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New Zealand will have two golfers on the LPGA Tour in 2025, with Fiona Xu joining Lydia Ko. Despite missing the cut at the Epson Tour Championship over the weekend, Auckland's Xu held on to finish eighth in the season-long Race for the Card rankings, with the top-15 earning LPGA Tour cards for 2025. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors' Barnett called-up for Kangaroos Predictable All Blacks squad for EOY tour Black Ferns well-beaten by England again Fox just outside top 10 at PGA Mississippi Kobori superb final round at Dunhill Links Xu missed the cut at the season finale at Indian Wells, California, by four strokes after rounds of two-over 72 and one-over 71. The 20-year-old won her maiden professional title at the Copper Rock Championship in May, setting a 54-hole Epson Tour scoring record at 22-under, following a runner-up finish at the IOA Championship in April. She peaked at No 1 in the Race for the Card in August after finishing tied for fifth at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic. Over her final five tournaments, Xu's best finish was a tie for 25th. “I'm super excited," said Xu on earning her LPGA Tour membership. "You know, it's been my goal to finish top-10 and make it to LPGA next year. So I'm really happy.” Fellow Kiwi Amelia Garvey finished in a tie for 13th at the Epson Tour Championship after rounds of five-under 66, three-under 68, even-par 71 and three-under 68. It was the 24-year-old Cantabrian's best result since finishing runner-up at the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship in June. After missing the cut in six of her first seven tournaments, she put together four top-20 finishes to end 47th overall.

All Whites captain Chris Wood continues to carry the goal-scoring load for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Wood scored his fourth goal of the 2024-25 campaign in the second half as Notts Forest held top-four club Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at London's Stamford Bridge on Sunday (Monday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES: Fiona Xu holds on to earn LPGA Tour card Warriors' Barnett called-up for Kangaroos Predictable All Blacks squad for EOY tour Black Ferns well-beaten by England again Fox just outside top 10 at PGA Mississippi Kobori superb final round at Dunhill Links The 32-year-old gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute, with his outstretched right boot deflecting Nikola Milenkovic's header across the six-yard box past Robert Sanchez, after Murillo looped a free-kick into the area from near halfway. Wood has scored more than half of Notts Forest's league goals this season, with three other players having one goal each. He has scored 20 goals in all competitions in less than two seasons in Nottingham. The point lifted Notts Forest, who face Crystal Palace at home in their next match, to 10th on 10 points, level with Tottenham and two points ahead of Manchester United. Wood will join the All Whites this week ahead of their opening OFC World Cup Qualifier against Tahiti in Vanuatu on Friday and a home friendly against Malaysia on Monday at North Harbour Stadium.

Ten players with All Blacks experience have been named in the All Blacks XV squad, ahead of their two-match Northern Tour against Munster and Georgia next month. The 29-strong squad was jointly selected by the All Blacks and All Blacks XV coaching groups, with the process led by respective head coaches Scott Robertson and Clayton McMillan. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ Davis Cup team draw Jamaica away Kiwis selected for Pacific Championship Fiona Xu holds on to earn her LPGA card Warriors' Barnett called-up for Kangaroos Predictable All Blacks squad for EOY tour McMillan, who was in camp with the All Blacks ahead of their final Rugby Championship test in Wellington last month, was excited by the squad selected and was looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the skills of the team internationally.  “Congratulations to those selected, this is a special moment for the players and their whanau to represent their country.    “Every player will be looking to put their best foot forward in what will be two intense matches up north, in front of passionate fans. It’s great to have a mix of experience and emerging talent, with players rewarded for solid Super Rugby Pacific and provincial seasons.”  Robertson said having players with All Blacks experience alongside emerging talent was important. “As an All Black coaching group, we are excited to see these players perform in a Northern Hemisphere environment, to test themselves against different playing styles and build cohesion quickly within the team. "With both teams in the Northern Hemisphere at the same time, it’s a great chance for the talent who have worked so hard to be given this opportunity to gain experience and express themselves on the international stage.” In the backs, Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Dallas McLeod, Quinn Tupaea, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie and Noah Hotham have appeared for the All Blacks, while in the pack, Hoskins Sotutu, Josh Lord and George Bell have full test caps. McMillan will have former All Blacks Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh and David Hill as assistant coaches.  A small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel early to Japan with the All Blacks to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad. The All Blacks XV squad will depart for Ireland on October 26 (non-NPC finalists) and October 27 October (NPC finalists). ALL BLACKS XV SQUAD Props Xavier Numia (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington) George Dyer (24/ Chiefs / Waikato) Saula Ma’u (24 / Highlanders / Otago)  Marcel Renata (30 / Blues / Auckland)  George Bower (32 / Crusaders / Otago)* Hookers  Brodie McAlister (27 / Crusaders / Canterbury)  Kurt Eklund (32 / Blues / Bay of Plenty) Bradley Slater (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki) Locks  Josh Lord (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)* Fabian Holland (21 / Highlanders / Otago)  Isaia Walker-Leawere (27 / Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)  Naitoa Ah Kuoi (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty) Loose Forwards  Du’Plessis Kirifi (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington) Peter Lakai (21/ Hurricanes / Wellington) Hoskins Sotutu (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau)* Oliver Haig (22 / Highlanders / Otago) Christian Lio-Willie (26 / Crusaders / Otago)  Halfbacks Noah Hotham (21 / Crusaders / Tasman)* Finlay Christie (29 / Blues / Tasman)* First-fives Harry Plummer (26 / Blues / Auckland)* Josh Jacomb (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)  Midfielders Quinn Tupaea (25 / Chiefs / Waikato)* Riley Higgins (22 / Hurricanes / Wellington)  AJ Lam (26 / Blues / Auckland)  Dallas McLeod (25 / Crusaders / Canterbury)* Outside Backs  Kini Naholo (25 / Hurricanes / Taranaki) Emoni Narawa (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)* Chay Fihaki (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury) Shaun Stevenson (27 / Chiefs / North Harbour)* * Capped All Blacks ALL BLACKS XV FIXTURES Sunday, November 3: All Blacks XV vs Munster, 6.30am NZT, Thomond Park Limerick, Ireland  Monday, November 11: All Blacks XV vs Georgia, 2am NZT, GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France

Veteran centre Peta Hiku will fly from England to join eight debutants in the New Zealand Kiwis’ 21-man squad for their Pacific Championships campaign against the Kangaroos and Tonga this month. The 31-year-old former Warrior Hiku has been in outstanding form in his first season with Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League, helping the club to a 10-8 win over Warrington last Friday to claim a place in the grand final at Old Trafford for the first time. LATEST HEADLINES: Fiona Xu holds on to earn LPGA card Warriors' Barnett called-up for Kangaroos Predictable All Blacks squad for EOY tour Black Ferns well-beaten by England again Fox just outside top 10 at PGA Mississippi After last playing for the Kiwis in their semifinal loss to Australia at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, Hiku becomes the first Super League player selected for New Zealand since Thomas Leuluai was brought back home from Wigan for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. First a Kiwi 10 years ago in 2014, he boasts 17 Test appearances in a squad which has eight players in line to make their international debuts during the competition. Brisbane second rower Jordan Riki, Gold Coast utility forward Erin Clark, his Titans teammate and fullback Keano Kini, Melbourne winger Will Warbrick and Roosters middle forward Naufahu Whyte have been in camp with the Kiwis over the last two years without making their Test debuts. In the group for the first time are Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland, Penrith centre Casey McLean and his Panthers teammate and hooker Trent Toelau. “While we’ve had a number of players ruled out through injury or unavailability, it’s a hugely exciting opportunity having the Kiwis playing at home in front of our fans again,” said new Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones of his first squad since taking on the job. “We’ve still got a solid core of last year’s squad but, the way I see it, it’s a fantastic chance for us to build the group to provide lots of options and depth for following campaigns.” Current Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris, fresh from an extraordinary fourth consecutive NRL grand final win with Penrith on Sunday, will again captain the side after leading the Kiwis to their record 30-0 win over Australia in last year’s Pacific Championships final in Hamilton. Also named from that line-up are Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako, Raiders centre Matt Timoko, Dally M Medal-winning Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes, back rowers Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers) and Joseph Tapine (Raiders) plus bench forwards Leo Thompson (Knights) and Griffin Neame (Cowboys). As well as Hiku, other 2022 World Cup players returning are Penrith’s four-times NRL premiership-winning back rower Scott Sorensen and Warriors second rower Marata Niukore plus Dolphins utility Kodi Nikorima, who last played for the New Zealand side in the 2019 home series against Great Britain. The Kiwis start their campaign against the Kangaroos at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on October 27, the first time the Trans-Tasman rivals have squared off in the South Island centre since the opening Test of the 1989 series. The New Zealanders then travel to Auckland to face Tonga at Go Media Stadium on November 2 before the competition moves to CommBank Stadium in Sydney for the finals on November 10. The Pacific Championships start with the Kangaroos meeting Tonga in Brisbane on October 18. • Players ruled out through injury were Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee), Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Moses Leota (shoulder), Brandon Smith (knee), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee), Briton Nikora (ankle), Kayal Iro (hamstring), Te Maire Martin (neck). • Suspended: Nelson Asofa-Solomona. • Rugby union: Joseph Manu Kiwis Pacific Championship squad in alphabetical order: Erin Clark*, Phoenix Crossland*, James Fisher-Harris (c), Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaake, Keano Kini*, Casey McLean*, Griffin Neame, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’i, Jordan Riki*, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matthew Timoko, Trent Toelau*, Will Warbrick*, Naufahu Whyte*.

Mitchell Barnett’s move to the NZ Warriors netted New South Wales State of Origin selection for the first time this year and now he has been named in Australia’s squad for the coming Pacific Championships. His Kangaroos call-up caps a season which saw him help the Blues to a series victory on debut in the third and final match and then take out the prestigious Simon Mannering Medal as the Warriors’ player of the year. LATEST HEADLINES: Predictable All Blacks named squad for tour Black Ferns well-beaten by England again Fox just outside top 10 at PGA Mississippi Kobori superb final round at Dunhill Links Silver Ferns avoid series sweep with win The 28-year-old Wingham-raised prop-second rower was also chosen as one of the two props alongside clubmate Addin Fonua-Blake in the RLPA’s peer-voted 2024 Dream Team. On Monday, came the ultimate honour of selection in the Mal Meninga-coached Kangaroos for the Pacific Championships matches against the New Zealand Kiwis and Mate Ma’a Tonga being played in New Zealand and Australia. He becomes the first Warrior since Brent Tate in 2010 to make the Kangaroos and just the fourth in total, following Richard Villasanti, Steve Price and Tate. Barnett’s career took a dramatic turn when he ended seven seasons and 126 games with Newcastle to move to Auckland on a three-year contract from 2023. It paid immediate dividends as he played an influential role in helping the Warriors to the NRL finals for the first time since 2018 falling just one win short of making the grand final. In June, he recommitted for another two seasons until the end of 2027. Barnett is one of eight debutants named in the 21-man Australia squad while six players are included from last night’s grand final between Penrith and Melbourne. The Kangaroos play Mate Ma’a Tonga at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on October 18 followed by the New Zealand Kiwis at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on October 27. Penrith’s Isaah Yeo is captain and Harry Grant is vice-captain. Only nine of the playing side remain from last year’s record 30-0 loss to the Kiwis in the Pacific Championship final. Among those not included or unavailable from the 2023 squad are James Tedesco, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Kotoni Staggs, Valentine Holmes, Payne Haas, Jake Trbojevic, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Nicholas Hynes. KANGAROOS SQUAD Mitchell Barnett* (NZ Warriors), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Bradman Best* (Knights), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Xavier Coates* (Storm), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Tom Dearden* (Cowboys), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Harry Grant (Storm) - vice-captain, Ben Hunt (Dragons), Zac Lomax* (Dragons), Liam Martin (Panthers), Mitch Moses* (Eels), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Reece Robson* (Cowboys), Lindsay Smith* (Panthers), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Isaah Yeo (Panthers) - captain

New Zealand's Kazuma Kobori has hit a final round 65 to rocket up the order and finish tied 12th at the DP World Tour's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. Up 46 places on the leaderboard on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), Kobori, 22, finished at 16-under, eight shots of the winner, LIV golfer Tyrell Hatton from England. LATEST HEADLINES: Silver Ferns end series with victory Taranaki win Ranfurly Shield off Tasman Van Leuven title, Stevens-McNab 2nd New names in World Short Course team Fox in PGA run, Kiwis steady Scotland In his fourth round, Kobori went for seven-under following birdies on the first, fourth and fifth, seventh, eighth, 10th and 11th hole before his solitary bogey on the 13th. He then birdied again on the 15th - his eighth in total. Kobori takes home around NZ$100,000 in prizemoney as a result of his performance. Countryman Daniel Hillier had an even-par final round to be tied 25th at 14-under. His finish was spoiled by a bogey on the first and a triple-bogey seven on the par-four 17th. Sam Jones was tied 43rd after a one-under 71, finishing at 12-under overall. Jones also had trouble on the 17th, where he double-bogeyed in an otherwise flawless round featuring three birdies. Hillier has moved up four places to 93rd in the Race to Dubai Rankings as he chases a top-70 finish to qualify for the DP World Tour playoffs, while Jones rose three spots to 139th as he eyes a top-115 finish to earn his playing status for 2025.

New Zealand's Ryan Fox has just missed out on a top-10 finished at the latest PGA tournament in Jackson, Mississippi. Fox ended the Sandersons Farm Championship at 18-under on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), in a tie for 11th, five shots behind Taipei's Kevin Yu, who won the tournament in a playoff, and American Beau Hossler. LATEST HEADLINES: Kobori superb final round at Dunhill Links Silver Ferns end series with victory Taranaki win Ranfurly Shield off Tasman Van Leuven title, Stevens-McNab 2nd New names in World Short Course team The 37-year-old Aucklander carded a final-round three-under 69 which featured just the one bogey on the 12th hole. He birdied the first and second and then again the fourth. On the back nine he birded the 11th but on the 12th he short-putted his fourth shot, just an inch away from the hole. and then tapped in for a bogey. Fox, who improved seven places to 102nd in the FedEx Cup Fall rankings, is set to play the Black Desert Championship in Utah.

No bolters or newbies selected for the All Blacks Northern Tour, with only one change to the 36-man Rugby Championship squad. Hurricanes and Counties Manukau halfback Cam Roigard returns from the knee injury he sustained during the Super Rugby Pacific season and creates a halfback selection dilemma for the All Blacks coaches. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns well-beaten by England again Fox just outside top 10 at PGA Mississippi Kobori superb final round at Dunhill Links Silver Ferns end series with victory Taranaki win Ranfurly Shield off Tasman “It was fantastic to see Cam in great form for Counties in the weekend and we are excited to have him back in the mix," said All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson. "Fellow halfbacks Cortez Ratima and TJ Perenara showed during the Rugby Championship that they deserve their spots in the squad, and this means Noah Hotham will be included in the All Blacks XV squad to be announced tomorrow, where he will be able to gain some valuable playing time. “This Northern Tour is an exciting challenge, which will allow us to continue evolving our game and building a style of rugby that creates opportunities against some fierce competition. “We have selected a squad that will bring consistency and continuity, while also achieving the right balance of giving newer talent the chance to develop within a team that has valuable experience against these northern hemisphere sides.” In addition to the squad of 36, a small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel to Japan with the All Blacks to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad to play Munster and Georgia in November. This will also allow a group of players from the All Blacks squad to travel to England two days earlier to focus on preparation for the Northern Tour test matches. The All Blacks squad will depart for Japan on October 17. ALL BLACKS SQUAD Hookers Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes/Wellington), Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury), George Bell (Crusaders/Canterbury) Props Ethan De Groot (Highlanders/Southland), Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes/Tasman), Fletcher Newell (Crusaders/Canterbury), Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes/Bay of Plenty), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues/Northland), Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders/Canterbury) Locks Scott Barrett (Crusaders/Taranaki) (Captain), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs/Taranaki), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues/Auckland), Sam Darry (Blues/Canterbury) Loose forwards Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders/Tasman), Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs/Waikato), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs/Waikato), Dalton Papali’i (Blues/Counties Manukau), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika/Wellington) (Vice Captain) Wallace Sititi (Chiefs/North Harbour) Halfbacks Cam Roigard (Hurricanes/Counties Manukau), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes/Wellington), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs/Waikato) First-fives Beauden Barrett (33 / Blues / Taranaki / 131) Damian McKenzie (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 56) Midfielders Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki) (Vice Captain), David Havili (Crusaders/Tasman), Rieko Ioane (Blues /Auckland), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato), Billy Proctor (Hurricanes/Wellington) Outside backs Caleb Clarke (Blues/Auckland), Will Jordan (Crusaders/Tasman), Ruben Love (Hurricanes/Wellington), Stephen Perofeta (Blues/Taranaki), Sevu Reece (Crusaders/ Southland), Mark Tele’a (Blues/North Harbour) ALL BLACKS FIXTURES Saturday, October 26: All Blacks vs Japan, 6.50pm (NZT), Nissan Stadium, Yokohama Sunday, November 3: All Blacks vs England, 4.10am (NZT), Twickenham Stadium, London Saturday, November 9: All Blacks vs Ireland, 9.10am (NZT), Aviva Stadium, Dublin Sunday, November 17: All Blacks vs France, 9.10am (NZT), Stade de France, Paris Sunday, November 24: All Blacks vs Italy, 9.10am (NZT), Allianz Stadium, Turin

The Black Ferns started strong in their WXV1 clash with England, but quickly fell away to lose in Langley, Canada. New Zealand took an early lead as Kaipo Olsen-Baker picked up at the base of an attacking scrum and powered through to score. LATEST HEADLINES: Fox just outside top 10 at PGA Mississippi Kobori superb final round at Dunhill Links Silver Ferns end series with victory Taranaki win Ranfurly Shield off Tasman Van Leuven title, Stevens-McNab 2nd Renee Holmes converted but as the half wore on, the quality of England’s back three began to dazzle and take the match away from their opponents. Red Roses full-back Ellie Kildunne provided the assist for Abby Dow in the 10th minute, the winger finishing brilliantly in the right corner. Helena Rowland added the extras to pull England level and they took the lead nine minutes later as Player of the Match Jess Breach went over the first of her three tries. Kildunne turned try-scorer with 12 minutes of the first half remaining, and after Ayesha Leti-I’iga produced a fine catch to score her first test try since returning from injury, the England full-back got a second following a fine offload from Breach. That made the half-time score 22-12 and the Red Roses took the match away from the world champions with three tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. Dow, Hunt – from a charge down – and Breach were the players to cross the whitewash, Rowland adding her second conversion to take the score to 39-12. New Zealand hit back through Georgia Ponsonby and Maia Roos but Breach completed her hat-trick in the final minutes before replacement Zoe Harrison went over to take England to 49 points. The result had long been decided but the Black Ferns had the last say as Maama Vaipulu went over in the final play. The nine tries scored against them was the largest number in Black Ferns history. Their next game is against France on Sunday. England 49 (Abby Dow 2, Jess Breach 3, Ellie Kildunne 2, Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison tries; Helena Rowland 2 con) Black Ferns 31 (Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Georgia Ponsonby, Maia Roos, Maama Vaipulu tries; Renee Holmes con, Hannah King 2 con). HT: 22-12.

The Silver Ferns have finished the Taini Jamison Series against England winning the third and final game 61-56 in Invercargill. England had already won the series thanks to victories in Auckland and Porirua but the Silver Ferns were more determined in the third test, and kept their unbeaten run against the English in I nvercargill LATEST HEADLINES: Taranaki win Ranfurly Shield off Tasman Van Leuven title, Stevens-McNab 2nd New names in World Short Course team Fox in PGA run, Kiwis steady Scotland Plucky Breakers succumb to Utah Jazz The Silver Ferns were trying to avoid the first 3-0 home series at home since Australia in 1998, the Silver Ferns buckled down, finally putting in a team performance despite some jitters late in the third quarter. They led 18-16 at the first break, but were down 27-25 midway through the second quarter however they then regained some composure again in the third quarter and onwards. Then came a decisive period of just over five minutes where they hit back, with Maddy Gordon setting the attack free with quick-firing passes to shooters Grace Nweke and Ameliaranne Ekenasio. At the other end of the court Kelly Jackson caused major disruption to the England shooters to such an extent they failed to score for just over five minutes. At 32-28 to the Silver Ferns at halftime, and at one stage in the third quarter they held a six-point advantage, but England came back and only trailed by just one goal, 47-46, heading into the final quarter. The New Zealand team regrouped for the start of the last stage, at one point establishing a seven-point break before the English fought back, but the Silver Ferns' nerves held. The home side showed plenty of resolve to seal the match finishing with the same lineup that started the match. The Silver Ferns face Australia in two tests in New Zealand followed by two across the Tasman later this month.

Swimming New Zealand has named an inexperienced 17-strong team for the World Short Course Championships in Hungary. A number of top contenders such as Erika Fairweather, Cameron Gray and Lewis Clareburt are missing, but Olympians Helena Gasson, Eve Thomas and Hazel Ouwehand are confirmed in an otherwise raw squad. LATEST HEADLINES: Fox in PGA run, Kiwis steady Scotland Plucky Breakers succumb to Utah Jazz Waikato Women win FPC Premiership title Black Ferns select side for England clash White Ferns claim win at WT20 World Cup Gasson will attend her second World Short Course Championships after achieving multiple World Aquatics "A" times at he 2024 NZ Short Course Swimming Championships. Emma Godwin (Heretaunga Sundevils) and Gina McCarthy (Hamilton Aquatics & RPC Waikato) return to the world stage, with both athletes having experienced at least one World Swimming Championships (25m) in the past. The team has 12 debutants at the World Short Course level. Sam Brown (Coast) will make his first appearance at a World Aquatics competition where he achieved an "A" time in the men's 400m individual medley. Oceania Championships medallists Chris Elson (Vikings), Jack Hendy (Club 37) and Neve Tassicker (Ngā Tai Tūātea a Taraika) will be competing at their first World Aquatics meet. Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships finalists Zoe Pedersen (Coast) and Milana Tapper (St Peter's) will step up to the senior international level after strong performances in Canberra in August, while Larn Hamblyn-Ough (Coast) will also being making the step up after returning from the World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships held in Sardinia last month. Brearna Crawford (Waitakere) and Cooper Morley (North Shore) will take a break from their college swimming in the USA to join the team in Budapest to debut at the World Short Course level. Teammates Savannah-Eve Martin (Coast) and Zyleika Pratt-Smith (Coast) join Hugo Wrathall (Jasi) to round out the team, with all three stepping up to make make their senior debut also. The two coaches selected on the team are Michael Weston (Coast) and John Gatfield (Coast). Toni Bayliffe will be supporting the team as Team Manager. The 2024 World Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary will be held December 10-15.

Seventeen-year-old kiwi Erice van Leuven finished her junior career with a remarkable victory at the final UCI MTB World Cup in Canada. Van Leuven’s win in challenging damp conditions with low cloud restricting visibility, earned her a second straight World Cup win and with it the overall season title, to go with a second UCI Junior Women’s Downhill World Championship recently. LATEST HEADLINES: New names in World Short Course team Fox in PGA run, Kiwis steady Scotland Plucky Breakers succumb to Utah Jazz Waikato Women win FPC Premiership title Black Ferns select side for England clash Fellow New Zealand rider Lachie Stevens-McNab came within a blink of winning his first elite World Cup, finishing runner-up in the elite men’s final. The Union professional from Rotorua had set a blistering time of 3:54.065 in the difficult conditions, to claim the lead until top qualifier, Australian Troy Brosnan edged him by 0.06s in the final run after being behind the kiwi at the second-to-last time check. The victory for van Leuven was more impressive as the Commencal les Orres professional fell during her run but bounced back despite the poor visibility to take the win ahead of fellow New Zealand rider, Sacha Earnest. The win, following on from last week’s triumph at Lake Placid, made for the perfect ending for van Leuven, who will move up to the elite category next season. “I am really happy, “ said van Leuven. “I actually had quite a decent crash in my run and I thought ‘damn it’ but then I just didn’t give up, I didn’t go crazy pushing back, I just went solid. So I am really proud of my run. “It is pretty special to win my second World Cup in a row and definitely a dream come true to take the title. For my last junior race, it is pretty cool.” Earnest’s second placing earned her third overall for the World Cup season to go with her second bronze medal at the World Championships to complete an outstanding season for the Trek Factory rider. Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch finished fourth overall, having already returned to New Zealand following an injury that ruled her out of the North American races. Stevens-McNab scored his first elite world cup podium at Leogang earlier in the season, with his podium today courtesy of his high ranking. He crashed in qualifying but progressed in the competition with his protected rider status. He took full advantage with a strong run to be 11th fastest in the semifinal and then produced a superb performance in the final to push up to 12th overall in the elite world cup standings. It has been over a decade since a New Zealand rider won an elite world cup with Brook Macdonald prevailed at Val d’Isere (France) in 2012, with Stevens-McNab going so close to emulating that feat. Christchurch rider Luke Wayman, 17, finished seventh in the junior men’s downhill, securing second overall for the season. The Gravity Cartel rider finished behind French rider Max Alran, with fellow kiwi Tyler Waite finishing on the podium today to rise to 12th overall. Queenstown’s Jess Blewitt crashed in the elite women’s semifinal, to finish 11th overall in the season standings, with Rotorua’s Jenna Hastings making the semifinals. The season finale marked the final UCI World Cup for former national champion George Brannigan after 15 years on the circuit, although the Hawkes Bay rider plans to compete in one-off events. Action moves back to cross-country with elite and under-23 finals tomorrow. Results, UCI MTB World Cup Downhill, Mont Sainte Ann, Canada: Downhill qualifying: Elite women: Myriam Nicole (FRA) 4:18.524, 1; Nina Hoffmann (GER) at 3.357s, 2; Valentina Holl (AUT) at 4.101s, 3. NZ qualifiers for semifinals: Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory) at 9.949, 11; Jess Blewitt (Cube Factory) at 10.830, 13. Semifinals: Nicole 4:17.226, 1; Holl at 1.160, 2; Louise-Anna Ferguson (GBR) at 1.993, 3. Also NZers: Jenna Hastings at 9.166, 14; Jess Blewitt dnf. Final: Marine Cabirou (FRA) 4:27.496, 1; Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) at 1.423, 2; Holl at 2.339, 3. Season standings: Holl 184, 1; Cabirou 143, 2; Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) 141, 3. NZers: Blewitt 480, 11; Elite men: Matt Walker (GBR) 3:43.522, 1; Troy Brosnan (AUS) at 0.092s, 2; Norton Dakotah (USA) at 0.248, 3. NZers: Sam Blenkinsop at 8.670, 35; Tuhoto Ariki Pene at 11.513, 54; George Brannigan at 12.246, 55; Brook MacDonald at 12.550, 58; Wyn Masters at 12.959, 62; Ed Masters at 15.360, 78; Lachlan Stevens-McNab at 21.766, 90; Liam Jackson at 32.111, 97. Semifinals: Brosnan 3:42.196, 1; Norton at 1.451, 2; Andreas Kolb (AUT) at 1/471, 3. NZers: Stevens-McNab at 4.076, 11; Blenkinsop at 13.511, 53; Pene at 15.008, 57; Brannigan at 15.385, 58; Macdonald at 18.302, 59. Final: Brosnan 3L54,003, 1; Stevens-McNab at 0.062s, 2; Laurie Greenland (GBR) at 0.532, 3. Season standings: Loic Bruni (FRA) 1651, 1; Brosnan 1317, 2; Amaury Pierron 1302, 3. Also NZers: Stevens-McNab 806, 12; Toby Meek 127, 49; Sam Blenkinsop 57, 69 Men Junior Final: Max Alran (FRA) 3:53.196, 1; Till Alran (FRA) at 5.237, 2; Tyler Waite (NZL) at 8.064, 3. Also NZers: Luke Wayman at 11.183, 7; Oli Clark at 13.270, 9; Rory Meek at 14.001, 11. Final standings: Max Alran 332, 1; Wayman 246, 2; Asa Vermette (USA) 239, 3. Also: Waite 95, 12; Clark 82, 13; Meek 51, 23. Women Junior Final: Erice van Leuven (NZL) 4:46.007, 1; Sacha Earnest NZL) at 4.929, 2; Bellah Birchall dns. Final standings: Van Leuven 360, 1; Heather Wilson (GB) 290, 2; Earnest 280, 3; Eliana Hulsebosch 270, 4; Bellah Birchall 40, 11.