Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Stan Wawrinka has pulled out of the ASB Classic men’s tournament.

The veteran has told organisers he can’t play now that his Switzerland team have made the semifinals of the United Cup in Sydney.

The Swiss team play Belgium today, while the United States face Poland in the other semi.

The final will be on Sunday, with the Auckland men’s tournament starting Monday.

Wawrinka, who has played in the Auckland tournament twice, was one of the big drawcards this year.

The 40-year-old announced last year that he would hang up his racquet at the end of 2026, ending a 24-year pro career.

His withdrawal means changes to the schedule, with two former Auckland champions elevated to the main draw.

2024 winner Alejandro Tabilo from Chile was meant to play New Zealand wildcard Isaac Becroft in qualifying on Saturday, but has now gained a wildcard into the main draw.

Roberto Bautista Agut, who won in 2016 and 2018, also enters the main draw. Like Wawrinka and defending champion Gael Monfils, Spaniard Bautista Agut is likely in his final year of top level competition.

French veteran Adrian Mannarino, a former Auckland finalist, has also been promoted to the main draw.

“These things happen, unfortunately,” ASB Classic tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said. “It is good that Stan has been playing so strongly, but on the other side of things, it can come with unexpected clashes with schedules, if they progress through build-up tournaments.

“We lose Stan, which is disappointing, but now we have two former champions guaranteed of being in the first round.”

Wawrinka beat Rafa Nadal to win the 2014 Australian Open, and also won the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open, beating Novak Djokovic both times.

Wawrinka has also been granted a wildcard to play in the Australian Open, with other wildcards going to Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell, AFP reported.

The wildcard decisions followed Nick Kyrgios’ advice that he was not ready to play singles after injury, but he would feature in the doubles draw.

2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios made his comeback after an injury-ravaged three years in Brisbane this week, but lost in the opening round to American Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Despite being in the running for a wildcard at his home Grand Slam starting on 18 January, the Australian showman said he was not ready.

“After some good conversations with TA [Tennis Australia], I’ve made the call to focus on doubles for this year’s Australian Open,” he said on Instagram.

“I’m fit and back on court, but five-setters are a different beast and I’m not quite ready to go the distance yet.”

The defeat to Kovacevic was his first singles ATP Tour match since last March and he conceded afterwards that he would never be the player he once was.

Kyrgios, who has tumbled to 670 in the rankings, after reaching a high of 13 in 2016, said he was happy to give the opportunity to someone else.

“This tournament means everything to me, but I’d rather give my spot to someone who’s ready to make their moment count,” Kyrgios said.

While giving singles a miss, Kyrgios will play doubles with fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

He previously committed to playing singles at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, which begins on Tuesday.

– RNZ/AFP

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Central Districts bowler Jayden Lennox admits to a sensory overload after arriving in India with hopes of playing his first full international for New Zealand.

The left arm spinner is a part of the Black Caps ODI squad that opens their three match series against India in Vadodara on Sunday night.

Thirty-one-old Lennox, who debuted for Central in 2021, said arriving in cricket-mad India was something special.

“Getting in at 2am and there being people outside the hotel waiting for your arrival is pretty intimidating when you come from Hawke’s Bay where there are not many people around ever,” Lennox said.

“So I suppose it has been a frenetic entry to the international scene and seeing how frantic the whole thing is is quite an overload for the senses.”

Lennox has been on New Zealand Cricket’s radar for a couple of years and played for New Zealand A last year.

He is hoping to get some game time in a country that is known for its slow bowling conditions.

“For someone like me that is passionate about spin bowling to come to India and potentially debut is exciting.

“This sits at the top of the ledger for venues to come to and being fully immersed in a place like this is special.

“The general buzz of cricket in India is something special to be a part of.” he said.

Lennox said the main focus for him so far had been to back what he does and what has made him successful.

He said his game plan is simple.

“My success has come from consistently putting performances on the park, not necessarily continuous match-winning performances but contributing throughout seasons and working towards winning trophies. That’s what I pride myself on.”

If selected to play Lennox will take the field at the new Baroda Cricket Stadium in front of a sell-out 40,000 fans.

“Knowing that everything single seat is going to have someone sitting in it yelling at you is pretty daunting.

“But that is the part of the experience of being here living the atmosphere and getting the chance to have a crack in front of 40,000 people.”

Following the ODI series the Black Caps and India will play five T20 internationals before the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India in February.

Blacks Caps ODI schedule in India

1st ODI 9pm Sunday 11 Jan, Vadodara

2nd ODI 9pm Wednesday 14 Jan, Rajkot

3rd ODI 9pm Sunday 18 Jan, Indore

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Christchurch bowler Mandy Boyd has joined an exclusive club, winning the women’s singles at the National Lawn Bowls Championship to claim her 10th national title.

Competing on her home turf of Elmwood Park, Boyd proved too strong for Leanne Poulson of Takapuna, winning 21-16 in a final that went down to the wire.

The victory marks Boyd’s first national singles title and caps off a stellar week in which she also won the women’s pairs alongside Kirsten Edwards.

The 34-year-old now boasts 10 national titles, made up of one singles, three pairs, and six fours titles.

“I’ve lost two national singles finals in the past so it’s nice to finally win one,” Boyd said.

“To find some form in the singles has been awesome, it’s been a great week and it’s an amazing way to get to title number ten.”

The win means Boyd joins Millie Khan and Cis Winstanley as one of only three Kiwi women to win 10 or more national titles.

The final of the men’s pairs brothers Ethan and Hamish Kelleher (Halswell) beat Gary Lawson (Elmwood Park) and Tony Grantham (Mt Albert) 15-14.

Darron Wolland (Balcutha) beat Jono Radka (Papanui) 21-2 in the Open Disability Singles.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

As another year draws to a close, it’s time to look forward to the major sporting events of the coming year.

For many, the highlight will be the FIFA Football World Cup, held every four years, after a seemingly never-ending qualification process

More than 200 teams began that long road to the expanded tournament, which will run over more than a month and consist of 104 games, up from 64 four years ago.

We’ve gathered some of the year’s other marquee international events, along with the most anticipated local events.

Mark them on your calendars now.

January

PDC World Darts Championship 11 December-3 January Alexandra Palace, London

Even if you struggle with darts as a legitimate sport, you can’t help but be impressed by the passion shown by the 3000 mostly drunken and costumed fans cramming into the famed ‘Ally Pally’ every year.

The pub pastime has taken on cult popularity, with the winner of this event taking home one million pounds (NZ$2.3m), doubling last year’s purse.

A field of 128 began the event, with Kiwi Huapai Puha among the first-round casualties and countryman Jonny Tata progressing to the second.

Defending champion is still-teenager Luke Littler, who made the 2024 final as a 16-year-old, before claiming the crown this year. He has since risen to top ranking in the world, capturing the imagination of even non-darts fans, and may dominate this championship for a very long time indeed.

ASB Classic (tennis) 5-18 January Auckland

Australia Open (tennis) 18 January-1 February Melbourne

February

Winter Olympics 6-22 February Milano Cortina, Italy

Gone are the days when the showpiece on snow and ice meant little to New Zealand.

With just a silver medal to show for almost 70 years of participation, snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and freeskier Nico Porteous have put Kiwi winter sports on the map in recent years, both grabbing gold at Beijing in 2022.

At the grand old age of 24, Porteous is now retired, but Sadowski-Synnott will defend her slopestyle crown as reigning world and X-Games champion, overcoming injury to return to competition this year.

Skier Alice Robinson has emerged as a medal contender at giant slalom, where she has two World Cup victories and No.1 ranking at the end of the year.

Even with Porteous gone, New Zealand will field a strong freestyle skiing contingent, led by world big air and X-Games halfpipe champion Luca Harrington, and world halfpipe champion Fin Melville Ives.

Men’s T20 World Cup 7 February-8 March India & Sri Lanka

NFL Super Bowl LX 8 February Santa Clara, California

American football has been tipped on its head this season, with the unexpectedly sudden demise of Kansas City Chiefs, who have contested five of the last six Super Bowls, winning three.

Defending champions Philadelphia Eagles have clinched their division and passage to the playoffs, but their record is just the 10th-best across the competition, with previously unfancied teams like Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars now ahead in the standings.

Just as intriguing, the much-vaunted halftime show will be Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny, whose selection was described as “absolutely ridiculous” by President Donald Trump, with immigration officials threatening to raid the event for illegal immigrants.

Sail Grand Prix Auckland 14/15 February

NASCAR Daytona 500 15 February Florida, US

NZ Open (golf) 26 February-1 March Millbrook Resort, Queenstown

March

Winter Paralympics 6-15 March Milano Cortina, Italy

Australian F1 Grand Prix 8 March Melbourne

Whether you’re a die-hard petrolhead or a recent bandwagon jumper from the Netflix Drive to Survive series, this represents Kiwis’ most convenient chance to see the world’s premier motorsport series up close.

Our own Liam Lawson has clinched his place on the grid for another year – or at least until Red Bull reshuffles their drivers again – and Melbourne marks the first race on the calendar.

The programme also includes the second round of Supercars racing for the year, so expect, before they cross the ditch for Taupō and Christchurch.

April

US Masters (golf) 9-12 April Augusta National, Georgia

Taupo Super 440 (Supercars) 10-12 April Taupo International Motorsport Park

Christchurch Super 440 (Supercars) 17-19 April Euromarque Motorsport Park

May

US PGA Championship (golf) 14-17 May Aronimink GC, Pennsylvania

French Open (tennis) 24 May-7 June Stade Roland Garros, Paris

State of Origin I 27 May Sydney

At a time when players are pushing for more international fixtures, the annual three-game series between New South Wales and Queensland is still promoted – by the Aussies – as the pinnacle of rugby league.

After a 12-year span, when the ‘Blues’ claimed the spoils just once, the event has become far more competitive, with the two archrivals splitting honours over the past eight years.

Queensland are defending champions, but the last two series have ultimately come down to the third encounter, with losers of the opening game bouncing back to win overall.

While Kiwis have traditionally backed the ‘Maroons’, most would just hope no Warriors players get injured in the brutal exchanges.

June

Monaco F1 Grand Prix 5 June

FIFA World Cup 11 June-19 July Canada, USA & Mexico

This edition of the planet’s most important football tournament will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, including – for just the third time – New Zealand’s All Whites.

The preliminary rounds will be contested across 12 pools of four teams, with the winners and four best second-placed teams progressing to the Round of 16.

The Kiwis have drawn a group that includes Belgium, Egypt and Iran, still chasing their first win at the tournament, after managing three draws in 2010.

Defending champions Argentina will face Algeria, Australia and Jordan early, while England must get past Croatia, Ghana and Panama, if they hope to bring football home, 60 years after its last visit.

Women’s T20 World Cup 12 June-5 July England

The White Ferns will defend their crown, unexpectedly won in 2024, in what shapes as Sophie Devine’s final outing with the national team.

Possibly New Zealand’s finest sporting captain, with the ability to coach the team in the near future, Devine has already retired from the one-day format and it would make sense for her to bow out at the conclusion of this tournament.

The Kiwi women were not among the title favourites last time out and probably won’t be again, despite their role as defending champions, but this will be another opportunity to develop the next wave of talent, before the Devine-Bates-Tahuhu era finally ends.

UFC White House 14 June Washington DC

None of you will be surprised that UFC boss Dana White is a Donald Trump supporter – the future US president staged UFC 30 at the Trump Taj Mahal, when no other venues would host it.

White has endorsed Trump at the last three elections, so this feels like a little reward for that backing, while also marking America’s 250th anniversary.

While no details of the card have been finalised, two of mixed martial arts’ biggest names – Conor McGregor and Jon Jones – are reportedly keen to appear.

Security concerns will limit the live audience to just 5000 people, but large screens in a nearby park will cater to 85,000 more.

State of Origin II 17 June Melbourne

US Open (golf) 18-21 June Shinnecock Hills GC, New York

Super Rugby Pacific final 20 June

Wimbledon 29 June-12 July London, England

July

Tour de France 4-26 July Spain/France

State of Origin III 8 July Brisbane

British Open Championship (golf) 16-19 July Royal Birkdale, England

Glasgow Commonwealth Games 23 July-2 August

These Games almost brought the festival to a screeching halt, with Birmingham originally scheduled to host, but promoted up the order, when Durban backed out of the 2022 edition.

Kuala Lumpur, Cardiff, Calgary, Edmonton and Adelaide all withdrew bids, due to cost concerns, before Australia’s state of Victoria won the hosting rights, then cancelled, also due to costs.

Glasgow has stepped up again just 12 years after last staging the Games, ensuring they will survive for now, albeit whittled down to only 10 sports.

Among the casualties are Kiwi staples like rugby sevens, hockey, triathlon, T20 cricket, mountain biking and road cycling. Regardless, there should still be enough for New Zealand to feature prominently on the medal table.

August

All Blacks tour of South Africa 7 August-12 September

The NZ rugby team have not embarked on a full-scale tour of South Africa since 1975, when they played 24 games over three months, including four tests.

The diluted modern version of that odyssey will see them contest four tests – including one at a neutral venue – while also taking on four provincial sides – the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.

Despite the All Blacks’ apparent tribulations under coach Scott Robertson, these two rivals are still the top two teams in the world and met in the last World Cup final, so this promises to be ideal tune-up for the 2027 event.

Even without the traditional Rugby Championship, on hiatus until 2027, New Zealand will play 12 tests in 2026, including the inaugural Nations Championship

Little League World Series 20-30 August Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US

Bathurst 1000 (Supercars) 21-23 August Mount Panorama, NSW

Six hours of petrolhead heaven across the Tasman, with Kiwis front and centre among previous winners of ‘The Great Race’.

Just as the Greg Murphy-Scott McLaughlin-Shane van Gisbergen era drew to a close, Matt Payne popped up to grab victory in 2025, despite crossing the finish-line second.

Look out for Ryan Wood, who qualified third on the grid this year and led briefly late in the race, before suffering mechanical dramas that dropped him to 19th.

US Open (tennis) 31 August-13 September Queens, New York

September

Presidents Cup (golf) 22-27 September Medinah CC, Illinois, US

While it may not be the Ryder Cup – the fierce biennial contest between USA and Europe – this competition at least gives the Americans some much-needed practice at playing nicely together as a team.

The Presidents Cup pits them against golfers from around the rest of the world, not Europe, so the rivalry isn’t as intense. The United States have won 13 of the 15 previous meetings and have lost just once in 1998 at Royal Melbourne.

New Zealand was last represented by Danny Lee in 2015, when the international team finished within a point of their rivals. Currently ranked 32nd, Ryan Fox stands as the third-best non-American, non-European player in the world and an automatic selection this time.

October

Rugby League World Cup 15 October-15 November Australia, NZ & PNG

Another event that has been passed around like a hot potato, which was originally awarded to USA and Canada, but withdrawn when promoters could not guarantee its delivery.

France inherited the tournament, but also withdrew, so it has landed across the three Pacific nations, although the only game on this side of the Tasman sees the Kiwis take on Cook Islands in the new Christchurch stadium.

The format doesn’t make a lot of sense – Australia and NZ square off in a four-team group, while England, Tonga and Samoa feature in a six-team group that sees its members play only three of their rivals.

The Kiwis won the 2008 World Cup crown, but failed to make the last two finals, and much will depend on the health of star half Jahrome Hughes, who has missed the last two Pacific Championship campaigns with injury.

November

Melbourne Cup 3 November Flemington Racecourse

The horse race that stops two nations is scheduled for the first Tuesday of every November and holds a special place in the New Zealand sporting landscape.

Last year’s field had no NZ-trained horses, but two NZ-bred entries – Torranzino and Smokin Romans. Incredibly, Australia had only one locally bred horse, with the northern hemsiphere tending to dominate over the past decade.

NZ-born trainer Chris Waller, now based in Sydney, had six horses in the field, while Kiwi jockey James McDonald regulary has his mount near the front at the finish, winning aboard Verry Elleegant in 2021.

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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 have been destroyed by the Sydney Kings in their latest NBL game.

The Auckland side went down by 41 points, their fifth loss in their last six games.

The Kings were without two of their key players but it didn’t matter as the Breakers were embarrassed on their home court in a 103-62 loss.

The Breakers are eighth on the table with an eight win and 15 loss record and while mathematically they could still make the play-offs this result suggests otherwise.

The Breakers were behind by just six points after the first quarter, but in the second they managed to score just four points while giving up seven turnovers.

Coach Petteri Koponen was blunt with his reaction afterwards.

“First of all we have to say sorry and apologise to the fans how we looked.

“I think the first time this season we were not competitive and we could not find the solutions.

“We couldn’t make shots and we let it also affect us on the defensive end and it got ugly.”

The fourth placed Kings played the game without Xavier Cooks and Bul Kuol.

Karim Lopez top scored for the Breakers with 11 points.

The Breakers have a quick turnaround with a game against the Hawks in Illawarra on Sunday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC have gone clear at the top of the A-League after an impressive win across the Tasman.

Auckland overpowered Brisbane Roar in a 2-0 win at Suncorp Stadium, extending their lead to five points.

It was an impressive result for Auckland who had picked up just one point in their last two games.

The visitors had numerous goal scoring opportunities during the game.

Sam Cosgrove and Lachlan Brook both brought their personal goal tallies for the season to five, sharing the lead at the top of the golden boot standings with five other players.

English striker Cosgrove scrambled home the ball from a corner after just six minutes, while Australian winger Brook curled in a superb strike from the edge of the box after 72 minutes.

The loss was Brisbane’s third in a row, a run in which they have not scored a goal.

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica felt they could have done better in the first half, but overall was happy with his side’s performance.

“The good thing tonight is that we got the second goal which put the nail in the coffin.

“I think we could have won that by even three or four as we had a couple of other chances that we probably could have done better with.”

Corica was also pleased that they kept a clean sheet and are still unbeaten at home.

Auckland’s next game is next Friday night away to Melbourne City.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Even in her finest hour, Boh Ritchie found her long-awaited breakthrough lost amid the clamour over another distance-running prodigy on this side of the Tasman.

In December, the Cambridge teen erased a Kiwi athletics legend from the record books, eclipsing Lorraine Moller’s junior 800 metres mark with 2m 03.14s in Sydney.

Unfortunately, that same night, Sam Ruthe, 16, grabbed all the headlines with another in a string of extraordinary performances in his 5000 metres debut in Auckland.

In the space of a month, the kid from Tauranga has captured national U20 records over 800m, 1000m, 1500m and 5000m. This is his time, it seems, and Ritchie and the rest of us are just living in it.

“I don’t mind it like that, to be fair,” she admitted. “He’s done some incredible things.

“He’s such a lovely boy, so sweet and so humble – he definitely deserves it.”

While Ruthe has burst onto the stage only over the past 12 months, becoming the youngest ‘man’ to break four minutes for a mile while still 15, Ritchie’s emergence has been more of a slow burn over several years.

She has already won 11 national titles at 800m, mile, 1500m, cross-country, 3000m, 5000m and 4x400m relays, including her first senior crown over the two laps last summer.

That’s a CV eerily reminiscent of the woman she has usurped from the records.

Moller, who was made an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit in the 2026 New Year Honours, was also 18, when she clocked 2m 03.63s for fifth at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games, springboarding a career that would blaze a trail for women into professional running.

Over the next 20 years, she would compete at four Olympics, taking marathon bronze at 1992 Barcelona, and taking bronze over 1500 metres and 3000 metres at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.

Moller also finished fifth at the 1975 world cross-country championships in Morocco, spearheading New Zealand’s runner-up finish in the women’s teams standings.

Ritchie had been gunning for her 800 metres standard since closing within a few hundredths of a second at the Potts Classic in Hastings last February.

“When I ran 2.03 high, I knew I had a shot,” she reflected. “It was just a matter of finding the right race.

“To be fair, I’ve been enjoying the process more, without putting pressure on myself to get the time.

“I feel quite privileged to get it just before I turn 19.”

Moller was among the first to congratulate Ritchie on social media afterwards, but the youngster has been unable to reciprocate.

“That was pretty special and I really wanted to reach out to her, but I don’t know how to work Facebook,” Ritchie confessed.

“She’s definitely an inspiration to me, the fact she ran such a range of disciplines, from 800 to marathon, with so much success. The versatility she had is something I very much admire, as I try to keep that range as much as I can and explore different events.

“I think it makes the sport fun by changing it up a little bit, which is very important. You see a lot of pro athletes switching events to keep longevity in their careers.”

Ritchie can now set her sights on the world junior championships at Eugene, Oregon, in August, but has plenty of challenges ahead of her in the meantime.

This week, she joins the NZ contingent at the world cross country championships at Tallahassee, Florida, where she will contest the mixed relay event.

Beyond, Ritchie will settle into a scholarship at Penn State University, the latest Kiwi woman to seek career advancement within the US college system.

Paris Olympian Maia Ramsden won an NCAA indoor mile title and back-to-back 1500m outdoor titles for Harvard University, retaining her crown ahead of compatriot Kimberley May of Providence in 2024.

Last year, May took bronze over 1500m at the World University Games, while Hannah Gapes placed fifth at the 2025 national cross-country championships, leading North Carolina State to team honours.

Ritchie will join a Nittany Lions programme that finished 10th at the cross-country nationals, with the indoor season already underway.

“I feel like it’s got a great culture and it feels like home,” she said of her chosen school. “I visited last April and, as I drove from the airport, the scenery was just like New Zealand, with green grass and cows and sheep.

“I met the team and they were so welcoming. A few Aussies – it’s always good to have an Aussie or two – but no New Zealanders.”

Ritchie needs only to look back through Penn State’s history to find that Kiwi connection. Aucklander Heather Carmichael – a Lydiard disciple – was part of the women’s running squad during the 1980s, achieving All-American status over 3000 metres and 5000 metres.

Defending her NZ 800m title in March may have to take a backseat to Ritchie’s new American commitments.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Tournament top seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine has survived a major scare to beat British qualifier Sonay Kartal 6-4 6-7 7-6 and advance to the semi-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Svitolina told Sky Sport the final set was stressful.

“A tiebreaker, of course, it’s always very very difficult and challenging,” she said. “All the credit to Sonay, she played unbelievable today.

“I think she even deserved more than me to win today, to be fair.”

Svitolina will meet American third seed Iva Jovic, who beat Sofia Costoulas of Belgium 6-2 7-6.

Qualifier Costoulas seemed about to force a third set, but Jovic fought back in the second-set tiebreaker and said she had to be aggressive.

“She wasn’t missing a lot,” Jovic said. “She was playing with a lot of spin, a lot of shape, so I really had to win every point out there, and just moving my feet in the wind.

“It’s tricky, it’s swirling in all different directions, so it was hard for me to find my footing at times.”

Filipino trailblazer through to final four

Earlier, fourth seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines continued her run at the tournament, after beating Polish fifth seed Magda Linette 6-3 6-2.

Eala will meet seventh seed Wang Xinyu of China, who advanced after leading 6-4 4-3, when her British opponent Francesca Jones retired injured.

The unseeded Jones had impressed during the tournament, but called a physio at the end of her first set and eventually succumbed to a leg injury.

Just 20, Eala has attracted plenty of attention, already becoming the highest-ranked player in her country’s history.

“I’m happy with how I handled the external factors, the wind and playing Magda has always been difficult for me,” she said. “She’s a very solid player.”

Eala has displayed a calmness on court that defies her age and said it was something she had worked on.

“I think that just goes back to the standard that my team and my family, especially, have kind of like built around me growing up.”

She said she wouldn’t dare smash a racket in anger.

“No, smashing a racket is a big no-no in my family and, if that happened, you would probably never see me on court again,” Eala laughed.

Her parents often travel with her to tournaments and this one is no exception.

“They’ve been taking walks, watching me play,” she said. “This is the first time I think all of us have been in New Zealand, so it’s nice, the atmosphere is great, obviously a big Philippine community, and I like the place, very calm, it’s very clean, so new experiences.”

She predicted Saturday’s semi-final would be a “very difficult” match-up.

“Semi-finals are never easy and she’s [Wang] been playing really well this week, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Wang, who had a tough end to last year, said she felt fresh, after having a decent pre-season.

“I’ve been a bit injured over the past two years and this pre-season, I was finally able to work more than before,” she said. “It was just working hard and putting the pieces into the puzzle, focussing on where I can improve.

“I was very happy and confident coming into this season because of that.”

Wang, 24, goes into the semi with three tough matches under her belt and would make her first WTA final, if she can get past Eala.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Tonga rugby league star Eli Katoa is back on the training paddock, but in a limited capacity, two months after being admitted to hospital with a serious head injury.

Eli Katoa’s club, the Melbourne Storm, has posted video of him taking part in passing drills.

Head knocks before and during Tonga’s Pacific Championships match against New Zealand in November saw Katoa ultimately requiring brain surgery.

Storm director of football, Frank Ponissi, told the Storm website this week there’s still a “long, long journey” ahead of Katoa.

“It’s been a pretty challenging time for Eli and his family over the past couple of months. He’s had some dark days,” Ponissi said.

“For him yesterday just to be out there, just be around the boys and do a little bit – wasn’t too much, but it was just a little bit – it’s great for his wellbeing.”

Ponissi said Katoa is on a heavily restricted programme.

“We know that medically the doctors have ruled him out for the season, but that won’t stop Eli being around the group, and training around the group.

“He’s making great inroads physically but more importantly it’s just for his own wellbeing, just to be around the group and feel like he’s really contributing.”

Katoa has previously told fans he hopes to be back soon “in God’s timing”.

Storm team-mate, Jarome Hughes, told Channel Nine in Australia there were a lot of things for Katoa to tick off before he could even think about playing again, but it was good to have him around the group.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand world mountain bike champion Samara Maxwell is taking a year-long break from competitive sport to safeguard her wellbeing and longevity.

It means she won’t be defending her mountain bike world series cross country title after a breakthrough 2025 season.

Maxwell became the first New Zealander to win a UCI World Series title in October, which saw her named a finalist in the Halberg Sportswoman of the Year awards.

Her Decathlon Ford Racing Team has announced that the 24-year-old will take a sabbatical from competitive sport.

“After an intense 2025 season, and several months spent in Europe far from home and family, Samara Maxwell has decided to take a sabbatical break from competitive sport,” the Decathlon Ford Racing team announced on social media.

“The New Zealand athlete will dedicate 2026 to a period of rest, recovery and personal reconnection. During this sabbatical pause, she will step away from racing, media activities, social platforms, and public engagements. This choice will allow her to restore physical energy, regain mental balance, and spend meaningful time with the people and places that matter most to her.”

“This is the right moment for me to pause, breathe, and return to my roots. I want to spend time with my family, recharge, and prepare myself for the challenges ahead,” Maxwell said in the post.

The Ford Decathlon Racing Team said Maxwell’s long-term vision remains unchanged.

“…to return to competition with renewed determination and continue her journey toward representing New Zealand at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”

The press release goes on to say that Maxwell’s decision has been fully supported by her Decathlon Ford team, personal coach, and the medical staff who have accompanied her throughout the season.

” ….As well as by Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ, all of whom recognise this step as essential to safeguarding her well-being and long-term athletic longevity.”

Maxwell, who has openly battled with eating disorders since she was a teen, told RNZ last year that her mental health was tested when she clinched the mountain bike cross country title in Canada.

She admitted that the pressure she had been under in the weeks leading to the final round meant she didn’t manage her eating disorder very well.

“I’m really proud that I’m in a place where I can say I’m struggling and could call my coach and call my psychologist,” Maxwell told RNZ after winning the title.

The world title punctuated just how far Maxwell had come since she had to fight for selection to the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Cycling NZ declined to nominate Maxwell for Olympics for health, rather than performance reasons.

The national body determined she had not shown that she had no “physical or mental impairment” that would prevent her from performing to the highest possible standard at the Olympics.

The Sports Tribunal upheld Maxwell’s appeal over her non-nomination and took the rare step of nominating her directly to the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) for selection.

Maxwell went on to finish eighth in Paris – the best finish of her senior career.

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