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American John Catlin will chase the New Zealand Open golf title later this month at Millbrook. PHOTO: ASIAN TOUR Fresh from clinching the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit title, American John Catlin will lead the strongest Asian Tour field to date at this year's New Zealand Open. The 104th New Zealand Open is set to take place at the prestigious Millbrook Resort from February 27-March 2, with players competing for a share of the $NZ2 million prize pool. LATEST HEADLINES: Webster set to join Tall Blacks century club Cadzow captures NZ road cycling double NZ golfers, Geary, Alker lead tournaments Sadowski-Synnott gold, Harrington second Highlanders top Crusaders in pre-season Catlin, 34, who secured his maiden Order of Merit victory last season, was in sensational form throughout the year, with a string of standout performances that saw him hit the top spot in the rankings. Victories at the International Series Macau and the Saudi Open, along with six other top-10 finishes meant he claimed the season-long Merit title ahead of New Zealand's Ben Campbell, now playing on the LIV Golf tour. “I’m incredibly proud to have secured the Order of Merit title last year. The consistency I was able to achieve was arguably the best patch of golf in my career so far,” said Catlin. “I’m really excited to be coming back to Queenstown for the New Zealand Open. It’s a tournament I’ve always wanted to win, and the competition this year will be as strong as ever. The course at Millbrook Resort is stunning, and I’m excited to return.” Catlin’s season also saw him take home the Kyi Hla Han Award for Player of the Year on the Asian Tour. It was the second time he has won the award, and was the icing on the cake for an incredible season, which included a 59 on day three in Macau. It was the first sub-60 shot ever on the Asian Tour. “We are thrilled to welcome John back to the New Zealand Open,” said tournament director Michael Glading. “His success last  season was extraordinary, and it’s great that John is making his way back to Queenstown for the first time since 2020. He is definitely one to watch at Millbrook Resort.” Catlin is not the only high-profile Asian Tour player heading to Queenstown, with seven of the top-12 in the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit making the trip to Central Otago. Queenstown’s own Campbell will be joined by the likes of Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand), MJ Maguire (USA), Miguel Tabuena (Philippines), Taichi Kho (Hong Kong), Steve Lewton (England), Jbe’ Kruger (South Africa), Jeunghun Wang (Korea) and Travis Smyth (Australia) all taking to the fairways later this month. Another feature of this year’s Asian Tour entries is the inclusion of legendary players Scott Hend (a close runner-up at the New Zealand Open last year), and Liang Wenchong, one of China’s most successful golfers with 21 wins worldwide. “It’s great to have so many top players from the Asian Tour in the field this year, from such a wide variety of countries. This is a real feature of the Asian Tour and we are delighted to partner with them,” said Glading. NEW ZEALAND OPEN - ASIAN TOUR ENTRIES Ben Campbell (New Zealand) John Catlin (USA) Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand) Chan, Shih-chang (Chinese Taipei) MJ Maguire (USA) Jbe’ Kruger (South Africa) Steve Lewton (United Kingdom) Guntaek Koh (Korea) Taichi Kho (Hong Kong) Miguel Tabuena (Philippines) Wade Ormsby (Australia) Bio Kim (Korea) Kevin Yuan (Australia) Travis Smyth (Australia) Gunn Charoenkul (Thailand) Jeunghun Wang (Korea) Ian Snyman (South Africa) James Piot (USA) Pavia Tangkamolprasert (Thailand) Kazuki Higa (Japan) Scott Hend (Australia) Sampson Zheng (China) Charlie Lindh (Sweden) Aaron Wilkin (Australia) Austen Truslow (USA) Justin Quiban (Philippines) Jose Toledo (Guatemala) Jed Morgan (Australia) Maverick Antcliff (Australia) Nick Voke (New Zealand) Liang Wenchong (China) Jack Thompson (Australia) Berry Henson (Australia) Miguel Carballo (Argentina) Takumi Murakami (Japan)

Veteran Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster is set to play his 100th game for New Zealand. PHOTO: FIBA ASIA Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster is set to reach a major milestone in the next FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers window. Barring injury, the next time the veteran guard steps on the court - either on February 20 in Hong Kong or February 23 at Auckland's Spark Arena against the Philippines - will be his 100th appearance in the black singlet. LATEST HEADLINES: Cadzow captures NZ road cycling double NZ golfers, Geary, Alker lead tournaments Sadowski-Synnott gold, Harrington second Highlanders top Crusaders in pre-season Phoenix let victory slip away against Roar Webster. 36, will become the 12th Tall Blacks centurion and the first since Tom Abercrombie reach triple-digits at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.   “The impact that Corey has had on the game of basketball in this country is phenomenal," said Tall Blacks head coach Judd Flavell. "He’s represented the Tall Blacks on an international stage and been a world-class player. The way he’s carried on the legacy of the Tall Blacks, the way he’s carried our team and himself has just been with immense pride.” Webster made his debut as a teen against Australia in 2008 and has led the Tall Blacks at a number of pinnacle events over his time with the national team, including leading the team in scoring at both the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cups.   “What I’ve really enjoyed most about Corey is his journey. He’s someone that was a Tall Black very young, and has continued to put his hand up when asked upon. "When you listen to him talk about the Tall Blacks and what it means to him, you can sense his pride and passion for the black singlet. Him reaching this milestone is a testament to all of that.”   Webster the second highest point scorer in Tall Black history, behind FIBA Hall of Famer and legend Kirk Penney. Webster also sits behind Penney in all-time three pointers. Six players, including Webster, return from November’s qualifying window in Flavell's 12-man squad. The others are Canterbury Rams quartet Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Max Darling and Kaia Isaac, along with Cairns Taipans starting centre Sam Waardenburg.   Flavell was also delighted to welcome back the experienced trio of Jordan Ngatai (Kapfenberg Bulls, Austria), Tohi Smith-Milner (Brisbane Bullets) and Reuben Te Rangi (Tasmania JackJumpers).   Also making a return to the coveted black singlet is NZ Breakers injury replacement and 3x3 Tall Blacks stalwart Tai Wynyard. Flavell also named a pair of potential debutants in Hawke’s Bay Hawks youngster Jackson Ball and Canterbury Rams rising star Tama Isaac.   “We have put together a great mix of experience. Some guys that are well established Tall Blacks and have played a lot of games for the black singlet. "We’re mixing that in with a lot of youth, and continuing on the theme of growing and fast-tracking our younger stars we have two new players to add to that mix in Tama Isaac and Jackson Ball.” Both Ball and Tama Isaac made big progress in the National Basketball League (NBL) last year and were key cogs in their respective teams' Rapid League squads.   Flavell was continuing to set the programme up for years to come, by bringing in these two talented young stars.   “What we’re finding with these windows are giving opportunities to these young and exciting guys to make their debuts.   "We’re future proofing ourselves by going into the depth-charts and looking at players who we believe are going to be Tall Blacks in the future and for a very long time, and both Tama and Jackson fit that mold.” Ball was a part of the New Zealand’s fairytale run at the 2024 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Turkey, where the team finished fourth. He was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools All-Star Five in 2024 after his Napier Boys’ High squad finished runners-up.   Should Ball take the court, he would become the third-youngest Tall Blacks player to behind Wynyard and Izayah Le’afa, who like Ball were both 16 when they debuted.   Tama Isaac was a member of the FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup All-Star Five last year, averaging 17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and a tournament-leading 5.7 assists across six games in Jordan. Isaac was also named MVP at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals and Under-20 Nationals in 2024 after leading his Christ’s College and Canterbury squads to national titles. He follows in brother Kaia’s footsteps, who made his Tall Black debut during the last FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers window in November.   “Both these guys have been dominant players in their junior environments and both have been unphased by the step up of the NBL. Seeing these guys perform at this level has given me great confidence that they are ready for this challenge.” At 16 years, 160 days of age, Wynyard made his Tall Black debut. To this day, he remains the youngest Tall Black to ever take the hardwood floor.   After two years since his last appearance, he will potentially play in his 19th and 20th games for the Tall Blacks. Flavell’s long standing relationship with Wynyard was a key factor into the big-man’s return to the national side.   “I had a lot to do with him when he was coming through the Breakers academy and making his debut. We’ve built a good relationship over that time.”   “It’s not been smooth sailing and it has not been a straight journey for him, he’s had his challenges. Seeing him back on the basketball court, and looking at where he is at with his family, he is someone we’re really interested in seeing what he can contribute to our environment.” Having already qualified for August's FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the goal for Flavell’s men is to qualify as the top seed from their pool.   Should they do so, it would mean an easier path to becoming champions of Asia, which would be New Zealand’s first title since joining the competition in 2017.   “The ultimate goal is to get top seed out of our pool so that we position ourselves in the best pool when it comes to the Asia Cup in August. So we need to win both games. That’s the job we have in front of us," Flavell said.   “This window is to position ourselves for that pinnacle event later on in the year, but also spending that time together to build cohesion.”   TALL BLACKS ROSTER   Jackson Ball, guard, Hawke’s Bay Hawks* Taylor Britt, guard, Canterbury Rams, 29 caps Walter Brown, guard/forward, Tasmania JackJumpers/Canterbury Rams, 16 caps Max Darling, forward, NZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 2 caps Kaia Isaac, guard, NZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 1 cap Tama Isaac, guard, Canterbury Rams* Jordan Ngatai, guard/forward, Kapfenberg Bulls, 82 caps Tohi Smith-Milner, forward, Brisbane Bullets, 64 caps Reuben Te Rangi, guard/forward, Tasmania JackJumpers, 69 caps Sam Waardenburg, centre/forward, Cairns Taipans, 3 caps Corey Webster, guard, 99 caps Tai Wynyard, centre, NZ Breakers, 18 caps   * potential debutant TALL BLACKS ASIA CUP QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE February 22, 2024: NZL vs Chinese Taipei (away):  WON 89-69 February 25, 2024: NZL vs Hong Kong (Auckland):  WON 88-49 November 21, 2024: NZL vs Philippines (away): LOST 93-89 November 25, 2024: NZL vs Chinese Taipei (Christchurch): WON 81-64 February 20, 2025: NZL vs Hong Kong (away)  February 23, 2025: NZL vs Philippines (Spark Arena, Auckland)  August 5-17, 2025: FIBA Asia Cup (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Elite champion Kim Cadzow wins the Cycling NZ Elite National Road Race title double PHOTO: AIMAN AMERUL MUNER Paris Olympian Kim Cadzow will take two champion’s jerseys back to her WorldTour team after claiming the Cycling New Zealand Elite National Road Race title in Timaru today. The 23-year-old, who rides for EF Education-Oatly WorldTour team, added the road race victory to her win after yesterday’s time trial. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi golfers, Geary, Alker lead events Sadowski-Synnott wins, Harrington 2nd Highlanders top Crusaders in pre-season Janett, Foulkes heroes in Canterbury win Phoenix let victory slip away against Roar After sitting safely in the peloton for most of the race, while EF Education-Oatly teammate Henrietta Christie marked any attacks upfront, Cadzow pushed off the front of the pack and used her undoubted climbing skills to clear away to win in 3:14.42. She finished 24 seconds clear of Lidl-Trek WorldTour professional and Paris Olympic teammate, Niamh Fisher-Black who edged Hamilton policewoman and UCI Esports World Champion, Kate McCarthy. “My teammate Henry (Henrietta) was amazing all day, attacking, putting everyone in the box in the right moment and gave me a lot of confidence and just told me to go,” said Cadzow. Former under-23 MTB world champion, Sammie Maxwell showed her capabilities on the road when she pushed clear after a sedate first lap, opening a lead of nearly two minutes before the peloton caught her at the halfway mark. The peloton eased to a comfortable pace until Cadzow took her chance to push off the front. The chasers worked but Cadzow was too strong, increasing the advantage to 35s approaching the hill, pushing that to over a minute and despite a late charge led by Fisher-Black, McCarthy and Wyllie, the leader had enough in the tank to win by 24 seconds. She follows on from former WorldTour professional, Georgia Williams who also claimed the road race-time trial championship double, which she achieved on four occasions. “Winning two titles has not really sunk in yet. It is pretty incredible, I think. I had a bit of a hard time in the summer so I didn’t expect to come away with this one this time,” said Cadzow. Southland’s Rhylee Akeroyd, riding for Meridian Blue-99 Bikes, benefitting from good support from the likes of teammate Kirsty Watts, latched on to the back of the top-10 elites to claim the under-23 title. She finished in 3:15.38 in 11th place overall, and importantly 1:20 clear of second placed Kirsty Watts from Christchurch and Black Matic-Tinelli rider Ava Maddison from Auckland who was 5:19 behind. “This year I’ve learned how important it is to have good support people around you. My coach is Kate McIlroy and Reon Nolan and they have been instrumental in this win for me and I definitely couldn’t have done it without them,” said Akeroyd. “It feels amazing. It’s what I came here to do. It’s been a pretty rough last 12 months for me. Last year I was standing on the sidelines watching this race and unsure if I would ever race my bike again so to be here today and won my first national jersey is amazing.” The success for the Black Magic-Tinelli team continued with Marlborough rider Neve McKenzie from Fairhall prevailing in the uphill sprint to claim the Under-19 women’s title from teammate Holly Bishop (Auckland). Ohope’s Lilly Collombet was third 12 seconds back in the 69km race over three circuits of the course. The pack rode together for the first lap before the pressure went on with McKenzie, Bishop, Collombet and Marett together for the final climb before the Marlborough rider proved strongest with just 12 seconds separating the top three. The under-19 men’s title went to Clevedon’s Ben Archer, who prevailed from a five-strong bunch who battled up the hill for the final time. Archer was strongest in the sprint from local rider Oscar Talbot, Joshua Rowe (Cambridge), Liam Lloyd (Counties Manukau) and Adrew Free (Christchurch). The riders battled 118km with five laps of the same course with Auckland talent Harry Shannon pushing the pace to string out the bunch. He was part of a seven-strong split but the pace dropped and they were caught, with 20 riders in the peloton after two laps. Shannon edged clear again only to be caught on the hill ,as did Rowe before Archer made his winning move. The final day of the championships tomorrow will feature the under-23 and elite men’s road race over a gruelling 190kms. Results: Women Elite, 118ikm, 5 laps: Kim Cadzow (EF Education Oatly, Wanaka) 3:14.42, 1; Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek, Nelson) at 24s, 2; Kate McCarthy (Hamilton) at 26s, 3; Ella Wyllie (LIV AlUla Jayco, Auckland) at 31s, 4; Henrietta Christie (EF Education-Oatley, Lincoln) at 35s, 5. Under-23, 118km: Rhylee Akeroyd (Meridian Blue-99 Bikes, Southland) 3:15.38, 1; Kirsty Watts (Black Magic-Tinelli, Swannanoa) at 25s, 2; Ava Maddison (Black Magic-Tinelli, Auckland) at 4:23, 3. Under-19, 68kms: Neve McKenzie (Black Magic Tinelli, Fairhall) 1:56:28, 1; Holly Bishop (Black Magic Tinelli, Auckland) at 5s, 2; Lilly Collombet (Whakatane CC, Ohope) at 12s, 3; Kyra Marett (Cycling SC, Waitohi) at 26s, 4; Nina Worrall (Black Magic Tinelli, Auckland) at 4:28, 5. Men Under-19, 118kms: Ben Archer (FMWC Societa Sportiva, Clevedon) 3:06.22, 1; Oscar Talbot (Cycling SC, Pleasant Valley) at 3s, 2; Joshua Rowe (Te Awamutu Sports, Cambridge) at 4s, 3; Liam Lloyd (Couplands Racing, Counties-Manukau) at 9s, 4; Andre Free (Canterbury Track, Christchurch) at 15s, 5.

Zoi Sadowski-Sinnott (centre) atop the women’s snowboard big air podium at the FIS Snowboard World Cup in Aspen. PHOTO: FIS PARK & PIPE Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has won the final stop of the 2024-25 FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup Tour in Aspen, her first Big Air World Cup victory since December 2023. To go with Sadowski-Synnott's great result, fellow Kiwi Luca Harrington was second at the latest FIS Freeski World Cup event, also in Aspen, Colorado. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders top Crusaders in pre-season Janett, Foulkes heroes in Canterbury win Phoenix let victory slip away against Roar World Tour riders claim Cycling NZ titles Lulu Sun loses in Abu Dhabi, Venus wins This result firmly marks Sadowski-Synott’s return to the absolute top of women’s snowboarding since an ankle injury sidelined her for much of 2024. The Wanaka 23-year-old was thrilled with the victory. “I actually can’t believe it, the conditions were kind of challenging today with the firm, shady landing in contrast with the run-in being soft and bumpy. To put down those two tricks in these conditions, I am pretty stoked.” Weather was warm and windy in Aspen, requiring some tactical snowboarding from Sadowski-Synnott to ensure she could throw her biggest tricks, despite a course that was getting softer and winds that were increasing. She put her two winning tricks down on her first two runs, which was a crucial move in taking the win. “To put those first two [tricks] down was kind of playing tactics, but I am stoked.” Sadowski-Synnott stomped a switch backside double corked 1260 with a weddle grab for her first run, scoring the highest single jump score of the day with an 89.00 to take an early lead. She paired that with a backside double 1080 drunk driver grab (both hands on the board) to take the lead after run two, two points ahead of her nearest competitor Kokomo Murase of Japan. With Murase recording a DNI (did not improve) for her third and final run, Sadowski-Synnott dropped into a victory lap as she once again rode her way to the top of the women’s snowboarding big air podium. Sadowski-Synnott in first and Murase in second were joined on the podium by Japan’s Momo Suzuki who rounded out the podium in third. In the last couple of weeks Sadowski-Synnott has claimed two X Games medals (gold and bronze) and two World Cup wins. It was the final event of the 2025 FIS Big Air World Cup Tour. The FIS Snowboard Slopestyle World Cup circuit will resume on the 18th of February in Calgary, Canada. For Hrington second place Freeski Big Air World Cup was another satisfying result. “I am unbelievably excited, this season has been incredible for me and to walk away with another medal today is just a dream.” Harrington qualified in the top spot to finals, and made quick work of getting a score in the 90’s on the board, putting down a right triple corked 1800 safety grab for his first of three finals runs. Athletes threw down their best tricks but Harrington quickly responded with a precision perfect switch right triple corked 1620 esco grab. The judges rewarded him with a huge 94.25 for his second run, which had him sitting comfortably in second position with just one run to go. Harrington dropped into his final run and was guaranteed a silver medal as the second to last athlete to drop. Always looking to push himself and the sport, Harrington threw down a massive right triple corked 1980 safety grab which improved his score but wasn’t enough to bump Austria’s Matej Svancer off the top spot. Svancer took the win, with Harrington in second. Konnor Ralph of the USA rounded out the podium in third with first big air world cup podium of his career. Harrington is currently in second place in the 2025 men’s freeski big air World Cup standings, only secured his first Big Air World Cup podium a little over a month ago and has gone from strength to strength with his flawless execution and highly technical tricks. Today’s result marks his fifth major podium of 2025 (slopestyle and big air). Meanwhile skier Alice Robinson has finished 11th in the Super-G at the world championships in Austria. She was 1.13 seconds behind local winner Stephanie Venier .

The Highlanders scored three second half tries to defeat the Crusaders in Invercargill. PHOTO: HIGHLANDERS The Highlanders have completed an unbeaten Super Rugby Pacific pre-season with a win over the Crusaders. The Southern Men ran in four tries, including three in the second half, as they held on to beat their South Island rivals 29-24 at Invercargill's Rugby Park in a Waitangi Day clash on Thursday. LATEST HEADLINES: Janett, Foulkes heroes in Canterbury win Phoenix let victory slip away against Roar World Tour riders claim Cycling NZ titles Lulu Sun loses in Abu Dhabi, Venus wins Breakers end season with another loss The Crusaders started fast, with converted tries from prop George Bell and first-five Taha Kemara, following a Cam Millar penalty, for a 14-3 lead after 22 minutes. The Highlanders' response from wing Jona Nareki in the 24th minute was answered by All Blacks wing Sevu Reece in the shadow of halftime, maintaining a nine-point lead at the break. With the Highlanders wearing their away maroon kit of the hometown province Southland, two Stags - flanker Sean Withy and wing Michael Manson - crossed the try-line during their second-half comeback. Bay of Plenty loosie Nikora Broughton scored the other try as the Highlanders piled on 19 points in 21 minutes to take a 29-19 lead. Tasman outside back Macca Springer got one back for the Crusaders in the 74th minute but the home side clung to their lead. The Highlanders open their season in Sydney against the NSW Waratahs on Valentine's Day (kick-off 9.35pm NZ Time), while the Crusaders get the 2025 season started against the Hurricanes earlier that night in Christchurch (kick-off 7.05pm). The Super Rugby Pacific pre-season continues for New Zealand's other franchises, with the Hurricanes hosting the Blues in Wainuiomata on Friday (kick-off 3pm) and the Chiefs facing Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

Josh Geary leads the Victoria Open after two rounds PHOTO: PGA OF AUSTRALIA A great couple of rounds for New Zealand's Josh Geary at the Victoria Open at the Links course where he leads by two shots. He carded a 64 on day and 65 in the second spoilt only by a six on the par four 18th hole in an otherwise blemish-free tournament to be 15-under. LATEST HEADLINES: Sadowski-Synnott wins, Harrington 2nd Highlanders top Crusaders in pre-season Janett, Foulkes heroes in Canterbury win Phoenix let victory slip away against Roar World Tour riders claim Cycling NZ titles Michael Hendry was fifth at 11-under after a second round 65. Denzel Ieremia was tied 18th at seven-under. Jake Meenhorst, Kerry Mountcastle and Cameron Harlock just make the cut at four-under, tied 47th. At the latest Champions Tour event in Morocco Steven Alker is tied for the lead after the opening round. Alker carded a four under par 69 to share a one shot lead with Englishman Simon Griffiths at the Trophy Hassan II tournament in Rabat. Meanwhile a difficult opening round for Dame Lydia Ko at the latest LPGA Tour event in Florida finishing six over par after her first seven holes at the Founders Cup tournament. The world No 2 parred her first hole, but then had two double bogeys and two bogeys over her next six holes. She was down the field, but managed to move up the leaderboard with three birdies to finished with a three over par 74 which has her tied for 97th. Ko was nine shots behind the leaders, Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark and Jennifer Kupcho of the USA. Fellow New Zealander Fiona Xu is tied for 35th, five shots from the leaders. Ben Campbell and Danny Lee are tied for 15th, six shots from the leader after the opening round of the first LIV Golf tournament of the year in Saudi Arabia. On the DP World Tour, Daniel Hillier is tied for 43rd, five shots from the lead at one-under, and Kazuma Kobori is tied for 76th, another two shots back, after the opening round of the Qatar Masters. Ryan Fox down the order the Phoenix Open and is in a tie for 81st after the opening round of the PGA Tour event. Fox carded a one-over par round of 72.

Elite Time Trial champions, Kim Cadzow in action in Timaru Phhoto: AIMAN AMENUL MUNER UCI WorldTour professionals Kim Cadzow and Finn Fisher-Black claimed the opening honours with victories in the time trial at the Cycling New Zealand Elite Road National Championships in Timaru. Cadzow successfully defended the title she won last year with the EF Oatly Cannondale rider securing the first national jersey for her WorldTour team with a dominate ride, as riders had to handle persistent light rain throughout. LATEST HEADLINES: Sun loss Abu Dhabi, Venus win Breakers end season with loss Blacks Sticks women selected Former All Black prop retires NZ, Australia hoops rivalry reignited The Paris Olympian clocked 34:52.15 for the 24.4km individual test, to finish 32 seconds ahead of last year’s under-23 winner and Jayco AlUla WorldTour rider, Ella Wyllie. Cadzow’s teammate Henrietta Christie was a further 24 seconds back in third with in-form FDJ-Suez professional, Ally Wollaston fourth. “It was windy, it was raining and it is a really hard course and you are pushing the pedals all day,” said Cadzow. Tt is just the way I like it. I do not like suffering with the so I enjoy it when it was like that. “The fittest person wins on the day. It was quite the same conditions as it was at the Olympics. I love the rain, the cold, the wind. I was happy.” Fisher-Black secured his first elite national title, with the Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe professional having won two under-23 time trial titles in Christchurch 10 years ago. He produced a powerful second half to his ride to finish in 47:37.59 for the 37.4km test, averaging over 46kph. Fisher-Black, who finished third in the recent UCI Tour Down Under World Tour opener, was 34 seconds faster than defending champion and three-time winner Aaron Gate, from XDS Astana WorldTour team. His fellow Paris Olympian, Tom Sexton was third, 1:20 behind the winner, and next week he will swap back to the track for the Oceania Championships. “I got to the halfway point and still felt I could do another half an hour,” said Fisher-Black. “I gave a nod to Shane behind (Team Director and former New Zealand road champion Shane Archbold). From there I knew I was on a good day. “It is really good to compete back in New Zealand. I always try to get back. I cherish that – it is only three or four weeks a year. It is good to be back racing with kiwis on home roads. “Today was my big focus. It is the race you can control a bit more. The road race is a super strong field this year – almost every New Zealand pro is racing so it will be a tough one.” The Black Magic Tinelli development women’s professional team showed their riders have prospered from their northern hemisphere experience, with team riders performing prominently. Marlborough’s Neve McKenzie (Black Magic) prevailed in the under-19 ahead of Kyra Marett (South Canterbury) and Piper Karras (Black Magic). North Canterbury’s Kirsty Watts (Meridian Blue p/b 99 Bikes, last year’s under-19 winner, stepped up to claim the under-23 title ahead of the Black Magic pair of Alex Rawlinson and Ava Maddison. Highly promising former rower, Nate Pringle from near-by Leeston, near Christchurch, powered away to win the men’s under-23 honours in 48:42.80, the third fastest overall on the day. He finished ahead of last year’s under-19 podium riders Reef Roberts and Noah Hollamby. The action moves to the road races tomorrow for Under-19 Women, Under-19 Men and combined Under-23 and Elite Women. The combined Under-23 and Elite Men’s road race over 190kms is on Saturday. Time Trial results: Female, Under-19 (14.8km): Neve McKenzie (Black Magic Tinelli, Marlborough) 25:01, 1; Kyra Marett (Geraldine, South Canterbury) at 18s, 2; Piper Karras (Black Magic Tinelli, Christchurch) at 1:30, 3. Under-23: 24.4km: Kirsty Watts (Black Magic Tinelli, Swannanoa) 36:14.12, 1; Alex Rawlinson Black Magic Tinelli, Tauranga) at 1:34, 2; Ava Maddison (Black Magic Tinelli, Auckland) at 2:20, 3. Elite, 24.4km: Kim Cadzow (EF Oatly Cannondale, Wanaka) 34:52.15, 1; Ella Wyllie at 31s, 2; Henrietta Christie (EF Oatly Cannondale, Lincoln) at 54s, 3. Male, Under-19 (24.4km): Harry Shannon (Counties Manukau, Auckland) 32:50.10, 1; Andre Free (Canterbury Track, Christchurch) at 42s, 2; Ben Crawford (Canterbury Track, Christchurch) at 1:18, 3. Under-23, 37.4km: Nate Pringle (Leeston) 48:42.80, 1; Reef Roberts (Groupama FDJ Conti, Queenstown) at 1:49.02, 2; Noah Hollamby (Timaru) at 1:49.55, 3. Elite, 37.4km: Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, Nelson) 47:37.59, 1; Aaron Gate (XDS Astana, Cambridge) at 34s, 2; Tom Sexton (St George Continental, Invercargill) at 1:20, 3.

Troy Johnson managed 23 from 34 balls to help the Firebirds to victory over Northern Districts. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The resumption of one-day cricket's Ford Trophy produced high-scoring matches — including a last-ball thriller — across the country on a blistering Waitangi Day. Canterbury set the Otago Volts a 323-run chase at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin after Scott Janett’s maiden List-A one-day century (115 off as many balls) underpinned their total of 322-7 on Thursday.  LATEST HEADLINES: Phoenix let victory slip away against Roar World Tour riders claim Cycling NZ titles Lulu Sun loses in Abu Dhabi, Venus wins Breakers end season with another loss Blacks Sticks Women's squad selected In a remarkable match, 643 runs were scored after the Volts responded with a Llew Johnson century (115 off 118 balls) in the reply of 321-7. But it was last-ball heartbreak for the hosts, after Canterbury allrounder Zak Foulkes put himself on a hat-trick with the wickets of Johnson and Ben Lockrose.  Johnson had just belted a six, and the Volts had needed just three runs off three balls before Foulkes’s last-minute intervention - and when Andrew Hazeldine scrambled just a leg bye off the final ball, Canterbury had snatched the dramatic one-run victory to go top of the table. Canterbury's rise came at the expense of the Auckland Aces, who could not stop Central Distrits from roaring yet again in Auckland. Central's Brett Randell produced his third List-A five-wicket bag, but the Aces piled on 285 at Eden Park Outer Oval after captain Sean Solia elected to bat. It still was not enough for the hosts, after Tom Bruce carried his Super Smash form straight over into the Ford Trophy, pumping his career-best one-day century (139 off 124 balls) as part of a new CD fourth-wicket record partnership, Curtis Heaphy bringing it home unbeaten on 85 off 91 balls, with two overs to spare. Surprisingly, it was just Bruce’s second century in the limited overs format, but he had also had a share in the previous Central fourth-wicket record of 147, with Will Young. With Heaphy, he smashed that record, taking it to 183.  Central's six-wicket victory lifted them above the Volts to fourth on the table.  The Aces, Canterbury and the Wellington Firebirds headed into the back half of the national one-day championship in the top-three spots, and ended Round 6 in second, first and third, respectively, with Canterbury’s thriller giving them a thin two-point lead.  Meanwhile, Northern Districts, who had squeaked to 200 after electing to bat in Wellington, remain anchored to the foot of the ladder.  They had their work cut out trying to hold off the Firebirds, who chased down their target with four overs to spare for a four-wicket win at the Basin Reserve. Round 7 of the Ford Trophy takes the free-admission action to Whangārei (Northern Districts vs Central Districts), Christchurch (Canterbury vs Wellington Firebirds) and Dunedin (Otago Volts vs Auckland Aces) on Monday, from 10.30am. In the meantime, the women’s one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield championship resumes with twin one-day rounds across the weekend at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park (Central Hinds vs Northern Districts), Auckland’s Eden Park Outer Oval (Auckland Hearts vs Otago Sparks) and the Basin Reserve (Wellington Blaze vs Canterbury Magicians), from 10.30am on Saturday.

Isaac Hughes celebrates his first senior goal for the Wellington Phioenix PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Wellington Phoenix dropped points to last-placed Brisbane Roar in a 1-1 draw at Sky Stadium on Waitangi Day a result that could provide issues down the track. Wellington could have climbed to within three points of sixth-placed but despite taking the lead through Isaac Hughes’ first senior goal succumbed to a Henry Hore equaliser as Brisbane claimed just their sixth point of the season. LATEST HEADLINES: World Tour riders win NZ titles Sun loss Abu Dhabi, Venus win Breakers end season with loss Blacks Sticks women selected Former All Black prop retires The hosts had a Hideki Ishige strike correctly ruled out for offside in the first half before a contentious penalty no-call just before the break. Ishige had gone down in the box under contact from Brisbane’s Walid Shour but referee Jack Morgan elected to uphold his original decision not to award a spot kick, despite reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor on recommendation from VAR. Having taken just one point from the Roar draw, Wellington remain in 10th spot on the Isuzu A-League table, six points adrift of the top six. Brisbane were the surprise front-runners in the first half at Sky Stadium. Ruben Zadkovich’s side supplied all the early pressure and should have gone ahead when Samuel Klein headed over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box. Kosta Barbarouses latched onto a Brisbane defensive mistake to put Roar keeper Macklin Freke to the test but couldn’t find score what would have been his 101st A-League goal. But then, after 16 minutes of play, the ‘Nix did find the back through Ishigebut after a lengthy delay, VAR correctly concluded the Japanese forward had strayed offside before receiving the ball from Corban Piper. Late in the first half, Wellington had a penalty claim waved away by referee Jack Morgan after Hideki Ishige went down in the box under contact from Brisbane’s Walid Shour in the box. Morgan was ushered to the pitchside monitor by VAR to review the incident in Wellington’s attacking penalty area, but returned to the field of play to explain his decision to uphold his initial call via live VAR comms. “There is contact – it is not a foul. No penalty,” the referee said. The denial of a Phoenix penalty ensured Brisbane got to half-time on level terms but just beyond the hour mark, the hosts did find a breakthrough goal as 20-year-old Isaac Hughes put his side into the lead. Hughes’ first Isuzu UTE A-League goal came from a corner whipped into the six-yard box by Ishige; the defender was given too much space to attack the delivery and headed back across goal to beat Roar keeper Freke and put Wellington on top at Sky Stadium. Brisbane almost equalised just minutes after conceding when an outrageous first-time attempt from Jay O’Shea crashed off the post and skidded across the goal mouth. Then, having come off the bench in the 67th minute, Roar substitute Keegan Jelacic played a key role in getting his side back on level terms, providing a sublime assist for Hore whose magic first and second touch opened space in the box for the 25-year-old to fire past Alby Kelly-Heald. Hore’s 71st-minute equaliser set the stage for an exciting finish to the contest but neither side managed to find a winning goal as the points were shared at Sky Stadium

Lulu Sun lost in the second round of the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi PHOTO: MUBADALA ABU DHABI OPEN New Zealand tennis player Lulu Sun has lost her second round match in the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 tournament. Sun was well beaten by Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-0 6-3 in one hour 12 minutes. LATEST HEADLINES: Breakers end season with loss Blacks Sticks women selected Former All Black prop retires NZ, Australia hoops rivalry reignited Tyler Bindon joins Nottingham Forest Although Sun struggled in the opening set, she was far more competitive against Fernandez in the second with there being just one break of serve. The 23-year-old Te Anau-born left-hander served seven aces in the second set and did have three break points, but wasn’t able to convert them. Despite this loss, Sun scored a confidence boosting win over Caroline Garcia from France in the opening round However Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic won their first round clash at Rotterdam in the Netherlands in straight sets 6-4 6-4 over Australian Matt Ebden and Belgium's Joran Vliegen.

Iconic prop Karl Tu'inukuafe has retired from all rugby. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Former iconic All Blacks prop Karl Tu'inukuafe has announced his retirement from all rugby. He made 59 Super Rugby appearances between with firstly the Chiefs and then Blues and played 27 tests for the All Blacks before signing with French club Montpellier in 2022. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ, Australia hoops rivalry reignited Tyler Bindon joins Nottingham Forest Relief for Lulu Sun with first 2025 win Ardie Savea to captain Moana Pasifika New players in Football Ferns squad In an Instagram post, Tu'inukuafe said explained he retirement. "I was never great, but I was always grateful - me, my whole career." "I never played NZ Secondary Schools, NZU20′s. I never dreamt of becoming a pro footy player but God had other plans. If you think you're too overweight or getting too old to go pro, never fold. It's been done before. The last 10 years were great." Tu'inukuafe was one of the heaviest players for the All Blacks at 135kgs, that's after he played first XV rugby at Wesley College and then Counties Manukau age-grade teams. However, a lack of application saw him work as a bouncer and balloon to 175kg before he was given medical advice to loose weight. He then returned to rugby and gained a contract at Narbonne in France. This eventually led to him signing with North Harbour and then the Chiefs, where injuries to other key props led to a rapid acceleration of Tu'inukuafe's career. He was called into the All Blacks in 2018 with a debut against France at Eden Park where he put in an impressive preformance. Such was his impact that season that he was nominated for World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year. However, illness and injury ruined his bid for a spot in the 2019 World Cup squad, as Tu'inukuafe missed two months of rugby before the tournament - ironically he was replaced by Atu Moli, who had just come off a break due to a chronic infection as well. Tu'inukuafe returned to the All Blacks in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, scoring his only test try in the record-breaking 43-5 defeat of the Wallabies at Accor Stadium. He played his last test in the tumultuous series loss to Ireland in 2022, before signing with Montpellier.

Tempers flared as the Breakers in yellow ended their NBL season with a loss to the Illawarra Hawks PHOTO: NBL A sad ending to a difficult season for the NZ Breakers with a big loss and tempers flaring internally at Spark Arena. The Breakers were beaten 96-82 by Illawarra as their season came to a close and coach Petteri Koponen and Matt Mooney clashed. LATEST HEADLINES: Blacks Sticks women selected Former All Black prop retires NZ, Australia hoops rivalry reignited Tyler Bindon joins Nottingham Forest Relief for Lulu Sun with first 2025 win For the table-toppin Hawks Tyler Harvey finished with 29 points and eight assists on 6/11 three-point shooting to lead the visitors to their 19th win of the season to be locked away in top spot for the first time. The Breakers did keep things competitive through the first half with the Hawks leading 49-40 at the break, but Illawarra went 15/16 at the foul line while having 11 offensive rebounds for 10 second chance points, and 14 assists to four turnovers. The home side were already without Parker Jackson-Cartwright and then from midway through the second quarter were minus fellow import guard Mooney after he had a heated exchange with coach Koponen. When that continued in the locker room at half-time, he was asked to stay there and then the Hawks took complete control of the contest to open the second half. "You know, nobody's bigger than the team, and it's my job to protect the team," Koponen said. "You can yell at me, but you have to respect your teammates. "It's kind of the heat of the moment and we're going to have a conversation with Matt about this. "We are human. Sometimes we make mistakes. We just have to learn from this." On the court the Hawks got out to a lead as big as 26 points before winning by 14. Along with what Harvey produced, Todd Blanchfield continued to thrive in the absence of Days with 17 points and four rebounds. Sam Froling delivered 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Davo Hickey 10 points, nine assists, four rebounds and four steals. The Breakers finish a season that started so promisingly at 7-3 at 10-19. Tacko Fall produced 16 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals with Next Star Karim Lopez adding 12 points and five boards, and Max Darling 10 points on 2/2 from downtown. The Breakers finished with a 10-win, 19-loss record in ninth place with only the Cairns Taipans below them. Illawarra Hawks 96 (Tyler Harvey 29, Todd Blanchfield 17, Sam Froling 14), NZ Breakers 82 (Tacko Fall 16, Karim Lopez 12, Max Darling 10)