Category: Sports

Eliza McCartney has won selection for the world indoor athletics champs in Poland. Photo: David Rowland/Photosport Eliza McCartney’s impressive pole vault at the New Zealand athletics championships last weekend has won her a place at the world indoor champs in Poland. McCartney was in a three-way battle with Imogen Ayris and Olivia McTaggart for the…

Nat Hurst , head coach of the Tall Ferns. Photo: www.photosport.nz The Tall Ferns have lost their second successive match at their World Cup qualifying tournament, going down 74-51 to a classy Italy combination. As coach Natalie Hurst noted, it was an improvement on their opening 99-50 defeat to sixth-ranked Spain on Thursday. After a…

Kalyn Ponga said he was “immensely proud” of his Māori heritage. Photo: Chris Hyde Newcastle Knights fullback and Queensland Origin rep Kalyn Ponga says he is “immensely proud” of his Māori heritage, as he switches rugby league allegiances from Australia to New Zealand. The International Rugby League Board (IRL) has confirmed it has unanimously approved…

Heath Mills speaking to media at a press conference. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills is stepping down after more than two decades in the role. The NZCPA said Mills had played a huge role in shaping the modern landscape for professional cricketers in New Zealand and…

Funaki performing a Randy Orton style celebration after scoring a try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz Taufa Funaki’s rugby career was almost over before it started. Six years ago, when he was a highly-touted young halfback on the cusp of his first Super Rugby season, Funaki suffered a concussion so severe he believed it would force him…

Caleb Clarke of the Blues is tackled during the round three Super Rugby match between ACT Brumbies and Auckland Blues at GIO Stadium. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images The Blues want a bigger slice of Auckland’s sporting crowd – and the club’s new chief executive believes they can close the gap with the Warriors. Both the…

Fa’alogo Tana Umaga is rumoured to be in the mix to join Dave Rennie’s coaching team at the All Blacks. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The speculation surrounding his All Blacks appointment became so overwhelming, Fa’alogo Tana Umaga had to turn off his phone. On Wednesday afternoon, rumours spread rapidly that Umaga was set to be announced as…

Tensions are high between the Blues and Moana Pasifika. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Asked whether the Blues rivalry is personal, Moana Pasifika coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga didn’t hesitate. “Oh f*** yeah.” Umaga and his men say they have felt a general sense of derision from the other side of the bridge since their inception…

New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson is behind a new business making protective gear for high-impact sports. Photo: Jay Drew Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson has a very personal reason to be invested in protective gear in high-impact sports. In 2012, a Dale Steyn delivery during Test against South Africa in Wellington split Williamson’s box…

Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham in action against the Blues. Photo: Brett Phibbs The Crusaders concede they have not been good enough but are confident they can turn around their disappointing start to the Super Rugby season. The defending champions have won just one of their first four games with losses to the Highlanders, Brumbies and…