The off-season coaching turnover in the Australian NBL reached new heights when two more teams joined the recruitment process for a head coach in recent weeks.

The New Zealand Breakers have been working to secure a replacement for Petteri Koponen since late February, when it was announced the Finn would be departing the club.

In his two seasons with the Breakers, Koponen won the Ignite Cup, but twice finished near the bottom of the 10-team league.

Koponen said he was after a new challenge.

The Auckland-based club has yet to announce who will take the reins but it is an increasingly competitive market with the Cairns Taipans and more recently Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers also seeking a new coach.

The Taipans parted ways with Adam Forde in the coaching role in February but he remains with the club in a remote role.

Former Breakers coach Dean Vickerman left United after nine seasons to head to Japan, where he will replace another former Breakers coach, Mody Maor, at Nagasaki Velca in the inaugural B.League Premier next season.

A day after Vickerman’s announcement 36ers coach Mike Wells exited the NBL to return to the United States for family reasons. Wells had signed a contract extension through 2028 with the 36ers a week before changing his mind.

Wells has since signed with an American college as an assistant coach.

The drawn-out search appears more a reflection of the competitive coaching market than any lack of urgency from the Breakers.

Tall Blacks coach and Breakers assistant, Judd Flavell, had the experience to be considered for the top job after 17 seasons in an NBL assistant coaching role across two clubs, but he was another coach snapped up by Japanese basketball with the Shinshu Brave Warriors.

Reports out of Australia suggested the Breakers were close to getting Canada’s national team coach Gordon Herbert, considered to be “one of the most accomplished coaching figures in international basketball.”

Herbert had coached Bayern Munich in the EuroLeague for a year and a half before a mutually beneficial parting of ways in December. The club was on an eight game losing streak when Herbert left.

But five days after first reports of Herbert’s links to the Breakers the same Australian publication was saying the deal was off was with the Breakers.

The Breakers have had nine head coaches in 23 seasons and president of basketball operations Dillon Boucher said the next coach would come from a global search and would need to be capable of taking the Breakers to the top of the NBL rankings.

Despite not having a coach locked in, the Breakers have signed four players since Koponen’s departure and already had three players – import Parker Jackson-Cartwright and New Zealanders Izayah Le’Afa and Reuben Te Rangi – on the roster from last season.

Star forward Sam Mennenga re-signed with the club on a two-year contract in March, two-time NBL champion Dejan ‘DJ’ Vasiljevic was signed on a one-year deal in April from the Adelaide 36ers, guard Preston Le Gassick was signed from the NBL1 in May and days later Tall Black small forward Carlin Davison re-signed with the club on a new one-year contract after coming up through the ranks of being a development player with the Breakers.

“We will integrate our homegrown talent with international player depth and experience, to provide the competitive edge needed to bring more silverware home to Aotearoa,” Boucher said.

The Breakers have a recent history of making coaching changes late in the off-season.

Koponen joined the Breakers in July 2024, three months before the season tipped off, after Maor quit in May 2024.

Maor took the top job in May 2022, stepping up from an assistant role after Dan Shamir quit with a year left on his contract.

As the countdown to the 2026-27 NBL season continues, new coaches will arrive at clubs with either a couple of roster spots to fill, or in the case of Cairns nearly a whole roster to build.

The tip off details for the upcoming season is expected to be released next month.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Kiwi forward Briton Nikora will make his State of Origin debut next week after being named in the Queensland team.

Nikora is the first Kiwi international to be allowed to play in rugby league’s biggest showpiece after a change in eligibility rules.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced the amendment in February.

Players were previously required to represent Australia or a tier two nation as defined by International Rugby League to be eligible for Origin.

This ruled out players who had represented the Kiwis or England.

The updated rules remove this restriction, allowing players who who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria and represent tier one nations to be eligible.

That criteria includes being been born in New South Wales or Queensland, residing in either state prior to their 13th birthday, or if a players father played State of Origin.

Nikora has played 15 tests for new Zealand, though qualifies for Queensland having moved to Brisbane at the age of nine.

He has played his senior career exclusively for the Cronulla Sharks, playing 168 NRL games since 2019.

Two Warriors will also play in Origin I- Co-captain Mitch Barnett for New South Wales and second rower Kurt Capewell for Queensland.

Team lists

NSW Blues squad

1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

4. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

5. Tolutau Koula* (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)

7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)

8. Addin Fonua-Blake* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

9. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)

10. Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)

11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)

12 Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)

14. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

15. Victor Radley* (Sydney Roosters)

16. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)

17. Blayke Brailey* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

18. Ethan Strange* (Canberra Raiders)

19. Casey McLean* (Penrith Panthers)

20. Dylan Lucas* (Newcastle Knights)

Coach: Laurie Daley

* Yet to play for NSW

QLD Maroons squad

1.Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)

2. Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)

3. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)

5. Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)

6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

7. Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)^

8. Thomas Flegler (Dolphins)

9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)

11. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)

12. Kurt Capewell (Warriors)

13. Max Plath (Dolphins)^

14. Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks)^

15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)

16. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)

17. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)

18. Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos)^

19. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)

20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)

^ Potential debutant

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

New Zealand has a new star pairing in 49er sailing.

Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have become the youngest 49er world champions in history after a stunning comeback win in France.

The 21-year-old duo added the world crown to the European title they claimed in Greece last year, striking gold in a dramatic final race at the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships.

The Kiwis started the two-race medal series on top of the standings and extended their lead to five points with victory in the first race.

However they crossed the start line early in the final race and were forced to do a restart which dropped them to the back of the 10-boat fleet.

They were in ninth place heading into the final leg but made the call to gybe away from the rest of the fleet and their aggressive move paid off as they found stronger pressure and surged through the field to finish fifth and grab the world title.

“I don’t really have the words,” Menzies said afterwards. “It’s an amazing feeling. The final race was incredibly stressful, but we managed to fight our way back and stay in touch when it mattered.”

Lee Rush said the pair never panicked despite the disastrous start.

“We knew everything was still incredibly close, so the key was just staying calm and keeping ourselves in the race,” he said. “There were moments where the Germans had us, then the Dutch got close, and the Austrians came charging through late. We just kept our heads down and gave ourselves a chance.”

The pair only realised they had secured gold in the closing moments of the race.

“We left it until the very last minute,” Lee Rush said. “That final gybe set away from the fleet made the difference, but even halfway down the last run, we still weren’t counting anything.

“I actually said to Seb, ‘Just make sure we don’t fall out [of the boat] or do anything stupid now!’ We didn’t know we’d won until we crossed the line.”

The result continued New Zealand’s remarkable pedigree in the 49er class. It was the country’s first world title in the event since Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won in Geelong in 2020.

New Zealand crews had now claimed Olympic medals in the class at four consecutive Games, including Burling and Tuke’s gold at Tokyo 2020 and Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie’s silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Luke Metcalf’s long term future may not be with the Warriors, but his short-term future has just become very important.

In-favour halfback Tanah Boyd went down with a suspected season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s 42-12 win over the Broncos in Brisbane.

Boyd suffered a suspected ACL injury in the opening minutes of the Magic Round clash.

Metcalf, who last week signed to join the Dragons next year, wasn’t in the line-up so Te Maire Martin replaced Boyd.

Coach Andrew Webster will now have to figure out his best pairing in the halves and who will join stand-off Chanel Harris-Tavita.

“We’ve got really good depth in that position.”

Luke Hanson and Jett Cleary are other options to play in the halves.

Webster said because of the bye and then the contract negotiations Metcalf wasn’t match ready and may not be available for next weekends game against the Dragons.

“We need to get him back doing reps because we don’t want to throw him back in and then he gets an injury, but he’ll be eligible for selection as soon as he is fit and done football.

“If he wasn’t important to us we would ask him to leave now and we don’t want him to, we want him to stay.

“He wants to stay, he wants to be a part of this, so he becomes important.”

Meanwhile, Boyd, who recently re-signed with the Warriors, was close to tears as he hobbled from the field.

“We’re not writing him off yet, but early indications say that it could be (ACL injury),” Webster said afterwards.

“It’s huge, we’ve had a great win here tonight and we’ve got one in there that doesn’t have clarity on his future. We really feel for him but fingers crossed hopefully it’s good news. It’s hard to get too excited when that happens.”

While Boyd was upbeat and supported his team-mates afterwards, Webster said it was obvious that he was hurting.

“You can see that he is emotional, upset.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

First Person – You could feel something special building for days, even before the NZ Warriors took the field.

On Air New Zealand planes to Brisbane, the cabins were filled with blue and green jerseys. Pilots and cabin crews dispensed “Up the Wahs”. In this city, Warriors jerseys were omnipresent.

On Friday, a line snaked down the shopping precinct on Queen Street as fans lined up to buy merch from the Warriors pop-up store – and meet former halfback Shaun Johnson.

New Zealanders like Brisbane; there are more of us there than in Dunedin, but this was high visibility Kiwidom. It felt like every local train had someone wearing a Warriors cap with its distinctive Tiki; every cafe had someone in a Warriors jersey, every sports bar a knot of Warriors fans.

On the opening night of the NRL Magic Round, it felt as if there were more Warriors supporters in the stands than fans of any of the other teams playing.

One estimate put the Kiwi contingent at more than 8000 in a stadium whose capacity is a little over 50,000, one of the biggest and certainly the most visible of the travelling groups of fans of the 16 teams playing.

An hour and a half before Sunday’s kick-off, Caxton Street leading down to Suncorp Stadium was packed. Police had already closed the roads with barricades.

Word had gone out that Warriors fans would meet at the Lord Alfred hotel, a watering hole both legendary and apparently historically significant for its Victorian pub architecture, to march – or hikoi as the fan organisers said – to the ground en masse. By 2.45pm, there were so many people outside the Lord Alfred, it took time for the leaders and drummer to get to the front and set everyone off. Slowly.

Then with flags flying, drums beating, the crowd of green and blue set off, chanting, to the stadium, past the gawking pubs and bars, past the watching police and security staff, the merch tents, and sponsors’ sideshows, into the ground.

There we congregated mostly in the northern stand, Kiwi territory, it was a mass of voluble partisan fans, The facing southern stand was more disputed, a stalemate of barrages from Warriors and Broncos fans.

Magic Round-goers are a festive bunch. The fans of 15 out of 16 teams travelled from around Australia for a good weekend; Warriors fans travelled from overseas and were there to make the most of every second.

The noise level on Sunday was staggering. It was enough to trigger warnings on iPhones. We were a long way from the image of New Zealanders as reserved, the “passionless people” of 1970s thinking.

This was the loudest game of Magic Round by a long way; when it was over and the Panthers played the Dragons in one last, ultimately dreary encounter, it sounded like a poorly attended Super rugby match at Eden Park – near silent. But for this game, fans sang, chanted, cheered ever Warrior move, jeering their opponents with gusto, toasting plays, bantering with neighbours, riding every tackle, every shift in the match.

“Ooh, aah, up the Wahs”, the stands chanted.

This was a crowd, working together and determined to tell their players they were there. A wall of noise for the Broncos, a wall of electricity for the Warriors. The body language of players suggested they were aware.

In defence, the Warriors were ferocious. In attack, they were unforgiving.

The Broncos were simply swept away.

This was no longer their Suncorp, their Lang Park.

At half-time the stadium played Poi E. Then the Warriors crowd sang Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi.

There may have been a few moments in the second half when the Broncos struck back, and their own partisan supporters matched the Warriors’ supporters for intensity, but it didn’t last. The Warriors were disciplined, the crowd vociferous.

Ten minutes from the final whistle, the crowd were lifting the roof off the stand as time ran out for the Broncos.

“Oh, oh, we’re halfway there”; they sang.

“Oh oh, living on a prayer…”

With four minutes left, the crowd were on their feet.

“Hey, hey ya baby, Ooh, aah, I want to know, will you be my girl?”

When it was all over, the Warriors team remained on the field. They hadn’t won at Suncorp against the Broncos since 2018. Now they had claimed it and it was theirs by right.

As a final act, they came together and stood before the northern stand to acknowledge their crowd. The crowd surged forward like waves of the sea. Then it was the turn of hip hop artist Savage to perform for the fans, his Warrior Nation.

“Get up and shout, say it till the end, we are the Warriors 100%.”

The crowd of green and blue exulted.

Double try-scorer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak thanked the crowd: “There were so many fans here, it felt like Auckland”.

Tomorrow, there will be questions. There will be the routine worries of injuries and suspensions and next games to play, all the ongoing huff and puff of sport. There’ll also be time for the nagging question that always dogs the Warriors – can they actually win this thing?

But at that moment, in that place, there was only a wild swirling outpouring of energy and noise and purpose. A cacophony of joy and a shout of resolve.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Analysis: NZ Warriors supremo Andrew Webster often talks about how the “footy gods” have a knack for taking big decisions away from coaches.

He’s seen it happen before, he’s seen it happen this NRL season… and he’s seen it happen again this weekend.

After a tumultuous fortnight that saw marquee halfback Luke Metcalf unable to supplant in-form understudy Tanah Boyd and electing to pursue his future elsewhere, Webster may now have to hand the keys back to Metcalf for the rest of this 2026 campaign.

Boyd’s devastating knee injury took the gloss off a 42-12 romp over the champion Brisbane Broncos on their homeground, as the undoubted highlight of ‘Magic Round’.

“We’ve had a great win here tonight and we’ve got one of our own in there that doesn’t have clarity on this future, doesn’t have clarity on the next 12 months,” Webster lamented. “It’s hard to get too excited when that happens.”

Of course, the setback also came just as Boyd reportedly extended his own contract with the Warriors, although no official announcement has been made.

Metcalf was not selected for first grade or reserves this week, as he waited for his own situation to clarify, but during the week, Webster assured media that he still had a role to play with the Warriors this season.

Those words now seem prophetic indeed.

“I don’t know if he’ll be available for selection next week, but he’s available for the rest of the year,” Webster said after the Broncos win.

“We’ve just got to tidy up his contract and he hasn’t done one rep of footy because of the bye for the last two weeks.

“We need to get him back doing reps, because we don’t want to throw him and then he gets an injury, but he’ll be eligible for selection as soon as he’s fit and done football.”

Here’s what we learnt from the Warriors’ bittersweet night at Suncorp Stadium.

Best player

Wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has had to wear more than his share of abuse for his performances, especially on the defensive end, last season.

When speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira arrived at Mt Smart during the summer, many thought he would replace Watene-Zeleniak in the line-up.

Instead, the incumbent has responded with a rich vein of attacking form that has seen him cross the tryline 10 times in the past six outings, including a hat-trick against Cronulla Sharks, and two doubles against Melbourne Storm and the Broncos.

As an added bonus, his right-edge on defence also seems somehow safer this season, and his second four-pointer this week came off another intercept near his own goal-line and length-of-the-field sprint.

Against Brisbane, he accumulated more running metres (216) than anyone else on the field – 100 of them in that one passage – and scored the most fantasy points (73).

The Warriors again dominated the middle of the park, with starters James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett and Erin Clark all featuring heavily, and Jackson Ford still topping the tackle count during his 62 minutes off the bench.

Key moment

The Warriors were hot on attack in the seventh minute, when Boyd seemed to slip and fall awkwardly, and he knew right away he was in trouble.

Onfield tests suggested an anterior cruciate ligament and further exams seemed to confirm that. We’ll know more on Monday.

Up stepped veteran Te Maire Martin, who broke his leg in the pre-season and only returned to play two weeks ago as a lock in reserve grade.

In case you forget, he played half for North Queensland Cowboys – alongside Jonathan Thurston – in an NRL grand final and he immediately made his presence felt, juggling a wobbly old pass from Wayde Egan and lobbing one over the advancing defensive line to Watene-Zelezniak for his first try.

“We know Te Maire’s going to come on and do his role,” Webster said. “He did a terrific job tonight and that’s a celebration to our whole system, to our assistant coaches for preparing him and to ‘T’ himself.

“We’ve got really good depth in that position.”

Martin was used largely as a utility last season, playing anywhere in the backline and even among the forwards, but his role may change with Boyd’s departure.

If Metcalf is unavailable next week, Webster will likely roll out the old firm of Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Best try

Martin’s second try assist came while the Broncos were shorthanded, with second-rower Patrick Carrigan in the bin.

As the Warriors hammered the line, the halfback slipped a delicately weighted kick into the goal area, where veteran second-rower Kurt Capewell had timed his run to perfection to win the race.

That kind of understanding between two players that have spent very little time on the field together this year suggests Martin may yet be difficult to dislodge from a starting position.

Capewell doesn’t dominate the spotlight like many of his teammates, but every now and then, he produces something special that shows why he’s so valuable to his teams at all levels.

Injuries etc

Obviously, Boyd is the big news coming out of this game and his injury could not have come at a worse time.

His outstanding form this season had essentially driven Metcalf out of the club and now Webster may have to turn back to Metcalf to keep their championship hopes alive.

The injury also came on the very same ground that Metcalf hobbled off 11 months ago, ending his season and triggering Boyd’s rise to the No.7 jersey.

Sport can be cruel.

Egan took another blow to the head, but with an Origin jersey seemingly on offer, he was able to stay on the field, before eventually giving way to Sam Healey for the final 25 minutes.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira was put on report and sent to the bin for a high tackle that looked like it may have bounced off the ball into the head, so let’s see where that lands him at the judiciary.

The Warriors’ depth will be tested next week without their Origin stars, but this result was achieved without using Tanner Stowers-Smith or Jacob Laban off the bench, while Marata Niukore and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava both scored tries in NSW Cup this week.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was deemed a possibility to return from his shoulder tweak next week, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is still working through a neck complaint.

Centre Rocco Berry is also due back this week, but more likely via reserve grade, and then he’ll have to earn promotion.

What the result means

Victory momentarily placed the Warriors alongside Penrith Panthers atop the competition table, although the Panthers quickly restored their two-point buffer with a routine 28-6 win over St George-Illawarra Dragons.

They are now averaging more points (32.0) than any other team in the league (Penrith 31.7) and have the second-best points differential (+138), behind the Panthers (+203).

The result also equals the club’s best start through 11 rounds (8-2), matching last year’s record. The 2025 side lost to Canberra Raiders in round 12, so another win would create a new benchmark.

It also broke an eight-year losing streak against the Broncos in Brisbane.

Wahs fans

You simply can’t talk about this performance without giving credit to the Warriors fans that marched down Caxton Street and proceeded to turn Suncorp into a homeground for their team.

About 8000 reportedly made the trip across the Tasman to back their team, plus all those ex-pats living in Queensland these days.

“It was pretty loud down the south end,” Fisher-Harris confirmed. “We love our supporters – I actually think they are second to none.

“It was a great atmosphere out there.”

The Warriors – and their supporters – return to Suncorp again on 27 June to face the Dolphins and then again on 15 August for their ‘away’ game against the Broncos.

What’s next

St George-Illawarra Dragons have not won a game this season and are now on a 14-game losing streak that extends back into last season.

They’ve already sacked their coach and have lost by an average of 34 points under the new one.

The Warriors will be without their Origin players – possibly Mitch Barnett, Jackson Ford, Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell – and will have to regroup from the loss of Boyd.

Beyond that looms a visit to Penrith, who will still be top of the table, courtesy of their bye next week.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored a try double, as his NZ Warriors dominated reigning NRL champions Brisbane Broncos 42-12 at their Suncorp Stadium home for ‘Magic Round’.

The superb win – their fifth in a row – came at a high price though, with star halfback Tanah Boyd likely sidelined for the season, with a knee injury suffered in the seventh minute.

Boyd’s form this season had been a revelation, persuading coach Andrew Webster to keep highly rated Luke Metcalf out of the line-up. This week, Metcalf signed with St George-Illawarra Dragons for next season.

With Boyd’s exit, veteran Te Maire Martin came off the interchange bench and played an influential role in the victory, providing a looping pass to Watene-Zelezniak for the opening try.

On top from the start, the Warriors piled on 22 unanswered points in the first half, but the Broncos struck first after the break to send a scare through the ‘Wahs’ fanbase that had taken over the stadium.

Veteran half Adam Reynolds scored two tries in an attempt to inspire a comeback, but both were answered by centre Ali Leiataua and then Martin himself.

Watene-Zelezniak provided the final flourish, intercepting a floating pass from veteran hooker Ben Hunt on his own goal-line and running the length of the field, before diving over in the corner.

The result put the Warriors level with Penrith Panthers atop the competition table, although the Panthers were still to play the winless Dragons in the Magic Round finale.

Follow the live action here:

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

New Zealand canoe racer Aimee Fisher has overcome tricky winds and a parochial German crowd to win gold at the World Cup regatta in Brandenburg.

In the K1 500 final, Fisher sustained a strong challenge from the midpoint of the race to beat local favourite Pauline Jagsch by 0.4 of second.

The pair were neck and neck for most of the last 200m, with the crowd cheering wildly for Jagch, but Fisher just had the edge in the final stages.

Her time was one minute 54.45, with Jagsch comfortably ahead of third-placed Anna Pulawska of Poland.

“It was an epic contest in such difficult conditions,” said Fisher.

“That side wind really picked up just as we were coming into the start line.

“I don’t think I’ve ever raced with a perpendicular side wind so it needed a lot of skill and heart out there.”

Fisher had finished second in the K1 500 in the Hungary World Cup regatta in Szeged last weekend.

Fisher also took part in the K4 500 final in Brandenburg. She replaced [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/594593/dame-lisa-carrington-skips-world-cup-regatta-on-medical-advice Dame Lisa Carrington who decided not to compete on medical advice.

Fisher, Olivia Brett, Greer Morley and Lucy Matehaere finished ninth in the final.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

It’s surf’s up in the small Waikato town of Raglan, as it hosts the New Zealand Surfing Championships, and locals are excited for what it means for the town.

The World Surf League arrived at Manu Bay on Friday, marking the first time New Zealand has hosted a combined men’s and women’s Championship Tour event.

It has brought out surfing stars from around the world, and locals say the town is lapping up the international attention.

Hundreds of spectators crowded the shoreline of Manu Bay on Sunday to watch the totally tubular action.

Hamish Christophers was chuffed to have the chance to rub shoulders with the surfers from around the globe.

“It’s so good for locals, and just everyone in New Zealand to see what it’s all about,” he said.

“Good to meet them and rub shoulders with the best in the world, it’s epic.”

Up to 7000 spectators were expected to gather along headlands and the shoreline to watch elite surfers tackle one of the most famous left-hand breaks in the world.

Meanwhile in town, local Jeff Prudden said the town had been heaving with the competition on.

“Obviously, when the comp’s on town’s pretty quiet, but when the night hits it’s on bro,” he said.

“Yesterday, because obviously it got called off, town was bustling.”

He said surfers and spectators were arriving before the champs had even started.

“People come before as well, because you had the good weeks’ worth of swell before the comp, so it brought people in,” Prudden said.

“Just seeing pros chilling around town, and going to the pub, rubbing shoulders and having some food with them is pretty sweet.”

Orca eatery and bar manager Tom Oxley-Guest said while the competition had been great for business, such a large event could be a little overwhelming.

“Just trying to organise the days, and make sure we’re having enough staff on to deal with the amount of people,” he said.

“Obviously, everywhere’s got capacity, and we’re a pretty big place, so I think we can handle it well.”

He said hosting the competition was great for the town.

“I think it’s massive for Raglan, just to put us on the map, especially the time of year that it comes in, it’s huge because obviously that’s when the waves get better for the boys,” Oxley-Guest said.

“It’s perfect because this is when the town gets quieter.”

Oxley-Guest hoped the surf champs would be back in Raglan next year.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Follow all the NRL action, as NZ Warriors take on Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett is one of four players returning from injury for the NRL ‘Magic Round’ clash, but Luke Metcalf has been left out of the squad.

The Warriors, who are second on the NRL table, two points behind Penrith, are attempting to win their fifth game in a row, while the Broncos are trying to right their ship, after two consecutive losses.

However, they have the wood over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, with the Kiwi side not winning there since 2018.

Kickoff is 6.05pm.

Team lists

Warriors: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Ali Leiataua, 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Tanah Boyd, 8 James Fisher-Harris (c), 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett (c), 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Erin Clark.

Interchange: 14 Sam Healey, 15 Jackson Ford, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Jacob Laban, 18 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 20 Te Maire Martin.

Reserves: 21 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 22 Luke Hanson, 23 Makaia Tafua.

Brisbane: 1 Reece Walsh, 2 Josiah Karapani, 3 Jesse Arthars, 4 Gehamat Shibasaki, 5 Phillip Coates, 6 Ezra Mam, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Preston Riki, 9 Cory Paix, 10 Xavier Willison, 11 Jaiyden Hunt, 12 Jordan Riki, 13 Patrick Carrigan.

Interchange: 14 Ben Hunt, 15 Ben Talty, 16 Va’a Semu, 17 Aublix Tawha, 18 Hayze Perham, 19 Josh Rogers.

Reserves: 20 Thomas Duffy, 21 Luke Gale, 22 Kane Bradley.

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

NRL Magic Round: NZ Warriors v Brisbane Broncos

Kickoff 6pm NZT, Sunday, 17 May

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

For the first time in 2026, NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster will finally unleash his two-headed beast – co-captains Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris – in a formidable starting front row against Brisbane Broncos on Sunday.

While Kiwis colossus Fisher-Harris has been a pillar of strength for the 7-2 Warriors, Barnett has struggled to stay on the field, since starting his campaign late, as he completed rehab on his season-ending knee injury from last June.

After quietly bringing up 50 games for the Auckland club on the road against his old Newcastle Knights outfit, he broke a thumb in his next outing, missed two games, then played two games, but suffered concussion and had to sit out another week under protocols.

Then came last week’s bye.

“I’ve become a bit used to it, after last season, but it’s good to be back,” Barnett acknowledged. “I’m hoping I can get a bit of a run going now and string some games together.”

All four of his appearances have come off the interchange, as in-form dynamo Jackson Ford seemingly made the No.10 starting jersey his own, with a series of performances that have put him into Dally M Medal contention, sometimes going the full distance.

Webster has taken a risk tinkering with his winning line-up for NRL ‘Magic Round’, but is comforted by the knowledge he has re-united two of the game’s best front-rowers in tandem.

“We never intended to play Jackson Ford for 80 minutes each week,” he explained. “I think there have been three occasions when he hasn’t played 80 this year.

“We always wanted to get Fish and Barney pairing up together, with a passer, which is Erin Clark. We always wanted Jackson Ford to come on and finish the game.

“He could come on after 15-20 minutes and you almost don’t have to worry about Jacko – he can go 100mph right through to the end. That’s always what we thought would be the best dynamic, but Mitch obviously hasn’t got that momentum going.

“That’s why we wanted to do it – we’ve got our two skippers out there in the front row, and Jackson gets to come on and do his job.”

Barnett admits to being somewhat blindsided by Webster’s call.

“That’s not really a question for me, but for Webby,” he said. “He approached me and I just said yeah.

“I feel for Jacko, he’s been going really well, but I’m just here to do my role. Webby has obviously picked me, because he wants my style of game at the kickoff.

“The big fella, instead of playing 80 minutes, he might play 70 this week, so nothing really changes for him.”

With State of Origin looming, this weekend represents the last chance for contenders to push their cases, before selectors name their squads.

Barnett has made two appearances off the bench for New South Wales, both wins. Four days after last year’s 18-6 victory in the series opener, a torn anterior cruciate ligament curtailed his involvement.

Given his rotten run with injuries, he hasn’t had a chance to build any kind of form and would have to rely on past feats.

“I’m just trying to play rugby league at the moment, and put my best foot forward for the Warriors first and foremost,” Barnett conceded. “That other stuff takes care of itself, but if that opportunity comes, I’d be stoked.”

NSW fanatic Webster absolutely denies he’s switched his line-up to give his skipper his best chance to push for Origin inclusion, but is adamant Barnett deserves that call-up.

“I’m not trying to prepare Mitchell for Origin,” he said. “Personally, I think Mitchell is one of the game’s best players, particularly front-rowers.

“I know what leadership he brings. I thought, when he didn’t play last year, after he got injured, they missed him and I think great players like Mitchell have enough runs on the board, but I don’t pick the team.”

Ironically, Barnett and Ford may be competing for the same spot on the Blues’ roster.

Ford has been the best front-rower in the league this season, leading his team in running metres and tackles, and pacing the competition in post-contact metres.

As a starter, his ability to go wire to wire has essentially given Webster the luxury of an extra second-half substitution.

Barnett considers his teammate has done more than enough to deserve the call-up.

“Bloody oath,” he said. “I think he’s made for Origin.

“I just think he wouldn’t let anyone down. He does all the stuff that people don’t really see – the kick chase and the tidy-up stuff that Origin is built on.”

Another on the cusp of selection is second-rower Kurt Capewell, a 13-game Queensland veteran who wasn’t wanted for their opening loss last year, but helped turn them around with back-to-back wins to take the series.

At the time, he inexplicably led the NRL in missed tackles, but made some big stops in the Origin decider.

“I’m not particularly fond of Queensland, but I am fond of Kurt Capewell and think he should be in the team too,” Webster offered. “The way he played against Parramatta last week was an Origin performance.

“We weren’t playing our best football at times, but the way he defended and the effort areas, he’s made for Origin.

“If you look at his history, he’s got a great strike rate in Origin, so if they pick him, he won’t let them down.”

Over the past week, since Maroons halfback Tommy Dearden fell to an ankle injury, some pundits have even built a case for in-form Warriors half Tanah Boyd to replace him, while hooker Wayde Egan is another outsider on the NSW radar.

Chances are the successful candidates – or at least the contenders – will already know by now.

They will have been told to pack an extra bag for their trans-Tasman road trip.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

The New Zealand women’s cricket team continue to show promising signs ahead of the defence of their T20 World Cup crown next month, after beating England in Cardiff, in the final of a three match ODI series.

The White Ferns won by 17 runs by the DLS method, after rain interrupted the match.

England batted first scoring 181 for seven in a shortened innings of 33 overs, with Bree Illing and Rosemary Mair both taking two wickets for New Zealand.

The White Ferns initial target for the win was 184, and when England’s opening bowler Lauren Bell took three quick wickets, removing Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr and Georgia Plummer, all lbw, New Zealand’s task looked grim.

But Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze steadied ship in the rainy conditions, as New Zealand got to 141 for four midway through the 25th over, before play was abandoned.

Halliday was named player of the match for scoring an unbeaten 42 off 54 balls.

The series finished tied 1-1 after England won the first match by one wicket, while the second game was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.

Green was named player of the series, largely in the back of scoring 88 in the opening game.

The teams now switch to a best of three T20 series, which begins on May 20 in Derby, ahead of the T20 World Cup, which starts on June 12.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

The original Hurricanes side adopted the mantra ‘expect the unexpected.’

However, the 2026 version of the side has set very clear expectations – to win the title.

After a record win over the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, ending a six year losing streak on the hallowed turf, the Hurricanes are now eyeing an end to their decade-long title drought.

“We want to be the best team, we want to finish first,” coach Clark Laidlaw emphatically declared following the demolition.

“We understand you’ve got to start again in the playoffs, but if you don’t have expectations you’re probably going pretty rubbish.”

Laidlaw stated anything short of a championship at this stage would be considered a loss.

“It would be disappointing, we’re not here to shy away from trying to win this competition.”

Skipper Jordie Barrett said they have been plotting their path to glory since pre-season, having fallen short in the semis at home two years ago.

“We sat down at the start of the year and understood some of the metrics it takes to win this competition. A lot of guys are carrying that with them and you see how motivated the boys are. We want to own this season and we’re not going to shy away from that.

“We got jumped two years ago at home against the Chiefs. We were quite loose with the ball and we got beat. That’s all it takes in do-or-die footy. Our main focus is to try [to] get there in the first place, try [to] qualify first, and then whoever we’ve got in round one of the quarter-finals, we’ll do what we need to do to them.”

After letting three tries in late against the Blues, Barrett admitted they may have taken the foot off the pedal somewhat.

“It doesn’t take much to be perceived as clocking off. You give a good side who’s third on the table some entries into your half and you get punished, and that’s the nature of this competition.”

Fehi Fineanganofo’s purple patch continued in Auckland, the try scoring machine now equal with Joe Roff and Ben Lam’s combined season record of 16.

“I’m super proud of him. I’ve known him since he was 18,” Laidlaw said.

“His growth, his ability to learn, his work rate and work ethic. He’s shouldered some amount of work through the season.”

However, he may have to wait a little while before his chance to break that record, having limped off the field late.

“He might need a wee break. He just pulled up a bit lame there, so hopefully he’s alright. But yeah, I’ll back him if he’s fit and healthy.”

Plenty of talk has surrounded the winger’s future, as he is set to leave our shores to join Newcastle after the season.

Asked if there was a chance of keeping him in the country, Laidlaw wasn’t overly optimistic.

“That’d be nice, wouldn’t it? I do get asked that most weeks. We’ve said at length, he’s made his decision and he’ll have made it for the right reasons for him and his family.”

Dave Rennie’s outside backs’ stocks took a major hit last night after Highlanders star Caleb Tangitau ruptured his achilles.

“I’m not too fussed around higher honours, I just enjoy him in Super Rugby. You want good players, top New Zealand players, playing here. Who knows, he may come back in the future, but it’s not for me to worry about.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

FOR SUNDAY MORNING

The Wellington Phoenix women started this A-League season with a two-year project in mind. The plan was on fast forward when the club reached the grand final for the first time in the club’s history, but there was a speed bump in Melbourne.

A 3-1 loss to Melbourne City in the grand final on Saturday ended the Phoenix’s season without silverware.

In playing finals football for the first time in their five seasons in the competition, the Phoenix were finally among the top sides after four seasons closer to the bottom than the top.

Coach Bev Priestman in her first year in the job had instilled belief that the team could be competitive.

After the grand final defeat Priestman could see the bigger picture.

“We don’t want to just be a one-hit wonder in a grand final,” Priestman said.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure we are back here next year, and we come back and this grand final is no longer new to this group and we can cope with that occasion and hopefully give a better account of ourselves.”

She was “super proud” of what they had achieved in an injury-hit 2025-26 season but said when they were on the biggest stage they were not at their best.

“We never gave up, which I think is important. But it wasn’t our best night and I think to beat City with their experience in a grand final, you have to be at your best and we weren’t.

“But what I would say is it doesn’t define our season.”

The experienced coach wanted to channel the inevitable “hunger” that the returning players would have from falling short in the last game of the season for year two of the project.

“I’ve seen people be at their best when they’re hungry and I think this leaves a little bit on us and in many ways it might help us next year, to push to another level.

“I’ve got an ambitious club…when we turn up in pre-season for next season, we all know what could have been and I think what you learn about people in difficult moments is those who then grab it by the scruff of the neck and push forward.

“So I think I’ve got a very dedicated, humble group of players who all wanted the best for the club.”

The Phoenix had become a team this season that piqued the interest of players who might have overlooked the club from the capital in the past.

While many of the squad wanted to come back next season, Priestman knew others would be getting in touch too.

With the blueprint of how to get to the top already in place, Priestman now had the off-season to plot how the club would build on the history they created.

“The bar’s gone up, right, I think we all see something bigger.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

The Mystics have beaten cross-town rivals the Stars 57-51, in a battle for third place on the ANZ Premiership ladder, without one of their stars.

Both sides came into the game on Saturday with a record of three wins, two losses, and a bonus point, but the Mystics sat third on the ladder, thanks to a superior goal differential.

The way things are going, the two Auckland teams could be battling it out until the final round in a month’s time for that third spot, and a place in the play-offs.

When the teams met in the opening round of the ANZ Premiership, the Stars defeated the Mystics 63-59.

The Mystics have now won three games in a row, while the Stars have lost two on the bounce.

The Mystics were without defender Catherine Hall, who had to leave the court late in round five, after awkwardly jarring her foot into the base of the goal post.

They are waiting on scan results to determine the seriousness of the foot injury and with just two weeks before Silver Ferns’ selectors are due to pick the Commonwealth Games team, they will be sweating on those results too.

To meet the New Zealand Olympic Committee deadline, the national selectors need to submit the team on 1 June.

Hall has been dominating the defensive stats, and is arguably the player of the ANZ Premiership so far. She got her Silver Ferns debut last year and gave a glimpse of what she is capable of on the international stage.

Despite only having a handful of test caps, the national selectors would surely have the 22-year-old pencilled in for July’s Commonwealth Games.

In Hall’s absence the Mystics defence end produced a blinder.

Rookie Charlotte Manley got nearly a full game and was one of the best on court. Veteran Phoenix Karaka used all her smarts in the home straight and blocked two of Martina Salmon’s shots.

The Stars led 16-11 after the first quarter but the Mystics responded with a huge 20-8 second quarter effort to take a seven goal half-time advantage.

In what was a see-saw affair, the Stars then won the third quarter, to trail by just three goals heading into the final spell.

Mystics coach Tia Winikerei made a number of changes throughout. When Manley received a warning in the last few minutes of the game, she was replaced by Leila Atkins, a Marvels national league player.

Tactix heap more misery on Magic

Earlier, the Tactix extended their home win record to 10 consecutive matches, after beating the Magic 58-37 at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, in Christchurch.

The new-look Tactix have suffered just one loss after six rounds to sit at the top of the ladder. The Steel could overtake them if they beat the Pulse in Wellington on Sunday.

Off the back of an MVP performance in her first start of the season Hannah Glen started at goal shoot and provided a solid foundation before Charlie Bell replaced her during the second quarter.

Glen returned midway through the final quarter, giving goal attack Amorangi Malesala a well deserved break after putting up 14 goals.

The Magic welcomed experienced shooter Saviour Tui back from injury, when she took the court during the second quarter. Midcourter Georgie Edgecombe tried to keep the Magic in touching distance, pulling off a game high six intercepts.

But the Tactix were consistent throughout, winning every quarter. The home side also enjoyed 91 percent shooting accuracy, compared to the Magic’s 75 percent.

Former Silver Fern Gina Crampton played 15 minutes when she entered in the third quarter, in what was her first ANZ Premiership game in two years.

Crampton recently finished a temporary contract in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition. The 34-year-old answered an SOS to join the Tactix as injury cover while captain Erikana Pedersen recovers from an injury.

Tactix centre Holly Mather had a strong game on defence and attack.

The Tactix showed why they have the best defensive record in the competition, with Ash Barnett and Laura Balmer winning a lot of ball, supported by wing defence Fa’amu Muliaga in front.

The winless Magic are enduring a tough season, winning just two quarters so far to remain at the bottom of the ladder.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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