Search Results

New Zealand's Lulu Sun is the WTA Newcomer of the Year after her great run at Wimbledon 2024. PHOTO: WTA New Zealand tennis player Lulu Sun has been honoured by the WTA as the Newcomer of the Year in 2024. She proved to be the breakout star of 2024, having been ranked outside the Top 200 in January before soaring to No.40 by the year's end with a peak of 39. LATEST HEADLINES: Pit stop error costs Lawson potential points Hillier continues strong DP World Tour start Maori ABs to take on Scotland in Whangarei Mark Chapman replaces expectant Conway Black Ferns Sevens victorious in Cape Town The 23-year-old from Te Anau kicked off her incredible campaign by making her Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open before enjoying more success at the majors with her first top 10 win over No 8 Zheng Qinwen. The victory against Qinwen was part of a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon as a qualifier making history as the first New Zealand woman to reach that stage. Left-handed Sun rounded out her season by reaching her first Tour final in Monterrey at the WTA 500 before injury took its toll at the US Open and cancelled the remainder of her years play. Other top results in 2024 saw her make the second round in Auckland as a qualifier and win two ITF singles titles as well. Sun will be seeded at the ASB Classic to start the year.

Sam Lane scored four goals in the Alpiners 7-4 victory in the men's Premier Hockey League final. PHOTO: HOCKEY NZ The regular season winners proved too strong on the finals day of the second edition of the Premier Hockey League (PHL). The Alpiners came from two goals down in the third quarter to claim the men's title, while the Falcons dominated to win the women's final on the blue turf at the National Hockey Centre in Auckland on Saturday. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland, Wellington get two All Blacks tests NZ's Sun named WTA Newcomer of the Year Pit stop error costs Lawson potential points Hillier continues strong DP World Tour start Maori ABs to take on Scotland in Whangarei Mark Chapman replaces expectant Conway The Alpiners, representing the South Island, trailed 4-2 late in the third period, before three goals in the 45th minute put them on top for good, leading to a 7-4 victory. Black Stick Blair Tarrant scored from the field, then nailed his shootout conversion, before George Baker scored in the final seconds of the quarter. National teamer Sam Lane, who scored two in the first quarter, netted two more three minutes from time to seal it. The victory saw the Alpiners win six of their seven matches in regulation time, with just one loss in a shootout, going one better than the inaugural tournament in 2020 when they lost the final in a shootout to the Falcons. In the playoff for third, the Tridents got two final-minute goals from Charl Ulrich, who scored a hat-trick, to defeat the Mavericks 4-3. The Falcons Women celebrate back-to-back women's Premier Hockey League titles. PHOTO: HOCKEY NZ The Falcons Women, representing the lower North Island, showcased their season dominance in the final, defeating the Tridents 5-1. Black Stick Kelsey Smith scored two goals in the first quarter, before Anna Willocks doubled their lead in the third period. The Tridents got one back but Jodie Kent clinched the title in the 50th minute. The Falcons, who also beat the Tridents in the 2020 final, won six of seven matches this season, with just one loss to the Mavericks. In the women's playoff for third, the Alpiners scored three goals in the opening 10 minutes, with Jenna Rae Mcintyre finishing with a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory.

The All Blacks and Black Ferns will combine for nine home tests in 2025. PHOTO: NZ RUGBY An All Blacks-Black Ferns double-header in Wellington is a feature of the 2025 domestic test rugby season. The two teams will France and Australia, respectively, at Sky Stadium on Saturday, July 12 - the All Blacks' second of three tests against Les Bleus and the Black Ferns' final home hit-out before the Women's Rugby World Cup. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ's Sun named WTA Newcomer of the Year Pit stop error costs Lawson potential points Hillier continues strong DP World Tour start Maori ABs to take on Scotland in Whangarei Mark Chapman replaces expectant Conway The All Blacks' Rugby Championship schedule features back-to-back Freedom Cup tests against South Africa at Auckland's Eden Park on September 6 and Sky Stadium on September 13, before finishing back at Eden Park on September 27 for an afternoon Bledisloe Cup clash. The Eden Park test will mark the first time the All Blacks have played South Africa at the venue since 2013. The All Blacks extended their winning run at the Auckland fortress to 50 tests in 2024, with wins over England and Argentina. France visits New Zealand for the first time in seven years and will pick up where they left off in 2018, at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium, before heading to the Capital and a potential decider will be an historic occasion, with France playing a test in Hamilton for the first time since first touring New Zealand in 1961. “Playing at home and representing your country in front of New Zealanders is always special and especially so against three of our most traditional rivals," said All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson. "France, South Africa and Australia will each bring unique challenges and that’s exciting for us as we continue to build our game in 2025.” With the 2025 WRWC in August, the Black Ferns home schedule takes on extra significance, with two Pacific Four Series tests in May against defending champions Canada and USA, at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium and Albany's North Harbour Stadium, before rounding out their home schedule against the Wallaroos for the O'Reilly Cup. All three Black Ferns tests will feature family-friendly kick-off times, with the Pacific Four Series matches at 3.35pm and the O’Reilly Cup test at 4.30pm. “It doesn’t get any bigger than a World Cup year, but the foundations of our year will be laid here in Aotearoa with the support of our fans, friends and whānau," said Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting. "Australia, Canada and USA will be crucial tests and the double-header in Wellington will be a fitting finale to our domestic schedule.” ALL BLACKS HOME TEST SCHEDULE July International Series vs France, Saturday July 5, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin vs France, Saturday July 12, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington vs France, Saturday July 19, 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Rugby Championship vs South Africa, Saturday September 6, 7.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland (Freedom Cup) vs South Africa, Saturday September 13, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington (Freedom Cup) vs Australia, Saturday September 27, 5.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland (Bledisloe Cup) BLACK FERNS HOME TEST SCHEDULE Pacific Four Series vs Canada, Saturday May 17, 3.35pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch vs USA, Saturday May 24, 3.35pm, North Harbour Stadium, Albany O’Reilly Cup vs Australia, Saturday July 12, 4.30pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Ben Sawyer has been reappointed as White Ferns coach for two more years so he can add to the teams success at the Women's T20 World Cup. The extension means Sawyer will remain at the helm of the White Ferns until December 2026, a period that includes the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in India, and a title defence at the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. LATEST HEADLINES: Wellington Phoenix women back-to-back Wood strikes again as Forest beat Man U Black Caps suffer massive second test loss Campbell just misses LIV place, title playoff Mixed results for Kiwi Sevens in Cape Town Sawyer, whose reappointment follows an extensive review process, first joined the White Ferns on a two-year contract in June 2022, which was extended until the end of October’s tour to India. NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Liz Green said it was important Sawyer had a chance to build on the good work already underway. “We’re so pleased to have Ben sign on for another two years,” said Green. “He’s unlocked a lot of belief and trust in this group and to have him stay now is massive, both for the current squad and the long-term planning for the White Ferns. "The consistency and stability is important." Green said she was optimistic about the continued growth of the team under Sawyer's leadership. “Many of our young players who made their international debut on Ben’s first tour two years ago are starting to thrive, as we saw in the recent T20 World Cup. “There was a huge amount of growth during that tournament, a result of what Ben and the coaches have been building over the last two years." New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said Sawyer’s reappointment would provide stability. “I’m stoked Ben's re-signed with us,” said Devine. “The work he’s done with the White Ferns group and for women’s cricket in New Zealand has been huge. “The team is in a great spot right now so I think locking him in for another two years and having that consistency will be big for us.” The squad to take on Australia in the three-match ODI series at Wellington’s Basin reserve will be named later this week. The highly anticipated Rose Bowl series on December 19, 21, and 23 is set to garner record crowds for the White Ferns..

Liam Lawson's last chance to impress his Formula 1 bosses came undone in the pit-box in Abu Dhabi. Lawson was running eight in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) when an error by his pit crew cost him time, eventually recording a DNF with a final-lap engine fail. LATEST HEADLINES: Hillier continues strong DP World Tour start Maori ABs to take on Scotland in Whangarei Mark Chapman replaces expectant Conway Black Ferns Sevens victorious in Cape Town Ben Sawyer reappointed Black Ferns coach The 22-year-old has been attempting to prove he can foot it with the best in Formula 1 during his six-race stint since replacing Daniel Ricciardo at Team RB. With Red Bull expected to move on from Sergio Perez, Lawson has been competing with RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda and Williams' Franco Colapinto for a seat alongside F1 champion Max Verstappen. After starting 12th, Lawson had moved up as high as seventh - with Tsunoda heading in the other direction and Perez out after a first-lap crash - before pitting on lap 24. His crew did not attach his front left tyre correctly, requiring a second pit-stop and incurring a 10-second penalty. Lawson served the penalty on lap 31, emerging 17th, more than 45 seconds behind Valtteri Bottas. He picked up one spot when Bottas and Haas' Kevin Magnussen came together, and eventually got by Magnussen for 15th on lap 57. However, with the finish approaching, his engine gave out and he was forced to retire for the first time in his F1 career. "A tough way to end the season, which is a shame because we started really well," said Lawson, who collected four points in 2024 from ninth-placed finishes athe US Grand Prix and Mexican Grand Prix. "It was probably one of the best races I've driven, even though we were a couple of laps down, the pace was actually really strong, we were fast. "But we had an issue in the pits, which put us out of the race, which sucks because we could have potentially had a chance to score some points today. After that I just tried to treat it like a normal race, so I could show what I could do. "I've loved my six races so far in the car. Obviously, I'm hoping to have a future in Formula 1. I gave it everything and I'm looking forward to hopefully being back next year." Lawson now has to wait for Red Bull to announce its driver lineup for 2025, expected to come next week.

The Māori All Blacks will play Scotland in Whangārei in 2025, with the historic fixture marking 25 years since the two sides last met. Fans will be treated to an afternoon of rugby and cultural exchange at Semenoff Stadium on Saturday, July 5 July, with a Black Ferns vs Black Ferns XV trial match as the curtain-raiser. LATEST HEADLINES: Mark Chapman in for expectant Conway Black Ferns Sevens victorious in Cape Town Ben Sawyer reappointed Black Ferns coach Wellington Phoenix women back-to-back Wood strikes again as Forest beat Man U It will be just the third match between the Māori All Blacks and Scotland, with the previous meetings coming at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth in 2000 and at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in 1998. Māori All Blacks head coach Ross Filipo (Muaūpoko) was enthusiastic about the encounter. “It’s an exciting prospect to host one of the top ranked teams in the world in front of our fans and whānau who we know will be out in force in Whangārei for this special occasion. Māori rugby has a rich tradition of playing teams from the home nations and this fixture will carry a lot of mana for our players, for Northland Rugby, local iwi and for the region.” Filipo’s side will come into the match off the back of a match against the Japan XV in Tokyo, while Gregor Townsend-coached Scotland will be enroute to two tests in the Pacific Islands. Townsend acknowledged the history and how the game would be a great encounter. “We are excited about returning to a part of the world where rugby is central to their culture. Playing in New Zealand is always special, especially against a side with such deep rugby history as New Zealand Māori. It has been a while since we last visited New Zealand and it will be a brilliant way to start the tour.” The Māori All Blacks have a proud record against Six Nations unions, with nine wins from 14 matches, most recently beating Ireland 32-17 in Hamilton in 2022. Both coaching groups have links to the last time the two teams met, with Māori All Blacks assistant coaches Greg Feek (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Roger Randle (Ngāti Awa) part of the squad that beat Scotland 18-15 at Yarrow Stadium in 2000. Townsend did not take part in that match but was part of a touring squad that played seven matches, including a tour opener in Whangārei against a powerful Vikings XV selection. Black Ferns head coach Allan Bunting said the trial fixture would be invaluable to the side’s Women's Rugby World Cup selection and preparation. “This trial match is an important part of our season and will shape our final selection for the Rugby World Cup, a week out from a big test against Australia in Wellington. It will also be a great occasion to bring the Black Ferns and Māori All Blacks together and I know our players will relish the opportunity to play their part.”

New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier has opened his DP World Tour season with another top-25 result. Hillier closed with a three-over 75 in the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) to finish tied for 24th at three-over, eight strokes behind the champion, American Johannes Veerman. LATEST HEADLINES: Maori ABs to take on Scotland in Whangarei Mark Chapman replaces expectant Conway Black Ferns Sevens victorious in Cape Town Ben Sawyer reappointed Black Ferns coach Wellington Phoenix Women win back-to-back Starting the last day at the Gary Player Country Club in a share of 18th, Hillier was solid on the front-nine, with birdies at the second and ninth holes, both par-fives, along with a bogey at the par-four fifth. A potential charge into the top-10 came undone on the back-nine, with bogeys at the 11th and 13th, and a double-bogey at the 17th, all par-fours. Hillier, who remained ranked 211 in the world rankings, finished tied for 23rd at the Australian Open and T43 at the Australian PGA Championship the previous two weeks, both tournaments co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia. In the latest tournament across The Ditch, Denzel Ieremia was the leading Kiwi at the Victorian PGA Championship. Ieremia carded a one-over 73 in the final round at Moonah Links, south of Melbourne, on Sunday, finished tied for 13th and seven-under, seven strokes behind the winner, Australian Cory Crawford. Tyler Hodge closed with a three-under 69 to move up to a share of 32nd at three-under, while Tyler Wood completed a disappointing weekend, following a six-over 78 with a two-over 74 to slip from the top-10 to a tie for 41st at even-par.

A classy performance from Annalie Longo has inspired the Wellington Phoenix to back-to-back wins in the A-League. The Football Ferns midfielder has returned from injury to score two goals and lead the Phoenix to a 2-1 win over the Brisbane Roar in blustery conditions at Porirua Park. LATEST HEADLINES: Wood strikes again as Forest beat Man U Black Caps suffer massive second test loss Campbell just misses LIV place, title playoff Mixed results for Kiwi Sevens in Cape Town Auckland, Harbour win Interprovincial titles Longo scored the match-winner in the 69th minute after the Roar had cancelled out her first goal in first half stoppage time. The win lifts the Nix on to the cusp of the top six with three matches remaining in the split fifth round and denies Brisbane a chance to return to the top of the ladder. Paul Temple made one change to the XI which started their 1-0 Unite Round win over Adelaide United with Longo returning in place of Liv Ingham. New signing Alivia Kelly was named amongst the substitutes. After a quiet start the game opened up and became more end-to-end with chances for both sides. The Roar had the first opportunity to take the lead in the 15th minute when striker Evdokia Popadinova got in behind the Phoenix back four, but she was denied by Carolina Vilão who made a sharp save with her left foot. Vilão’s opposite Olivia Sekany made an acrobatic save half a dozen minutes later to push Mebae Tanaka’s free-kick around her post. Popadinova had another chance soon after but Tiana Jaber smothered her shot from six yards out. Vilão made another one-on-one save shortly after the half hour mark, this time standing tall to deny Roar midfielder Emily Pringle. Zoe McMeeken and Mebae Tanaka skied shots over the Brisbane goal either side of Pringle’s chance and before Longo gave the Nix the lead. Wellington’s captain won the ball inside the Roar box as Brisbane played short from a goal kick, played a one-two with Olivia Fergusson and then slotted her shot past Sekany. The Phoenix look destined to lead at the break but Pringle had other ideas. In time added on she won possession on halfway, burst forward past a couple of Phoenix defenders and threaded a shot past Vilão to level the scores. Temple made his first change at the start of the second half, bringing on Kelly for her A-League and professional debut in place of Zoe McMeeken, with Jaber shifting out to right back to accommodate the American centre back. The second 45 started much like the first with most of the action in between the two boxes. Paul Temple responded by making a further two changes shortly after the hour mark, bringing on Emma Main and Manaia Elliott on in place Daisy Brazendale and Tanaka. Fergusson had Wellington’s first shot on target of the second half soon after but she was unable to test Olivia Sekany in Brisbane’s goal. She saw the Roar ‘keeper off her line after winning possession inside the visitors’ half, but she was unable to execute her long-range lob. Longo was able to get the better of Sekany in the 69th minute. She made a mazy run out to the right and curled in a left-footed shot that snuck inside the near post. The Brisbane ‘keeper had to have a wits about her moments later to deny Longo a hat-trick when her cross-come-shot almost dipped under the bar. Temple made his final substitution with little over a quarter of an hour remaining, bringing on Football Ferns forward Grace Jale in place of Whinham.Alyssa The Roar came within inches of equalising in the 83rd minute when Chelsea Blissett’s right-wing corner struck the crossbar and Vilão did well soon after to keep out a powerful Leia Varley header from point blank following another Brisbane corner. The Phoenix defended resolutely for the remainder of the 90 plus time added on to secure the three points and register back-to-back wins. The Wellington Phoenix will have little time to celebrate the win as they’re back in action on Friday night in Melbourne against Melbourne Victory.

Black Caps opener Devon Conway will miss the third test against England as he awaits the birth of his first child in Wellington this week. Auckland Aces batsman Mark Chapman will join the team in Hamilton ahead of third and final test, while squad member Will Young is the mostly likely direct replacement in the starting XI for Conway. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns Sevens victorious in Cape Town Ben Sawyer reappointed Black Ferns coach Wellington Phoenix women back-to-back Wood strikes again as Forest beat Man U Black Caps suffer massive second test loss Campbell just misses LIV place, title playoff Coach Gary Stead said the team supported Conway’s decision. “Family comes first in this environment and we’re all really excited for Dev and his wife Kim to welcome their first child,” said Stead. “Mark was with the test squad in India recently and returned to the Plunket Shield by scoring an impressive 276, so it’s a good time for him to be joining us.” The Black Caps arrive in Hamilton on Wednesday, ahead of the test at Seddon Park, starting on Saturday.

The Black Ferns have won the Cape Town leg of the World Sevens Series after beating the United States 26-12 in the final. It's their first tournament triumph of the season after they were edged by Australia in the final of the opening round in Dubai. LATEST HEADLINES: Sawyer reappointed Black Ferns coach Wellington Phoenix women back-to-back Wood strikes again as Forest beat Man U Black Caps suffer massive second test loss Campbell just misses LIV place, title playoff New Zealand beat China 40-10 and Japan 22-12 in pool play before easing past France 43-0 in the semifinals. In the final, the Black Ferns scored four tries to two with Jorja Miller, Jasmin Felix-Hotham, Kelsey Teneti and Dhys Faleafaga crossing for New Zealand. Miller was the Player of the Final and says the win wasn't easy.. "I just love this game, love my job and love playing rugby. It was a bit of a grind at the start, but once we had the ball we were powerful. We've got an exciting group and the next four years is going to be epic." The Black Ferns Sevens captained by Sarah Hirini now lead the women's standings after two rounds on 38 points, four ahead of Australia, who finished fourth in Cape Town. The All Blacks Sevens were sixth in Cape Town after failing to reach the semis. The loss to France in pool play cost them a top four spot. The All Blacks Sevens beat Great Britain 21-17 in the fifth place semi-finals before going down 17-12 to Argentina in the fifth place playoff. The series now takes a break over Christmas.

New Zealand golfer Ben Campbell has finished fourth on the Asian Tour's Saudi International at the Riyadh Golf Club. Campbell, 33, shot a final round seven-under 64 to reach 20-under, one shot off a trio, who went to a playoff, eventually won by Joaquin Niemann of Chile. LATEST HEADLINES: Mixed results for Kiwi Sevens in Cape Town Auckland, Harbour win Interprovincial titles Breakers fall to .500 after fourth straight loss Auckland FC defeat Nix in epic Kiwi Clasico Black Caps struggle on day two vs England Campbell had no blemishes in his final round, with back-to-back birdies three times - at the first and second, 10th and 11th, and 14th and 15th - before closing out with another. The 64 was the same as his third round after 68s on days one and two. Campbell still took home US$235,000 for his effort. Campbell missed by a shot at winning the International Series Rankings, which would have secured him a place on the lucrative LIV Tour next season. Fellow Kiwi Nick Voke finished tied for 50th at nine-under. He carded a five-under 66 in the final round, which featured six back-nine birdies, including four straight from the 14th to 17th holes.

All Whites striker Chris Wood celebrated his 33rd birthday by scoring the decisive goal in Nottingham Forest's 3-2 win over Manchester United. In doing so he to became the club's all-time leading Premier League goal-scorer. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps suffer massive second test loss Campbell just misses LIV place, title playoff Mixed results for Kiwi Sevens in Cape Town Auckland, Harbour win Interprovincial titles Breakers fall to .500 after fourth straight loss Wood broke Bryan Roy's club record with his 25th goal and is third on the Premier League goalscoring tally for the season with 10, behind Mohammed Salah and Erling Haaland, with 13 apiece. The 54th-minute header should have been dealt with by United's defence with Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Andre Onana both left exposed on the line. It made the score 3-1. Bruno Fernandes scored for United seven minutes later but Forest held them out for the remainder of the match. "It's fantastic, it's nice that I can keep doing well for the team and that's all I want to do, keep pushing up and getting as many goals as possible for this team," Wood said after the game on Sky Sports. Forest are currently fifth on the Premier League ladder on 25 points in a condensed top-eight. Liverpool lead on 35 points, with Chelsea and Arsenal on 28 and Manchester City 27.