.

The win is the third from nine matches this season for the Phoenix and moves them up to seventh place in the 12-team competition on 11 points, nine points behind leaders Auckland FC.

The win, which was the biggest Phoenix home win since April last year, completes a solid weekend for the club, after their women’s team posted a record 7-0 win over Sydney FC yesterday.

Both teams now break for Christmas, with their next matches just before the New Year.

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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 cricket action, as the third in the five-test series between archrivals Australia and England continues at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

Australia currently has a 2-0 lead in the series, after successful campaigns in both Perth and Brisbane.

First ball is scheduled for 12.30pm NZT.

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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 on day four of the Black Caps’ third test against the West Indies at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

First ball is scheduled for 11am.

Black Caps squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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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 have bounced back from back-to-back losses in spectacular style, with a 7-0 win over Sydney FC in an A-League women’s game at Porirua.

The winning margin is their biggest since they joined the competition in 2021. Their previous best margin was 5-0 against Canberra United in January 2023.

The Phoenix languished in ninth place on the competition table before Saturday’s match, and had lost 1-0 to both Melbourne City and Perth Glory in their two last games, but came out firing against Sydney, with Manaia Elliott scoring in the third minute.

By halftime, they led 3-0, with Nepalese striker Sabitra Bhandari scoring her first goal for the club in the 13th minute and Grace Jale notching one in the 36th minute.

Those two players scored again in the second half, and Sydney then had the misfortunate to concede own goals to Tori Tumeth and Sarah Hunter late in the match.

The win shoots the Phoenix up to seventh place on the table, a point behind sixth-placed Sydney. They are unbeaten at home this season, but have yet to win away.

Wellington were seven points behind leaders Melbourne Victory, but have played two matches fewer.

They get a chance to improve on their poor recent record in Australia, when they face Western Sydney Wanderers on 30 December.

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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 two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua takes on YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

The main card is expected to start about 4pm NZT.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Black Ferns loose forward Layla Sae will miss much of the 2026 season after suffering a serious knee injury on duty for her English club Harlequins.

The 25-year-old’s anterior cruciate ligament injury is likely to see Sae spend the first half of next year recuperating, with a possibility of returning for international duty late in the season in home tests against Australia and France.

The Hurricanes Poua confirmed in a statement their hard-running No.8 will miss the Super Rugby Aupiki season.

There is no chance she will play for New Zealand in the preceding Pacific Four series in April, the first matches under the eye of newly-appointed coach Whitney Hansen.

“Layla’s injury is a massive loss to the Hurricanes club. Her energy, relentlessness, humility, and openness have been – and continue to be – a cornerstone of the Poua,” said Poua head coach Hayden Triggs.

“Layla’s contribution and fight for the Poua in the past have been a driver for the changes the club and the team are hoping to build on in Super Rugby Aupiki 2026.

“The club will support her rehab and provide everything she needs to come back the dominant force she aims to be. She will continue to play a big part in our 2026 campaign in a support capacity, which will help the club achieve our goals next year.”

In October, Sae and Black Ferns team-mate Liana Mikaele-Tu’u signed a short-term contract to play for Harlequins in the English Premier Women’s Rugby championships, scheduled to finish in March.

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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 cricket action, as the third in the five-test series between archrivals Australia and England continues at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

Australia currently has a 2-0 lead in the series, after successful campaigns in both Perth and Brisbane.

First ball is scheduled for 12.30pm NZT.

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