Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica has bemoaned a lack of killer-instinct, following the A-League leaders’ 2-1 loss to Melbourne City.

Friday night’s defeat in Melbourne was Auckland’s third of the season – the same number of losses they suffered last season across their entire maiden campaign when they comfortably finished top on the ladder.

They remain top of this season’s standings, but Sydney FC are just two points back with two games in hand. Sydney will go to the top if they are victorious at home to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

Corica said his side should have done better after taking the lead into the break courtesy of a fine goal from in-form forward Lachlan Brook – the Australian’s sixth of the campaign.

“We had a couple of counter-attacks in the second half but we weren’t ruthless enough,” Corica said.

“You know, we go up 1-nil, we need to finish teams off by getting the second goal and we didn’t do that.”

The visitors had the better of a tense first half, but Melbourne City created the better chances after break, rewarded by two late goals.

The first was a contentious penalty, questioned by Corica, after a City shot struck the hand of defender Francis de Vries.

Corica was forced into an early change when captain Hiroki Sakai went down when challenging for a header.

The coach later revealed it was a hamstring problem, after the former Japanese international had returned from a lengthy stint on the sideline recovering from a similar issue.

The change meant de Vries picked up the captain’s armband, after earlier in the day it was announced that the All Whites wing back had signed an extension to stay at the club until the end of 28/29 season.

Auckland FC are at home to face the Central Coast Mariners next Saturday, 24 January.

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

Black Clash T20 – Cricket v Rugby

6.30pm, Saturday, 17 January

Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui

Live blog updates on RNZ

History

Billed as “New Zealand’s most electrifying sporting crossover”, Black Clash was created by Duco Events in 2019, adding to a stable that included Joseph Parker’s heavyweight boxing career and the Fight for Life charity event.

Traditionally, it pits some of rugby’s biggest names against former cricketing stars, with a mix of other personalities, for a night of sporting entertainment, some surprising skills and orchestrated finishes.

Over the seven previous matches, Team Cricket have won five – as you would expect – although Team Rugby actually prevailed in the inaugural match-up. That roster, coached by Sir Graham Henry, featured then-All Blacks skipper Kieran Read, predecessor Richie McCaw, and Beauden and Jordie Barrett, along with former Aussie cricket international David Hussey.

The cricket contingent that night included former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming, World Cup hero Grant Elliott, batting star Nathan Astle, Black Ferns rugby star Kendra Cocksedge and former White Fern Liz Perry.

Only five players have contested all seven fixtures and return for this year – Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum among the cricketers, and Kaylum Boshier and Ofisa Tonu’u among the rugbyheads.

Last year’s encounter ended in a last-ball, five-run win to Team Cricket, with former All Black and Blues coach Leon MacDonald needing a six off the last ball for victory, but losing his stumps to former Black Caps spinner Todd Astle.

Played under T20 rules, Black Clash is more like rugby sevens or darts than an international whiteball match. Patrons are encouraged to dress up in outlandish costumes, with the Alternative Commentary Team whipping the crowd into a collective frenzy.

Attending the match

The event generally switches between Christchurch, where it was staged last year, and Mt Maunganui, although the 2020 match took place at Napier.

Generally, there are more rules for spectators than players, as organisers try to keep their riotous spectacle family friendly.

Identification will be needed for access to hospitality zones. Costumes are encouraged, but no gang patches and no hi-vis clothing.

Costumes must conform to standards of decency, so maybe leave the ‘onesies’ at home.

With limited parking available in surrounding streets, organisers recommend carpooling or uber for transport to the ground.

There’s a long list of items you CAN’T bring into the ground, but most fall under the category of commonsense – alcohol, pets (apart from assistance animals), dangerous weapons, large or offensive banners, fireworks, drugs etc.

Smoking or vaping is not allowed, and drunks will be turned away at the gate.

Teams

Team Rugby: Kieran Read (captain), Jordie Barrett, Kaylum Boshier, Andy Ellis, David Hill, Michael Hussey, Ngani Laumape, Colin Slade, Tim Southee, Jason Spice, Ofisa Tonu’u, Joey Wheeler

Team Cricket: Nathan McCullum (captain), Neil Broome, Grant Elliott, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Hadleigh Parkes, Adam Parore, Jesse Ryder, Lou Vincent, Neil Wagner, William Waiirua

Players to watch

Jordie Barrett: Perhaps the most highly decorated of the non-cricket players on display – he actually played Hawke Cup for Taranaki, while still at college – but he’s missed the last couple of Black Clash events.

Barrett has featured in many of the close finishes, guiding Team Rugby to an upset win in the inaugural 2019 match, scoring an unbeaten 42 with the bat, taking two wickets with the ball and effecting a spectacular run out with a direct hit from the boundary.

Michael Hussey: Known simply as ‘Mr Cricket’, due to his encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport, Hussey was a respected member of the successful Australian side from 2004-13, playing 79 tests, 185 one-dayers and 38 T20s. He averaged 51.52 runs across his test tenure, scoring 19 centuries.

At 50, Hussey’s been called up as a ‘wildcard’ to bolster the rugby line-up, along with Blackcaps legend Tim Southee.

Jesse Ryder: Simply one of the most talented cricketers to strap on pads for New Zealand, Ryder never quite fulfilled his immense potential, due to a series of injuries and off-field misadventures.

Known as a powerful hitter of the ball, he scored a one-day 107 off 46 balls and compiled a test double-century, so his contributions could be spectacular.

What will happen

Absolutely anything can happen, but after a tumultuous week, rugby could sure use something to celebrate.

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

Dual code star Sonny Bill Williams has added his voice to the current All Black discussion, saying that the changes to the team shouldn’t end with the firing of coach Scott Robertson.

In a video posted to Instagram, the multiple World Cup and NRL Premiership winner called for Ardie Savea to take over as captain.

“I love Scott Barrett. He’s one of the best players in the world, but I think we need to give the captaincy to Ardie,” said Williams.

“He’s our guy moving forward, just because of the mana he brings. He’s got the runs on the board, look at what he’s done with Moana this year.”

Sydney-based Williams, who played 58 tests between 2010-19 including several seasons alongside both Savea and Barrett, also said that the incoming coaching group should be focused on team culture.

“This is just my honest thoughts and opinion, but I think we need a coaching group that knows how to connect before correcting. Because these players know how to play and we do have the squad,” he said.

Williams name-dropped Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown, Dave Rennie and Tana Umaga as potential heirs to Robertson, as the All Blacks embark on an incredibly challenging 2025 season. They begin in July with tests against France and Ireland, before heading away for four against the world champion Springboks.

In his last press conference as an All Black, after their semifinal exit at the 2019 World Cup, Williams took an unprompted opportunity to call for “more brown faces” in the All Black coaching set up and NZ Rugby administration. It was a point he stands by, saying in his post that “we need more flavour”.

“I know that rubbed up a few people but that’s my honest opinion. Why? Because I’m a big believer that in order to connect, you must connect, and these players at this level know how to play rugby. They know how to kick, tackle, pass. But what got the best out of me was believing in the systems, believing in the coaches…wanting to go out there and run through a brick wall.”

Former All Black coach Sir Steve Hansen rated Williams “the best athlete I’ve coached in a pure athlete sense. His training habits and his off-field habits were world-class.”

As well as his oval-ball exploits, Williams also became the third All Black after Maurice McHugh and Kevin Skinner to win the New Zealand heavyweight boxing title.

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

After rain delays and double-duty Jakub Mensik and Sebastian Baez have prevailed to set-up a showdown on centre court in the final of the ASB Classic men’s tennis tournament on Saturday.

Friday started with three quarterfinals still needing to be completed, a catch-up from rain delayed matches on Thursday.

Third seed Mensik began the day by defeating France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals before returning to court to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the first semifinal.

Mensik finished strongly against Marozsan for a 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 victory which included 16 aces.

The Czech has now won both of the two matches he has played against Marozsan.

Marozsan came into the semifinal on centre court after defeating USA’s Eliot Spizzirri 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 on an outer court in his quarterfinal but could not do enough to upset the highest seed still remaining in the tournament.

Seventh seed Sebastian Baez booked his place in the final after knocking over two Americans.

Baez first upset top seed Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals in a match that Baez led 7-5, 0-1, when the rain became too relentless on Thursday. Baez finished off Shelton with ease on Friday, eventually winning 7-5, 6-3.

The Argentine then turned his attention to a relatively rested Marcos Giron.

Giron’s quarterfinal, against Italy’s Luciano Darderi, was the only match completed on Thursday so he was the only semifinalist not playing two matches in a day.

However, Baez was dominant and wasted no time in getting past a player ranked 21 places below him in the world rankings and who had a special exemption to be playing at the Classic.

Baez won the first set 6-1 in 24 minutes and the second set 6-4.

The Auckland final will be the first time Mensik and Baez have played each other.

The Czech is ranked 18th in the world, compared to Baez’s 39th, but Baez has been in top form of late, with Shelton the second top-10 player he has beaten already this year.

Baez is also undefeated in 2026 after playing in the United Cup in Australia for Argentina before coming the to Classic, whereas Mensik’s had two losses at the United Cup.

After Saturday’s final in Auckland the players will be making a swift exit to Melbourne for the Australian Open which begins on Sunday.

In the first Grand Slam of the year, Mensik’s first round match is against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Baez will play a familiar face in Mpetshi Perricard.

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

Racing Bulls have unveiled their 2026 Formula One livery, introduced Liam Lawson’s new teammate and showcased a new partnership with Ford at an event at the Central Michigan train station.

On Friday (New Zealand time) in front of 1500 guests the New Zealand driver joined the team’s new driver Arvid Lindblad, chief executive Peter Bayer and team principal Alan Permane to show-off the new livery which retains an all-white look, enhanced by a subtle nod to its partnership with Ford.

Blue accents now trace the contours of the chassis, which the team described as elevating the design with a sharper, more streamlined finish.

“Launching the 2026 livery here in Detroit makes the moment feel even more special,” Lawson said.

“The history of innovation in this place really reflects what this team is building for the future. The partnership between Ford and Red Bull, the energy around the team, and the ambition for what’s ahead make this an incredibly exciting time to be part of VCARB. I’m more motivated than ever to push forward and help turn that vision into results on track.”

For the upcoming season Racing Bulls, along with the Red Bull team, will race with Ford manufactured power units in the cars.

“2026 represents one of the biggest technical resets Formula One has seen, and partnering with Ford at the very start of this journey is hugely significant for us,” Permane said.

“The Red Bull Ford Powertrains project brings together world-class engineering, innovation and racing DNA, and it puts us in a strong position as the sport enters this new era. We have been working closely with the team and are proud of what the Red Bull family have developed. It’s something we’re excited to have in our race car as we hit the track in the coming weeks.”

It is the first time Red Bull have manufactured their own power unit.

Testing for F1 starts in Bahrain in February.

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

Who and what does Scott Robertson’s historic firing as All Black coach say the most about? Or is the most important statement about the team, rugby union itself and both crossing the final threshold into what can finally be considered true professionalism?

We’re into over three decades of pro rugby, which may seem like a while but it’s hardly any time at all compared to other sports. Ma’a Nonu has been an active player for almost 80 percent of that time, so it’s not surprising that for better or worse, it’s held on to quite a few of the amateur era protocols.

One of those is that once you’ve been given a coaching job, it was more or less yours until you didn’t want it anymore. Coaches got let go but generally at the end of their contracted tenures and never in the middle of a season. That sort of thing was for football, the NRL or American sports, a cutthroat mentality that seemed far too ruthless for our national game and relatively small community.

That’s changed now. Robertson’s firing halfway through a World Cup cycle was something that NZ Rugby (NZR) wasn’t prepared to do with Ian Foster, although the situations around both are poles apart. So it was fitting that chairman David Kirk, who has effortlessly taken up the role of NZR’s main character, strode out to explain the situation at NZR’s Auckland office.

“The All Blacks are not on track,” was Kirk’s key message, delivered with the conviction of someone who knew he was standing in front of a collage of images that included one of himself holding up the World Cup.

“We mutually agreed that he would step down from his post. I really have a great deal of respect for Scott Robertson…(but) we believe this is in the best interests of New Zealand rugby and of the team.”

The swiftness of the move has certainly made the new chairman a formidable presence, as if he wasn’t already, as his words started to feel more like an NFL team owner after they’d missed the playoffs. While cards were kept close to the chest regarding the now highly discussed review by senior players, Kirk did give enough to suggest that whatever was said was serious enough to justify the unprecedented move.

“I think fans will probably share that view that there were ways that we were playing, ways we were falling short of the excellence that we’re looking for that never really got addressed over the year.”

So what of the players themselves? We’ve already been through one national team feedback saga in the past 12 months that could be charitably described as incredibly ugly, with the unfortunate irony that Netball NZ’s first good news story in a long time got completely buried by the Robertson axing.

Kirk was very keen to downplay the nature of the feedback.

“I can be absolutely definitive: there is no revolt by the players. The players were very measured and very thoughtful in their responses.”

Really though, that almost makes it harder to swallow for Robertson. If the players had enough calculation to articulate their thoughts in such a way that impressed a Rhodes Scholar, it shows that it was very much a decision taken in cold blood. Kirk called his own number in collating the evidence, handling the feedback process personally along with Keven Mealamu.

Interestingly, Kirk made a point of defending Ardie Savea, who has been linked the most heavily to unhappiness at the outgoing regime.

“It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something. Not at all. He expressed public opinions … but all of the players are individuals and they make their own decisions, they analyse things in ways that they think are appropriate for them and for the team.”

Savea’s stock is at an all-time high, so it’s understandable that he would’ve been confident speaking his mind to Kirk in the review. He’d played in all but one test match in 2025, so was in probably the best position to comment on the All Black situation and also held some serious leverage around committing to another World Cup as plenty of teams around the world would be happy to buy him out of his NZR contract. It’s important to note that he was certainly not alone in his feedback and didn’t initiate it, as it is a standardised process that involved 20 players and up to 10 management staff.

Will this episode follow him? Even though the public reaction has been far more nuanced than the very one-sided netball saga, Savea has probably unwittingly become the face of change. His outrageous talent will have the most attention from now until he hangs up his boots, but the question could still linger around about what sort of ultimatum may have been issued in order to keep said talent in an All Black jersey.

Then there’s Robertson. It’s too early to say where he’ll end up but his side of this story will be eagerly anticipated, even if it takes a while to come out. If there is one lesson here though, it’s that his regime unwittingly gave pretty much everyone a very familiar touchpoint that drove the thinking around coaching and management.

Everyone, rugby fan or not, has had a new senior in a workplace that they’re unsure of. Someone who you immediately question how they got the job and what business they have telling you what to do. Unfortunately for Robertson, that narrative ended up around Scott Hansen, who took on the tactical element of the All Blacks that most people would assume the head coach would do.

Rightly or wrongly, that feeling was what came through and stuck – especially since it’s been implied that Robertson delegated selection feedback to Hansen and other assistants.

So if Robertson does give this another nudge in a different coloured tracksuit, it’s likely he’ll be far more wary of how every single aspect of what he does is analysed and followed. It’d be a shame if that came at the cost of the wide-eyed way he approaches life, but then again rugby’s aforementioned sharp turn to ruthlessness probably leaves no room for that sort of thing anyway.

While those are the key men of all of this, there are some reputations offshore that have been unintentionally enhanced as a result. Whoever takes over the All Blacks now faces the toughest schedule in decades, starting with tests against full-strength France and Ireland, then followed by four tests against the Springboks.

If nothing else, the players and Kirk’s judgement that Robertson wasn’t up to that task shows just how powerful the All Blacks’ opponents are right now – and how drastic the measures are being taken to ensure ultimate victory.

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

This years Waka Ama Sprint Nationals have seen 800 more paddlers take to the water than last year, which organisers say reflects the growth of the sport in Aotearoa.

The week long competition wraps up on Saturday at Lake Karapiro in Waikato.

Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand (WAANZ) chief executive Lara Collins told RNZ there are 4700 kaihoe at this years competition and she believes its the largest event Lake Karapiro has had.

There are some 100 waka ama clubs from Kaitaia to Invercargill in Aotearoa, with four or five new clubs getting started in 2025, she said..

“We’re just seeing an increase of clubs, an increase of paddlers and just a general wave of more people participating in Waka Ama, whether that’s competitively or socially, or just for their hauora (health) in their life. It’s certainly more than just a sport. It is a way of life for lots of people, and it’s very cool that lots more people are wanting to do it.”

There are also some 900 taitamariki paddlers, aged between five and 10 competing at Nationals, she said.

“There’s a lot of little kids running around, which is so, so good… They’re the future of our sport, and it’s just great to see so many kids happy, having a great time, and all of their whānau, because for every cute five, six, seven-year-old that’s here, they bring with them four or five or six whānau members to watch them.”

Collins said managing the growth of the sport is a good problem to have and WAANZ is working to ensure they can manage it in a way that ensures the capacity of the sport is sustainable.

Spots at World Champs in Singapore up for grabs

The event is also a qualifier for the 2026 International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championships happening in Singapore in August.

“So we have a number of… club teams that are trying to qualify to go to the World Club Championships in Singapore. And that just adds another level of competition here at the event and a little bit more excitement,” Collins said.

Six teams in each age category, from Junior 16 to Master 75, can qualify for the World Championships and in for singles racing three people in each age category can qualify, she said. There are also three spots available in the double hull W12 per age division.

“We will end up with a New Zealand contingent of around about 600 paddlers going to Singapore in August, which is quite a huge contingent of people to be sending overseas. And it’s a great experience for those paddlers that are going and for some of them, really life-changing to be representing Aotearoa and their club and their community at a World Championship.”

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 former All Black has called the public leaking of the internal review into Scott Robertson’s All Black side “horrific”.

Robertson was unceremoniously sacked on Thursday afternoon as head coach of the All Blacks after just two years at the helm.

The NZ Herald reported the “scathing” post-season review outlined dissatisfaction among senior players and members of the wider management of the squad around the All Blacks’ coaching, culture and environment.

A veteran of 60 tests, Craig Dowd said the leak was a sad indictment on the players.

“There’s been a lot of mistrust going on somewhere. There’s absolutely no winner the way this has all panned out.

“I’m really disappointed that the review has made its way to the media. That should be done under the cloak of silence and when it gets out and open for public scrutiny, it’s horrific.”

Dowd said he was “gutted” for Robertson, and condemned the current players for not standing by him.

“If there’s a problem, senior players have a right to go to the powers at be, and that relationship is a two-way street. That’s what the culture of the All Blacks is about.

“It’s about working together because not everyone on the team is going to like each other. Big deal. Get over it. The sole purpose is that silver fern on your chest. Bitching and griping and carrying on like little kids is just pathetic.”

However, NZ Rugby chairperson David Kirk disputes that the decision was driven by player power.

“It’s the mature and appropriate listening to players who in the end are the people who have to deliver on the field for us and they need to have coaching and an environment set up in a way which helps them perform on the field.”

Speculation has been rife that superstar Ardie Savea was not willing to return to the All Blacks with Robertson in charge, another rumour that Kirk quashed.

“It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something. Not at all. He expressed public opinions, some of those opinions were not agreed to by other players. Some of them would have been, but all of the players are individuals.”

Dowd, though, felt there was a sense of revolt.

“I think the hand was forced because it (the review) did make its way out there and that speculation never goes away. Poor old ‘Razor’ is just collateral damage for something that should never have happened in the first place.”

No interest in ABs’ role

Dowd, who has coached both in Aotearoa and England, said the traditionally coveted job was not one he would be interested in right now.

“Finding a replacement is not going to be easy because really, the likes of Jamie Joseph and others, do they want the job? You haven’t gone in on your own terms. You’ve gone in to plug holes on a ship. There are a couple of names you can throw out there that could do it, but good luck to them.”

Dowd said he has been in contact with Robertson and was confident his coaching career would endure.

“I’ve sent him a text telling him to keep his head up and not listen to the naysayers. He’s got to where he has on his own merit.

“He’s a quality coach. He’s got a proven track record. It’s not the end of Razor. I think the last coach that went out on similar terms was a guy called Wayne Smith. And where is he now?”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prior to the tip off of the Australian NBL season, the Breakers knew very little about the league’s latest innovation – now it is the club’s only realistic chance of silverware this season.

A new in-season tournament, the Ignite Cup, played mid-week and with competition points for every quarter won has been where the Breakers have found success in a season of struggles.

The Breakers’ first win came in their opening Ignite Cup game in October and in a total of three games played so far on Wednesdays they are undefeated.

The Auckland-based club are the only team to have not lost in this new competition and have won nine of their 12 quarters played to book a spot in next month’s finals on the Gold Coast.

On 21 January, the Breakers play their last Ignite Cup game against South East Melbourne Phoenix before the finals.

A day before the Breakers opened the Ignite Cup on their home court, players and coach Petteri Koponen were indifferent when asked about the competition which has significant prize money.

At that time, four games into the regular season and winless, the Breakers were searching for answers about how to get back on track for their main objective – winning another NBL Championship – rather than offering musings on what the Ignite Cup might mean to them.

Koponen did not plan to treat the Ignite Cup any differently to the rest of the competition.

“We always try to win every quarter anyway so every possession is important every game every quarter so that doesn’t change too much,” he quipped about the Cup’s reward for winning quarters.

Forward Sam Mennenga seemed unsure about how the new competition would work.

“I don’t know much about the Ignite Cup but I do know we have to win this game, so if [Ignite Cup] is extra motivation for the guys then that’s good,” he said hours before scoring 20 points and having six rebounds against the Illawarra Hawks in a 29-point win.

“I’m not too sure about the Ignite Cup I think if we win all those games we get some money and that is always a good thing.”

The Ignite Cup champions take home $300,000, while the runners-up will get $100,000. Sixty percent of the prize money will go directly to players.

Fast forward to now and the way Breakers finish the Ignite Cup might be the high point of the season.

The form in the middle of the week has not translated to the regular season.

The Breakers are at risk of missing the post-season. Sitting one place outside the top six on the regular season points ladder they need to win the majority of their nine remaining games and hope that the Tasmania JackJumpers stumble to have any chance of extending their season.

On Thursday, the reality about where their season was at was setting in. Players were also now taking notice of the Ignite Cup.

American import Rob Baker had one eye on the prize money and wanted “to win it all” while Max Darling said all remaining games had become “must-win”.

For Darling, the trip to Perth to play the Cairns Taipans at HoopsFest on Saturday and then on Melbourne for the Ignite Cup game on Wednesday would mark his first road trip in two months.

Darling had been sidelined after Mennenga’s elbow and his eye made contact on the training court.

“I fractured my orbital so I didn’t have any bone left under my eye and I had surgery and they put a metal plate in there,” Darling said.

Recovery initially involved rest for the 25-year-old Tall Black but a concussion suffered in the collision left his vision “a bit off” so he had “some seeing exercises”.

“Cause the muscle was damaged in my eye I couldn’t get full range of motion with it so it was a lot of these weird little eye movements that I had to do but I think it’s back at 95 percent so I’m good and ready to play.”

Darling will wear a mask to protect his face when he returns to the court which he said was “comfortable enough”.

However, whether the Breakers will be comfortable over the next few months will hinge on what happens on this latest road trip.

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

So now what? There’s six months till the All Blacks will play their first test of the year, a not so insignificant showdown with a full strength France in Christchurch. Between now and then, someone needs to be hired to replace Scott Robertson after his tenure was sensationally cut short on Thursday.

It’s worth remembering that both Robertson and Ian Foster had to contend with serious disruption to their staff, so it’s likely some serious scrutiny will be taken around who the successful candidate will be bringing with them into the coaching box.

Some names immediately jump out, but given how dramatic the last six years have been for All Black coaches, it’s fair to say that nothing can be taken for granted.

Probables

Jamie Joseph is the obvious one, as he was linked to the job as soon as cracks started to appear in the Razor Regime. Joseph is a former All Black himself and has an extensive coaching career across the last two decades, the majority of it with the Highlanders at Super Rugby level and the Japanese national team.

Tony Brown is probably the key part of a Joseph-led coaching axis, as he has fashioned himself into one of the leading attacking minds in test rugby. Brown is currently with the Springboks, with the main question now being why he would want to leave a system where head coach Rassie Erasmus has almost complete control over every aspect of the national set up.

Talk is that Dave Rennie will be involved too, which will be yet another remarkable chapter in one of the most interesting coaching careers we’ve seen. Rennie was making strides with the Wallabies before being abruptly dumped for Eddie Jones in 2023, a move that is now highly regretted by Rugby Australia. He’s been in Japan since, presumably biding his time for an opportunity like this.

While he probably won’t be a full member of the staff, expect Sir Wayne Smith to be a big part of whatever happens next.

Possibles

On paper, Vern Cotter seems like an ideal candidate. He not only turned a struggling Blues team into champions in one season, but converted them into an direct power side with a style that would be highly effective against the like of the England, France and the Springboks. Cotter already has relationships with key All Blacks, international experience and gets on well with the media.

Joe Schmidt has the advantage of having already been in the All Blacks and also coming out of the Foster era relatively unscathed, reputation-wise. He’s also off-contract with the Wallabies, although that situation seems to change every time it gets brought up.

Clayton McMillan likely has All Black aspirations and consistent form at domestic level, however, is only in his first season with Irish province Munster. He went there to further his coaching acumen and develop different styles of play, which is something that NZ Rugby will be taking a keen interest in when it comes to selection time.

Outsiders

Pat Lam’s name has been bandied about by Northern Hemisphere scribes, but it’s unlikely the Bristol Bears coach will have the sort of connections back here to make a decent case.

Warren Gatland is currently available, but his recent record makes his chances exceptionally remote.

NZR chairman David Kirk could not definitively say whether the board would consider a foreign-born coach, which makes that seem like a no, but if they change their mind it would be quite interesting to see who puts their hand up. Ronan O’Gara is the most obvious choice as he’s had a season with the Crusaders.

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