Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

‘Pretty hyped to tick that one off’ – Melville Ives’ back on podium after landing trick for first time

Wānaka teenager Finley Melville Ives’ impressive form has continued in the latest FIS World Cup event with a second in the halfpipe in Calgary.

The 19-year-old reigning world champion won the China leg last month, and has followed up with runner-up in Calgary after being outpointed by American Nick Goepper.

His consistency is a good sign with the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in northern Olympics just over a month away.

Conditions were testing in Calgary with temperatures of about -10deg Celsius affecting speed in the pipe, while flat light reduced visibility.

But that didn’t deter Melville Ives from successfully performing a trick for the first time in competition, nailing a switch left double corked 1440 safety grab on the second hit of his second finals run.

“The conditions were pretty tricky today, but managed to put my run down and land a trick I’d never done before in competition, so I am pretty hyped to tick that one off,” Melville Ives said.

After topping qualification from his heat, he took the early lead with his first run, but Goepper took the lead on the second run.

Melville Ives struck back with his trick switch 1440, but a couple of bobbles on two of his runs saw him fall short of Goepper, whose American team-mate Birk Irving finishing third.

“I’m so stoked, I can’t believe it. It’s been an incredible start to the World Cup season,” Melville Ives said.

“To be up there on the podium with Nick, I am so grateful.”

Fellow Wānaka athlete Ben Harrington had his best result of the season, finishing eighth.

The halfpipe tour heads to Aspen for next weekend, with New Zealand’s slopestyle athletes returning to competition.

Tough day for Robinson

It wasn’t such a good day for Queenstown alpine skier Alice Robinson, who crashed out of a second successive World Cup event, failing to finish the first run in the giant slalom in Slovenia.

The two dips have dropped Robinson to third in the overall World Cup standings, behind American Mikaela Shriffin and Switzerland’s Camille Rast, who won a World Cup giant slalom for the first time in Slovenia.

Robinson had led the standings after winning two giant slaloms in November and December, followed by the first Super G win by a New Zealander in St Moritz.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Brooke Nunn scored late in second half stoppage time to secure the Phoenix a 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar and stretch their unbeaten run.

Coming off massive wins over Sydney FC (7-0) and Western Sydney (3-0), sharing the spoils in Brisbane was a small let-down but coach Bev Priestman said she walked away satisfied.

“If you’d asked me at the beginning of the game I’d say no, but you ask me at the end and yes, I’m very happy to take the point,” Priestman said.

“Overall whenever you take points on the road you have to be happy.

“The first half we weren’t at our best. They changed shape and we took some adjusting to that. But in the second half we did a much better job of preventing any shots.

“What I’m most proud of is that the team never gave up and they went to the very end. Sometimes some of the best teams cannot be at their best and still take points out of a game, especially on the road.

“And to get back-to-back points on the road and three games undefeated, we have to also be proud of that.”

Manaia Elliott had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 15th minute with a speculative effort from distance, wide on the left, but the Roar equalised almost instantly and took the lead shortly after the half hour mark.

It looked like Wellington’s pursuit of an equaliser would be in vain until the eighth minute of time added on, when Nunn delivered a cross from the right flank which beat Lincoln at her near post and nestled in the back of the net.

Wellington drop one place to six ahead of a home match against Melbourne City on Saturday.

The Phoenix could be without Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari, who limped off with a knee injury late in the second half.

“We’re not sure yet. I think she’ll definitely need to get a scan on her knee,” Priestman said.

“It could be nothing but it also could be something and it’s something we need to look into.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix overcame a wretched run of form and an early red card to upset the Brisbane Roar 3-0 on the road in a major A-League upset.

In a result described by coach Giancarlo Italiano as his best win as a head coach, the Phoenix scored twice in the second half despite being without the services of winger Carlo Armiento, who was shown a straight red in the 38th minute.

The result came five days after their 5-1 loss to Melbourne Victory, which left the club languishing in 10th place ahead of a clash with the third-placed Roar.

Italiano was thrilled with their response, which included keeping a first clean sheet of the season.

“That’s probably the best victory I’ve ever had as a coach. We’ve had it very hard,” Italiano said, close to tears at one point in the press conference.

“I’m just immensely proud for the group. We suffered today. We spoke about it yesterday and it was like a self-fulfilling prophecy. We talked about in order for teams to be successful they need to learn to suffer, to grind, to be committed, to have courage and to be brave. They demonstrated everything today.

“It was almost like the football gods wanted Carlo to get sent off for us to go through this lesson. We needed this. It wasn’t so much the result, it was the performance.

“The boys showed a lot of character tonight. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Ifeanyi Eze scored Wellington’s first goal in the sixth minute, but their chances of victory nosedived when Armiento was shown red for an illegal tackle which sparked an all-in melee.

However, the visitors responded with resolute defence and speed on the counter after the break, scoring through

Kazuki Nagasawa and substitute Paulo Retre.

Italiano reserved praise for teenage goalkeeper Eamonn McCarron, who made a number of fine saves in just his second start.

“Eamonn is like an experienced goalkeeper caught in a young guy’s body,” Italiano said.

“He’s fearless and what I really liked about him today was the reaction from conceding five goals against Victory. It didn’t faze him.

“In the air he was fantastic and the last ditch, brave saves were amazing. He started as the number three at the beginning of the season and now he’s playing like a mature number one.”

Ninth-placed Wellington host sixth-placed Adelaide United on Sunday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand tennis star Lulu Sun has had to withdraw from next week’s ASB Classic with a wrist injury.

Sun was expected to be one of the big attractions for the tournament, but she said she was battling an injured wrist and it had not recovered in time.

“Definitely not the way I wanted to start the new year but since Guangzhou I have been struggling with a wrist injury following a neck injury,” the 24-year-old said in an Instagram post.

“Not being able to have a proper pre-season and being injured left me no choice to sadly withdraw.

“My team and I will start preparing the best to be able to compete at the Australian Open. Hope to see you guys at AO.”

Sun has not played since reaching the final of the Guangzhou Open in October. Attempting to become the first New Zealander to win a WTA Tour-level singles title since Marina Erakovic, in Memphis in 2013, she was beaten 7-6 6-2 by American second seed Ann Li.

When her entry for the Auckland tournament was announced in September, Sun enthused about returning to play at home.

“This means everything to me. I get to play in front of a home crowd and fans. It is going to be energising and it’s going to be fun,” she said. “I am biased, but it is pretty much my favourite tournament of the year.”

Sun is rated at No 90 on the WTA ratings, which puts her in the main draw for the Australian Open which begins on 12 January.

Play begins in the tournament on Monday, with the draw headlined by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and American Emma Navarro, who have world rankings of 14 and 15 respectively.

Venus Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, returns to Auckland for the seventh time as a wildcard player. The 45-year-old has not played since the US Open when she and Layla Fernandez made the quarterfinals in early September.

A wildcard has been awarded to Kiwi player Monique Barry. Ranked 258 in the world she will also play in the doubles with compatriot Elyse Tse.

American Sloane Stephens and Briton Katie Boulter also have been granted wildcards.

Tse and fellow Kiwi Aishi Das attempted to gain entry to the main draw through qualifying but were both beaten by more experienced opponents on Saturday.

Das lost 6-3 6-4 to Veronika Erjavec from Slovenia, while Tse lost 6-0 6-1 to Sofia Costoulas on Belgium.

Tournament organisers said on Saturday that Williams and Svitolina would play together in the doubles.

Tse will team up with Barry in the doubles.

Erin Routliffe and her new partner Asia Muhammad are the top seeds. Routliffe and regular partner Gaby Dabrowski announced their split in November.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Blaze captain Amelia Kerr has turned in another player of the game performance to continue their unbeaten start to the Super Smash.

The Blaze have beaten the Northern Brave by 61 runs in their third round game in Mt Maunganui.

Kerr top scored with 66 as the visitors made 154 for five after being asked to bat first.

Her knock came off 55 balls and included ten boundaries and she put on a 76 run second wicket partnership with Australian Ellyse Perry who made 39.

The second Australian in the side, Maitlan Brown finished unbeaten on 30.

Kerr’s performance follows her maiden century in their last game, a 49 run victory over Auckland at the Basin Reserve.

In reply Kerr also took two wickets as the Brave finished their 20 overs on 93 for nine.

Nensi Patel with 28 and Caitlin Gurrey with 26 were the only Northern batters to make an impression on the scoreboard.

Perry took three wickets for 11 runs from her four overs for Wellington while Jess Kerr took two wickets.

“Again pleasing to just be here on the winning side,” Kerr told TVNZ afterwards.

“I thought what we scored was just above par but I thought our bowlers were outstanding.”

Kerr also commentated on the impression the two Australian players are having within the team.

“It is so good for the comp but what they bring into the changing room, their professional habits it’s outstanding and both Ellyse and Maitlan are great people.”

It is Kerr’s last game for the Blaze in the competition as she prepares to head to India for the WPL.

The Wellington Blaze are top of the table with three wins from three, while the Northern Brave with two losses and a no result.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Newcastle have stunned A-League leaders Auckland FC 3-1 at Mt Smart stadium.

The visitors managed to score their second win over Auckland at the ground this season and did it while playing the majority of the game with just ten players.

Newcastle made a fast start and their early pressure resulted in the first goal after just seven minutes.

The visitors got behind the defence down the left flank and a cross found an open Lachlan Rose to slot home the opener.

It didn’t take long for the home side to respond with Jesse Randall scoring directly from a free kick just six minutes later when he was able to beat the keeper at the near post.

Newcastle got their second after 16 minutes when Will Dobson pounced on a ball that Auckland keeper Michael Woud could only parry away from a shot.

The pressure then went on Newcastle midway through the first half when defender Max Cooper was sent off for a second yellow card.

Newcastle then spent the rest of the half under the pump but were able to head into half time with their slender lead intact.

Auckland were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage as the Jets defended stoically, scrambling to clear the ball off their own line numerous times.

Auckland dominated the game everywhere except on the score sheet. They had 72 percent of possession and had 23 shots compared to the Jets six.

Newcastle sealed the game in the last minute from a breakaway with Rose adding his second in front of an open goal with Woud down field for a corner.

Newcastle finished the game with nine players because of injuries but held on for a magical win.

Coach Steve Corica made two changes from the side that beat Western Sydney Wanderers in their last match.

Felipe Gallegos and Guillermo May came into the midfield in place of Jake Brimmer and Logan Rogerson.

Francis De Vries started with the captain’s armband with Hiroki Sakai on the bench.

Auckland remain top of the table with six wins, two draws and now two losses. They are two points ahead of Sydney FC and the Brisbane Roar.

Auckland’s next game is against Macarthur FC in Sydney on Monday.

Wellington Phoenix are at Brisbane on Saturday.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Sport is far more than just what happens on the court, pitch, field or canvas. The biggest stories often involve controversy completely away from the game.

Jonty Dine takes a look back at at the most dramatic headlines in sport in 2025.

Agar throttles journo

What happened in Vegas made headlines back home when Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar looked to settle an old score with an English journalist, grabbing John Davidson by the throat in the media room during his sides opening round loss to the Raiders. Agar was served a three-game suspension, and a $10,000 fine.

Mascot shoves child

The Rabbitohs beloved mascot Reggie the Rabbit dramatically defied his character when he made the hare-brained decision to lash out at a nine-year-old fan who was pestering him during an NRL game in Sydney. The 81-year-old man beneath the suit was forced to apologise for the incident which was caught on camera.

RunIt debuts in Auckland

A neurologist’s nightmare, the collision craze emigrated to Aotearoa from across the ditch and quickly made horrifying impact. Several clips went viral showing two men thundering into each other at full speed, with one inevitably losing the contact and often his consciousness. A debate which started as freedom vs safety became incredibly serious after a teenager died emulating the game with friends.

CEO steals boys hat

Entitlement incarnate. Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek was rightfully slammed online after going viral for unceremoniously snatching a signed cap out of the hands of a child at the US Tennis Open. His later apology, in which he said he believed the cap was intended for him, just further demonstrated his privilege.

Cheese embroiled in scandal

Kiwi hooker Brandon Smith became the centre of controversy after text messages were leaked showing he had provided inside betting information to his mates, while sorting another group of friends and fellow league players with an 8-ball of cocaine. Smith has pleaded not guilty and is yet to make a statement on the matter.

Caleb Clark flees from police

The All Black winger’s public image took a dive in 2025 after details emerged of the young star evading police on his motorbike while being clocked going 110km in a 50km zone. Clarke plead guilty and was discharged without conviction on the same day he was named in the All Blacks squad for the series against France.

‘No class, no education’

An ugly tirade by Latvian tennis player Jelena Ostapenko aimed at American Taylor Townsend following their match at the US Open. Fellow black tennis star Naomi Osaka condemned Ostapenko’s comments as racist and Ostapenko’s apology didn’t exactly help to quash those allegations.

Sex toys thrown on court

A disturbing trend in US sport emerged in 2025, as on at least three occasions, sex toys were thrown on court at WNBA games, one even striking a player.

Moana’s roster reset

In one brutal foul swoop, Moana management crossed out 15 names from their 2025 roster, taking the gloss off what was their best season to date in which they finally forged meaningful connections with their growing fanbase and found a home on the North Shore.

Crocs in river for Olympics

The most Australian story of the year, canoeists at the 2032 Olympics are set to contest with both fellow competitors and crocodiles in their quest for gold, with the Fitzroy River, home to many of the reptiles, approved as the events venue.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC are out for revenge.

The A-League leaders host the ninth placed Jets to kick off 2026 and they’re confident they can start the New Year on a winning note and get one back over Newcastle at Mt Smart Stadium.

Auckland suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Jets at a sodden Mt Smart in November, just the third time in 19 games that the hosts had been beaten at home.

Assistant coach Danny Hay was asked if revenge had been a theme for the side this week.

“It has to be,” Hay said. “We know we owe them one, after them being the only team that beat us. We don’t like losing games and we particularly don’t like losing games at home.”

Newcastle have had four wins and six defeats this season.

Hay said Auckland FC were caught off guard by the Jets last time around.

“We don’t think we prepared as well mentally as we usually do and the boys were just a little bit off,” Hay said.

“There were probably a few factors in that. The deluge in the second half, with half a metre of rain didn’t help. But they’re are a very good team, they deserved to win and were the better side.”

Newcastle have conceded a league-high 22 goals, though they have also scored a league-high 20 themselves.

Hay said Auckland will have to be robust on defence and accurate with their passing to negate the Jet’s threats.

“We know when we are in possession, they are a very dangerous team.

“They counter, they have a lot of pace, so we need to make sure our rest defence is spot on. That has been a focus in our buildup.”

Auckland FC should have a fully fit squad for the match and Hay said they were determined to start 2026 on the right note.

“We want to win,” Hay said. “We want to pick up three points, with the run that we are on and we know we have a big crowd turning up. New Year’s day, the sun’s going to be shining and it should be a great atmosphere.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The Racing Bulls boss has some encouraging words for New Zealand driver Liam Lawson.

Lawson is on a break after completing his first full season in Formula 1 which presented him with many challenges.

Lawson was demoted from Red Bull to junior team Racing Bulls after just two rounds of the 2025 championship.

Despite seven top ten finishes during the season Lawson had to wait until the last round to have his seat confirmed for 2026.

There was plenty of praise for the 23-year-old during the season, most notably after his sixth place finish in Austria and fifth in Azerbaijan.

His team-mate Isack Hadjar has been promoted to Red Bull for 2026, while Arvid Lindblad will join him at Racing Bulls.

Lawson now has another year to prove himself and Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane is encouraged.

“I truly see genius in him,” Permane told PlanetF1.

“I think it’s up to all of us, him included, to try and understand, when everything is going well – and it often is – like during exceptional races in Austria, Budapest, and during qualifying and the race in Baku, what the secret is to this success.

“We have to try to reproduce that throughout the season.”

Lawson said he was relieved to have secured a seat for next year and had learnt from his roller-coaster run.

“I think doing a first full season – you go in with a goal of how you think the year will go,” he said.

“Obviously this year went a different way than what I thought and I’ve definitely learned to roll with that.

“Going into next year, I’ll be in a much better position because of it.”

F1 testing starts in Spain at the end of January with another two sessions in Bahrain in February. The opening round is in Australia in March.

2026 F1 calendar

• 6-8 March: Australia
• 13-15 March: China
• 27-29 March: Japan
• 10-12 April: Bahrain
• 17-19 April: Saudi Arabia
• 1-3 May: Miami
• 22-24 May: Canada
• 5-7 June: Monaco
• 12-14 June: Spain (Barcelona)
• 26-28 June: Austria
• 3-5 July: Great Britain
• 17-19 July: Belgium
• 24-26 July: Hungary
• 21-23 August: Netherlands
• 4-6 September: Italy
• 11-13 September: Spain (Madrid)
• 24-26 September: Azerbaijan
• 9-11 October: Singapore
• 23-25 October: United States (Austin)
• 30 October-1 November: Mexico
• 6-8 November: Brazil
• 19-21 November: Las Vegas
• 27-29 November: Qatar
• 4-6 December: Abu Dhabi

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Max Verstappen may have been beaten for the Formula 1 title this year but he has been voted the top driver of the year by his peers.

The Dutchman came up just short in his quest for a fifth successive world title, finishing two points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.

However the Red Bull driver has been voted driver of the year for the fifth time in a row.

Formula 1 asked all the drivers to vote to rank the top ten of 2025.

Scores were given based on the current F1 points system, with the top driver on each list earning 25 points down to one point for the driver in 10th. Those totals are then combined to create an overall top 10.

Drivers were allowed to vote for themselves.

Verstappen’s impressive finish to the season, when he won six of the last nine Grands Prix, helped him to top spot from Norris with Mercedes driver George Russell completing the podium.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was fourth.

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton failed to make an appearance in the top 10 for the first time since this ranking began (2018) after a difficult debut season with Ferrari.

New Zealander Liam Lawson did not make the list but his Racing Bulls team-mate Isack Hadjar ranked tenth.

Four drivers did not participate in the anonymous poll: Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda.

2025 F1 Drivers’ Driver of the Year

1/ Max Verstappen

2/ Lando Norris

3/ George Russell

4/ Oscar Piastri

5/ Charles Leclerc

6/ Carlos Sainz

7/ Fernando Alonso

8/ Alex Abon

9/ Oliver Bearman

10/ Isack Hadjar

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