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The Heartland Championship's Meads Cup semifinals are almost set after another round of big scores. The competition’s top-four - South Canterbury, Whanganui, Thames Valley and Mid Canterbury - all posted wins in Round 7, with three of the four teams scoring 59 points or more away from home. LATEST HEADLINES: Hillier challenges for lead at Dunhill Links Crusaders confirm ex Wallaby O'Connor Paulsen PFA Young Footballer of the Year Waikato to host Canterbury in FPC final Jahrome Hughes claims Dally M Medal Whanganui and Thames Valley confirmed their top-four spots, with wins over Horowhenua Kapiti and Poverty Bay, respectively. The Butcher Boys went to Levin Domain and ran in 12 tries in a 72-28 win. Veteran Samu Kubunavanua, centre Ethan Robinson and wing Josaia Bogileka each scored two tries, while six others also crossed, including Tyler Rogers-Holden, who also booted six conversions. The Swamp Foxes were equally ruthless in taking out Poverty Bay 71-17 in Gisborne, while Mid Canterbury were too much for Buller to handle in Westport, winning 59-14. The only top-four side not to crack a half-century was defending champions South Canterbury, who reopened their redeveloped Fraser Park in Timaru after three years with a 32-15 victory over East Coast. With their 38th straight Heartland victory, the Green and Blacks guaranteed themselves a home semifinal. Below the top-four, King Country secured at least a Lochore Cup semifinal berth with a 32-17 win over North Otago in Te Kuiti. The Rams sit just two points behind Mid Canterbury, ready to pounce should the Hammers slip up against Poverty Bay in the final round. West Coast, despite losing 38-31 to Wairarapa Bush, and Horowhenua Kapiti too are guaranteed Lochore Cup semifinal spots, with Wairarapa Bush and Buller still an outside chance. HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS - ROUND 7 Mid Canterbury 59 Buller 14 Whanganui 72 Horowhenua Kapiti 28 King Country 32 North Otago 17 Thames Valley 71 Poverty Bay 17 South Canterbury 32 East Coast 15 Wairarapa Bush 38 West Coast 31 HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES - ROUND 8 East Coast vs Wairarapa Bush, Ruatoria Mid Canterbury vs Poverty Bay, Ashburton North Otago vs Buller, Oamaru Thames Valley vs Horowhenua Kapiti, Thames West Coast vs South Canterbury, Greymouth Whanganui vs King Country, Whanganui

New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen have been voted by their peers as the 2024 PFA Young Footballer of the Year. Paulsen is the third New Zealand international to win the accolade, following in the footsteps of Marco Rojas and Liberato Cacace. LATEST HEADLINES: Waikato to host Canterbury in FPC final Warriors' Laban in NSW Cup Team of Year Jahrome Hughes claims NRL Dally M Medal Fonua-Blake doubles up at Dally M Awards Multiple All Blacks returning to NPC action The awards consider the performances of professionals playing in the A-Leagues, as well as Australian players plying their trade overseas between June 2023 and June 2024, who are under the age of 23 at the time. Paulsen has been awarded the PFA Harry Kewell Medal after a breakout season in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix. The 22-year-old secured the No 1 spot with Wellington during the 2023-24 pre-season, before helping Giancarlo Italiano’s side secure a finals berth with a string of incredible performances in goals. Paulsen claimed several accolades last season: the A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, the competition’s Fan Player of the Year and shared the A-League Young Footballer of the Year honours with Nestory Irankunda. Paulsen’s form throughout the campaign earned him a place in the 2023-24 PFA A-League Team of the Season. He was named captain of the player-voted team, having received the most votes from his peers. “I’m proud to receive such a prestigious award,” Paulsen said. “Only two Kiwis have won this award (previously) so to be up in that bracket is amazing and I’m really proud of receiving such an accolade. “It means more to be voted by my peers and my teammates. I feel very honoured to receive this award. “Twelve months ago, I wasn’t really – with regards to Wellington Phoenix – in the picture to be considered the No 1, and to be given an opportunity by ‘Chiefy’ (Italiano) to be involved with the Wellington Phoenix and to be the No 1 was fantastic.” At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Paulsen signed with English Premier League side Bournemouth, before returning to the A-League on loan with expansion team Auckland FC. Paulsen becomes the third New Zealander to win the Young Footballer of the Year after fellow All Whites Marco Rojas (2013) and Liberato Cacace (2020). Paulsen is also the third goalkeeper to be awarded the honour, following in the footsteps of Socceroos shot-stoppers Mat Ryan (2012, 2014, 2015) and Mitch Langerak (2010). YOUNG FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR (HARRY KEWELL MEDAL) Alex Paulsen (2024) Jordan Bos (2023) Denis Genreau (2022) Connor Metcalfe (2021) Liberato Cacace (2020) Chris Ikonomidis (2019) Daniel Arzani (2018) Alex Gersbach (2017) Jamie Maclaren (2016) Mat Ryan (2015, 2014, 2012) Marco Rojas (2013) Robbie Kruse (2011) Mitch Langerak (2010) Nikita Rukavytska (2009)

Cashmere Technical and Napier City Rovers were fastest out of the blocks in New Zealand Football's National League Championship. Last weekend's opening round saw both rack up four-goal victories, while there was also wins for Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs, while defending champions Wellington Olympic were held to a scoreless draw. LATEST HEADLINES: Waikato to host Canterbury in FPC decider Warriors' Laban in NSW Cup Team of Year Jahrome Hughes claims NRL Dally M Medal Fonua-Blake doubles up at Dally M Awards Multiple All Blacks returning to NPC action Cashmere Technical opened with a 4-0 away win over Western Suburbs in Porirua on Sunday, with the country's leading goalscorer Garbhan Coughlan finishing it off with a 66th-minute strike. Earlier, Aidan Barbour-Ryan (10th minute), Yuya Taguchi (55th) and Lyle Matthysen (64th) also scored for the Southern League champions. Adam Hewson scored twice and Central League 'Golden Boot' Oscar Faulds also found the back of the net in Napier City's 4-0 win over Western Springs at Napier's Bluewater Stadium on Sunday. Auckland City got goals from Angus Kilkolly, Ryan de Vries and Stipe Ukich in a 3-1 victory over Northern League rivals Birkenhead United at Kiwitea Street on Sunday. After Kilkolly and de Vries' goals either side of halftime, Birkenhead answered in the 57th minute through Ardri McArthur. But New Zealand age-group rep Ukich was on hand to restore the two-goal lead three minutes later. Coastal Spirit were surprise qualifiers from the Southern League and continued to surprise in the opening round, holding high-powered Olympic without a goal in a 0-0 draw at Christchurch's Ferrymead Park. City will be looking to avenge last month's Chatham Cup final loss and last season's NLC final defeat when they meet Olympic at Wellington's Martin Luckie Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) in a Round 2 blockbuster. Eastern Suburbs left it late but got the job done in a 2-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves on the turf at Lower Hutt's Fraser Park on Saturday. Thomas Golding gave the Lily Whites the lead in the 81st minute with a one-touch volley just outside the six-yard box, his first goal of the season, before Dejaun Naidoo finished it off in the 90th minute, with his second of the year. Suburbs face Napier City in a potentially entertaining clash of first-round winners at Auckland's Madills Farm on Sunday (kick-off 2pm). In the NZF Women's National League Championship, West Coast Rangers and Canterbury United Pride were the most impressive in Round 1. Defender Nicole Stratford slotted the last two goals in a 5-0 victory over Central Football at Massey University in Palmerston North on Saturday. Rangers led 4-0 at halftime after earlier goals from Emily Lyon, Bree Johnson and Shannon Henson. Having conceded the opening goal, Canterbury United had four different goalscorers in a 4-1 victory over the Wellington Phoenix Women Reserves at Christchurch's English Park, with three goals coming in the second half. Wellington United were the other Round 1 winners, 3-2 over Western Springs at Auckland's Seddon Fields on Natalie Olson's 88th-minute goal, while NRFL Women's Premier champions Auckland United were held to a 1-1 draw by Waterside Karori in the Capital, and Eastern Suburbs and Southern United were scoreless at Madills Farm. NZF NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS - ROUND 1 Eastern Suburbs 2 Phoenix Reserves 0 Coastal Spirit 0 Wellington Olympic 0 Cashmere Technical 4 Western Suburbs 0 Auckland City 3 Birkenhead United 1 Napier City Rovers 4 Western Springs 0 NZF WOMEN'S NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS - ROUND 1 West Coast Rangers 5 Central Football 0 Canterbury United Pride 4 Phoenix Reserves 1 Wellington United 3 Western Springs 2 Waterside Karori 1 Auckland United 1 Eastern Suburbs 0 Southern United 0

Waikato will host Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup's Premiership final at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday. The two teams had contrasting victories in last weekend's semifinals, with top qualifiers Waikato romping to a 69-12 win over Auckland in Hamilton, while Canterbury overcame Counties Manukau 36-31 in Pukekohe. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors' Laban in NSW Cup Team of Year Jahrome Hughes claims NRL Dally M Medal Fonua-Blake doubles up at Dally M Awards Multiple All Blacks returning to NPC action Tasman dispatch Auckland to keep Shield Canterbury reached the FPC Premiership final for the eighth consecutive year with a heart-stopping victory over the Heat. Down 31-24 with three minutes remaining in Pukekohe, Canterbury’s perennial reign as finalists appeared dead in the water, but hat-trick fullback Winnie Palamo scored twice to engineer a miracle. Laura Bayfield sparked the resurgence when she gathered an awkward kick inside her 22. Canterbury rapidly built phases before wing Emma Whinney busted to halfway, linking with Terauoriwa Gapper and Stacey Niao, who offloaded to Palamo to dot down out wide. Reserve Alex Williamson exploded into a hole at the restart, before prop Philomena Petaia charged into the Counties half. The home side was scrambling on defence, and Palamo was unmarked three slick passes later. Canterbury led 24-12 at halftime but Counties made a handful of replacements at halftime, with the ‘bomb squad’ taking immediate effect as starting prop Leilani Perese powered over after 55 seconds.  Counties lost Ariana Marino-Tauhinu to the sin-bin for a high tackle in the 55th minute but Gapper followed five minutes later for cynical play.  Counties claimed the lead for the first time in the 65th minute when wing Shyanne Thompson scored her second try. It came after a determined surge by Faimasui-Brown and a long pass by Hazel Tubic, who added a sideline conversion. Kilisitina Vea became the second Canterbury player yellow-carded as the Heat hammered away inside the Canterbury 22.  Jaymie Kolose caught a dropout, spun through three defenders, and muscled the hosts to within 10m of the line. A thunderous charge by Perese followed before Harono Te Iringa clattered over in the 71st minute for a seven-point lead. Waikato walloped Auckland by a record score a month ago and were even better on Sunday in avenging their 2023 semifinal loss to the Storm, cracking a half-century by halftime. Waikato bullied the significantly younger Auckland from the outset, with prop Veisinia Fakalelu dummying, sprinting, and scoring after six minutes.  First-five Kaea Nepia collected a Waikato semifinal record haul of 24 points, with the best of her two tries a 55m break in the opening quarter.  The Waikato forwards went to work with ruthlessness, urgency, and precision. Hooker Grace Houpapa-Barrett has scored 10 tries in 2024 and was an imposing presence. Blindside Mia Anderson played a blinder and Fakalelu might be attracting wider interest with her blockbusting form.  All three scored joined Nepia in scoring two tries, while Emma-Lee Heta and Lela Ieremia also crossed in a dominant first half, which saw them up 50-7 at the break. In midfield, Chelsea Semple and Rina Parone enjoyed a combined 35 touches and offered ample punch and variety. Daynahh Nanvivell, Eloise Blackwell, Elizabeth Moimoi and Braxton Sorenson-McGee were among the Storm’s best in 2024.  FARAH PALMER CUP RESULTS PREMIERSHIP SEMIFINALS Canterbury 36 (Fia Laikong, Riko Yoshida, Winnie Palamo 3, Stacey Niao tries; Abigail Paton 3 con) Counties Manukau 31 (Misaki Suzuki, Shyanne Thompson 2, Leilani Perese, Harono Te Iringa tries; Hazel Tubic 3 con). HT: 24-12 Waikato 69 (Veisinia Fakalelu, Mia Anderson 2, Kaea Nepia 2, Grace Houpapa-Barrett 2, Reese Anderson 2, Emma-Lee Heta, Lela Ieremia tries; Kaea Nepia 7 con) Auckland 12 (Danii Mafoe, Simina Lokotui tries; Braxton Sorenson-McGee con). HT: 50-7

Melbourne Storm and Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes will head into Sunday's NRL decider on a massive high after taking home the Dally M Medal as the game's best player in 2024. Hughes becomes the third Kiwi after Gary Freeman (1992) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2018) to claim the coveted award. LATEST HEADLINES: Fonua-Blake doubles up at Dally M Awards Multiple All Blacks returning to NPC action Tasman dispatch Auckland to keep Shield Silver Ferns beaten again by England Roses Black Sticks Men decline spot in Pro League The halfback's fellow New Zealanders paid tribute to his achievement with a stirring haka after the presentation.  He finished with 62 points, just one point clear of runner-up, Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco. Hughes was stunned to be named the winner, capping a remarkable rise from a Queensland Cup fullback to the best halfback in the game. "I never thought I'd be a halfback in the NRL," Hughes said. "I thought I was a fullback until a guy called Papenhuyzen took my spot. I had to find a spot somewhere else in the team and Craig [Bellamy] made it halfback.  "It was a bit of a different transition, I'd never really played in the halves too much. Craig told me not to change my game too much, stick to my strengths and I'd have to learn a few different things.  "I've done that and I've got some help from a few people. [Cooper Cronk] was there helping me out ever since I've become a halfback. A lot of coaching staff there as well, I'm super grateful for those guys." In 22 games for the Storm in 2024, Hughes came up with 26 try assists, 12 tries, and 26 line break assists, guiding his team to a fifth minor premiership in nine seasons. Remarkably when voting went behind closed doors after Round 12, Hughes was sitting 15 points behind leader Dylan Edwards. The Panthers fullback had polled 31 votes on the back of a blistering start to the season, with Nicho Hynes second on 30, Daly Cherry-Evans third on 27 and Hughes on 16. From there the Storm won 11 of their final 13 matches and Hughes was instrumental in a number of impressive victories. He did not, however, run away with the result and needed the full six votes in the final round of the season to hold off a fast-finishing Tedesco, who also polled six votes in Round 27 in a thrilling finish.

NZ Warriors second rower Jacob Laban has capped a momentous season by being named in the New South Wales Cup Team of the Year. The imposing 20-year-old Wellingtonian’s season was highlighted by his NRL debut for the club against South Sydney in round five. LATEST HEADLINES: Jahrome Hughes claims NRL Dally M Medal Fonua-Blake doubles up at Dally M Awards Multiple All Blacks returning to NPC action Tasman dispatch Auckland to keep Shield Silver Ferns beaten again by England Roses As Warrior No 286, he made seven first-grade appearances, culminating in him being named the club’s NRL rookie of the year. After breaking into the NSW Cup when he was still 18 last season, Laban played 17 times for the Warriors in 2023 and this year made 15 appearances, playing the full 80 minutes in all but two of them. Averaging 107 metres and 29 tackles a game, he scored eight tries, made six line breaks and 71 tackle breaks.  NSW CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR 1 Jake Toby (North Sydney Bears) 2 Savelio Tamale (St George Illawarra Dragons) 3 James Schiller (Canberra Raiders) 4 Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers) 5 Watson Heleta (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles) 6 Will Pryce (Newcastle Knights) 7 Adam Cook (Canberra Raiders) 8 Kurt De Luis (North Sydney Bears) 9 Jayden Berrell (Newtown Jets) 10 Jordan Grant (Penrith Panthers) 11 Jacob Laban (NZ Warriors) 12 Billy Burns (Newtown Jets) 13 Hohepa Puru (Canberra Raiders)

New Zealand’s longest-running road cycling event will be linked with the newest of the national road cycling titles in Southland in January. Cycling Southland will host its traditional ILT Carnival in January with a new twist, combining two nights of the Summer Track Carnival before hosting the New Zealand Criterium Championships for the first time. LATEST HEADLINES: Multiple All Blacks return to NPC action Tasman dispatch Auckland to keep Shield Silver Ferns beaten again by steady England Black Sticks Men decline place in Pro League Clayton McMillan new All Blacks XV coach The Carnival will be completed with the staging of New Zealand’s longest-running road classic, the Gore to Invercargill road race. The evening track programme will run at the ILT Velodrome on Thursday 16 January and Friday 17 January, with the National Criterium Championships set for an inner-city circuit on Saturday 18 January. The carnival concludes with the 70km road race from Gore to Invercargill. It was first staged in 1930 and is still an annual part of cycling calendar in Southland. Cycling Southland General Manager, Nic Keast said the cycling fraternity are excited at hosting the Criterium Nationals. “The ILT Summer Track Carnival remains a popular and important part of our cycling development programme and of course we are proud to continue the legacy of staging the longest-running road event in New Zealand with the Gore to Invercargill Road Classic,” said Keast. “The winners are a who’s who of New Zealand and Southland cycling over many decades and we are proud to continue to stage this event. “To now add the Criterium Nationals is wonderful. The fit is ideal. The event is always popular and is exceptionally exciting, not just for cycling fans, but the wider sporting public. “It fits ideally into our Carnival programme and we look forward to hosting some of the leading riders in the country, not just for the Criterium, but also the Track Carnival for our younger riders and the Gore to Invercargill Classic.” The Gore to Invercargill Classic has been historically run on a handicap basis which makes for an exciting outcome, and while it was originally staged along SH1, more recently is has been modified to travel through Seaward Downs and Mokotua to Invercargill. Famous names on the trophy include Travor McLeay, who won the title three times, and is son of Commonwealth Gold medallist Glenn McLeay. Other family connections include Vicki Giles, who was the first female winner in 1986, while her father Ron took out the race in 1967. Well-known riders who have won the race include Commonwealth Games gold medallist Craig Adair, who won in 1981, former track world champion and road professional Greg Henderson, along with Olympic track medallist Marc Ryan and Commonwealth medallist Dylan Kennett. Course details and entry information will be announced as soon as possible.

A large group of the All Blacks squad are returning to NPC action in the Bunnings NPC this weekend. Sixteen All Blacks in total will be suited up for a sometimes rare appearance for the provincial unions. A number of players such as Jordie Barrett and others are injured or have niggling injuries preventing them from taking part. LATEST HEADLINES: Tasman dispatch Auckland to keep Shield Silver Ferns beaten again by steady England Black Sticks Men decline place in Pro League Clayton McMillan new All Blacks XV coach Southee no longer Black Caps test captain George Bower will be available for Otago when they travel to Semenoff Stadium to face Northland on Friday. Saturday's four NPC matches will also each feature at least one of the Rugby Championship squad, with Dalton Papali’i and Cam Roigard making returns from injury for Counties Manukau when they are hosted by Manawatū at Massey University. Southland and North Harbour having Ethan de Groot and Mark Tele’a at their service when they meet in Invercargill. At Sky Stadium Billy Proctor is set to bolster Wellington when they take on Hawkes Bay and Samipeni Finau available for Waikato to face All Blacks teammates George Bell and Sam Darry in the Canterbury team. A further seven players are available for Sunday’s two matches as Tasman host Taranaki for the Ranfurly Shield for the last time this season and Auckland try to make something of their season against Bay of Plenty. Tasman will have Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham and David Havili while Stephen Perofeta is eyeing a return from his calf injury for Taranaki. Pasilio Tosi will anchor a powerful scrum for the Bay of Plenty and both Harry Plummer and Patrick Tuipulotu are available for Auckland who are hosting the game at Auckland Grammar School. ALL BLACKS IN NPC FRIDAY Northland vs Otago, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei, 7.05pm Otago: George Bower SATURDAY Manawatū vS Counties Manukau, Massey University, Palmerston North, 2.05pm Counties Manukau: Dalton Papali’i, Cam Roigard Southland vs North Harbour, Rugby Park, Invercargill, 4.35pm Southland: Ethan de Groot North Harbour: Mark Tele’a Wellington vs Hawkes Bay, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 4.35pm Wellington: Billy Proctor Canterbury vs Waikato, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch 7.05pm Canterbury: George Bell, Sam Darry Waikato: Samipeni Finau SUNDAY Tasman vsTaranaki, Trafalgar Park, Nelson, 2.05pm Tasman: Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham, David Havili Taranaki: Stephen Perofeta Auckland vs Bay of Plenty, Auckland Grammar School, Auckland 4.35pm Auckland: Harry Plummer, Patrick Tuipulotu Bay of Plenty: Pasilio Tosi

NZ Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake was named in the Dally M Team of the Year for the second season running on Wednesday night. The 28-year-old Mate Ma’a Tonga captain capped his fourth and final campaign at the club with another outstanding season. LATEST HEADLINES: Multiple All Blacks returning to NPC action Tasman dispatch Auckland to keep Shield Silver Ferns beaten again by England Roses Black Sticks Men decline spot in Pro League Clayton McMillan new All Blacks XV coach Canberra’s Joseph Tapine was named as the other prop ahead of Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris of the Penrith Panthers and Moses Leota, along with Sydney Roosters prop Lindsay Collins. Named the players’ player of the year at the Warriors’ annual awards last month, Fonua-Blake and Warriors teammate Mitchell Barnett were both selected as the props in the RLPA’s Players’ Dream Team as voted by players from across the NRL. Just days out from the NRL grand final, Melbourne's Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes was crowned the 2024 Dally M Medallist, winning by a solitary point over Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco. 2024 DALLY M TEAM OF THE YEAR Fullback: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) Wing: Zac Lomax (St George Illawarra Dragons) Centre: Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs) Centre: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) Wing: Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers) Standoff: Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys) Halfback: Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm) Prop: Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders) Hooker: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm) Prop: Addin Fonua-Blake (NZ Warriors) Second row: Angus Crichton (Sydney Rooster) Second row: Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm) Loose forward: Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)

A strong second half showing has seen Tasman retain the Ranfurly Shield beating Auckland 31-17 in a rain-soaked match at Trafalgar Park Tasman were accurate in the wet conditions, and once they figured out that Auckland weren't interested in winning the shield, and were more than happy to give them kickable penalties. LATEST HEADLINES: Silver Ferns beaten again by steady England Black Sticks Men decline place in Pro League Clayton McMillan new All Blacks XV coach Southee no longer Black Caps test captain White Ferns lose to England in warm-up William Havili was clinical off the tee, slotting four penalties and a conversion in the second half, including one at a very pivotal moment from wide out on the right. Timoci Tavatavanawai was a highlight for the home side as was Finlay Christie and Fletcher Anderson too. Top position on NPC ladder is there for the taking, but they will have to fend off Taranaki on Sunday with the Log o' Wood on the line. For Auckland, who have hold held the Shield since 2007, the first half was promising, and they were right in it at the break, but collapsed in the second half as they were blighted by poor discipline once again. Their scrum went downhill as did almost everything else. Tuaina Tualima and Akira Ioane were the best of the losing side as they shield chances went downhill along with making the top-eight. The visitors first try cam through a superb effort by Zarn Sullivan who burst through a couple of tackles, outran, then dummied his way to a try, however he was let down by his discipline later in the match with a yellow card. With time up on the clock, Caleb Tangitau plucked an intercept to sprint 80 metres to score a consolation try for Auckland. Tasman had first half tries through powerful Timoci Tavatavanawai and right win Jack Gray while in the second half it was prop Ryan Coxon who crossed as Havilli kicked four penalties to keep the score ticking over. Auckland host Bay of Plenty on Sunday at the slightly different location of Auckland Grammar School. Tasman 31 (Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jack Gray, Ryan Coxon tries; William Havilli 2 con, 4 pen) Auckland 17 (Zarn Sullivan, Caleb Tangitau tries; Harry Plumber 2 con, pen). HT 12-10

England have beaten the Silver Ferns once again with a 59-55 victory at the Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua to seal the series. The loss came down to third quarter issues, the ninth game where they had dropped the area of a match and on the back of the 58-59 loss in the first test on Sunday in Auckland. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Sticks Men decline place in Pro League Clayton McMillan new All Blacks XV coach Southee no longer Black Caps test captain White Ferns lose to England in warm-up Judd Flavell new Tall Blacks coach The win for the English Roses means they take home the Taini Jamison Trophy for the first time since 2021 with third test in Invercargill on Sunday. The Silver Ferns were in the game for the majority of play but put themselves under pressure struggling to find combinations when they needed it. England were able to grind the Silver Ferns down, an restrict their own mistakes. Initially both sides were goal-for-goal with Whitney Souness making an impact and forming a combination with Maddy Gordon, while Kelly Jackson was strong attacking her opponents alongside Parris Mason. However Roses goal attack Berri Neil, who got the start over veteran Helen Housby, worked off her London Pulse partner Liv Tchine but lacked the experience which eventually saw Housby back onto the court. . With Housby showing authority the Roses kept up the score as Ameliaranne Ekenasio looked confident for the Silver Ferns against Roses defender Funmi Fadoju. Tchine scored right on the whistle for the Roses to trail 28-27 at halftime and win the second quarter 14-12. Into the third quarter and the Silver Ferns were a little off as the let the lead silver 29-33 and Karin Burger injected at wing defence, and Gordon returned to centre, as they looked for a more direct entry. The visitors held on for a 45-40 lead at the break and remained strong in the fourth always keeping just ahead despite the best efforts of the home side. Erena Mikaere got on the court in the final quarter, for her second Silver Ferns appearance, her first was in 2019 while Maia Wilson played her 50th game.

The Black Sticks Men have turned down an invitation to rejoin the Hockey Pro League (HPL), set to start in December 2024 until mid-2025. Hockey New Zealand has confirmed its decision to not take part in the HPL with the International Hockey Federation, following the men’s team winning the FIH Nations Cup in June 2023. LATEST HEADLINES: Clayton McMillan new All Blacks XV coach Southee no longer Black Caps test captain White Ferns lose to England in warm-up Judd Flavell new Tall Blacks coach Strong All Whites named for OFC qualifiers Hockey NZ said the decision to decline the invitation will allow the organisation to maximise its resources in building a high performance and touring programme that suits HNZ. “It is unfortunate that we had to decline the invitation to join the Hockey Pro League, but ultimately we were left with no choice. ” said HNZ CEO Anthony Crummy. “The economics, timing of the match schedule and the need to confirm our long-term funding for the next Olympic cycle mean it’s just not possible to commit to this coming season.” Committing to the Hockey Pro League would require three significant international tours and no home games for the Black Sticks Men, which was also a deciding factor in HNZ declining the invitation. “We will create an excellent playing programme for both our men and women, and we are well advanced in discussions with a number of countries to secure test matches home and abroad for 2025," said Crummy. “We also have the Nations Cup and our chance for our men to defend their title, and the Oceania Cup in late 2025 to look forward to. “In addition to our international commitments, our players will also have an opportunity to focus on the first year of the Premier Hockey League, a new four team elite domestic competition running through November and December.” “We look forward to working with the FIH and participating countries in contributing to the shape and format of the HPL in future seasons”. Ireland men will rejoin the HPL after France also declined the invitation following HNZ’s decision.