Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Adelaide United has a few things Auckland FC don’t have but would like, including an A-League championship and a football-first stadium.

Both of those things will be front of mind when Auckland travel to Coopers Stadium for the second leg of the A-League semifinals on Friday.

Unable to get an advantage over Adelaide in the first leg at home in Penrose, with a 1-1 draw on Saturday, Auckland now must win at the home of football in South Australia to progress to the A-League grand final for the first time.

“It’s going to be hostile, but who cares?,” Auckland coach Steve Corica said of the 16,500 capacity Coopers Stadium that has football as the main tenant.

“The players want to play in front of good crowds, that’s a good crowd. It’s a good field.

“We’ve been there before, we’ve played there, we’ve done well there. We haven’t beaten them there, but they haven’t beaten us either.”

Auckland’s leading goal scorer, Sam Cosgrove, was not intimidated by what is known to be one of the most consistent supporters groups in the competition.

“It’s going to be a rife atmosphere, it’s going to be a good crowd, but that can spur us on just as much.

“We’ve been arguably better away from home, so we’ve got loads of confidence going into next week and we think we can beat [them].”

Saturday’s draw was the fifth time Auckland had ended with a stalemate at home, at the stadium they share with the Warriors NRL side.

On the road, Auckland have won three times as often as they lost this season.

Two sides of a draw

Adelaide United coach Airton Androli did not classify a draw as a successful result from the trip to Auckland and he did not believe Adelaide would be favourites now that the deciding match would be played in front of a sell-out home crowd at Coopers Stadium.

His side are unbeaten in 11 consecutive A-League games and he has plans on extending that out to 13 games with Adelaide’s first Championship title win in a decade.

“Our main intention was coming here and win the game, and that’s what we wanted to do,” he said straight after Saturday’s match.

“But obviously, a draw is not a bad result. But nothing is decided.

“The only thing that we’re really happy about now is that we know that the game is going to be decided next week. We’re playing at home in front of our supporters, and that’s not an easy place to come to.

“Nothing falls onto your lap. We need to work hard because we’re close to where we want to be, but we’re not there yet.

Adelaide were on a different trajectory to Auckland over the second half of the A-League season. While Auckland were stumbling in January, Adelaide were setting a foundation that would see them finish second after the regular season.

Momentum was on Adelaide’s side heading into finals but Androli did not see that as an advantage.

“I don’t believe in favourites, I don’t believe in underdogs. It’s an equal game of football.

“We’re just going to do what we do, go with the belief that we have, the confidence that we’ve been building in order to win the game [on Friday].

Corica was upbeat with the draw in what was likely the team’s last home game of the season.

“Pretty positive result for us in the end, I think,” Corica said.

“We slipped up once, they scored. We just can’t afford to do that in the next leg.

“Other than that, I thought the boys played really well.

“We’ve got a good away record, I’m looking forward to it.”

Corica tried to point to the positives, on numerous occasions, as he summed up the first leg.

He may have felt he had some convincing to do when he told the journalists they were “a little bit negative, I think you need to be a little bit more positive”.

Corica did admit the players “lost maybe a little bit of concentration” when two Auckland players went down with injures that required them to leave the field within the first 10 minutes of the second half and there was a delay in play.

“It’s just the way it is sometimes with football, you’ve got to deal with these moments in games.

“Like I said, they had their one opportunity, they scored from it. I think we had 18 shots to their 12, it was very positive from our players.

“It’s about just trying to remain focused, concentrate. We know they’re good with the ball, but we showed today that we can defend well against them.

“We’ve done it before in the past and we’ll do it again on Friday.”

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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 Mystics have held off a desperate Pulse in Porirua, beating the home side 55-47, to record their first back-to-back wins of the ANZ Premiership season.

The Pulse have been a consistent ANZ Premiership contender, having only missed the play-offs once in nine years of the competition.

But the Pulse came into the game with just one win after four rounds, knowing a loss to the Mystics could just about end their play-off hopes.

The highly fancied Mystics had a slow start to the season but were coming off a 52-43 win over the table-topping Tactix, and now sit second on the ladder.

The Mystics got off to a fast start. Pulse import shooter Ine-Marí Venter managed just two goals, before she was subbed off after seven minutes in favour of Khiarna Williams.

The Pulse managed to steady the ship, to trail by three after the first quarter.

Pulse wing defence Ainsleyana Puleiata played with conviction throughout, picking intercepts off Peta Toeava, who copped a warning for not pulling out of a contest in the second quarter.

The Pulse won the second quarter, to trail by just one goal at half-time.

Mystics coach Tia Winikerei continued to tinker with her line-up throughout.

The Mystics had the better of the third quarter to lead 42-38 heading into the final period.

In the final quarter the Mystics’ defenders, led by Catherine Hall, started turning over the ball more regularly.

Hall had to come off the court with a few minutes left with what looked like a sore ankle, having collided with the post.

Pulse co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had her best game of the season, sinking 26 goals from goal attack, but the former Silver Ferns captain needed more support.

Young Mystics goal shoot Sophia Lafaiali’i did a good job anchoring the shooting end in her 45 minutes on court to put up 34 shots.

Mystics stalwart Tayla Earle brought up her 100th ANZ Premiership match.

Steel continue to build momentum

Earlier, the Southern Steel won their fourth ANZ Premiership game in a row, beating the winless Magic 61-48 in Tauranga.

The Steel have not won the domestic title since 2018 and have not featured in the play-offs since 2021, but are looking strong at the half-way mark of the season.

The southerners have not dropped a game since losing their season opener and now sit at the top of the ladder.

Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn showed no signs of a calf injury that saw her leave the court in the dying minutes of their previous game.

The shooting partnership between Georgia Heffernan and Dunn has gone up another level this year. At goal attack Heffernan contributed with a handy 15 goals.

In 53 minutes on court, Dunn top-scored with 40 goals, missing just one shot.

In contrast, the Magic were without their most experienced shooter Saviour Tui for a second week, due to injury.

Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa started with Kate Taylor and Sarah Guiney in the shooting circle. The 2025 Youth World Cup team-mates more than held their own in the first quarter and the scores were tied 14-all at the first break.

But in what felt like an inevitable shift, the Steel started playing more clinical netball and the Magic found it hard to slow them down.

The Steel led 31-23 at half-time, and won the next two quarters.

Having only played a few minutes so far in her first year of the ANZ Premiership, Guiney showed a lot of promise in nearly a full game at goal attack.

Guiney nailed back-to-back super shots near the end of the third quarter, but the Steel held a healthy 49-38 lead going into the final spell.

Taylor, playing a full game at goal shoot was solid, scoring 34 goals at 92 percent accuracy.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A quartet of tries to winger Josh Moorby has helped the Hurricanes to a strong 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika at a sodden North Harbour Stadium.

While fellow wing Fehi Fineanganofo has been grabbing the headlines this Super Rugby Pacific season, Moorby has also been potent on the right wing, none more so than this match.

He scored tries in the 11th, 22nd, 52nd and 69th minutes, while Fineanganofo missed out this time. He still needs two tries to set a new Super Rugby record of 17 tries.

The scoreline was tough on Moana Pasifika, who were trying for their second win of the season before their likely departure from the competition.

They gave it their all, restricting the Hurricanes to a halftime score of 19-5, but couldn’t stop the Canes in the second half.

They never stopped trying, with winger Tuna Tuitama providing their highlight with a try double.

The victory sees the Hurricanes maintain their competition lead, with nine wins in 11 matches.

The Hurricanes play the third-placed Blues next weekend, while Moana have a bye.

See how the game unfolded here.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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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 could not completely capitalise on home advantage in the first leg of the A-League semifinals against Adelaide United with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Back at home for the second week in a row, after surviving an elimination final last week, Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud was once again one of the heroes early in the match.

Woud made three crucial saves in the first 13 minutes to keep Auckland in the game as both teams were not shy to shoot as the rain came down.

Lachie Brook opened the scoring for Auckland when he found the back of the net with a strike from the top of the box into the bottom corner in the 24th minute as he capitalised on a teammates miss-hit.

Both teams had several more attempts on goal but Auckland took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Two injuries in the first 10 minutes of the second half rocked Auckland, with Guillermo May going off with a lower leg injury followed quickly after by Cam Howieson who was struck on the face.

Adelaide levelled the score just after the hour mark through Harry Crawford.

Auckland and Adelaide have now played out draws in four of their five matches across two seasons.

With a short turnaround the second semifinal is in Adelaide on Friday.

See how the match unfolded here:

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Highlanders can take a deep breath after keeping their Super Rugby Pacific season with alive with victory over the NSW Waratahs in Dunedin.

With their season on the line, the southerners dug deep to win 31-26.

But it was a nerve-racking thing – despite appearing comfortably ahead at 28-7 at halftime – as they struggled with only 14 men for most of the final quarter.

They still have a mountain to climb, but they have lifted from ninth on the table to seventh. They have 24 points, one point behind sixth placed Brumbies.

The Highlanders now likely have to win their remaining regular season games, against the Crusaders and Hurricanes to make the playoffs – a huge task but they have given themselves a slim chance.

On the other side of the coin, the Waratahs, who squandered two tries to sloppy handling in the last 20 minutes, have little chance of being in the finals, as they drop to ninth place.

Playing with intent and verve, the Highlanders ran in four tries in the first half, with wingers Caleb Tangitau and Jonah Lowe both dotting down as the side attacked repeatedly.

The Waratahs scored their only try of the half, just seconds after Highlanders lynchpin Timoci Tavatavanawai got a yellow card for a cynical cleanout.

But while the Waratahs upped their game in the second half, the Highlanders dropped off their intensity and made too many mistakes.

The game featured plenty of fiery moments.

Of concern to the Highlanders coaching team will be their discipline, with two yellow cards issued against them and one of them against Jona Nareki upgraded to a 20-minute red.

Tavatavanawai was the hero at the end after the Waratahs had narrowed the lead to just two points.

He pulled out a turnover, and Cam Miller slotted the goal for his side’s only points of the half.

See how the match unfolded below.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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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 Super Rugby Pacific action at North Harbour Stadium, as the Hurricanes try to maintain their momentum atop the table against Moana Pasifika.

The competition leaders will be without first-string halfback Cam Roigard and first-five Ruben Love through injury, while several other frontliners are rested against their bottom-placed rivals.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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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 A-League action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium for the first leg of their semi-final.

Auckland FC recorded their first victory in six weeks last Saturday, ending Melbourne City’s title defence with a win in penalties in the elimination final.

The Black Knights, who were eliminated at the same stage last season, will play a return match in Adelaide next Friday.

Kickoff is 6pm.

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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 Super Rugby Pacific action from Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. as the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs battle for a spot in the playoffs.

The two rivals are level on 20 points in seventh and eighth, outside the cut for the post-season, so this encounter may hold the key for one team’s title hopes.

Flying winger Caleb Tangitau returns from injury for the southerners.

Kickoff is at 4.35pm.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the A-League action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium for the first leg of their semi-final.

Auckland FC recorded their first victory in six weeks last Saturday, ending Melbourne City’s title defence with a win in penalties in the elimination final.

The Black Knights, who were eliminated at the same stage last season, will play a return match in Adelaide next Friday.

Kickoff is 6pm.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kiwi Charlisse Leger-Walker has had a tough introduction to the WNBA, with her Connecticut Sun team being trounced in their opening match by New York Liberty.

Leger-Walker, the first New Zealander to be drafted into the WNBA, had nearly 21 minutes on court during the 106-75 loss.

She scored four points in her debut, with two of them coming from a nice reverse lay-up. She shot two baskets from nine attempts, contributed one assist and took two rebounds.

Leger-Walker’s WNBA career begins 29 years after fellow New Zealander Megan Compain played five matches for Utah Starzz in 1997. Compain joined the Starzz as a free agent, while Leger-Walker was drafted by the Sun last month.

The 24-year-old Hamilton-born player https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/594649/big-time-arrives-for-kiwi-wnba-rookie-charlisse-leger-walker joined the Sun line-up] just a week after the winning the national college championship with UCLA.

The Sun were depleted by injuries, but were outclassed by the Liberty, who are favourites for this season’s title.

Connecticut will host Seattle at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday (5am Monday NZT).

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