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Emma Rainey and Stephanie Dickins (right) have been name int he Black Sticks women's team for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup PHOTO: HOCKEY NZ The Black Sticks squad for the third edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile has been confirmed with an aim to get back in the Pro League. The side is looking particularly strong, welcoming back some of its key players who have been competing overseas in the Hockey India League, including captain Olivia Shannon, Hannah Cotter, and goalie Grace O'Hanlon. LATEST HEADLINES: Former All Black prop retires NZ, Australia hoops rivalry reignited Tyler Bindon joins Nottingham Forest Relief for Lulu Sun with first 2025 win Ardie Savea to captain Moana Pasifika The tournament, takes place from February 23 to March 2, is an important event for teams ranked outside the FIH Hockey Pro League. The winner earning a coveted spot in the following season of the FIH Hockey Pro League, but importantly for the Black Sticks acts as a building phase towards World Cup qualification against Australia in August this year. Eight teams are set to compete for the title at Nations Cup and promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025/26. The competition begins with three pool matches, and the top two teams from each pool will then advance to the knockout stage, culminating in the grand final on March 2. Pool A: Canada, Chile, Japan, United States Pool B: Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Korea Nations Cup Squad is as follows: Anna Crowley, Anna Willocks, Brooke Roberts, Casey Crowley, Emma Findlay, Emma Rainey Grace O'Hanlon, Hannah Cotter, Hannah Gravenall, Holly Pearson, Kaitlin Cotter, Mezzy Surridge, Olivia Shannon (C), Paige Blake, Rebecca Baker, Riana Pho, Stephanie Dickins, Britt Wang Match Schedule: Sunday, February 23 at 3pm (Chile Time) vs Korea Monday, February 24 at 7am (NZT) Tuesday, February 25 at 5pm (Chile Time) vs Ireland Wednesday, February 26 at 9am (NZT) Thursday, February 27 at 3pm (Chile Time) vs Scotland Friday, February 28 at 7am (NZT) Semifinals: Saturday, March 1 (Chilean Time) Sunday, March 2 (NZT) Finals: Sunday, March 2 (Chile Time) Monday, March 3 (NZT)

Tall Blacks head coach Judd Flavell (right) and guard Taylor Britt (left) with Tall Ferns representatives at the trans-Tasman Throwdown announcement. PHOTO: BBNZ The trans-Tasman basketball rivalry between New Zealand and Australia will be renewed in May. Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) announced the three-game Trans-Tasman Throwdown series, which is set to re-ignite New Zealand’s longstanding rivalry with their Australian counterparts. LATEST HEADLINES: 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 Kiwis finish strong at Boston indoors The Tall Blacks will go head-to-head with the Boomers, while the Tall Ferns take on the Opals in three double-headers across both countries. The series will open up in Adelaide on Wednesday, May 7, before heading to Queensland for a match up on the Sunshine Coast on Friday, May 9, before all four teams fly across the ditch where the series concludes in Hamilton on Sunday, May 11. The Trans-Tasman Throwdown was a fantastic opportunity for basketball fans across New Zealand and Australia to witness both their national sides live. The Hamilton double-header, at Globox Arena in Claudelands, marks an incredibly special occasion for both the Tall Ferns and the Tall Blacks. For the Tall Ferns, it will be their first home game since November 2019, where they hosted the Philippines, China and South Korea in the FIBA Women's Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament at Trusts Arena. The Tall Blacks will be playing the Boomers for the first time since 2021 in game one in Adelaide. The return leg in Hamilton will be the first time the Boomers have stepped foot on New Zealand shores in 10 years. BBNZ chief executive and former Tall Blacks forward Dillon Boucher, who knows all too well about this heated rivalry, was excited to see its reinstatement. “We are incredibly excited for the Trans-Tasman Throwdown. The rivalry between our two countries is unmatched, and these three games promise to be action-packed. To be able to host the Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns at home, in front of a home crowd, is huge for us. “The Tall Blacks have not played Australia in New Zealand for nearly 10 years, and the Tall Ferns have not played at home for over five. We cannot wait to host Australia in Hamilton in what promises to be an incredible experience that fans will not want to miss.” BBNZ also announced Sky Sport would broadcast all three double-headers in New Zealand.

A tension filled game between the Phoenix and Mariners ended in a draw PHOTO: A--LEAGUE The Wellington Phoenix were denied a penalty as they played out a 0-0 draw with two-time reigning champions Central Coast Mariners in Christchurch. There was a contentious moment at Apollo Projects Stadium, where hosts the Phoenix felt they should have been awarded a second-half penalty amid strong appeals. LATEST HEADLINES: Stars to the fore in Super Smash Upsets in Perth Sevens event Double gold for NZ at X Games Breaker compete by taste defeat Routliffe, Dabrowski lose AO semis Japanese veteran Kazuki Nagasawa, who was at the centre of a first-half penalty shout – went down under a challenge from Mariners Diesel Herrington in the 64th minute and after a four-minute VAR review, no penalty was awarded, much to the dismay of the Nix. With the result, Wellington and Central stayed in ninth and 10th position respectively and level on 18 points. Wellington were playing in Christchurch for the first time in nine years but it was the Mariners that dictated proceedings early. The Phoenix’s first real chance came in the 19th minute and it was Central Coast goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen who stood up tall to deny Nathan Walker. There were appeals for a ‘Nix penalty just past the half-hour mark after Nagasawa went down following a coming together with Brian Kaltak but those appeals were waved away. Mariners star Mikael Doka threatened to break the deadlock from distance as he unleashed a ferocious long-range effort prior to half-time. There was a heart-in-mouth moment for the Mariners in the 62nd minute when Nathan Paull attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper but it fell just short of Peraic-Cullen as Hideki Ishige tried to place the ball away from the Central Coast shot-stopper, who scrambled to gather the ball on the second attempt. In the 64th minute, there was another penalty appeal for the Phoenix with Nagasawa involved again after going down under a Herrington challenge but no spot-kick was given following a VAR review. The Mariners handed a debut to new signing and talented teenager Abdul Faisal during the final 20 minutes after arriving from Perth Glory. With fans on the edge of their seat willing on the Phoenix, the home side nearly broke the deadlock seven minutes from the end but the turning Ishige was stopped by Peraic-Cullen

James Fisher-Harris in Kiwis uniform has been anmed for the Warrios in their pre-season clash with Cronulla PHOTO: NRL Offseason signings James Fisher-Harris and Erin Clark have both been named to start for the NZ Warriors against Cronulla Sutherland in the first Pre-season Challenge clash at Sharks Stadium in Sydney on Friday night The 29-year-old four-times NRL premiership winner Fisher-Harris will make his Warriors debut after joining the club on a four-year contract from Penrith. LATEST HEADLINES: Bindon joins Nottingham Forest Relief for Lulu Sun with victory Ardie Savea capt Moana Pasifika New players in Football Ferns Kiws finish well at Boston indoors The Kiwi captain and 203-game veteran lines up in an experienced front row alongside his 2018-2019 Panthers teammate Wayde Egan and Mitchell Barnett. Clark (27) will run on at loose forward for his first outing in a Warriors jersey in eight years after returning home from the Gold Coast Titans. After making his NRL debut for the One New Zealand Warriors in 2017 he returned to the first-grade scene in 2020, amassing 94 games for the Titans in the last five seasons. Rounding off the starting pack are second rowers Kurt Capewell and the Warriors’ 2024 NRL rookie of the year Jacob Laban. For the first Preseason Challenge match, One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has paired Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin in the halves. Not considered for the opening trial were the club’s other two frontline halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and new signing Tanah Boyd, who both have niggles. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is at fullback, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the right wing and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the left flank with Adam Pompey and Ali Leiataua in the centres. A further 15 players are named on an extended bench including seasoned forwards Dylan Walker, Marata Niukore and Bunty Afoa plus fullback Taine Tuaupiki, winger Edward Kosi and hooker Freddy Lussick. Young NRL players Demitric Vaimauga and Moala Graham-Taufa are also named along with a host of the club’s promising players. Outside back Sio Kali, halves Luke Hanson and new signing Jett Cleary, forwards Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Tanner Stowers-Smith, hooker Sam Healey – signed from Cronulla Sutherland – and former Penrith wing Daeon Amituanai. Amituanai is back with the Warriors after being in the club’s first SG Ball Cup side in 2020. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Ali Leiataua, 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett, 11 Jacob Laban, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Demitric Vaimauga, 15 Marata Niukore, 16 Moala Graham-Taufa 17 Sio Kali,18 Edward Kosi, 20 Luke Hanson, 21 Jett Cleary, 22 Taine Tuaupiki, 23 Daeon Amituanai, 24 Bunty Afoa, 25 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 26 Sam Healey, 27 Dylan Walker, 28 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 29 Freddy Lussick

New Zealand international Tyler Bindon is to join countryman Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest PHOTO: NFFC All Whites defender Tyler Bindon is joining New Zealand teammate Chris Wood on a long-term deal at Nottingham Forest. Bindon, 20, signed with the Premier League club through to 2028 after impressing for Reading in League One, England’s third tier. LATEST HEADLINES: Relief for Lulu Sun with victory Ardie Savea capt Moana Pasifika New players in Football Ferns Kiws finish well at Boston indoors Jack Loutit wins Davis Cup tie He will remain with Reading on loan for the rest of the season as they target a return to the Championship. The centre-back, whose junior career started at East Coast Bays, moved to the United States as a 12-year-old. He has played 13 times for All Whites since his debut in 2023 after coming through the academy at Los Angeles FC. At Reading he featured 75 times across two campaigns for the Royals, establishing himself as an integral player for the Berkshire outfit and captaining the side earlier this season. After putting pen to paper on Trentside, Bindon returns to Reading as he continues to play a key part in their promotion push in Sky Bet League One - Noel Hunt’s side sit outside of the play-off positions only on goal difference. Nottingham Forest Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson said on the club website they had been keeping an eye on Bindon for some time. "We have been impressed during our tracking of Tyler’s progress at Reading, and we are pleased to secure his signature today. We will be closely following his development as he now returns to Reading for the remainder of this seaso

Lulu Sun earned her first win of 2025 with victory in Abu Dhabi PHOTO: NZSW New Zealand's Lulu Sun has scored her first victory of 2025 and first win since August last year after opening round success at the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi. Left-hander Sun ranked 45 in the world defeated 76th ranked French woman Caroline Garcia 6-1 6-3 in the first round of the strong event. LATEST HEADLINES: Ardie Savea capt Moana Pasifika New players in Football Ferns Kiws finish well at Boston indoors Jack Loutit wins Davis Cup tie Lydia Ko falls short in 2025 opener It was the fifth tournament of the year for Sun, 23 who won the match in an hour 15 minutes. . Garcia, formerly ranked as high as No 4 in the world in 2018 had her serve broken four times in the opening set. She was also broken in the second set to help Sun take the win. Te Anau-born Sun had her serve improve over the match, which had been a weak point to date this year. In the second round Sun will play the winner of the match between Canadian Leylah Fernandez the tournament’s No 7 seed, and Japan’s Moyuka Uchijma.

Lydia Ko wasn't able to defend her title at the Tournament of Champions after three early bogeys PHOTO: LPFA Dame Lydia Ko has finished sixth in the defence of her LPGA Tournament of Champions title in Florida, her first event of the year. Twenty-seven-year-old Ko started the final day tied third four shots from leader A-Lim Kim of Korea and alongside American Nelly Korda. LATEST HEADLINES: Sadowski-Synnott wins World Cup BMX racers share Oceania titles Phoenix women beaten by Roar Central Stags Super Smash title Wollaston wins agin in Victoria However three bogeys in her first six holes pushed her back, too far to catch up to Kim who won by two shots in a start-to-finish victory at 20-under. Ko started to get back to form from the seventh hole where she made birdie and then also at the ninth as well as the 11th, 15th and 17th for carding a final round 70 to be 13-under for the tournament. Korda made a late push, with nine birdies in her round of 65, but she fell short and placed second at 18 under. Sweden's Linn Grant shot a 69 to take third at 15 under.

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has been named Moana Pasifika captain PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has been named Moana Pasifika captain for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Savea made the shock move to the Super Rugby side from the Hurricanes last July, after spending a stint playing in Japan. LATEST HEADLINES: New players in Football Ferns Kiws finish well at Boston indoors Jack Loutit wins Davis Cup tie Lydia Ko falls short in 2025 opener Sadowski-Synnott wins World Cup Respected coach Tana Umaga made the announcement that Savea who has played 94 Tests for the All Blacks would be the Moana Pasifika leader. The 31-year-old said he's honoured to lead Moana Pasifika. "It's pretty special and I believe it's God's purpose for me to lead," said Savea who has big brother and former All Black Julian in the team. They face the Force in Perth on Saturday 15 February in their opening match. Their first home match isn't until round three where they host the Highlanders at North Harobur Stadium

Maya Hahan is one of three new players in the Football Ferns PHOTO: TURBINE POSTDAM Three new players have been called up to the Football Ferns for their debut as the side builds towards the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027. Perth Glory forward Kelli Brown, Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Geo Candy, and FFC Turbine Potsdam midfielder Maya Hahn have been named. Hahn recently committed to play for New Zealand at senior international level. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiws finish well at Boston indoors Jack Loutit wins Davis Cup tie Lydia Ko falls short in 2025 opener Sadowski-Synnott wins World Cup BMX racers share Oceania titles Football Ferns interim head coach Michael Mayne has worked with the trio previously when he was an assistant coach of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Wellington Phoenix's Manaia Elliott and Feyenoord's Emma Pijnenburg have also been named as uncapped players who have yet to take the field for the Ferns. "It's been a thorough process since taking this role on after the Olympics and I have spent the time connecting with our wider squad of around 40 players to understand how we can start this cycle and make sure we have clarity on where we are at, and where we need to be, by the time the team hits Brazil in 2027," Mayne said. Players from the Olympics that Mayne has not called on for the upcoming games included captain Ali Riley who was still working back to full fitness after missing the Olympics, Ally Green who has just joined Canadian club Calgary Wild and goalkeeper Anna Leat who has left English club Aston Villa by mutual consent to be closer to family in New Zealand. "As this is the start of a new cycle it is an opportunity to test some new and more inexperienced players, and there is a great opportunity for those selected for this tour to show me where their strengths lie and how that will support the team getting success on the pitch," Mayne said. "The priority remains to put us in the best place to win games and get out of the group at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, and this is a great opportunity to begin creating some competition for positions. "The team will be playing regularly in the build-up to the next World Cup so there are ample opportunities for a range of players to be involved early in the cycle. "We want to make sure that come the next major tournament we have tested a number of options and systems that allow us to be more threatening on the pitch, more exciting on the ball, and be a team that looks and feels different in the way we win games." The Football Ferns play Costa Rica (FIFA rank 43) on Sunday 23 February at 1pm and Wednesday 26 February at 11am. Both games will be played at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Football Ferns squad for Costa Rica: Liz Anton (19 caps) Canberra United, Australia Mackenzie Barry (20 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Hannah Blake (6 caps) Durham FC, England Kelli Brown (debut) Perth Glory, Australia Claudia Bunge (31 caps) Melbourne Victory, Australia Geo Candy (debut) Melbourne Victory, Australia Milly Clegg (12 caps) Halifax Tides FC, Canada Brianna Edwards (1 cap) Sydney FC, Australia Manaia Elliott (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Victoria Esson (24 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland Michaela Foster (22 caps) Durham FC, England Macey Fraser (6 caps) Utah Royals, US Maya Hahn (debut) FFC Turbine Potsdam, Germany Jacqui Hand (31 caps) Sheffield United, England Grace Jale (34 caps) Wellington PhoenNew Zealand Katie Kitching (14 caps) Sunderland AFC, England Annalie Longo (136 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Meikayla Moore (67 caps) Calgary Wild FC, Canada Ruby Nathan (5 caps) Canberra United, Australia Grace Neville (10 caps) London City Lionesses, England Emma Pijnenburg (0 caps) Feyenoord Rotterdam, Netherlands Indiah-Paige Riley (27 caps) Crystal Palace, England Kate Taylor (21 caps) Dijon FCO, France

New Zealand Davis Cup team (right to left) Jack Loutit, Jeet Rai, KP Pannu, Finn Reynolds, Artem Sitak Alex Klintcharov PHOTO: NZ DAVIS CUP TEAM The New Zealand Davis Cup team has won its World Group II playoff against Jamaica in the fifth match and final set of the tie in Kingston, Jamaica. The two nations went into the second day locked at 1-1 after the opening singles matches. LATEST HEADLINES: Lydia Ko falls short in 2025 opener Sadowski-Synnott wins World Cup BMX racers share Oceania titles Phoenix women beaten by Roar Central Stags Super Smash title The New Zealand team captained by Artem Sitak then won the doubles with Finn Reynolds and Ajeet Rai put New Zealand back in front by convincingly winning the doubles 6-1 6-2 against John Chin and Nicolas Gore. Rai backed up playing doubles by playing singles and stepping in for KP Pannu, lost 6-3 6-4 against Jamaica No 1 Blaise Bicknell. That meant the tie was locked up at 2-2 going into the final rubber, which was between Jack Loutit and Rowland Phillips. Phillips took the first set 6-3 and went up a break early in the second and the hopes of the New Zealand side started to fade. However, the 20-year-old Kiwi left--hander then launched a big comeback. He won that set 6-3 and then showed immense mental strength to win the deciding set, also 6-3, against his far more experienced opponent. Earlier in the tie on day one Loutit had beaten Bicknell in three sets. The result means New Zealand will play in a World Group II tie in September, while Jamaica are relegated to Group III.

Zoe Hobbs finished a creditable fourth in the 60m sprint in Boston PHOTO: WORLD AHTLETICS New Zealand sprinter Zoe Hobbs has finished fourth in the 60 metres final at an indoor grand prix event in Boston. The 27-year-old timed her run at a season's best 7.15 seconds - 0.04 of a second down on American winner Jacious Sears and just behind third and fourth who clocked 7.14 seconds. LATEST HEADLINES: Jack Loutit wins Davis Cup tie Lydia Ko falls short in 2025 opener Sadowski-Synnott wins World Cup BMX racers share Oceania titles Phoenix women beaten by Roar Meanwhile Maia Ramsden's finished eighth in the mile with a time 4.12.30. The race was won by American Heather MacLean in 4.07.24 In the pole vault European champion Angelica Moser won the women’s competition with 4.71m. New Zealand’s Olympic finalist Imogen Ayris added six centimetres to her PB with 4.66m in second place.

Lauren Down has been in good form for Auckland, this time against the Central Hinds. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Auckland Hearts have scored a 20 run win over the Central Hinds to keep their season alive in Super Smash cricket. The Auckland side scored 139-3 in their 20 overs at McLean Park in Napier, mainly thanks to another big score from Lauren Down of 50 not out from 48 balls and Bell Armstrong making 59 from 48 balls. LATEST HEADLINES: Loses continue for tennis pro Lulu Sun Oceania Hockey Junior tournament Strong women's field NZ Squash Open Kerr named ICC Women's Player of Year Magic face Melbourne Vixens pre-season In response Central made 119-8 as Fran Jonas took 3-14 from her four overs, that's despite the top three batters making 30 (Flora Devonshire), 30 (Kerry-Anne Tomilson) and Mikaela Greig 28. However no one else got near double figures as the Hearts ran away with the match. In the men's match the Central Stags put in a late run to steal victory off the Auckland Aces by five wickets with three balls to spare, mainly thanks to Tom Bruce and his 37 from 31 balls keeping the innings alive. Earlier Dane Cleaver made 36 from 24 balls with some explosive batter and Will Clark made 26 in the total of 149-5. The visiting side batted first for a total of 147-9 from 18 overs with Cam Fletcher 31 and Jock McKenzie 28 while Black Caps Mark Chapman and Bevon Jacobs made 21 and 23 respectively and Simon Keene 25.