Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Is Antoine Dupont the best player in the world? Former team mate Pita Ahki says yes, having been there for the French halfback’s rise to prominence as a team mate at French Top 14 powerhouse Toulouse.

“Yeah I do,” said Ahki at his first official media engagement for the Blues, after playing his 131st and final game for Toulouse only three weeks ago.

“There’s a lot of good rugby players out there but some of the things he does are just out of this world. It’s cool that I got to play with him.”

Ahki is getting ready for his first season of rugby in his hometown of Auckland in a decade, after debuting for North Harbour back in 2011. One-season stints at the Blues and Hurricanes followed, before he signed with Irish province Connacht – somewhat fittingly as a fill in while Bundee Aki was called up to the Irish squad. However, that ended up being a short stay of only eight games before he was signed by Toulouse.

It’s at this point, where Aki had already played for three different top domestic sides and two NPC provinces, that the tag ‘journeyman’ would’ve fitted. But the move to the south of France finally gave the Kelston Boys’ High product the sort of stability he had been craving.

In his time in Toulouse, Ahki was part of five Top 14 championship and two Champions Cup campaigns, making him one of the most successful domestic players in the modern game. As well as Dupont, he also lined up alongside French stars Thomas Ramos, Romain Ntamack, Peato Mauvaka and Anthony Jelonch, as well as Italian Ange Capouzzo and Argentine Juan Cruz Mallia.

“When I started there I didn’t really know much about French rugby. The likes of Dupont and Ntamack started off their careers when I arrived, and now they are the players they are. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey.”

There was a bit of a blueprint laid for Ahki by fellow veteran midfielder Bryce Heem, who returned to the Blues after spending six seasons in England and France. Heem was drafted back in by Leon MacDonald initially as injury cover in 2021, then ended up playing 41 games over the next three seasons including coming off the bench in the Blues’ breakthrough 2024 Super Rugby Pacific final win.

Ahki said that family was the reason for the return home, plus the ‘grind’ of the Top 14 season that can see upwards of 30 games.

“My kids are getting older, we want to put them through New Zealand schools…Toulouse has a quality team and they have guys to replace me.”

Even still, the farewell Ahki received from the passionate Toulouse fans surprised him when full house at Stade Ernest-Wallon chanted his name for a full minute.

“I was expecting a round of applause and maybe a little video, but they went really over the top. The Frenchies love to feed off the emotion.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul faces the biggest test of his fledgling boxing career, when he takes on former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Florida on Saturday (NZT).

Kiwi boxing promoter Dean Lonergan expects it’s a test Paul will fail – badly.

“Jake Paul is going to get absolutely bashed and I think a lot of people are looking forward to it.” Lonergan told Nathan Rarere on RNZ’s First Up.

The vast majority of pundits agree with Lonergan’s blunt assessment.

As well as being a two-time heavyweight world champion, Joshua won Olympic gold at London in 2012. He’s had 28 professional fights, with four losses – two against Oleksander Usyk, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

By contrast, Paul’s compiled a 12-win, one-loss record, largely against retired NBA players, fellow YouTubers, and former UFC fighters. His one loss came against Tommy Fury, who’s better known for appearing on Love Island and being Tyson Fury’s younger brother, than his boxing skills.

Paul’s only had one fight at heavyweight – a points win over a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. That bout was contested over two-minute rounds, rather than the standard three, and with 14-ounce gloves.

At 36, Joshua is far from washed up. The fight with Paul is scheduled for eight rounds, each three minutes long. The fighters will wear standard 10-ounce gloves.

The lighter weight will allow punches to do more damage.

The tale of the tape also makes tough reading for Paul. Joshua stands 12.5cm taller and has a 15cm longer reach.

Even with a 111.3kg weight limit imposed on him for this fight, Joshua will significantly outweigh Paul.

Lonergan said Paul may still believe he could win.

“He’s delusional,” he said. “Fighters have to have the ultimate confidence, because there’s only two things you do in a boxing ring – you either hit or you get hit, you either hurt or you get hurt.

“Jake Paul’s had a series of easy fights to build his delusion and build his confidence, and he thinks he can get in the ring with one of the modern greats.”

No matter the result, both fighters will be handsomely rewarded, reportedly earning NZ$159 million each.

Lonergan reckons Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn have played an absolute blinder, securing a massive payday for an easy night’s work.

“It’s going to go no more than 1-2 rounds,” he said. “Jake Paul’s going to get knocked out.

“If you’re Anthony Joshua, this is just pennies from heaven.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the third in the five-test series between arch rivals Australia and England gets underway at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

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

First ball is at 12.30 NZT

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Third test: Black Caps v West Indies

Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui

11am, Thursday, 18 December

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

Jacob Duffy believes the Black Caps still have enough experience to beat the West Indies again, despite the injuries that continue to hit their pace-bowling stocks.

New Zealand lost Blair Tickner during the second test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve and now head into Thursday’s third test at Mt Maunganui with a combined seven caps among the four pace bowlers.

Duffy and Zak Foulkes have three caps each, Michael Rae has one and Kristian Clarke is yet to debut.

“The blind leading the blind in terms of test experience,” Duffy said on the eve of the contest.

“We’re all just trying to figure it out together, [but] there is enough information out there to guide us through it.

“The lucky thing is that we’re home in our own conditions, so we’re all just figuring it out together and having a good time doing it.”

Duffy, 31, is seen as the leader of the group. He has taken 14 wickets so far in the series and was named man of the match for the Basin Reserve game.

However, he admitted he didn’t want to think about his current good form.

“Trying not to ride the wave, really,” he said. “There are good times in cricket and there are bad times, and I’m lucky enough at the moment that the wickets seem to be coming.

“It’s a good feeling, but part of this Black Caps environment, it keeps you grounded nicely and try not to ride that wave too hard.”

Duffy saw himself as a newball bowler who can swing the ball, but he has had to fill different roles so far in the West Indies series, starting as first-change bowler at Hagley Oval, until Matt Henry and Nathan Smith went down with injuries.

“One thing we always pride ourselves is being adaptable, having the game to suit the conditions.

“That’s probably what experience is, where you sum up conditions, assess what’s going on and adapt your game to what is needed at the time.”

The Otago man has limited redball experience at Bay Oval, but has played whiteball internationals there in recent years and knows what to expect.

“It’s a nice wind for an out swing, more of a cross wind instead of into it which is a nice change.

“It dries out a bit quicker than other grounds, so there is generally decent pace and bounce, and we might see a bit of that up top, but it could potentially be in for a bit of a grind and maybe spinners do come into play.”

Spinner Ajaz Patel was added to the squad as a replacement for Tickner, who dislocated his shoulder diving on the boundary.

Despite a limp finish by the West Indies at the Basin Reserve, Duffy said the tourists had “a lot of ticker”.

“We saw it in Christchurch,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of fight and they’ll be wanting to finish off their tour strong, so [we] expect a good fight in potentially conditions that might suit them a little more.”

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

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Five players who have reached the world’s top 10, along with some explosive emerging talent are among the male players confirmed for the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland in January.

The ATP tournament from 12-17 January follows the WTA women’s event from 5-11 January.

The 23-year-old American Ben Shelton returns as the top seed. He finished the year ranked at No 9 in the world after rising to No 5 on the back of winning the title at the ATP Masters 1000 in Canada. The left-hander has jumped more than 15 ranking places this year to emerge as a global contender.

Second seed is Norwegian Casper Ruud, the world No 12, who claimed two titles this year including the Masters 1000 in Madrid. He was ranked No 2 in the world two years ago.

This pair form part of the tennis family at the ASB Classic, both returning to Auckland for their fourth time, remembering that Shelton first travelled outside the United States three years ago to come to Auckland after emerging into the world’s top 100.

Twenty-year-old Czech player Jakub Mensik leads the young talent. He returns to the tournament now ranked at No 19 in the world, on the back of a Masters 1000 title in Miami, where he beat Novak Djokovic in the final.

Another rising young player returning is American Alex Michelsen, who started his impressive run in 2025 making the quarterfinals at Auckland. He is joined by 2.01m Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 22, who reached world No 29, notably hitting 51 aces in his first match at Wimbledon last year.

There is a degree of nostalgia in the 2026 tournament with Auckland-raised Cameron Norrie (GBR), at 30 years of age, returning to the courts where he spent much time as a young, emerging talent.

Once ranked a career high No 9, Norrie has worked his way back after a lengthy injury break to make the quarterfinals at Wimbledon this year. He has twice finished runner-up among his nine appearances in Auckland.

While young guns will provide a compelling presence, two players with 79 years of life experience between them, will no doubt hold a special place for fans.

Swiss 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka has earned a wild card spot to make his third appearance in Auckland, as he returns from recent years battling injury.

The “Stanimal” has won 16 singles titles and is the only man to win three Grand Slams in the era of the sport’s “Big Four”. He accounted for Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open in 2014 and Djokovic twice, at Roland Garros in 2015 and US Open in 2016.

Auckland’s defending champion Gael Monfils gets a wild card to start his final year in the sport in the city.

His victory at the Manuka Doctor Arena this year made him the oldest player to win an ATP 250 title and the oldest in the Top 100 ranked players. He has spent 1000 weeks in the Top 100 – a feat he shares with Roger Federer, Djokovic, Andre Agassi and Nadal.

The final direct entry to the main draw went to American Aleksandar Kovacevic, ranked 62 in the world, the strongest direct field ranking in recent years.

ASB Classic tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said the 2026 tournament field “exceeds our expectations”.

“The team are working on delivering a wonderful experience off the court, and the quality of this field we are announcing today is magnificent, to ensure fans will receive a special tournament on the court also.”

The field will be completed with a final wild card for a New Zealand representative.

Men’s field (with seeding and world ranking):

1 Ben Shelton (USA) 9, 2 Casper Ruud (NOR) 12, 3 Jakub Mensik (CZE) 19, 4 Luciano Darderi (ITA) 26, 5 Cameron Norrie (GBR) 27, 6 Alex Michelsen (USA) 38, 7 Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 39, 8 Alexandre Muller (FRA) 42, 9 Sebastian Baez (ARG) 45, 10 Nuno Borges (FRA) 47, 11 Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) 49, 12 Fabian Marozsan (HUN) 51, 13 Jenson Brooksby (USA) 53, 14 Valentin Royer (FRA) 58, 15 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) 59, 16 Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) 60, 17 Francisco Comesana (ARG) 61, 18 Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA) 62.

Main draw wild cards: Gael Monfils (FRA), Stan Wawrinka (SUI).

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The nephew of All Black great Mils Muliaina has been given a Super Rugby contract by the Highlanders.

Young first-five prospect Mika Muliaina has been given a three-year contract starting in 2027.

The 18-year-old Southlander, who has progressed through the Highlanders high performance programme, will train with the Highlanders squad in 2026, before joining fully in 2027.

Muliaina enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign, beginning with his performances for the Highlanders U20 side at the national tournament in Taupō.

His form earned him a standby position for the New Zealand U20s and led to appearances for the Southland Stags during the NPC.

Mils Muliaina played 100 tests for the All Blacks, while his father, Faolua, and uncle, Alesana, both represented Southland in the NPC.

Highlanders assistant coach and talent development manager for the Highlanders Kane Jury said Mika Muliaina’s potential was clear.

“Mika is a rare talent. For someone so young to show such maturity in a pivotal position like first five, you immediately sense how high his ceiling is.

“When you consider he has already won a national schools’ title with Southland Boys’, been in the NZU20s selection frame, represented NZ Universities in Japan, debuted for the Southland Stags, has the chance to push for an U20 World Cup in 2026, and now signs a professional contract – all by 18 – it’s incredibly impressive.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the third in the five-test series between arch rivals Australia and England gets underway at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

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

First ball is at 12.30 NZT

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC knew what they were getting when they signed towering forward Sam Cosgrove but the coach believes it has taken A-League officials a while to figure the Englishman out.

At 1.94 metres Cosgrove is Auckland’s tallest outfield player and one of the tallest in the competition.

Cosgrove is Auckland’s leading goal-scorer, including a diving header for the winner in their last game.

He also has twice as many yellow cards as any of his team mates.

Coach Steve Corica believed Cosgrove had a tough start to the season when it came to the officiating but by round eight Corica thought more calls were going Cosgrove’s way.

Referees were “starting to work it out now” that Cosgrove was getting some added attention from opposition defenders, Corica said, and the coach was pleased with how last week’s 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners was officiated.

“They think he’s a very big guy, that there’s no fouls on big guys which is wrong. They’re ganging up on him, they’ve got two bodies around him, they’re creating fouls and now he’s starting to get the fouls that we deserve.

“You’ve just got to play what you see if it’s a foul it’s a foul it doesn’t matter of he’s six foot five of five foot five.”

Cosgrove was ticking all the boxes for Corica.

“He’s getting fitter, he’s working hard and he’s scoring goals.

“He probably should be on more goals than what he is. I think Redders [Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne] made some fantastic saves against him on the weekend.

“He causes havoc for other teams you can see that.”

On Friday night Cosgrove and the rest of Auckland’s attack will be up against Western Sydney Wanderers defender Anthony Pantazopoulos who is also attracting the attention of officials this season with four yellow cards in eight games played – the same as Cosgrove.

Pantazopoulos is just ahead of fellow defender Aidan Simmons who has three yellows.

The seventh-placed Wanderers have one of the worst discipline records this season, with 21 yellow cards, second only to the Brisbane Roar who have had players enter the referee’s notebook 26 times over the first part of the season.

Corica thought the Wanderers, with a two win, three draw and three loss record, would have picked up more points than they had at this stage of the season.

In October, Auckland inflicted one of the Wanderers’ losses with a 1-0 win at Mt Smart Stadium.

“In attack they’ve got Kosta [Barbarouses] and [Brandon] Borello up front, their midfield is very good, very mobile, I think they play very good football so it’s going to be another tough game.

“It’s a different situation going to their ground and we do want to win that game and pick up three points and we’re going to have to work very hard to do that.”

December in NSW

By the end of the month Auckland will have had three return flights from Sydney in three weeks.

Auckland have three games on the road – Central Coast Mariners last Friday, Wanderers this Friday and and Sydney FC on 27 December – but opted to return to home every time rather than spend the week in Sydney between matches.

“It is too long to stay,” Corica said. “There is a trip in January and we play Macarthur on the 5th and Brisbane after that [on the 9th] so we will stay in Sydney a couple of days and then go to Brisbane so we will be there a week for that trip.”

Cost was a factor in the club not staying too long too often in Australia.

Auckland did travel two days before an away game which meant they would be flying on Christmas Day ahead of the game against Sydney.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sixteen Black Caps are vying for a huge pay day when the Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction is held on Tuesday night.

Many of those players will be watching the auction on TV in Tauranga where they are preparing for the third Test against the West Indies, which starts on Thursday.

And it’s likely to be a nervous watch, as players can either become millionaires on the spot or find themselves jettisoned without a pay cheque.

Four other New Zealanders won’t feel that tension. Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Lockie Ferguson (Punjab Kings), Glenn Phillips (Gujarat Titans), and Mitchell Santner (Mumbai Indians) have been retained by the franchises they played for last year.

Devon Conway will be first in the batters group when the auction starts at 10pm NZT, and like nine of his Kiwi comrades, he has set the maximum base price of $380,000 at which bidding will start.

The other Black Caps on that base are Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke.

Conway and Ravindra were both released by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the auction after indifferent form last season and will be hoping to get picked up by other teams.

Wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert has set a bidding start price of $286,000, and will have done his chances no harm with a flying century for Melbourne Renegades in their opening Australian Big Bash match last night.

Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs and Nathan Smith start out at $143,000.

Setting a high price can be risky as it increases the chance of not being bought, and bidding wars often result for players who have set a lower price.

The rewards can be great. Kyle Jamieson set a New Zealand record when the Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him for $2.86 million in 2021, though Daryl Mitchell went close to that with $2.7m two years later, while Trent Boult earned $2.5m last year.

Three hundred and fifty players go under the hammer at the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, but there are only 77 places available, with 31 of those reserved for overseas players.

Black Caps pace bowler Duffy has been a standout performer in all three formats against the West Indies, giving him a great chance of getting a contract, while Henry was similarly impressive in the one-dayers, before missing most of the test series with injury.

Many of the New Zealand bowlers have had injury problems this summer, including O’Rourke, who has yet to play as he recovers from a back stress fracture, Santner, Smith, Jamieson and Milne, and allrounders Mitchell and Phillips, have all issues at various times.

The IPL does not start until 26 March, giving those currently injured plenty of time to recover.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is widely tipped as favourite to attract the highest bid.

Indian wicket keeper Rishabh Pant attracted IPL’s biggest price when he was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for $5.46m last year.

IPL Auction

Abu Dhabi, 10pm NZT,

Live on Sky Sport 3.

Black Caps (with base prices)

$380,000: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Will O’Rourke.

$286,000: Tim Seifert.

$143,000: Tim Robinson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Muhammad Abbas, Nathan Smith.

In auction order: Conway (1st), Ravindra (13th), Allen (14th), Duffy (23rd), Henry (25th), Robinson (76th), Bracewell (80th), Foulkes (82nd), Mitchell (84th), Seifert 95th), Jamieson (96th), Milne (98th), O’Rourke (100th), Jacobs (156th), Abbas (215th), Smith (222nd).

Retained by franchises

Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Lockie Ferguson (Punjab Kings), Glenn Phillips (Gujarat Titans), Mitchell Santner (Mumbai Indians).

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A world class professional golf tournament will return to Auckland for the first time in more than 20 years with the launch of the Japan-Australasia Championship.

The tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, will be played at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club from 5-8 March, 2026.

The $1.4 million event will showcase leading players from Australasia and Japan alongside rising stars from across the region.

The tournament will become the third leg of a three-week New Zealand swing and will follow the New Zealand PGA Championship at Paraparaumu Beach on 19-22 February and the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort, which starts on 26 February.

PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman hailed the new event as a significant milestone for golf in the region.

“This tournament represents an exciting new chapter for golf in our part of the world,” Kirkman said.

“Partnering with the Japan Golf Tour for the first time is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen ties between our Tours and provide our players with a truly international stage.”

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club recently completed a major redevelopment and club captain Ian Blair said being approached to host the event was recognition of their world-class course and facilities.

“This is Auckland’s first major men’s professional tournament in 20 years, and we’re honoured to showcase our course to international audiences while engaging with our wider community and inspiring the next generation of golfers. It’s a historic moment that reflects both our proud heritage and our exciting future.”

The New Zealand Open was last held in Auckland at the Grange in 2004.

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