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Black Ferns coach Whiteney Hansen has selected her squad for the remainder of 2026 PHOTO: NZR Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen and assistants Tony Christie, Riki Flutey and Simon Kneebone have confirmed a 31-player strong squad for the remainder of 2026. The squad has a match against Black Ferns XV and eight Tests; the O’Reilly Cup against Australia, against South Africa as part of the RGR tour, and the WXV Global Series (home and away). LATEST HEADLINES: Billy Proctor out of All Blacks tour All Blacks named to face Sharks Southland Sharks victory in NZNBL Canterbury claim Ranfurly Shield Warriors beat Knights in NRLW Loosehead prop Ngano Tavake, Amarante Sititi (lock), Elinor-Plum King (loose forward) and outside backs Maia Davis and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a have earned Black Ferns call-ups. Prop Santo Taumata, who last appeared in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022 winning squad, and centre Alena Saili who makes her first Black Ferns appearance since 2018. Fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee also joins the squad, while loose forward Layla Sae completes a remarkable return after recovering from an ACL injury. “This squad has an exciting blend of experience and emerging talent, finding the right balance was a key part of our selections process. We’re also thrilled to welcome our new Black Ferns, who will bring different strengths to our environment on and off the field,” said Hansen. “The quality of rugby in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki continues to rise every year. The competition for spots in the squad is stronger than ever, with so many talented players across every position. That’s made selection decisions for us incredibly tough, but it’s exactly where we want the game to be and it’s only going to get harder.” Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu and Jaymie Kolose were unavailable for selection due to injury, while fullback Renee Holmes and wing Katelyn Vahaakolo were also unavailable due to their Black Ferns Sevens commitments. Hansen said the upcoming matches create an opportunity for the group to put the Black Ferns’ rugby identity to the test, while continuing to build towards the first-ever British and Irish Lions Women’s Tour next year. “At the start of the year we wanted to bring our brand of rugby to life, and I think we saw that throughout the Pacific Four Series. The next phase is about evolving how we play and staying connected as a group. The challenges ahead will demand more of us, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities of growing from good to great.” The Black Ferns begin their preparations this week in Wellington to play Black Ferns XV, before travelling up to Auckland for the O’Reilly Cup Test. They then travel offshore from August 28 and return home from October 1 ahead of their home Tests against France. Black Ferns End of Year squad : Loosehead Props Chryss Viliko (25, Blues, Auckland, 22) Maddison Robinson (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 3) Ngano Tavake (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, uncapped) Hookers Vici-Rose Green (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 7) Atlanta Lolohea (23, Blues, Canterbury, 11) Georgia Ponsonby (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 40) Tighthead Props Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (21, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 6) Mo’omo’oga Palu (24, Hurricanes Poua, Hawke’s Bay, 1) Santo Taumata (23, Matatū, Bay of Plenty, 7) Locks Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25, Blues, Auckland, 41) Laura Bayfield (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 9) Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (23, Blues, Auckland, 10) Amarante Sititi (19, Blues, Auckland, uncapped) Loose forwards Mia Anderson (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 3) Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (24, Blues, Auckland, 38) Kaipo Olsen-Baker (24, Matatū, Manawatū, 19) Elinor-Plum King (22, Matatū, Manawatū, uncapped) Layla Sae (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 19) Halfbacks Maia Joseph (24, Matatū, Otago, 19) Tara Turner (22, Blues, Northland, 3) First-five eighths Ruahei Demant (31, Blues, Auckland, 54) – co-captain Hannah King (22, Matatū, Canterbury, 13) Midfield Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (22, Blues, Auckland, 32) Justine McGregor (20, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens, 3) Amy Du Plessis (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 25) Alena Saili (27, Matatū, Black Ferns Sevens, 5) Outside backs Maia Davis (20, Matatū, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped) Ayesha Leti-I’iga (27, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 33) Mererangi Paul (27, Blues, Counties Manukau, 17) Braxton Sorensen-McGee (19, Blues, Black Ferns Sevens, 9) Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (19, Chiefs Manawa, uncapped) Unavailable due to injury: Kennedy Tukuafu (hamstring), Jaymie Kolose (ankle).

Luke Jacobson will captain the All Blacks against the Sharks PHOTO: AARON GILLONS/ACTION PRESS Two players are set to make their first appearance for the All Blacks with the naming of the side to play the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday, The team will be captained by Luke Jacobson captain the All Blacks for the first time. LATEST HEADLINES: Southland Sharks victory in NZNBL Canterbury claim Ranfurly Shield Warriors beat Knights in NRLW Chelsea big win over Auckland FC Blues add Super Rugby halfback Hooker Bradley Slater is set to make his All Blacks debut just days after being called in as an injury replacement for George Bell. He's been named on the bench alongside loose forward Semisi Ta'eiloa, who will pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time. Luke Jacobson was the "obvious choice" to captain the team in their second match of the South Africa tour, said Dave Rennie. "He is highly respected, has a great feel for the game and will lead through his actions. "On behalf of the whole squad, I want to congratulate Semisi and Bradley on achieving this very special milestone, and I know their family and friends will be incredibly proud," he added. Ruben Love is back at first-five, having sat out the first match against the Stormers, when Beauden Barrett played in the No 10 jersey. Fehi Fineanganofo, who was not considered for the Stormers game due to illness, has been named on the wing. Seven players from the All Blacks team that beat the Stormers 38-21 on Friday have again been named in the 23. Hooker Asafo Aumua, lock Sam Darry, halfback Kyle Preston, and wing Caleb Clarke, who all came off the bench against the Stormers, will start against the Sharks. Prop Pasilio Tosi, who started in the Stormers game, is on the bench alongside fellow prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Ethan Blackadder, who get their second bench start of the tour. Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa are playing for the All Blacks for the first time this year. "The opening match gave the players a real introduction to the way that South African teams play and the Sharks will be no different. With a short turnaround between games, today has been a big day of preparation. There is a lot of excitement in the group, with the majority of the squad about to play their first game of the tour," Rennie said. Kick-off at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday 12 August is 5am NZ time. All Blacks team to play the Sharks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Luke Jacobson(c), 8. Wallace Sititi 9. Kyle Preston, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Fehi Fineanganofo, 15. Damian McKenzie Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Ethan Blackadder, 20. Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Emoni Narawa

Billy Proctor is out of the All Blacks South Africa tour with injury PHOTO: NZR All Blacks centre Billy Proctor will return home after suffering a tour-ending injury against the Stormers over the weekend. Proctor, the centre for the Super Rugby winning Hurricanes left the field early in the second half of the All Blacks 38-21 win against the Stormers in Cape Town after taking a heavy blow. LATEST HEADLINES: All Blacks named to face Sharks Southland Sharks victory in NZNBL Canterbury claim Ranfurly Shield Warriors beat Knights in NRLW Chelsea big win over Auckland FC Scans have since confirmed a fracture that is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season. Proctor is the second All Black ruled out of the South African tour after Crusaders hooker George Bell’s calf injury necessitated Bradley Slater’s call-up four days ago. The midfielders injury will not require surgery but will take 12 weeks recovery the All Blacks said in a statement. Currently the midfield players will the All Blacks are Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane and Timoci Tavatavanawai, There is potential for Richie Mo'unga to be called into the tour.

Sharks coach Jonathan Yim is congratulated after he sides NZ NBL vicotry PHOTO: SKY SPORT SCREEN SHOT The Southland Sharks have won the NBL basketball title beating the Wellington Saints 104-101 in overtime in Invercargill. The Sharks fell short at the final hurdle last year when the Saints beat them in the 2025 NBL grand final but the Sharks were determined to reverse that result. LATEST HEADLINES: Canterbury claim Ranfurly Shield Warriors beat Knights in NRLW Chelsea big win over Auckland FC Blues add Super Rugby halfback Kiwi tennis players opening wins With scores locked at the end of regulation time, the players had to dig deep and battle cramp in over-time. The last few minutes featured both sides calling multiple time-outs to discuss tactics with scores even.. The Saints had two seconds left on the clock to force the game into double over-time but missed a final attempt from the field. The home team had three players score 20 plus points with Caleb Asberry 24, Sam Timmins 23 points and 21 rebounds and Keylan Boone 21.points. For the Saints season-star Elijah Pepper pulled in 32 points, Akech Aliir 22 and Tall Blacks Carlin Davison 19 The Sharks sent off American coach Jonathan Yim on a high after two years in charge of the team.

Richie Mo'unga helped Canterbury win the Ranfurly Shield off Otago PHOTO: PROVINICAL RUGBY Reigning NPC champions Canterbury have retaken the Ranfurly Shield after beating holders Otago 19-15 in Dunedin. The Shield on the line for the first time in 2026 after three defences in Otago's eighth tenure. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors beat Knights in NRLW Chelsea big win over Auckland FC Blues add Super Rugby halfback Kiwi tennis players opening wins All Blacks struggle over Stormers The south island's hold continued as Canterbury's 2025 Ranfurly Shield tenure which lasted just 14 days in September, when they won the shield from Southland, before losing it to Otago. Otago wingJona Nareki was denied the first try of the game as a result of a knock-on. Canterbury captain Brodie McAlister scored the first points of the game with a try in the 16th minute, which was then converted by Richie Mo'unga. Cam Millar put Otago on the board with a penalty but the home side, who had just as much possession as their rivals in the first half, couldn't turn that into points. They were further frustrated when Jamie Hannah scored Canterbury's second try just before half-time for the challengers to lead 12-3. Canterbury hooker Manumaua Letiu was sent off with a yellow card after repeated off-sides in the 55th minute. McAlister had to go off briefly for an HIA (Head Injury Assessment) after referee Ben O'Keeffe got tangled up in the action and inadvertently collided with the hoooker. Canterbury then had to play with just 13 under golden oldies rules after McAlisters replacement Manumaua Letiu, was sin-binned shortly after. Otago took advantage by driving over the line with Lucas Casey the tryscorer in the 54th minute. Canterbury pushed their lead out again with a second try to McAlister, and Mo'unga's conversion had them ahead 19-8. But Otago fought back thanks to a try from prop Ben Lopas, which Millar converted to set up a tight showdown. With just six minutes left, Canterbury were defending a narrow 19-15 lead. A desperate Otago made several drives towards Canterbury's line but they managed to hold them off. It is the 18th time Canterbury have held the Ranfurly Shield which will go on the line next week when Canterbury meet Bay of Plenty in Christchurch. At Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin: Canterbury 19 (Brodie McAlister 2, Jamie Hannah tries tries; Richie Mo’unga 2 con) Otago 15 (Lucas Casey, Ben Lopas tries; Cam Millar con, pen). HT: 12-3.

The Warriors celebrate beating hte Knights in the NRLW in Hamilton PHOTO: NRLW A triple of tries for the multi sport master Tysha Ikenasio has taken the Warriors to a 22-14 NRLW victory over the Newcastle Knights in Hamilton. The result keep the Warriors in touch ground on the three leading teams, the Broncos, Roosters and Titans. . LATEST HEADLINES: Chelsea big win over Auckland FC Blues add Super Rugby halfback Kiwi tennis players opening wins All Blacks struggle over Stormers Warriors defeat Penrith Panthers The victory gives them four wins from six games, and puts them on eight points - two behind the leading trio. It was also a solid rebound for the Warriors, after their 18-16 loss the previous weekend to the Titans. The Warriors hit the Knights with two tries from Ikenasio in the first six minutes as she finished off backline moves with pace and strength on the right wing. The Knights found some form scoring a fine try via Simone Karpani and then a fortunate bounce as an Apii Nicholls kick hit Kirra Dibb which she then gathered and ran 80 metres to score. The conversion gave the Knights a 12-10 halftime lead. Ikenasio scored her third try early in the second half, and the Warriors increased their momentum with Stacey Waaka crossing midway through the half, and a chip and chase effort from Nicholls putting them further ahead. The Warriors are away next Saturday 15 August in Sydney against the Tigers. NZ Warriors Women 22 (Tysha Ikenasio 3, Stacey Waaka, Apii Nicholls tries, Patricia Maliepo con) Newcastle Knights Women 14 (Simone Karpani, Kirra Dibb tries, Kirra Dibb 2 con, 1 pen

The Auckland FC Women's Invitational side was soundly beaten by Chelse FC Women PHOTO: AUCKLAND FC Chelsea FC Women's have put on a star performance with a 7-0 victory over an Auckland FC Women's Invitational side in a pre-season friendly at Eden Park. Chelsea, the first Women's Super League club to play in New Zealand were always the favourites against a composite Auckland side which had seven training sessions with coach Jenny Bindon before the match. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues add Super Rugby halfback Kiwi tennis players opening wins All Blacks struggle over Stormers Warriors defeat Penrith Panthers All Whites international fixtures Auckland which doesn't have an A-League team as yet used new Wellington Phoenix and former Football Fernssigning Abby Erceg as well as promising youngsters and club footballers, many hadn't played a match since May. As expected, the eight-time WSL champions dominated the attack and clearly impressed the over 15,000 in the crowd with their skills. England international Aggie Beever-Jones scored a hat-trick of goals in 23 minutes as Chelsea took a 4-0 lead into halftime with Sandy Baltimore guiding in the other goal. Both teams made changes at halftime and then again midway through the second spell. Midfielder Giuli Dragoni, who has 24 caps for Italy, scored her first goal for Chelsea in the second half and Japanese international Maika Hamano headed in their sixth, with Colombian star Mayra Ramirez nailing the seventh late in the match. Chelsea will play the All Stars Women in Sydney on Wednesday which includes Football Ferns Grace Jale and Pia Vlok and visa players Brooke Nunn and Makala Woods. while Melbourne Kiwi players Rebekah Stott and Claudia Bunge are also in the squad.

NIc Shearer is experienced despite his age and joins the Blues for next season PHOTO: BLUES GRAPHIC The Blues have signed 23-year-old Nic Shearer for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, adding depth and quality to the halfback position.. Shearer has had an impressive rise through the ranks, representing New Zealand Under 19s and Under 20s before making his NPC debut for Canterbury, and has since gone on to represent Southland and most recently, the Highlanders in Super Rugby. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi tennis players opening wins All Blacks struggle over Stormers Warriors defeat Penrith Panthers All Whites international fixtures Wallace Sititi out of All Blacks Shearer said he was excited for the opportunity to join the Blues. “I’m really excited to be joining the Blues for 2027. It’s a club with a great history and I can’t wait to get up to Auckland and get stuck in with the squad,” he said. “This is a huge opportunity for me. The Blues have a clear vision for how they want to play and I want to be part of that going forward.” Blues GM Rugby Murray Williams said the signing strengthens a key area of the squad. “Nic’s shown real growth over the last couple of seasons and we think he’ll add genuine competition and depth at halfback. “We’re building depth across our spine for 2027, and Nic ticks a lot of boxes in his game management, kicking game and the way he directs a team around the park.” Shearer will join the Blues in Auckland later this year ahead of the new season.

Erin Routliffe (right) and Aldila Sutjiadi have scored a first round win at the Toronto Masters PHOTO: WASHINGTON WTA Success for New Zealand tennis players at ATP and WTA tournaments in Canada. Michael Venus and Indian doubles partner Yuki Bhambri have won their first round match over the fifth seeds at the Montreal Masters. LATEST HEADLINES: All Blacks struggle over Stormers Warriors defeat Penrith Panthers All Whites international fixtures Wallace Sititi out of All Blacks Ranfurly Shield challenge NPC They beat American Christian Harrison and Brit Neal Skupski 6-7(9), 6-4, (10-8). Meanwhile Erin Routliffe and Indonesian Aldila Sutjiadi have beaten the fourth seeds in three sets at the Toronto Masters women's event. The 6-3, 6-7(4), 10-5 win was over the experienced pair of Guo-Han-yu from China and Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic. Routliffe and Sutjiadi won the title at Washington last week.

Fabian Holland celebrates an All Blacks tryin the win over the Stormers PHOTO: ALLBLACKS. The All Blacks were given a stern test for 65 minutes but they powered away with four late tries to beat the Stormers by 21-38 in Cape Town. The New Zealand side led 7-14 at halftime but they struggled to break away from the hosts in a scrappy third quarter. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors defeat Penrith Panthers All Whites international fixtures Wallace Sititi out of All Blacks Ranfurly Shield challenge NPC Kiwi at FEI Equestrian champs Instead it was the Stormers who struck first in the second half from a well-worked lineout shift into the midfield, where veteran hooker Deon Fourie dished a slick short pass to Seabelo Senatla who exploded through the gap on a 25m run to score under the posts. The All Blacks had three yellow cards - two in the first half - Anton Lienert-Brown and Simon Parker and Josh Moorby in the second spell. The visitors scored first in the sixth minute through Samisoni Taukei'aho followed by Parker just before halftime. At 14-14 with around 15 minutes remaining in the second spell there were three quick tries to Rieko Ioane who moved from wing to centre to replace an injured Billy Proctor, Leroy Carter scored in the 72nd minute followed by Moorby and final Asafo Aumua. Beauden Barrett started at first five and was creative before Josh Jacomb came on and ran the ball at the opposition at every opportunity. The All Blacks face the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday morning All Blacks 38 (Samisoni Taukei'aho, Simon Parker, Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Asafo Aumua tries; Beauden Barrett 3 con, Josh Jacomb con) Stormers 21 (Deon Fourie Seabelo Senatla, penalty try’; Yaqeen Ahmed 2 con). HT: 14-7

A huge return for the Warriors - Luke Metcalf scores a couple of tries in the win over the Panthers PHOTO: NRL A successful return to the Warriors for halfback Luke Metcalf, leading the side to a 28-12 victory the NRL table-topping Penrith Panthers at Auckland's Go Media Stadium. Metcalf came into the starting lineup when Te Maire Martin pulled out with a hamstring injury, and celebrated his comeback with two tries and 16 points, as the home side never really let their rivals into the game. LATEST HEADLINES: All Whites international fixtures Wallace Sititi out of All Blacks Ranfurly Shield challenge NPC Kiwi at FEI Equestrian champs New All Blacks Sevens coaches The home side scored first through lock Erin Clark, before Metcalf crossed for his first, looming in support of break by second-rower Kurt Capewell. Five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita added another try before halftime, as the Warriors took an 18-0 lead into the sheds. Leading 18-nil at the break fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was first to score after the restart. However the Panthers came back strong with back-to-back tries to Nathan Cleary and fullback Jaxen Edgar and then they crossed for a third to wing Paul Alamoti which was overruled for offside in a kick chase. But Metcalf effectively won the game with his second try. The result keeps the Warriors' in third behind the Panthers and the Roosters.

The NZ All White will play Evuador and Japan in Japan in October PHOTO: OFC/FIFA WORLD CUP/GETTY IMAGES The All Whites have some tough competition in October as they will travel to Japan to take part in the Kirin Cup 2026. New Zealand will join 25th ranked Ecuador hosts Japan who are ranked 17th and Panama (FIFA rank 44) for the tournament held in Yokohama and Tokyo. LATEST HEADLINES: Wallace Sititi out of All Blacks Ranfurly Shield challenge NPC Kiwi at FEI Equestrian champs New All Blacks Sevens coaches Abby Erceg signs for Phoenix On Thursday 1 October, the All Whites will face Panama (Match 1) at Yokohama International Stadium, followed by Japan playing Ecuador (Match 2) at the same venue. On Monday 5 October, at Tokyo’s National Stadium, the winner of Match 1 will face the winner of Match 2 for the tournament crown, while the two losing sides will meet in the third-place play-off. All four teams involved in the Kirin Cup 2026 participated in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Kirin Cup is an invitational football tournament run by the Japanese Football Association since 1978. “This tournament gives us a great opportunity to continue to challenge ourselves against strong highly ranked sides that all competed at the FIFA World Cup, also the competitive tournament style competition is exactly the kind of games that we want to experience more often as a group,” said All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley. “The combination of these competitive games, plus the home matches in Auckland and Christchurch, are a great way to wrap up the year and I know the players are all really looking forward to getting back together again for the first time since the FIFA World Cup.” Following the tournament in the October FIFA international window, the All Whites face India over two matches: at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on 12 November and One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, November 15.