Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action on day three 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

The Breakers failed to halt the scoring wizardry of Taipans star Jack McVeigh as they crashed to a 99-95 defeat in Cairns to drop out of the top NBL top six.

McVeigh poured in a career-high 47 points in his 200th NBL game to sink the visitors who led by three points going into the final quarter but couldn’t tighten their defence sufficiently over the closing minutes.

It was an emotional night for McVeigh, whose wife gave birth to their first child earlier in the week.

McVeigh, who landed six of his eight three-pointers, was supported Sam Waardenburg, who produced 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, although Cairns remain last on the standings.

The Breakers drop to seventh courtesy of a second-straight defeat, following a three-game winning streak.

Sam Mennenga was their most impactful player, mixing 24 points. while Izaiah Brockington contributed 17 points and Parker Jackson-Cartwright, 12.

The Breakers led 23-19 after the first quarter but trailed 48-43 at the main break as the lead changed hands several times.

Their next two games are also across the Tasman, against the Brisbane Bullets on Monday and the Tasmania JackJumpers on Boxing Day.

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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 reclaimed top spot in the A-League and Sam Cosgrove stormed to the top of the Golden Boot goal-scoring race after the visitors downed Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 in Sydney.

The Wanderers created more chances in the scoreless first spell but the Black Knights proved more clinical in the second, scoring through Cosgrove and Lachlan Brook soon after the interval to clinch an even contest.

It was a third straight win for Auckland FC, who sit two points clear of Sydney FC, although the second placed side have a game in hand.

Cosgrove’s goal was slightly fortunate, coming from a deflection off the foot of teammate Jesse Randall, but it was enough to lift the lanky English front man to five goals in his maiden campaign, one more than any other player in the league.

Brook’s goal soon afterwards was more decisive soon afterwards, forcing the defence to back-pedal on a fast break before unleashing a bullet-like shot with his left foot to sink the hopes of his former club.

Auckland’s fightback coincided with the second-half introduction of playmaker Guilermo May, who brought variety to their attack.

It was the first home defeat this season for the ninth-placed Wanderers.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

It didn’t take long for the fact that Whitney Hansen was following in her father’s considerable footsteps to be brought up, as the newly announced Black Ferns coach faced the media for the first time. However, Hansen couldn’t speak highly enough of the support and guidance of father Sir Steve, who coached the All Blacks from 2012-2019.

“He’s just been super supportive and backing myself to be me and the best version of that. We always have some really cool conversations around the rugby, and we’ll continue to do that,” said Hansen at NZ Rugby’s Auckland office.

Hansen laughed off a request to do an impression of her often imitated father but said that the World Cup winning coach wasn’t alone in backing her for the job.

“I have a lot of awesome people I’ve got in my corner, I feel privileged really.”

The connection between father and daughter so early on wasn’t a surprise, but Hansen’s appointment isn’t a massive one either as she had been earmarked as only the second female Black Ferns coach after Vicky Dombrowski. There was some speculation that one of the existing staff would step into the role left behind by Allan Bunting, after the Black Ferns’ World Cup semifinal exit resulted in him not seeking reappointment. However, Hansen said that her arrival won’t result in any sort of hard reset.

“That team didn’t get some of the outcomes that they were working towards. But what I do know, from the information I’ve been given so far and from I guess being a bit looking on from the outside is we’ve had incredible growth in the Black Ferns, around culture, around athleticism, and playing the way we’re playing the game, so I’m just excited to build on it.”

In a broader sense, she did acknowledge that developing test level players remains an area of concern, given how short the Super Rugby Aupiki season currently is, which means that Hansen will oversee players coming through that pathway.

“That absolutely could be better, and I think if we look worldwide I would say that probably for everywhere,” admitted Hansen.

“But I’m super excited about how we do that.”

It’s fair to say that 2025 was a challenging year overall for the women’s game in New Zealand, with much hinging on the ultimately unsuccessful World Cup campaign and patchy form in the Pacific Four Series. There’s been a shakeup in the domestic game too, with the Farah Palmer Cup cut down to a regional competition with a six game regular season.

“One of the things in my appointment was about the rugby vision and where that’s going to go. But also, we’re in a really special time where we’re still developing the pathway professionalism. And the women’s game is still very much in its infancy.”

Nonetheless, Hansen will oversee another landmark year for the Black Ferns, with the team set to visit South Africa for the first time ever. There’s also the start of the new WXV Global Series, with the world’s top 12 teams set to play in a home-and-away, cross-regional tournament.

There is no doubt that Hansen will have a fair bit of pressure on her due to the Black Ferns entering into what can only be described as a rebuild, however she said she can always count on her father for advice.

“My dad is an amazing supporter of who I am as a human being. I think regardless of what I was doing and when my whole family is like that, they’re just so proud to see me to achieve some success and love what I do.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua

Main event around 4pm Saturday 20 December

Kaseya Center, Miami

Live blog updates on RNZ

Farce or fight? We’re going to find out on Saturday afternoon when internet personality-turned boxer Jake Paul faces easily the toughest test of his life against former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Both men have predicted knockouts, which is certainly more believable coming from Joshua considering not only his extensive experience in the division but also weight advantage.

There are some concerns over just how legitimate the action will be, given the fact that Paul is such a massive underdog and Joshua is still very much in the proper heavyweight title picture. But this is boxing, it’s not like any of this is particularly new and the interest is certainly there given there is no big Riyadh Season card happening now like in previous years.

Why is this even happening

Aside from the aforementioned lack of heavyweight action since Oleksandr Usyk defended his titles against Daniel Dubois in July, the main motivation for many watching is to see Jake Paul get beaten up. Along with brother Logan, who has fashioned himself a very successful career as a professional wrestler, Paul has very successfully leveraged his persona as a loathsome ‘influencer’ into the sports world.

Of course, this ultimately comes down to money and whatever you think about him, Paul is a major draw. His bout last year against Mike Tyson generated an estimated 78 million viewers on streaming service Netflix.

Meanwhile, the lure of a massive payday has obviously been too much for Joshua to turn down. He is purportedly on a trajectory to face Tyson Fury in the long-awaited next instalment of the ‘Battle of Britain’ at some point next year, despite Fury being currently retired, and this will at least serve as a useful tuneup before the build towards that gets underway.

Jake Paul’s record

Paul’s most notable victory was last year against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, although it’s worth noting that not only was Tyson 58 at the time, but there have been numerous claims that the fight was rigged anyway.

It’s not like Paul is a complete bunny. He has had an active heavyweight career since 2018 and has beaten a serious of UFC fighters in Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz and Mike Perry. However it is telling that the only proper boxer he’s faced, Tommy Fury, won their eight round bout in a split decision.

Anthony Joshua’s record

This will be Joshua’s first fight since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September of last year. That result sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division, propelling Dubois to an ultimately unsuccessful title shot, and also leaving Joshua in limbo till now.

Before then, the Briton was seen as the potential face of the sport after racking up a 22-0 record and taking the WBO world title off Joseph Parker in 2018. Attempts to unify the titles in a blockbuster fight with Deontay Wilder never materialised and then Joshua suffered a shock loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019.

Since then, Joshua has lost twice to the unstoppable Usyk, then looked to have regained momentum before losing to Dubois.

Tale of the tape

‘The Problem Child’ Jake Paul

Record: 13-1 (7 KO)

Age: 28

From: Cleveland, Ohio

Height: 6’1″ (186cm)

Anthony Joshua

Record: 28-4 (25 KO)

Age: 36

From: Watford, UK

Height: 6’6″ (201cm)

What they’re saying

“I’m a very respectful guy, brought up by a good family, but if I can kill you, I will kill you. That’s just how I am. This is just the job I do, so let’s go.” – Anthony Joshua.

“Let’s put on a show for the fans. Let’s go to war. Men have done crazier things throughout human history. This is a modern-day gladiator sport. This is what we’re here to do is f*** each other up and I’m ready. I want his hardest punches. I want there to be no excuses when it’s all said and done and let’s kill each other.” – Jake Paul.

‘I think the fight is scripted, I think his [Paul’s] fights in general have been scripted before. That’s just my strong opinion. It could be what it is and what we see is what we get. But I really think it’s scripted, you know.’ – Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

What’s going to happen

Great question. If the claims about fixing are true then we should get something similar to last year’s Paul v Tyson fight, albeit with the result reversed as Joshua cannot afford to have another loss.

But if this is for real, there better be some paramedics on standby because this could get dangerous for Paul. Joshua has 25 knockouts against serious opponents so Paul’s gameplan should just be to survive more than anything else, and potentially score some points if Joshua lowers his guard.

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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 Bay Oval pitch is proving to be batter-friendly during the third and final Test between the Black Caps and the West Indies.

The West Indies openers have made a dent in the Black Caps’ first-innings total late on day two at Mount Maunganui.

The home side’s dominance over the West Indies bowling attack continued from the opening day of the test, before New Zealand declared less than an hour after the tea break at 575/8.

In reply, the West Indies were 110 without loss at stumps, with John Campbell (45) and Brandon King (55) surviving the latter part of the last session.

The Black Caps called on four bowlers to close out the day with pace dispatched by the visitors, spinner Ajaz Patel

New Zealand started the day on 334/1 and, after serving his duty as nightwatchman, Jacob Duffy was the first wicket to fall for 17 to Jayden Seales, bringing Kane Williamson to the middle, after a 93-over wait to bat.

Devon Conway reached his second test double-ton from 318 balls and, soon after, brought up the 50 run partnership with Williamson and the team’s total of 400 with the same stroke.

Justin Greaves found Williamson’s edge and he was caught behind for 31.

After a dominant first session of the day, in which the Black Caps scored 90 runs for two wickets, they were 424/3 at lunch.

Conway was dismissed leg before wicket to Greaves in the fourth over after lunch for 227 to bring up his highest test score. It was Conway’s second three-figure score in eight innings in 2025 and saw him at the crease for 508 minutes.

No.6 batter Daryl Mitchell had a short stay, gone for 11, and returning wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell only scored four, before he was caught behind off the bowing of Seales. At tea, the hosts were 508/6.

Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips brought up a 61-run partnership for the seventh wicket, before Phillips was caught in the slips for 29.

Ravindra was on 72, when captain Tom Latham called them in, and tailender Ajaz Patel had a cameo at the end with an unbeaten 30 off 30 balls.

The first ball of day three is scheduled for 11am Saturday.

Follow all the action from day two here:

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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 arch rivals Australia and England continues at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, and England are staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat.

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

First ball is at 12.30 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 one 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

NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink has resigned following a disagreement with the organisation’s board and the sport’s key stakeholders.

Weenink’s departure follows an increasingly public rift with the organisation’s board and cricket’s key stakeholders.

In a statement, Weenink said he had advised the board of his resignation after “careful consideration”.

“It has become clear that I hold a different view from several Member Associations, and the NZCPA (Players Association), on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand.

“Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here.”

He said it had been a privilege to be in the role and he was proud of what the organisation had achieved in the past two and a half years.

“We have delivered exceptional results on and off the field, including record financial performances and the signing of long-term broadcast agreements with Sky and Sony. Our people have driven a culture of strong engagement and commitment, and NZC is now in a strong financial position.”

Weenink abruptly went on leave earlier this month while he underwent mediation with the board.

It followed reports the chief executive was “fighting for his survival” in his role amid a highly political battle

NZ Cricket denied an employment process was underway and said Weenink was spending time with family.

The situation had been building for months, with growing concern inside the game that the board and the chief executive were no longer on the same page.

Sources have told RNZ there was a clear disconnect between Weenink and NZ Cricket’s directors, with trust breaking down and communication becoming strained.

Earlier this month, NZ Cricket said an agreed date for Weenink to return to the role had been set for today.

Sources at the time said Weenink offered to go on leave as his position at NZC has become increasingly untenable as he has been sidelined from attending key events.

“He basically exists in a state of purgatory right now,” one insider said.

Weenink’s sudden absence marked a dramatic escalation in a battle that has been brewing over several months.

He faced allegations of working to “actively undermine” a bid by a private consortium to establish a new T20 franchise competition – a proposal supported by all six major associations and the NZ Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA).

According to one source, concern around Weenink’s leadership has been simmering for several months, culminating in a letter sent to the NZ Cricket board on 16 October following a series of meetings between the six major associations.

It is understood the major associations have obtained independent legal representation from high profile employment lawyer Stephen Langton, who has gone through a process of formally documenting the concerns of each of the regions.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whitney Hansen will take charge of the Black Ferns on a two-year deal after the six-time world champions came up short at this year’s global showpiece.

Hansen will succeed Allan Bunting and becomes the second woman to hold the post after Vicky Dombroski in 1994.

Her assistant coaches will be Tony Christie and Riki Flutey, with the wider coaching and management group to be confirmed in the new year.

Hansen will oversee 11 Tests next year followed by the historic series against the touring British and Irish Lions Series in 2027.

“It’s an honour to be asked to lead the programme and an exciting time to take on the role of head coach,” Hansen said.

“There is generational talent coming through in women’s rugby in New Zealand and the new international calendar represents a huge opportunity to further enhance the legacy of the Black Ferns. I can’t wait to get started.

“If my appointment can inspire women and girls’ players and coaches in New Zealand, that’s a great result.

“It is so important that we keep investing in growing great coaches of the women’s game, both female and male. The Black Ferns are the pinnacle in this pathway and I’m looking forward to helping this group reach their full potential.”

Hansen is the daughter of former highly successful All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who led the national men’s side to World Cup glory in 2015 during an eight year tenure. He was assistant to Graham Henry for the eight years prior to that.

Whitney Hansen takes charge after the third-ranked Black Ferns failed to add to their six titles at this year’s world championships in England.

Bunting’s team lost to Canada in the semi-finals while champions England dominated the tournament.

Hansen was the assistant coach to Wayne Smith during the previous tournament in 2022, when the Black Ferns triumphed on home soil.

New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk welcomed the appointment.

“Whitney is the right coach at the right time for the Black Ferns and we’re excited about what she will bring to the Black Ferns environment over the next two years,” Kirk said.

“Her depth of character, commitment, knowledge of the game and understanding of our pathways stand out and she has a proven track record at every level.”

A teacher by trade who represented Canterbury in her playing days, Hansen’s coaching career began in 2017 at Canterbury University.

She coached at provincial age group level and was set piece coach for Canterbury for four seasons in the Farah Palmer Cup.

More recently, she was Matatū assistant coach when they won the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki title before becoming head coach for the past two seasons.

She was the inaugural head coach of the Black Ferns XV last year.

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