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The Nix Women missed out on a point thanks to a goal in injury time by Sydney FC PHOTO: WELLINGTON PHOENIX Wellington Phoenix coach Paul Temple was seething after Sydney FC scored from their only two shots on target to beat the Nix 2-1 at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney. They scored the match-winner in the eighth minute of time added on, nearly quarter of an hour after the Nix had been reduced to 10 players when defender Tiana Jaber received a second yellow card. “It feels like a massive injustice,” Temple said post-match. “We deserved to win the game. LATEST HEADLINES: Campbell LIV top-10, Fox slips on last Paul Coll into Australian Open decider Shearman, Donnelly medal at Nations Cup Chiefs hold off Blues, Crusaders too good Hawks 2-0 start, Bulls trample Tuatara “We at least deserved to get away with a point with what we put into it. It feels like we’ve been robbed really. “So much to be proud of in terms of what the team did and how we played and how we had to wrestle through different parts of the game. “And also so much frustration and disappointment with how we handled the last five minutes of the game when we should have consolidated our point and taken it away. “We just didn’t defend very well at all really when we had 10 players. The structure went a bit out the window." The defeat leaves the Phoenix eighth on the ladder and two points outside the top six with four matches remaining. The same XI which started last Sunday’s come-from-behind win over Western Sydney Wanderers. There was one change on the bench with fit-again forward Grace Jale returning in place of versatile midfielder Amelia Abbott. Jaber was named to make her 50th A-League appearance. The Phoenix made a bright start, dominating possession for the opening quarter of an hour. Rookie Sydney ‘keeper Jasmine Black made two impressive saves in the first five minutes to deny right and left-footed shots from Manaia Elliott Wellington goalkeeper Carolina Vilão was only required to use her feet in the opening exchanges. She was quick off her line in the 14th minute to deny the Sky Blues their first shot at goal when forward Mackenzie Hawkesby slipped in behind the Nix defence. Sydney made it tougher for the Phoenix to get into the final third after the first cooling break and had their first shot in the 28th minute blocked by Alivia Kelly. The Nix pushed for the breakthough in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Alyssa Whinham had a shot from the edge of the box well saved by Black but deep in first half stoppage time the home team took the lead with their first shot on target when Madeleine Caspers cut into the box and squeezed a shot past Vilão. The Phoenix struggled to create anything before the first cooling break of the second half and Temple responded by making a double substitution, bringing on Zoe McMeeken and Jale in place of Daisy Brazendale and Whinham. It allowed Maya McCutcheon to move into midfield. The changes had their desired effect with the subs bringing more energy to Wellington’s performance. The Nix got their reward five minutes later when Annalie Longo drove out of midfield and slipped through a pass to Manaia Elliott, who this time beat Black. The Phoenix pushed for the match-winner after drawing level, but their task was made more difficult when Jaber was sent off in the 85th minute after receiving a second yellow card. Despite going down to 10 players Wellington looked the most likely to score a second. McCutcheon chipped a near post corner narrowly over the bar in the first minute of stoppage time and Black did well to save a classy turn and shot from Main moments later. The young ‘keeper also managed to punch clear a threatening corner and then follow-up cross from Longo. Substitute Princess Ibini then won it for Sydney in the eighth minute of time added on when she curled a shot around Vilão after the Sky Blues caught the 10-player Nix on the break. The Wellington Phoenix will return home to turn their attentions to next Saturday’s match against Central Coast Mariners at Porirua Park..

Emily Shearman and Samanth Donnelly cross the line in th emadison at the Nations Cup PHOTO: SWIPIX The New Zealand pair of Emily Shearman and Samantha Donnelly have combined to claim bronze in the women’s madison on day two of the UCI Nations Cup track cycling in Turkey. Shearman and Donnelly were pipped for the silver medal, finishing on the same points as Germany who edged them in the final sprint to claim second place behind winners Denmark. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs hold off Blues, Crusaders too good Hawks 2-0 start, Bulls trample Tuatara Champion White Ferns well-beaten in T20I Zoi Sadowski-Synnott takes Globe award Fox on move at The Players Championship The kiwi combo won three of the 12 sprints throughout the 120 lap race, where one rider is always in play, switching throughout with a hand-sling motion. They managed 20 bonus points for gaining a lap, along with Denmark and Germany, and moved to second going into the final 10 laps. While Denmark won three of the closing four sprints to move clear, Germany managed second place in the final double-points sprint to edge the kiwi combination for the silver medal on countback. World Tour rider Campbell Stewart finished eighth in the men’s omnium competition, placing eighth in the scratch race, 19th in tempo and recovering well to win the elimination. Stewart worked hard to earn a lap on the field and raced prominently in the closing points race. He had to settle for eighth overall, with the gold won by Dutch rider Yanne Dorenbos after winning the last sprint to win by one point from American Ashlin Barry. Olympian Sam Dakin placed fifth in the keirin final after moving through qualifying impressively. Dakin pushed from the back but was squeezed by the two French riders as he challenged for the lead going into the final lap. Earlier Olivia King recorded a strong 10.756s time on the super-quick track in qualifying for the women’s sprint but was eliminated in the first round of match racing. The highlight was a world record 9.976s by Liying Yuan (China), to become the first women to go under 10 seconds. The final day of competition features Olympic medallist Ally Wollaston in the omnium, Dakin in sprint, King in the keirin, Keegan Hornblow and Tom Sexton in the Madison.

Zoi Sadawski-Synnott with the Snowboard Crystal Globe PHOTO: FIS PARK & PIPE New Zealand snowboarder Zoi Sydowski-Synnott has won her first ‘Snowboard Crystal Globe’ after victory in the 2025 slopestyle World Cup in Austria. The 24-year-old from Wanaka secured her podium finish after qualifying in top place. The conditions were, in her words, “just a bit gnarly” to compete on Friday. LATEST HEADLINES: Ryan Fox on the move at the Players Hurricanes hold on to defeat Highlanders Hot-shooting Sharks beat Nuggets in NBL Experienced NZ teams for 3x3 Asia Cup Two new players in Football Ferns squad “To qualify in first and then manage to get this result and walk away with the Globe feels pretty unreal because I’ve never had one of these before. It feels pretty good to hold one of these [the Globe],” she said. The Olympic gold medallist is just the second Kiwi to ever win an FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) Snowboarding Crystal Globe. Tiarn Collins became the first, after securing the men’s snowboard slopestyle Globe in 2022. “It wasn’t even on my mind, I just wanted to get back into this season strong and healthy coming off my ankle injury last year,” she said Sadowski-Synnott laced together a solid qualification run on her first attempt; her technical run included a front blunt 450 out of the A-Frame rail and a huge backside double-corked 1080 on the final jump. The Flachau Snowboard Slopestyle Finals were set to go ahead on Friday (local time) but adverse weather conditions forced the final round of competition to be cancelled. FIS rules, results were able to be taken from qualification and as the top qualifier, Sadowski-Synnott was stoked to take the win. “It’s actually insane to win this given the level of competition these days is crazy. I’m so inspired riding with all the girls and stoked to be back among them. “You just never really know what’s going to happen, and we’ve got World Championships left, (I’m) pretty excited,” she explained. Sadowski-Synnott was joined on the podium by Annika Morgan of Germany was second and Mari Fukada of Japan third.

White Ferns teenager top-scored for New Zealand in the first T20 defeat to Sri Lanka PHOTO: TVNZ GRAPHIC The White Ferns have been well-beaten by Sri Lanka in the first T20 match by seven wickets with 35 balls remaining. The injury-hit New Zealand side posted just 101 in 19 overs before they were dismissed in Christchurch. LATEST HEADLINES: Sadowski-Synnott takes top award Ryan Fox on the move at the Players Hurricanes hold on to defeat Highlanders Hot-shooting Sharks beat Nuggets in NBL Experienced NZ teams for 3x3 Asia Cup Teenager Emma McLeod top-scored with 44 from 46 balls while stand-in captain Suzie Bates opened with 21 from 14 balls. Jess Kerr was the only other batter to reach double figures with 10. Malki Madara was the best of the visiting bowlers taking 3-14 from 3.5 overs. At bat Sri Lanka eased to the win as opener and captain Chamari Athapaththu raced to 64 runs from 48 balls. Kerr took 2-18 from four overs and there was one run, but nothing could stop the visitors taking the win. The second T20 is also in Christchurch on Sunday.

The men's team pursuit team took bronze at the Nations Cup PHOTO: CYCLING NZ SUPPLIED New Zealand riders claimed two team pursuit medals on the opening day of the UCI Track Nations Cup in Turkey. The women’s team raced to a silver medal in the 4000m team pursuit final while the men earned the bronze medal when they caught France in the medal ride at the impressive Konya Velodrome. LATEST HEADLINES: Champion White Ferns well-beaten Sadowski-Synnott takes top award Ryan Fox on the move at the Players Hurricanes hold on to defeat Highlanders Hot-shooting Sharks beat Nuggets in NBL The new combination of Olympians Emily Shearman, Bryony Botha and Ally Wollaston with Paris reserve Sami Donnelly and newcomer Pro Fowler, were impressive in edging Germany as the fastest qualifiers in 4:11.499s. Wollaston came into the team for a comprehensive win over Canada in the first round although the German combination was quickest in dispatching Australia in the other elimination race. Germany started strongly in the final to be 1.5s ahead after a powerful first kilometre, but the kiwis dug in to catch the leaders at the midway mark, but the German’s managed a sub 60-second final 1000m to win in 4:08.024 with New Zealand nearly two second behind. The men’s quartet of Tom Sexton, Marshall Erwood, Keegan Hornblow, Nic Kergozou qualified third fastest but were edged by Australia in the first round. Their time of 3:47.622 earned them a place in the bronze medal ride, where they overtook France in an impressive ride. In other rides, world champion Wollaston, sporting her rainbow jersey, had to settle for fifth in the elimination, edged out in the sprint coming from behind, while George Jackson was 14th in the men’s race won by Belgian Jules Hesters. Day two has Olivia King in women sprint, Campbell Stewart in the omnium, Sam Dakin in the keirin with Shearman and Donnelly in the two-rider madison. Results: Women team pursuit qualifying: New Zealand (Emily Shearman, Bryony Botha, Sami Donnelly, Pru Fowler) 4:11.499, 1; Germany 4:11.827, 2; Australia 4:16.109, 3. Round 1: New Zealand 4:14.868, 1; Canada 4:17.460, 2. Germany 4:08.389 , 1; Australia 4:11.931, 2. Final: Germany 4:08.024, 1; New Zealand 4:09.972, 2; Australia 4:16.903, 3; Poland 4:18.657, 4. Men team pursuit qualifying: USA 3:47.870, 1; Australia 3:47.963, 2; New Zealand (Tom Sexton, Marshall Erwood, Keegan Hornblow, Nic Kergozou) 3:48.433, 3. Round 1: Australia 3:45.712, 1; New Zealand 3:47.622, 2. USA 3:47.503, 1; Switzerland 3:49.533, 2. Final: Australia 3:45.306, 1 bt USA 3:49.006, 2; Bronze ride: New Zealand overtook France, 3.

NZ Warriors scored six tries against the Manly Sea Eagles. PHOTO: NRL The NZ Warriors have bounced back from their loss in Las Vegas to defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 36-16 after an impressive second half. The home side overcame a poor start at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart as Tom Trbojevic scored after four minutes for the visitors but the Warriors bounced back to lead 18-6 at halftime. LATEST HEADLINES: Hot shooting Sharks beat Nuggets in NBL Experienced NZ teams for 3x3 FIBA Asia Cup Two new players in Football Ferns squad Harrington wins prestigious freeski award New Zealanders feature in The Hundred The Warriors scored six tries to three overall in the win, including a late effort by new fullback Luke Metcalf on the whistle. Metcalf was also perfect with his kicks, converting all six attempts. There were first half tries to Chanel Harris-Tavita, Taine Tuaupiki and Ali Leiataua while Wayde Egan followed up his own initial move to score. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also dotted down in the second spell along with Metcalf's late cross. The Sea Eagles lost captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic to injury forcing forcing Manly to play with 12 men for the last 15 minutes after Jake Trbojevic was sin-binned. When he returned, the Sea Eagles ran out of interchanges. NZ Warrriors 36 (Chanel Harris-Tavita, Taine Tuaupiki, Ali Leiataua, Wayde Egan, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Luke Metcalf tries; Luke Metcalf 6 con) Manly Sea Eagles 16 (Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Daly Cherry-Evans tries; Reuben Garrick con, pen). HT: 18-6

The Hurricanes have won a Super Rugby Pacific thriller in Dunedin, holding on for a 20-18 win over the Highlanders. The visitors survived multiple late attacks from the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night to vault themselves off the bottom of the ladder in Round 5. LATEST HEADLINES: Hot-shooting Sharks beat Nuggets in NBL Experienced NZ teams for 3x3 Asia Cup Two new players in Football Ferns squad Harrington wins prestigious freeski award New Zealanders feature in The Hundred Recently-re-signed Ruben Love’s try in the 62nd minute gave them the slender two-point lead later after he answered a spectacular effort that Ajay Faleafaga finished off. Sam Gilbert missed a penalty effort with 13 minutes to go from 25 metres out, and a drop-goal attempt in the final minute. The Highlanders were back on the attack as the game’s momentum flipped from side to side. They were held up with four minutes to go before the Hurricanes looked to have won a game, but a not-straight lineout gave them one last chance. Tanielu Tele’a burst through the gap to get the Highlanders over halfway, setting up a drop-goal effort from Gilbert that faded away. Cam Roigard scored one of the Hurricanes' three tries against the Highlanders in Dunedin. PHOTO: SUPER RUGBY The Hurricanes opened the scoring early through winger Kini Naholo, with their fast start halted thanks to a yellow card to Ngani Punvai. Wing Caleb Tangitau put the hosts in front after a sensational intercept for the second week in a row right before half-time for an 11-8 lead at the break. Cam Roigard restored the Hurricanes' lead when he put Bailyn Sullivan through a hole before backing him for the try. Tangitau then hit back for the hosts when his bold decision to kick for himself off a penalty paid off for the replacement's Faleafaga try. It set up the grandstand finish, with Gilbert twice missing chances to win the game. Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi was superb with a late turnover to help seal the win and claim their second win of the season. The Hurricanes (2-0-3, nine points) welcome the NSW Waratahs to Wellington's Sky Stadium on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm), while the Highlanders (2-0-2, 10 points) remain at home, hosting the Queensland Reds next Saturday (kick-off 4.35pm). Hurricanes 20 (Kini Naholo, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love tries; Harry Godfrey con, pen) Highlanders 18 (Caleb Tangitau, Ajay Faleafaga tries; Sam Gilbert con, 2 pen). HT: 8-11

Ryan Fox moved up more than 20 spots during the second round at The Players. PHOTO: RYAN FOX New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has moved up the leaderboard on day two at The Players Championship. Fox carded a two-under 70 in the second round at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on Friday (Saturday NZ Time) to rise more than 20 places from a tie for 62nd following an even-par 72 in the opening round. LATEST HEADLINES: Hurricanes hold on to defeat Highlanders Hot-shooting Sharks beat Nuggets in NBL Experienced NZ teams for 3x3 Asia Cup Two new players in Football Ferns squad Harrington wins prestigious freeski award In a roller-coaster round, Fox made three birdies and two bogeys on the back-nine, after starting on the 10th hole. The 37-year-old added four birdies and three bogeys on the front-nine, making only six pars in his round. Fox was two shots above the projected cut-line at even-par, but still trailed the clubhouse co-leaders, Australian Min Woo Lee and American Akshay Bhatia, by nine strokes, with half of the field still on the course in the second round. At the LIV Golf Singapore event, Kiwis Danny Lee and Ben Campbell are both tied for 11th at three-under after the opening round. Lee made four birdies and a bogey at the Sentoas Golf Club on Friday, while Campbell produced six birdies and three bogeys, to trail the leader, American Dustin Johnson, by five strokes. Meanwhile, at the WPGA's Australian Women's Classic at Coff's Harbour, Momoka Kobori is the best-placed New Zealander in a share of 42nd at one-over. Kobori three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-five sixth to sit seven shots back of the co-leaders. Wenyung Keh is tied for 55th at two-over after a round featuring a birdie and three bogeys.

Luca Harrington with New Zealand’s first FIS Freeski Crystal Globe PHOTO: SNOW SPORTS NZ Luca Harrington has created history winning the 2025 FIS Freeski Big Air Crystal Globe as the top athlete on the 2025 FIS Big Air World Cup Tour. It is the first FIS Freeski Crystal Globe won by a Kiwi, an exceptional achievement that 21-year-old Harrington earned from his consistent performance on the Big Air World Cup circuit this Northern Hemisphere season. LATEST HEADLINES: New Zealanders feature in The Hundred Whai start hot, sting Rams for NBL victory NZ track riders start post-Olympics campaign Tactix target playoffs spot in ANZ Premiership Jenkins switches allegiance to Football Ferns An ecstatic Harrington explained his consistency throughout the season paid off. “This is absolutely unbelievable, coming into this season I didn’t think this was even possible. To be standing here holding this globe means the world to me and I need to thank everyone who has helped me along this journey to get here, I am so grateful for this moment.” Harrington was third at the sixth and final FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup in Tignes putting down a ‘never been done’ switch right triple corked 1800 with an esco grab on his first run, which was the highest scoring single trick of the competition. He combined that trick with a right triple corked 1980 safety grab for a total score of 187.00 points, which earned him a place on the tightly fought podium in third. Mac Forehand (USA) was second, just 0.5 points ahead of Harrington while Italian freeskier Miro Tabanelli took the win with a score of 188.25. It was the final Big Air World Cup of the season and the overall standings confirmed the Crystal Globe award. Out of the five Big Air World Cups that Harrington dropped into this season, he finished on the podium in four of them (two wins, a second and a third) and just off the podium in fourth in his fifth event in Beijing in December 2024. Reflecting on that fourth place finish, Harrington said he was driven to succeed. “I think China kept me hungry, being so close the podium was tough and I wanted to be on there so I worked hard, trained hard and kept the consistency up. Everything really worked out this year and I am so happy.” The only other athlete with four podium finishes this season is Matej Svancer of Austria, but with significant points still awarded for fourth place finishes, Harrington took the Crystal Globe win by 39 points over Svancer. Today’s world cup winner Miro Tabanelli of Italy finished third in the overall standings. New Zealand has previously won two FIS Crystal Globes in snowboarding - Tiarn Collins won the 2022 Slopestyle World Cup standings and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott won the 2021 Big Air World Cup standings. Alpine ski racing superstar Alice Robinson is currently leading the 2025 Giant Slalom World Cup standings, with the final event set to go down on the 26th of March.

The Southland Sharks have romped home in the first meeting of the National Basketball League’s (NBL) ‘Deep South Derby’. The Sharks’ three imports combined for 51 points in a runaway 98-70 Sal’s NBL victory over the Night ‘n’ Day Otago Nuggets at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre on Friday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Experienced NZ teams for 3x3 FIBA Asia Cup Two new players in Football Ferns squad Harrington wins prestigious freeski award New Zealanders feature in The Hundred Whai start hot, sting Rams for NBL victory American forward Josiah Allick dominated down-low with a double-double, a game-high 26 points (11/15 FG), 11 rebounds and two steals. Captain Alonzo Burton put up 19 points (7/11 FG, 5/9 3pt) and youngster Tukaha Cooper 19 points (7/12 FG, 4/6 3pt), seven assists and two blocks off the bench. Fellow Sharks imports Keylan Boone and Caleb Asberry also finished in double-digits. Boone went for 14 points (6/14 FG), six boards and two steals, and Asberry 11 points, six assists and four steals. Southland's Josiah Allick dunks on the Nuggets' Patrick Freeman in their NBL clash. PHOTO: NBL/LOU EMANUEL For the Nuggets, American guard Jose Perez (16 points, nine rebounds, four assists) and Christian Martin (16 points, nine boards, two steals) led the way. Local products Darcy Knox and Patrick Freeman also had 11 points each for Otago. The Sharks shot 55 percent from the floor, including 46 percent (13-of-28) on three-point attempts. The Nuggets shot at 37 and 31 percent. Otago had their moments in the opening quarter but quickly fell behind by 14 in the second. They closer within seven late in the period but back-to-back Burton triples restored normalcy and the Nuggets never got closer than 12 in the second half. The Sharks (1-0) are on the road again in Week 2, facing the defending champion Canterbury Rams (0-1) in Christchurch next Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Nuggets (0-1) head to Tauranga on Wednesday (tip-off 7pm) to face the Whai (1-0). Meanwhile, in the opening Sky Rapid League contest, the Nuggets rolled to a 27-18 victory, with Martin almost going for a double-double, ending with nine points and nine boards. Southland Sharks 98 (Josiah Allick 26, Alonzo Burton 19, Tukaha Cooper 19, Keylan Boone 14, Caleb Asberry 11) Otago Nuggets 70 (Jose Perez 16, Christian Martin 16, Darcy Knox 11, Patrick Freeman 11). 1Q: 28-21, HT: 49-37, 3Q: 70-49

Sharne Robati will lead the Tall Ferns 3x3 team to the FIBA Asia Cup PHOTO: BBNZ The New Zealand squads to play in Singapore for the 2025 3x3 FIBA Asia Cup have been confirmed. Leading the 3x3 Tall Blacks is New Zealand's number one ranked 3x3 player, Aidan Tonge, who's currently plying his trade professionally in Malaysia. He’s joined by Zach Hannen, and two emerging 3x3 talents, Te Tuhi Lewis and Christian Martin. LATEST HEADLINES: Two new players in Football Ferns squad Harrington wins prestigious Freeski award New Zealanders feature in The Hundred Whai start hot, sting Rams for NBL victory NZ track riders start post-Olympics campaign Daniel Dobson and Aston Inwood have been listed as non-travelling reserves. The 3x3 Tall Blacks will be once again coached by Piet van Hasselt, who welcomes Joe Zhang onto the staff as the team’s physio. A new-look squad for the 3x3 Tall Ferns will follow on from the successes of the last two years. Sharne Robati the 2023 and 2024 FIBA Asia Cup all-tournament team selection alongside Tall Fern Eva Langton and Azure Anderson as well as Kaylee Smiler. Youngsters Anika Hyland and Maddy Timms have been brought in to cover as non-travelling reserves. Anthony Corban will once again lead the 3x3 Tall Ferns, as he welcomes back former 3x3 Tall Fern, Olivia O’Neill into the fold in a different role as the team's physio. Both teams have the goal of medalling at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and representing Aotearoa at future Olympic Games at the forefront. Last year the Tall Blacks placed fourth, knocked out in their semi-final against Iran before an agnosingly close loss to Mongolia in the third place game. Taking home silver for the second time in as many years in 2024 after falling short to rivals the Australian Gangurrus, the 3x3 Tall Ferns will be looking to go one better this year. They start their campaign against a strong Chinese side at 7:30pm on March 28 (NZT). Just a little while later the 3x3 Tall Blacks will start their run to FIBA Asia Cup glory in the early hours of March 29, their first game set for 12:25am (NZT). 3x3 Tall Blacks squad: Coach: Piet van Hasselt Physio: Joe Zhang Zach Hannen, Christian Martin, Te Tuhi Lewis, Aidan Tonge, Daniel Dobson (non-travelling reserve), Aston Inwood (non-travelling reserve) 3x3 Tall Ferns squad: Coach: Anthony Corban Physio: Olivia O’Neill Azure Anderson, Eva Langton, Sharne Robati, Kaylee Smiler, Anika Hyland (non-travelling reserve), Maddy Timms (non-travelling reserve)

New Football Ferns goalkeeper Alina Santos is one of two caps for the squad PHOTO: UofDENVER SOCIAL MEDIA Two new players have been called up for the Football Ferns by interim coach Michael Mayne to potentially make their debut against world number 42 Chinese Taipei next month. Newly available for New Zealand, Claudia Jenkins the Adelaide United goalkeeper and University of Denver goalkeeper Alina Santos, have both been selected for the first time. LATEST HEADLINES: Harrington wins prestigious Freeski award New Zealanders feature in The Hundred Whai start hot, sting Rams for NBL victory NZ track riders start post-Olympics campaign Tactix target playoffs spot in ANZ Premiership The squad also has C.S. Marítimo's Jana Radosavljević and Lexington SC's Grace Wisnewski called up after missing out on the last tour. The Football Ferns continue to expand player experience and availability of the next FIFA Women's World Cup cycle, New Zealand Football said. Mackenzie Barry, Geo Candy, Brianna Edwards, Macey Fraser, and Grace Jale, who were part of the squad assembled for the win and draw against Costa Rica last month, haven't been selected for this tour due to injury, managing playing time after returning from injury, and a desire to test other players. "I was pleased with the progress we made in Costa Rica, which involved implementing a new playing model on the pitch, and some new language and some different approaches off the pitch, so I'm very much looking to continuing that work next month," said Mayne. "I want to approach this tour with a drive towards refining some of the details within our system, and with a training game behind closed doors first, it gives us the perfect opportunity to try a couple of new things as we prepare for the full international. "Our objective remains the same and that is to assess the strength of our squad, and build the competition within this team, so that come the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, should we qualify, we are in the best place to perform." Mayne said after Costa Rica he felt "a reasonable amount of consistency was important". The Ferns will face the Blue Magpies on 8 April at Kaohsiung Nanzih Football Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The sides will also face-off in a behind closed doors training game three days earlier. Football Ferns squad v Chinese Taipei: Liz Anton (21 caps) Canberra United, Australia Hannah Blake (7 caps) Durham FC, England Kelli Brown (2 caps) Perth Glory, Australia Claudia Bunge (33 caps) Melbourne Victory, Australia Milly Clegg (13 caps) Halifax Tides FC, Canada Manaia Elliott (1 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Victoria Esson (26 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland Michaela Foster (24 caps) Durham FC, England Maya Hahn (2 caps) FFC Turbine Potsdam, Germany Jacqui Hand (33 caps) Sheffield United, England Claudia Jenkins (debut) Adelaide United, Australia Katie Kitching (16 caps) Sunderland AFC, England Annalie Longo (138 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Meikayla Moore (69 caps) Calgary Wild FC, Canada Ruby Nathan (5 caps) Canberra United, Australia Grace Neville (12 caps) London City Lionesses, England Emma Pijnenburg (1 cap) Feyenoord Rotterdam, Netherlands Indiah-Paige Riley (29 caps) Crystal Palace, England Jana Radosavljević (3 caps) C.S. Marítimo, Portugal Alina Santos (debut) University of Denver, USA Kate Taylor (23 caps) Dijon FCO, France Grace Wisnewski (3 caps) Lexington SC, USA