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Chris Wood slotted his penalty shootout attempt as Nottingham Forest survived Exeter City. PHOTO: NOTTINGHAM FOREST All Whites striker Chris Wood has helped Nottingham Forest survive to reach the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Wood came off the bench during the extended second-half stoppage time and converted during the penalty shootout, which Forest won 4-2, following a 2-2 draw after regular and extra-time at Exeter City's St James Park on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES: World championship silver for Alice Robinson Moore, Hendry tied for lead at Race to Tieke Nix ready for crucial away clash with Victory Bryony Botha breaks world cycling record Portuguese midfielder for Nix on loan deal The 33-year-old had chances to score the winner in stoppage-time and extra-time but was denied by desperate defending and a solid save. He stepped up to slot The Tricky Trees' first penalty in the shootout, with all four Forest takers successful against the Wood and Forest will host fellow Premier League club Ipswich Town, currently 19th and in the relegation zone, in the Fifth Round (Round of 16) at Nottingham's City Ground on the weekend of March 1. Sitting third in the Premier League on 47 points as they chase a UEFA Champions League berth next season, Forest next face Fulham at London's Craven Cottage on Saturday (kick-off 4am Sunday NZT). Wood has 17 goals in 24 Premier League matches this season, behind only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, and last month extended his stay at Trentside for two more years.

New Zealand's Chris Wood is staying on with EPL side Nottingham Forest for another couple of seasons PHOTO: NOTTINGHAM FOREST New Zealand striker Chris Wood has extended his contract with English Premier League club Nottingham Forest until 2027 on the back of his prolific goal-scoring form. Wood has scored 14 times in 22 league appearances to be one of the stars of the English season. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi golfers struggle on DP World Tour Gallagher finding his feet at Hurricanes Auckland defeat Otago in Super Smash Economic issues cancel Winter Games Late goal for Auckland FC secures draw His contract was due to expire at the end of the season, however Forest have moved to ensure the 33-year-old striker stays put on Trentside, where he joined on loan from Newcastle two years ago and completed a permanent move in June, 2023. "I'm very excited and very happy to have it completed and done, and I'm looking forward to the next couple of years, at least," Wood said in a club statement. "I saw the ambition when I first arrived. When I spoke to the owner and his family and saw where they want to be and where they see this club to be - it was clear they have high ambitions and big dreams. "He has backed the club for years, even before promotion to the Premier League, which is fantastic, and the team is pushing in the right direction. "I can't thank the fans enough, they always come in voice and they're always behind the team and myself, it's a pleasure playing in front of them. Here's to a few more years together." Despite only being at the club for two years, Wood is their leading Premier League goalscorer, overtaking Bryan Roy's record of 24 in December. He was named as Forest's first Premier League Player of the Month in November, becoming the first New Zealand player to achieve that feat. With Wood the spearhead, Forest have defied all expectations to be second-equal on the standings with Arsenal, six points behind leaders Liverpool. His returns and attitude were praised by club owner Evangelos Marinakis. "He has performed exceptionally well with us," said Marinakis. "More than just his goals, he epitomises everything that it means to wear the Garibaldi red - hard work, a fighting and winning spirit, and the attitude to never give up. He is a winner and a role model to inspire all of us, and we reward his dedication with ours." They are unbeaten in eight league games and are the only team to beat table-toppers Liverpool this campaign, winning 1-0 at Anfield in September, while they drew 1-1 in the return at the City Ground. Forest are six points adrift of Liverpool and have a six-point cushion to fifth-placed Manchester City in the race for a Champions League berth.

Alice Robinson celebrates her silver medal at the FIS Alpine Ski Racing World Championships PHOTO: FIS ALPINE Alice Robinson has claimed her first and New Zealand’s first FIS Alpine Ski Racing World Championships medal with a silver in Giant Slalom in Saalbach, Austria. The 23-year-old from Queenstown was thrilled with her performance against a strong fiield in good weather conditions. LATEST HEADLINES: Nix ready for important Melbourne clash Michael Hendry leads Charles Tour race Bryony Botha breaks world cycling record Portuguese midfielder for Nix on loan deal NZ derbies light up Round 1 of Super Rugby "It’s amazing, my first World Champs medal, it’s so special…I just really wanted to go for it today, I just tried to treat today like any other race and I am really happy to have executed.” Robinson entered today’s World Championships as one of the favourites, off the back of a victory at the last Giant Slalom World Cup race in Kronplatz and as the current leader of the Giant Slalom World Cup standings for the 2025 season. The weather was clear and the temperature was rising, resulting in variable, spring-like snow conditions. Robinson explained; “I was a bit worried today because these conditions, I usually struggle with the spring snow a bit, so I am really proud of myself.” In bib 5, Robinson made the most of the more favourable snow conditions earlier in the day and put down a blistering first run. She was quick out the start gate and read the terrain well, quickly settling into her rhythm as she made her way down the physically demanding course. Federica Brignone of Italy set the fastest first run time, with Robinson just +0.67 behind her and the only athlete to come within a second of the Italian’s superb first run time. “Today I was always wanting to go for the top position and 0.67, that’s not bad but it’s not super close either…We do have another run, Federica is the master in these spring conditions, she’s so good, so I am going to need to clean it up and do something special on the second run.” The second-to-last athlete out of the start gate for run two, Robinson flew down the course skiing dynamically and gaining speed and advantage at every interval, taking the race lead by -1.72 with just Brignone left to ski. “In the second run I just tried to go for it and not think too much, and honestly, it didn’t feel good – It was rough and I think I was pushing it so much that I felt a bit out of control so I didn’t know if it was fast or not…When I saw the green light I thought maybe it was good enough for gold but Federica was amazing today.” – Robinson. Brignone took the gold medal by -0.90, marking the first time an Italian woman has won the Giant Slalom World Championships in 28 years. Robinson finished in second with American Paula Moltzan rounding out the podium in third, claiming her first-ever individual Alpine World Championships medal. Robinson’s previous best FIS Alpine World Championships result was a fourth place finish at the 2021 World Championships in Italy. New Zealand’s previous best results were fourth place finishes from both Robinson in 2021 and Claudia Riegler in slalom at the 1996 World Championships held in Spain.

Cooper Moore produced a bogey-free seven-under 64 to be the co-leader at the Race to Tieke. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Nearly 30 years and exactly zero strokes separate Michael Hendry and Cooper Moore at the Charles Tour's Race to Tieke. Christchurch teen Moore fired a bogey-free seven-under 64 in the second round of the 54-hole season-ending tournament at the Tieke Golf Estate, outside Hamilton, on Thursday, joining Hendry at 11-under. LATEST HEADLINES: Nix ready for crucial away clash with Victory Sprinter Tiaan Whelpton flies at SGD meet Bryony Botha breaks world cycling record Portuguese midfielder for Nix on loan deal NZ derbies light up Round 1 of Super Rugby The 16-year-old Golf New Zealand Academy member produced seven birdies, including five on the back-nine and three straight from the 12th to 14th holes. Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour pro Hendry, 45, followed up his brilliant opening round with a four-under 67 on day two, making six birdies and two bogeys, as the pair lead the chasing pack by three strokes. Auckland's Emma Zheng, the leading women's player in the mixed field, and Josh Geary, winner at last week's Vic Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia, are tied for third at eight-under. Zheng produced an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys in a rollercoaster five-under 66, while Geary matched Hendry with six birdies and two bogeys. Also producing blemish-free seven-under 64s were Hamilton's Nick Coxon and Wellington's Jayden Ford. Coxon made four birdies in a six-hole stretch on the front-nine, jumping 21 places into a share of fifth at seven-under, while Ford made six straight birdies around the turn to climb 29 spots in a tie for 10th at four-under. Asian Tour pro Nick Voke had seven birdies and a bogey in a six-under 65 to join Coxon and Mako Thompson at seven-under. The tournament, featuring the top-24 from the Charles Tour's Order of Merit and invited professionals, concludes on Friday with the third round.

Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano says his side is ready to take points at AAMI Park. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY An important away clash looms for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League against a stuttering Melbourne Victory side. Ahead of their Friday night (kick-off 9.35pm NZ Time) clash, the Phoenix having only won three times in 38 visits to AAMI Park does not faze head coach Giancarlo Italiano, who is maintaining an upbeat mentality. LATEST HEADLINES: Michael Hendry leads Charles Tour race Bryony Botha breaks world cycling record Portuguese midfielder for Nix on loan deal NZ derbies light up Round 1 of Super Rugby Injury to NZ Warriors star ahead of season “I don’t treat it any differently, the process is the same every week,” he told media on Thursday. “We do the same thing. bb “I don’t think anyone ever discusses that we haven’t won there. It’s going to happen at some stage. We’re hoping it’s this game, we go into every game planning to win. “I don’t know if it’s the dimension of the pitch, I don’t know if they poison our water when we go there, I don’t know what it is, but it’s going to be a big game. “Victory are in a bit of a weird holding pattern as well, with a new coach. The pressure is on. They lost last week, so it’s going to be a tough game.” Despite an uptick in recent performances, the Phoenix have struggled to turn draws into wins as they hunt for a playoff spot. However, Italiano is still focused on taking the season game by game. “Both me personally and the coaching staff are not looking too far ahead. “We’re not talking about top six, or even the next game in Auckland, we’re just focused on the Victory game and what we can get out of it. “What we’ve been really happy with is with the amount of personnel change, and all the events that have happened this season, if you zoom out we’ve lost two of the last seven games. “We aren’t getting a lot of wins at the moment, but with the younger players who have been playing and the new imports who are still finding their feet, we’re still very competitive in all our games." Although new visa signing Francisco Geraldes will not be ready to feature until at least next round’s New Zealand derby, Italiano is edging closer to a full-strength squad after injuries have rocked the team in recent weeks. “Once the other senior players start filtering back in, and we can really influence a game off the bench, because that’s a very crucial part of any game, then we can start projecting. “At the moment, we’re still at that stage where we’re trying to find our feet. Once we get everyone back, seeing how many games there are left, then we can maybe calculate where our expectation is. “I hate to harp on about last year, but one thing we spoke about was controlling what we can control, focusing game by game, and I think that works once we stop talking about what was done before or what’s going to happen in the future. “Focusing on now is the most important thing.” One of those returning players is club captain Alex Rufer, who is in line to feature for the first time since December after suffering glandular fever. “He’ll be in the ins. He’s progressed nicely, and the intention is that he travels. “He’ll have some sort of part in tomorrow’s game. If he’s going to travel, he’s going to be part of the game. “He’s way ahead of where he should be, which is good. He’s had two good weeks of training.” Right back Tim Payne is also expected to play a larger part in the game after he made his own comeback from the bench against Brisbane Roar last week. “Again, it’s not the intent in the game that I’m worried about, it’s more the training and the loads getting into his legs. “I’m hoping for a bigger contribution from him for this game, and it’s really important that as a group we can rely on his experience. “It’ll be good to have him back as well, and he can give us some leadership on the park.” And Italiano will take a good result for the Nix however it comes. “Football’s a funny thing. We could go there and play beautiful football for 89 minutes and cop one terrible goal. “Or, we could have no shots and it’s the other way around. In this line of work, results are everything. I’ll take the three points however I can. “I know that if we give our honest effort, like we have the last couple of months, it’s going to be very hard for them to beat us. “That gives me a lot of hope that we can get a positive result.”

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in full flight for the NZ Warriors will miss the first few rounds of NRL 2025 due to injury PHOTO: NRL IMAGERY Unfortunate news for the New Zealand Warriors and their fans with the start of the season just over a week away. Fan favourite Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be out for a number of weeks with injury. LATEST HEADLINES: Co-captain NZ Warriors in NRL 2025 NZ Open part of Open Qualifying Series Black Caps chase 300 total to be SA Sam Jones top-five on Challenge Tour Josh Geary targeting New Zealand Open It's been confirmed the wing will have surgery after fracturing and dislocating his wrist in the pre-season draw against the Sharks in Sydney. There is no timeline for his return as yet. Also out injured for Saturday's second and final pre-season clash against the Storm in Hamilton are centres Adam Pompey and Rocco Berry plus halfback Tanah Boyd. The Warriors first game of the NRL season is Sunday 2 March away to the Canberra Raiders.

Four-time NZ Open winner and British Open champion in 1063 with the New Zealand tournament part of the Open Qualifying Series PHOTO: PGA OF AUSTRALIA The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) confirmed the New Zealand Open will join the Open Qualifying Series offering one entry into the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush to the winner (or leading non-exempt player) of the 104th NZ Open. Tournament Chairman, John Hart is delighted the New Zealand Open join the Open Qualifying Series and hopes we will see another Kiwi on golf’s biggest stage. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps chase 300 total to be SA Sam Jones top-five on Challenge Tour Josh Geary targeting New Zealand Open Hunt, Lynch capture Coast to Coast titles Jackson-Cartwright wins Breakers' MVP “This certainly signals that our event has continued to grow in stature on the world stage and we are delighted that the R&A have opened the door for us to be a part of the Open Qualifying Series. This has been one of the tournament goals for some time, and it’s great to see it now come to fruition” said Hart. “My thanks to Golf New Zealand, the R&A and our tour partners for all their efforts in making this happen.” “This will act as extra motivation for our Kiwi professionals to not only win the New Zealand Open but then to make their mark at Royal Portrush next year. We certainly hope that this is the year that sees another Kiwi winner.” Sir Bob Charles, the only New Zealander to have won The Open Championship, commended the tournament on this achievement. “I’m very pleased that the R&A have recognised the growth that the New Zealand Open has achieved in recent years, and I have no doubt that the winner will cherish this opportunity to tee it up at Royal Portrush next year,” said Charles. Golf New Zealand CEO Jeff Latch is thrilled by the announcement, calling it a defining opportunity for the sport in this country. “This is a massive moment for golf in New Zealand. To have a direct pathway from Queenstown to The Open at Royal Portrush is huge - not just for the players, but for the prestige of the event itself. It reinforces our place on the global stage and provides a dream opportunity for a rising star to compete for the Claret Jug.” As per official Open Qualifying Series criteria, the tournament winner or leading player not already exempt at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown next year will earn a place at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush to be held 13-20 July 2025. Japan's Takahiro Hataji won the tournament in 2024. The 104th New Zealand Open tees off at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown between 27 February and 2 March 2025.

The Blues and Chiefs face each other in Round 1 of Super Rugby Pacific in 2025. PHOTO: SIMON WATTS/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Super Rugby Pacific 2025 kicks off this week in what is still summer for most people. It opens on Friday night with the Hurricanes travelling to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders (kick-off 7.05pm), and includes a replay of the 2024 final when the champion Blues host the Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday (kick-off 7.05pm). LATEST HEADLINES: Injury to Warriors star pre season Co-captain NZ Warriors in NRL 2025 NZ Open part of Open Qualifying Series Black Caps chase 300 total to be SA Sam Jones top-five on Challenge Tour The Hurricanes have won their last two Super Rugby Pacific games against the Crusaders – by margins of just one and four points, respectively. The Crusaders had a disaster of the season in 2024 and have too many injuries to name inn their side for the opening round. Although the Canes are missing plenty of names in key positions too. Crusaders vs Hurricanes, Appollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, Friday, February 14, 7.05pm CRUSADERS: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, David Havili (captain), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioane Moananu, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod HURRICANES: Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Harry Godfrey, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), Brad Shields (co-captain), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb Delany, Tevita Mafileo, Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Peter Lakai, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Ngatungane Punivai Highlanders vs NSW Waratahs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Friday, February 14, 9.35pm NZT The Highlanders have looked promising in build up matches, but the big worry would be depth if injuries hit the squad. Most interest will centred on the Waratahs on who is playing for them rather thn if the HIghlander can sneak a win in Sydney. Co--captain Timoci Tavatavanawai has been huge in pre-season and is a dangerous player with ball in hand. HIGHLANDERS: Sam Gilbert, Michael Manson, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Caleb Tangitau, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie, Hugh Renton (co-captain), Sean Withy, Lui Naeata, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma'u, Soane Mikaele Vikena, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Finn Hurley Blues vs Chiefs, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday, February 15, 7.05pm Off-season recruits Brodie McAlister from the Crusaders and Leroy Carter from All Blacks Sevens have both been named to earn their first caps for the Chiefs. The Blues have won seven of their last nine against the Chiefs what is a replay of last year's final. Their side is strong across the field and in reserves too. BLUES: Beauden Barrett, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Taufa Funaki, Cameron Suafoa, Dalton Papali'i, Anton Segner, Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: Nathaniel Pole, Josh Fusitua, Angus Ta’avao, Che Clark, Adrian Choat, Fin Christie, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes CHIEFS: Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (captain), Kaylum Boshier, Simon Parker, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa Moana Pasifika vs Western Force, 9.35pm, HBF Park, Perth, Saturday 15 February Ardie Savea as captain is huge boost for the side, not only in his play but also reputation for the squad as well. Can he help the franchise pick up more wins than last season? Manawatū tight-head prop Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou who will make his DHL Super Rugby Pacific and Moana Pasifika debut. Four other players in the starting lineup will make their Moana Pasifika debut, including exciting hooker Millennium Sanerivi, dynamic playmaker Jackson Garden-Bachop, Samoa Olympic Sevens star Lalomilo Lalomilo and former NRL Tigers winger Solomon Alaimalo. MOANA PASIFIKA: William Havili, Solomon Alaimalo, Pepesana Patafilo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jonathan Taumateine, Ardie Savea (captain), Sione Havili Talitui, Miracle Faiilagi, Allan Craig, Samuel Slade, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Millennium Sanerivi, James Lay. Reserves: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Tupou Tailoa, Melani Matavao, Danny Toala

Franciso Geraldes has signed on for the Wellington Phoenix for the remaidner of the current A-League season. PHOTO: WELLINGTON PHOENIX The Wellington Phoenix have made a major signing on the final day of the A-League registration window. The Phoenix have secured Portuguese attacking midfielder Franciso 'Chico' Geraldes on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. LATEST HEADLINES: Super Rugby who wins first round? Injury to Warriors star pre season Co-captain NZ Warriors in NRL 2025 NZ Open part of Open Qualifying Series Black Caps chase 300 total to be SA Geraldes, 29, came through the famed Sporting Lisbon youth system and played 150 matches in Liga Portugal before stints in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Spain over the past 18 months. He is a former Portuguese youth international and played alongside the likes of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and former Manchester City and Barcelona fullback João Cancelo at under-21 level. Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano has been looking for an attacking midfielder for the past month and feels fortunate to have signed a player of Geraldes’ calibre. “In terms of quality he’s far above and beyond what sort of player I thought we would get in this window,” Italiano said. “Chico is exactly what we need. He’s a creative playmaker. He can play as an eight or a 10, but he’s been most effective in that higher position. “He’s been training with his last loan club in Spain so he’s still relatively fit and I’m hoping that he can hit the ground running after a week. “It’s going to take him time to find his feet, especially as the A-League is a little bit quicker transitionally, but once he comes good I think he’ll be a really, really good player for us.” Geraldes has arrived in Wellington and cannot wait to get started with his new teammates. “I think this is the perfect place for me to come,” Geraldes said. “I’m looking forward to playing and helping the Phoenix. “The team is the most important thing. I want to help the Phoenix secure more points and get qualification to the finals. “And personally I need to get my joy back in football. “I think Wellington is a very warm place to be because people are so gentle and so kind, and they’re already making me feel at home.” Geraldes believes he’ll be a good fit for the Nix and he’s looking forward to showing fans what he's capable of. “My main characteristics are my passing, assisting goals and creativity on the pitch. That’s what Giancarlo wants me to add to the team. “They’re my main strengths and I always put team goals first. “I think I can add to the Phoenix and help the team grow. I have the trust of the coach and the staff, and the rest will come. “The most important thing is to clear my mind, train hard and the results will come, I’m sure.” Geraldes will wear the No 12 shirt for the Wellington Phoenix and the club hope he will be in contention to make his Phoenix debut in next week’s derby.

Bryony Botha broke a world record at the Oceania Track Cycling Championships. PHOTO: MAT GIILFEDDER/OCEANIA CYCLING New Zealand cyclist Bryony Botha has set a new world record at the UCI Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Brisbane The 27-year-old Olympic silver medalist and multi Commonwealth Games medalist can now add world record holder to her list of achievements. LATEST HEADLINES: Portuguese midfiellder for Nix Super Rugby who wins first round? Injury to Warriors star pre season Co-captain NZ Warriors in NRL 2025 NZ Open part of Open Qualifying Series Botha from Auckland was fastest qualifier in the women’s 4000m individual pursuit, timing 4:31:446 at the Anna Meares Velodrome, ahead of fellow Kiwi Emily Shearman (4:32.588) and Australian Maeve Plouffe (4:35.633). It is the first year that women have moved up to 4000m for the individual pursuit, the same distance as the men, having previously raced this discipline over 3000m. The New Zealand team has applied for official ratification. Botha eventually won the title with Shearman second and Samantha Donnelly third in a New Zealand lockout on the podium. . “It’s pretty cool. Doing my first ever 4km and being able to do a time like that I’m pretty stoked with that,” Botha said after pulling on the Oceania Champions jersey. “I feel like with an event like that it’s very new and the records are going to be broken quite quickly I think so I’m stoked to be holding onto it for maybe a couple of weeks. “But I think I’m really happy with the result and the time and the way I executed the first race and learnt from that and was able to produce a better time in the second race. “It is definitely different. I think the pain is kind of different. For me as a rider I think it suits me better. I’m very much a slow twitch rider so the longer the better for me. I feel like the burn and the pain is just real slow and it doesn’t really hit as much as a 3km but it is just a different kind of pain. Like it is still sore it is just different.” On the opening day of the event Botha and Shearman, won the team pursuit. Joined by Samantha Donnelly, Pru Fowler and Rylee McMullen, the squad mixed their combinations. They clocked 4:18.844 to top qualifiers and lowered that to 4:15.226 in winning the final. The Oceania Track Cycling Championships continue until the weekend.

Mitchell Barnett (right) and James Fisher-Harris will be co-captains for the NZ Warriors in 2025. PHOTO: NZ WARRIORS The NZ Warriors will have Mitchell Barnett and James Fisher-Harris as co-captains for the Warriors' 2025 NRL season. The announcement was made at the club's season launch on and is the second-time in the club's history the Warriors will have co-captains. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ Open part of Open Qualifying Series Black Caps chase 300 total to be SA Sam Jones top-five on Challenge Tour Josh Geary targeting New Zealand Open Hunt, Lynch capture Coast to Coast titles Barnett, 30, and Fisher-Harris, 29, replace incumbent captain Tohu Harris who announced his immediate retirement in January after leading the Warriors 52 times. The last time the Warriors had co-captains was in 2001, when Stacey Jones and Kevin Campion shared the responsibility, leading the club to the finals for the first time. Both Barnett and Fisher-Harris have significant leadership experience to the table, with Warriors chief executive Cameron George saying they were "terrific examples of what leadership is about". "Rather than having one captain, we felt Mitch and James have so much to offer as co-captains. It was a no brainer given their qualities." Barnett captained the side for the last nine games of the 2024 campaign following Harris' early exit, starting an against-the-odds victory over the Dolphins. He also assumed the captaincy in Magic Round match against the Panthers after original skipper for the game Wayde Egan was forced off the field just 12 minutes into the contest. Barnett described the co-captaincy as a "great opportunity" - "for me, for my family and also for Fish". "I don't want to be anything different than I've already been. I just want to be the player everyone wants to play with." Fisher-Harris brings credentials as Kiwi captain in 2023-2024, including leading his country to a record 30-0 win over the Kangaroos to secure the Pacific Championships title in 2023. For the last five seasons he has led the way for the Panthers' pack in five consecutive grand finals including four straight premiership victories. "It's been a hectic last month or so for me getting used to the new surroundings here," he said. Fisher-Harris said he wants to "give back" to the game. "That's why I came back and being co-captain is really special." The Warriors play away to the Canberra Raiders in Round 1 of the NRL in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 2.

Kane Williamson (left) and Devon Conway put on an impressive batting display to help the Black Caps beat South Africa PHOTO: ICC The Black Caps have chased down South Africa's total of 304-6 to score an impressive victory in in the tri-Series in Lahore. The South African innings was led by an impressive display from opener Mathew Breetzke who made 150, the highest total by a player on debut. LATEST HEADLINES: Sam Jones top-five on Challenge Tour Josh Geary targeting New Zealand Open Hunt, Lynch capture Coast to Coast titles Jackson-Cartwright wins Breakers' MVP Late try denies Warriors pre-season win Matt Henry took 2-59 and Will O'Rourke 2-72 while Michael Bracewell had figures of 1-43. The other wicket was a run out. At bat Devon Conway was in for Rachin Ravindra and dulyperformaed with 97 from 107 balls. It was the first time Conway had gone past 50 since the first match of the 2023 World Cup, 11 innings ago. The big score cam efrom Kane Williamson who made 133113 balls with two sixws and 13 fours and was his second fastest ODI century (off 72 balls). Other New Zealand batters saw Will Young make 19, Daryl Mitchell 10, Tom Latham was out for a duck wahile Glenn Phillips made 28 from 22 balls as they scored 308-4 to win by six wickets with eight balls to spare.