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A complete dominance on the boards has seen the Taranaki Airs blow away the Bay Hawks. The Airs out-rebounded the Hawks 60-26 at New Plymouth's TSB Stadium, powering to a wire-to-wire 103-76 win in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Wednesday night. LATEST HEADLINES:   Kosta Barbarouses staying with the Phoenix NZ rowing pair earn 'last chance' Paris spot Black Ferns aim to finish strong vs Australia Five Phoenix players in A-League All-Stars Strong NZ cycling team selected for Paris Australian forward Sam Froling led the way, pulling down 16 rebounds, including four offensive, to go with a game-high 27 points (10/15 FG, 7/8 FT), while three players - Carlin Davison, Tobias Cameron and Quintin Bailey - grabbed seven each. The control of the glass, including 21 at the offensive end, led by 58 points in the paints and 28 second-chance points. Tall Blacks guard Flynn Cameron added 16 points (5/15 FG, 5/6 FT), six boards and six assists, Tobias Cameron 13 points (5/9 FG, 3/7 3pt), Carlin Davison 11 points (5/11 FG), NZ Breakers signing Mitch McCarron 10 points (5/7 FG), five rebounds, nine assists and two steals. American guard Isaiah Moore led the Hawks with 26 points (9/23 FG, 3/4 3pt, 5/7 FT) and four assists, while Australian forward Luke Sutherland backed him up with 16 points (7/18 FG, 2/8 3pt), four boards and three blocks. Tall Blacks forward Jordan Ngatai finished with 10 points (4/11 FG) and five rebounds, while Hawks GM Jarrod Kenny - a former Tall Blacks and NBL guard - was called-up to cover for an injury Keanu Rasmussen, ending with nine points and three assists. Taranaki never trailed, shooting out to a 10-2 lead after two-and-a-half minutes and going up by as many as 19 points in the opening quarter. The Airs' lead remained between 10 and 20 points through the middle quarters until late in the third, when the gap stretched to 24. A 13-4 run in the fourth put them ahead by more than 30 before the Hawks scored the last two baskets. Both teams are off for more than a week, with the Hawks (4-6) heading to the Nelson Giants (4-6) next Thursday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Airs (8-3) host the Otago Nuggets (4-6) next Friday (tip-off 7.30pm). Taranaki Airs 103 (Sam Froling 27, Flynn Cameron 16, Tobias Cameron 13, Carlin Davison 11, Elijah Minnie 10, Mitch McConnell 10) Bay Hawks 76 (Isaiah Moore 26, Luke Sutherland 16, Jordan Ngatai 10). 1Q: 26-15, HT: 52-36, 3Q: 80-56

After a commanding first-half performance, the Northern Mystics thrilled their Trusts Arena home crowd with a 54-44 win over the Waikato-BOP Magic to round out Round 6 of the ANZ Premiership. Wearing dresses from the 2008 team in honour of Heritage Round, the Mystics’ 10-goal lead in the first quarter – followed by a streak of nine consecutive goals in the second - set up the defending champions for victory. LATEST HEADLINES:   Glen Jackson to take over as Drua coach Erin Routliffe hits a new world ranking high Fiona Xu sets records in Epson Tour victory Hobbs wins in Tokyo; Para gold for Stedman Hillier wins in Bogota; Fox fades at Valhalla With both sides coming off victories, it was promised to be a classic middle-of-the-table tussle for the third rung on the ANZ Premiership ladder. But without their unwell leader, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the Magic turned to young shooters Saviour Tui, Ivana Rowland and Kate Taylor to carry the load – it looked to be a big ask. Tui, however, stepped up, particularly when at goal shoot in the second half, finishing the game with 31 from 36. And with her experienced defenders Erena Mikaere and Georgia Takarangi also coming into their own, stemming the Mystics’ earlier smooth flow, the Magic won the last two quarters by eight goals. At the opposite end – in the continued injury absence of Grace Nweke – goal attack Filda Vui was the stand-out shooter for the Mystics, potting  31 from 37, well supported by Hannah Glen. The Mystics established the upper hand early with strong defence from Carys Stythe and Phoenix Karaka, which was converted to goals by Vui and Glen. A run of four goals gave the Mystics a 9-4 lead midway through the opening quarter. Tui sunk some sweet long-range shots to keep the Magic scoreboard ticking over, but another series of handling errors on attack proved costly. Toeava’s vision into the Mystics’ shooting circle was on-song, and she even pulled off an athletic intercept on defence. Another streak of five goals put the home side in a handsome position, 18-8, at the first break. Soon down by 13, the experienced head of Ariana Cable-Dixon was introduced to centre for Magic as Tui, the Magic’s best shooter, headed to the bench for Rowland. Vui, meanwhile, was doing the lion’s share for shooting for the Mystics at goal attack and a stunning string of nine further wore down the Magic. With the divide at 20 goals, the Mystics took the opportunity to bring Katie Te Ao on at wing defence, and Catherine Hall at goal keep. Mikaere, taking on the captaincy for the game, refused to be subdued, and pulled off a couple of good tips for the visitors before halftime, when Magic went to the changing rooms down 34-16.  For the second straight quarter, the Mystics held the Magic to only eight goals. The Magic had a much stronger third spell ­– Mikaere and Takarangi were more dynamic, getting hand-to-ball and disrupting the Mystics shooters, and Claire O’Brien showing some smart vision into Tui and Rowland. After a Magic run of five, Dani Binks came into the Mystics shooting line-up for Vui and stopped the Magic’s dash. Still the Magic won the quarter by five, down 49-29 going into the final stanza. The Magic continued to interrupt the easy flow the Mystics enjoyed in the first half, but the home side still had enough of a buffer to score a telling win. Northern Mystics 54 (Filda Vui 31/37, Hannah Glen 22/28, Dani Binks 1/1) Waikato-BOP Magic 44 (Saviour Tui 31/36, Ivana Rowland 9/11, Kate Taylor 4/6). 1Q: 18-8, HT: 34-16, 3Q: 42-29

The O’Reilly Cup is on the line when the the Black Ferns face Australia and look to come back from their loss last week to Canada. Experienced players Alana Bremner and Renee Holmes have been named for their final Test of the Pacific Four Series, as the Black Ferns play the Wallaroos at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.05pm). LATEST HEADLINES: Five Nix players in A-League All-Stars Strong NZ cycling team named for Paris Experienced Australian to coach Tall Ferns Blues keep Tu'ungafasi for two more years Warriors players back for Dolphins clash Football Ferns named for Japan clashes Prop Amy Rule earns her first start of the series and combining with Chryss Viliko and Georgia Ponsonby in the front row. Maia Roos will combine with the experienced Alana Bremner, who is in line to play her 20th Test in the Black Ferns jersey, her first start at lock. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u will shift back to the blindside making way for Kaipo Olsen-Baker to start at number eight, with loose forward Layla Sae set to make an impact off the bench this weekend. In the backline, Hurricanes Poua halves combination of Iritana Hohaia and Hannah King earn their first test starts of the season. The relentless midfield combination of Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis remain, alongside left wing Katelyn Vahaakolo. Mererangi Paul will shift to the right wing, with Renee Holmes named to start at fullback. Marcelle Parkes makes her Black Ferns return for the first time since 2019, as loosehead prop. Halfback Maia Joseph and Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant are on the bench and midfielder Grace Steinmetz comes into the 23. Coach Allan Bunting said he was excited to see the growth in this squad. “We have taken some critical learnings from our game against Canada. This is now our opportunity to move on and take this next challenge against Australia. There is a great rivalry between our two nations, we know Australia are coming off some pain as well and know how well they played at the end of last year. “We are looking to see change in our mental preparation this week. Alongside this, we have a refreshed starting fifteen, which is growing the depth in our squad, and offers them an opportunity to show their capabilities in what will be another intense battle.” Bunting congratulated Bremner on he looming milestone. “Alana lives everything it means to be a Black Fern. She is a constant professional and leads by example. She has worked very diligently the last couple of weeks, and we are looking forward to seeing her play this weekend,” said Bunting. BLACK FERNS: Renee Holmes, Mererangi Paul, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Hannah King, Iritana Hohaia, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Simon (co-capt), Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Alana Bremner, Maia Roos, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Luka Connor, Marcelle Parkes, Aldora Itunu, Charmaine Smith, Layla Sae, Maia Joseph, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Grace Steinmetz

Alana Sherman and Kate Haines have continued New Zealand’s proud rowing run in the pair. New Zealand has taken the next step in trying to extend its outstanding record in pairs rowing at the Olympics after Alana Sherman and Kate Haines qualified the boat at the ‘Last Chance’ regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland on Monday (Tuesday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES:  Five Phoenix players in A-League All-Stars Strong NZ cycling team selected for Paris Experienced Australian to coach Tall Ferns Blues keep Tu'ungafasi for two more years NZ Warriors players back for Dolphins clash Sherman and Haines were second in the women's pairs final on the famous Rotsee course to ensure New Zealand will get the chance to defend the Olympic title won by Kerri Williams and Grace Prendergast in Tokyo three years ago. “Honestly, I feel like it’s slowly sinking in second by second,” said Haines. “It’s a huge relief and I think we’ve worked so hard for it, so we just needed to execute on the day.” Going back to Athens in 2004, a New Zealand pair, men’s or women’s, has been in every Olympic A-fina,l bar one, and there have been six medals, including three gold. The New Zealanders had a very clear race plan after finishing fourth in the preliminary race on Monday: get out early with the favoured Danish crew, hang in long enough to break the opposition then push hard for home. That is exactly what they did, and more. “We knew we had to go,” said Haines. “We didn’t want to be in that sprint like we were in the prelims, really proud of us for just committing and Alana put her bloody head down and went.” Sherman and Haines went through the 1000m in third, behind Denmark and a fast-starting France crew desperate to make their home Olympics. But within 250m the New Zealanders had surged into second and were challenging the far more experienced Danish pair of Fie Erichsen and Hedvig Rasmussen. Denmark crossed in 7min 14.62sec, the Kiwis in 7.15.44. Sherman and Haines will now fly home to New Zealand, ahead of the World Cup II regatta at the same venue in three days’ time, where reserve pair Stella Clayton-Greene and Ella Cossill will pick up the challenge. The women’s quad of Bella Carter, Kathryn Glen, Georgia Nugent-O'Leary and Laura Glen also needed to finish in the top-two in their final to qualify the boat for Paris. They had the cruellest of races, crabbing just 15 strokes into the race and from there were unable to get back into contention. The NZ men's quadruple sculls crew of Ben Mason, Flynn Watson, Zack Rumble and Jack Ready finished third in their repechage race on Sunday (Monday NZT), missing out on the top-two to advance to the final. Things looked promising through 1000m, with New Zealand second, and just 0.82sec behind leaders France. But Ukraine powered home to win, with France second, and the Kiwis third, just over 2.5 seconds back. Nine New Zealand boats are now qualified for Paris, although the final selection remains in the hands of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

The Wellington Phoenix are the most represented club in the 2024 A-League All-Stars selection. Five of the final 21-strong squad named for Friday night’s match against Newcastle United at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium are Phoenix players. LATEST HEADLINES:  Strong NZ cycling team named for Paris Experienced Australian to coach Tall Ferns Blues keep Tu'ungafasi for two more years Warriors players back for Dolphins clash Football Ferns named for Japan clashes Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, defenders Tim Payne and Scott Wootton, and midfielders Ben Old and Bozhidar Kraev have been added to All-Stars squad in recognition of their roles in Wellington’s record-breaking A-League season. Paulsen enjoyed a breakout season in goal for the Nix, playing every minute of their A-League campaign and keeping 12 clean sheets. He also sensationally saved three penalties. Wootton marshalled the Phoenix’s defence and was the only other player not to miss a minute of the team’s 29 matches. His centre back partner during the 2022-23 A-League, Payne, moved to fullback this season and was a revelation, scoring three goals and leading the team with four assists. Old also contributed four assists as well as scoring five goals in what was his best A-League season, while Kraev found the back of the net six times and supplied two assists in his second year in Wellington. “This squad is a fantastic mix of the best talent across the A-Leagues, including seven under-23s and four internationals,” said A-League All-Stars head coach Patrick Kisnorbo said. “We now have four days to prepare and work hard together. “This is an opportunity for all our A-League players to test themselves against a formidable team. The whole squad is excited to play a team from the best league in the world.” The five Phoenix players assembled with the All-Stars squad in Melbourne on Tuesday and joined Tottenham Hotspur for an open training session at AAMI Park that night. The match against Newcastle United is the first of a Global Football Week double-header at Marvel Stadium. Nix fullback Michaela Foster and the A-League Women's All-Stars will play Women’s Super League heavyweights Arsenal in the second match at Marvel Stadium later on Friday night after both sides hold an open training session at AAMI Park on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Phoenix midfielder Mo Al-Taay has been called up to the Iraq national team for the first time. Al-Taay has been named in Iraq’s 26-strong squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup Asia qualifiers against Indonesia in Jakarta and Vietnam in Basra in early-June. Having won their first four matches, Iraq top Group F. He has been rewarded for his consistent performances during the Nix’s record-breaking campaign, featuring in all but two of 29 matches in his first season in Wellington, making 17 starts. Al-Taay was born in Australia after his parents fled Iraq in the mid-1990s and has dreamed of playing for the national team since Iraq won the Asian Cup in 2007.

Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) has confirmed experienced Australian Natalie Hurst as Tall Ferns interim head coach. Hurst is well-known in Australia as a point guard taking the Canberra Capitals to seven league championships in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and playing 290 games over 13 seasons. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues keep Tu'ungafasi for two more years Players back for Warriors clash with Dolphins Football Ferns selected for Japan matches Otago BHS topple national 1st XV winners Weightlifter David Liti named for Paris 2024 She played for the Australian Opals from 2009-2013 and enjoyed a successful career in Europe from 2012-2017, playing for Uni Györ and Hatay BB in Women’s Euroleague and also for PEAC-Pécs in Eurocup Women. In 2020, she joined the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL as an assistant coach for two seasons before being named head coach in 2022. “I’m super-honoured to be given this caretaker role, it’s a short term role but I’m trying to look long-term as well – so hopefully I can come in, make a good impression on the girls and they feel comfortable with me,” said Hurst. “I played a bunch of Oceania games against New Zealand and they were always tough and physical; they always took it to us hard and never gave up – I love that mentality and tough grit. We want to be a physical team and we want to continue representing ourselves the best way we can. “We’ve got two big focuses now; the Japan tour and then three games in Mexico, so we want to be prepared as best we can to go out there and put our best foot forward.” Hurst will lead the Tall Ferns in a friendly tour of Japan in June with a Tall Ferns Select Team, and a three-game Women's FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifier series in Mexico in August.

Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková has named a strong 24-player squad for the international friendlies against seventh ranked nation, Japan. The games will be played Saturday 1 June NZT (Friday 31 May local) and Tuesday 4 June NZT (Monday 3 June local) at Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, Spain. LATEST HEADLINES: Weightlifter David Liti named for Paris 2024 Solid results for Kiwis Wood, Payne in Perth Mystics put on first-half show against Magic Glen Jackson to take over the Fijian Drua Erin Routliffe hits a new world ranking high The squad features 18-year-old forward Milly Clegg return to the side for the first time since her move to NWSL team Racing Louisville FC and after missing both tours so far in 2024 due to injury. London City Lionesses’ Grace Neville is also recalled, along with uncapped goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff who recently transferred colleges to Kansas State University.10 of the players selected (Barry, Clegg, Foster, Fraser, Green, Hand, Kitching, Neville, I Riley and Taylor) were given their debuts by Klimková. The Football Ferns will be looking to build on their unbeaten run following February’s OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Samoa and the two-game April series against Thailand in Christchurch. Coach Klimková is happy to see her side test themselves against a high calibre opposition as the team finalise preparations for July’s Paris 2024 Summer Olympics: “With the Paris Olympics just over two months away, where we know we will be facing some of the top teams in the world, it is important to challenge ourselves against a side like Japan so we can be as prepared as possible for our games in late July. “The squad represents the blend we are looking to establish, with some exciting young talent who have potential to lift the Ferns for the next decade, alongside experienced players who know what it is like to perform at major tournaments such as the Olympic Games. “It is particularly exciting to have Milly Clegg back in the side after injury and her move to America, now one of three NWSL players alongside Ali Riley and Utah Royals recruit Macey Fraser .“In Christchurch we showed the attacking potential we have so I look forward to meeting up with the team in Spain to continue that momentum and build consistency.” Both games are available to watch live and free in New Zealand on FIFA+. FOOTBALL FERNS SQUAD Mackenzie Barry (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand CJ Bott (44 caps) Leicester City, England Katie Bowen (107 caps) Inter Milan, Italy Claudia Bunge (30 caps) HB Køge, Denmark Daisy Cleverley (37 caps) HB Køge, Denmark Milly Clegg (6 caps) Racing Louisville FC, USA Victoria Esson (23 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland Michaela Foster (16 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Macey Fraser (5 caps) Utah Royals, USA Ally Green (12 caps) AGF, Denmark Jacqui Hand (25 caps) Lewes FC, England Grace Jale (29 caps) Unattached Katie Kitching (8 caps) Sunderland AFC, England Anna Leat (16 caps) Aston Villa FC, England Meikayla Moore (64 caps) Glasgow City FC, Scotland Grace Neville (8 caps) London City Lionesses, England Gabi Rennie (35 caps) Åland United, Finland Ali Riley (161 caps) Angel City FC, USA Indiah-Paige Riley (23 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands Murphy Sheaff (0 caps) Kansas State University, USA Malia Steinmetz (29 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark Rebekah Stott (101 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia Kate Taylor (15 caps) Unattached Hannah Wilkinson (124 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia FOOTBALL FERNS FIXTURES INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES Japan vs New Zealand Saturday, June 1, 2am NZT (Friday, May 31, 4pm local) Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain Japan vs New Zealand Tuesday, June 4 June, 2am NZT (Monday, June 3, 4pm local) KO 2am NZT Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain PARIS OLYMPICS Canada vs New Zealand Friday, July 26, 3am NZT (Thursday, July 25, 5pm local) Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France New Zealand vs Colombia Monday, July 29, 3am NZT (Sunday, July 28, 5pm local) Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France New Zealand vs France Thursday, August 1, 7am NZT (Wednesday, July 31, 9pm local) Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France

The NZ Warriors have bought back Marata Niukore, Rocco Berry, Freddy Lussick and Chanel Harris-Tavita from injury for NRL Round 12 against the Dolphins at Mt Smart on Sunday evening. Centre Berry (hand), second rower Niukore (foot), hooker Lussick (concussion) and utility Harris-Tavita (calf) have been named in the extended squad for the club’s first match on home soil since the Anzac Day contest against the Gold Coast Titans. LATEST HEADLINES: Football Ferns named for Japan clashes Otago BHS topple national 1st XV winners Weightlifter David Liti named for Paris 2024 Solid results for Kiwis Wood, Payne in Perth Mystics put on first-half show against Magic Glen Jackson to take over the Fijian Drua While those four players come off the injury list, hooker Wayde Egan (concussion) and centre Ali Leiataua (ankle) join the casualties. Egan is following NRL protocols after a head knock early in Sunday’s clash against the Panthers forced him out of the game. With the club having a bye in Eound 13, Egan will be in line to make his return for the away match against North Queensland on June 8. Rookie Leiataua, playing just his second NRL fisture, was a try-scoring hero in the 22-20 win over the Panthers but picked up an ankle injury which is set to keep him out until early July. Egan and Leiataua, captain Tohu Harris, halfback Shaun Johnson, centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, second rower Kurt Capewell and standoff Luke Metcalf remain in recovery. With some reinforcements coming back. Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has Berry back in the centres, where he has been for 10 of the club’s 11 games this year, while Lussick is named to start at hooker, Niukore on the interchange and Harris-Tavita on the extended bench. The powerful Niukore is eyeing just his second game of the season after last playing in the round four home win against Newcastle. Harris-Tavita’s last outing was the Round 6 draw with Manly. With Johnson out, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is again named at standoff and Taine Tuaupiki at fullback with Dylan Walker starting at loose forward for the unavailable Harris NZ WARRIORS: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Martin, Addin Fonua-Blake, Freddy Lussick, Bunty Afoa, Jackson Ford, Mitch Barnett (c), Dylan Walker. Interchange: Tom Ale, Jazz Tevaga, Jacob Laban, Marata Niukore. Reserves: Paul Roache, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Zyon Maiu’u, Edward Kosi, Moala Graham-Taufa

The Blues have confirmed the re-signing of prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi for an additional two years, through until the end of 2026. Tu’ungafasi, with 144 matches, is currently the second-most capped Blues player of all-time, sitting behind club legend Keven Mealamu (164). LATEST HEADLINES: Players back for Warriors clash with Dolphins Football Ferns named for Japan clashes Otago BHS topple national 1st XV winners Weightlifter David Liti named for Paris 2024 Solid results for Kiwis Wood, Payne in Perth Since his debut in 2013 against the Hurricanes, Tu’ungafasi has been a stalwart figure at the Blues, he was part of the championship-winning 2014 World Club Tens team and the 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman side. The 122kg prop said he was keen to add to his legacy in the Blues jersey. "The Blues holds a special place in my heart, and I'm honoured to extend my journey here,” said Tu’ungafasi. Tu'ungafasi's influence extends beyond his longevity, having consistently demonstrated leadership on and off the field. His support of initiatives such as the ‘Best Foot Forward for Tonga’ and the Blues community outreach during last season’s extreme weather events in Auckland show his dedication to the club and the region’s people. “I’m proud to have played so much rugby for one club and it’s been cool to grow as a person and a player with the Blues.” “I take a lot of pride in contributing not only to our Blues community but also to the development of our younger players. It’s great to work with the new front-rowers and I’m committed to ensuring we build strength in that area,” he said. Tu’ungafasi’s contract renewal underscores the Blues’ commitment to securing top-tier talent and maintaining its competitive edge in the upcoming seasons of Super Rugby Pacific. Head of Blues Rugby Murray Williams lauded Tu'ungafasi's re-signing, emphasising his invaluable contribution to the team. "Ofa's work ethic is second to none and his prowess in the scrum is unmatched. He brings a positive vibe and good-natured spirit to our club, we’re stoked to have him with us for another two seasons,” said Williams. Williams further highlighted the significance of Tu'ungafasi's presence in the squad. "Having Ofa on board for the next two seasons reinforces our aspirations to drive towards winning a Super Rugby Pacific Championship. His experience, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the Blues, will undoubtedly inspire our pursuit of silverware." The Blues are away to the Crusaders in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday (kick-off 7.05pm).

Led by two current world champions, a strong 16-rider track and road cycling team has been named for the Paris Olympic Games. New Zealand Sportsman of the Year, Aaron Gate heads to his fourth Olympic Games, leading an impressive men’s track endurance quartet alongside World Tour rider Campbell Stewart, Tom Sexton and Keegan Hornblow. They are currently ranked second in Team Pursuit and first in the two-rider madison while Gate is fourth in the Omnium on UCI Olympic rankings. Gate earned his rainbow stripes in the individual Points Race, which is the core discipline in the Olympic Omnium. LATEST HEADLINES: Experienced Aussie new Tall Ferns coach Blues keep Tu'ungafasi for two more years Players back for Warriors clash with Dolphins Football Ferns named for Japan clashes Otago BHS topple national 1st XV winners "It is unfinished business after Tokyo and the disappointment there," said Gate who crashed as his team raced for the bronze medal in the team pursuit in Tokyo. "In terms of expectations, I am putting a lot on myself for this one. It is a surreal opportunity to get my fourth Olympics and so it is not one that I am going to take lightly. I will be going there with my best foot forward." Ellesse Andrews is the current world champion in the keirin, and currently second on Olympic rankings and fourth in individual sprint. She joins Rebecca Petch and Shaane Fulton in a team sprint combination that is currently seventh on Olympic rankings and continuing to improve strongly. The women’s endurance quartet comprises Bryony Botha, Ally Wollaston, Nicole Shields and Emily Shearman who are the top ranked women’s team pursuit, second on Olympic rankings in the two-rider madison and third in the omnium. Their performances have been outstanding this year, with a new national record in the team pursuit. Sam Dakin is the sole male sprinter, coming off his best year, where he is ranked seventh on Olympic rankings in the keirin. The four-strong road team are all young European-based World Tour professionals who have enjoyed an outstanding first half of 2024, comprising Niamh Fisher-Black (Team SD Worx), Kim Cadzow (EF Education), Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) and Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech). Fisher-Black, 23, from Nelson, has four professional wins and this year has won stages in the Tour de Suisse and Velenciana and was seventh on GC in the Vuelta Espana. Cadzow, from Tauranga, has three wins in her short career. The 22-year-old year won the national championship time trial in 2024 and placed second in the road race. She also placed an outstanding sixth in the famed Liege-Bastogne-Liege monument and top-10 on GC in the Vuelta Espana. Pithie, 21 from Christchurch, has turned heads this year on the WorldTour for his Groupama FDJ WorldTour team, with an early season win at the Cadel Evans Ocean Race, two podiums in Paris-Nice, and a stand-out seventh in the famed Paris-Roubaix, the monument race established last century. Strong, 24 from Invercargill, is a former world champion on the track, who has already enjoyed two professional victories on the road and this year was second in a stage of Tour Downunder and Tour of Finisterre and fourth in the Cadel Evans Ocean race. “We are excited with the group to represent us on the track and road at the Paris Olympics Games,” said Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director, Ryan Hollows. “The women’s endurance track group has been developing splendidly since Tokyo and is probably the deepest in terms of talent that we have ever produced. Coach Paul Manning has allowed this group to take the lead on how they operate and they have formed a closely-knit and hard-working combination. “The men’s endurance is a mix of world-proven talent led by Aaron Gate, alongside Campbell Stewart who won that remarkable silver medal in Tokyo. There was strong competition for places, with Tom Sexton and Keegan Hornblow joining with some real depth in reserve. “The sprint group is led by Ellesse Andrews who is still young in terms of world sprinting, and she continues to improve every time she steps on the track. The women’s team sprint group are young in years and experience with a promising future, as has Sam Dakin who has his sights set on becoming New Zealand’s fastest sprinter. “New Zealand is fortunate to have some superb young road riders who have been producing outstanding results on the WorldTour in Europe this year. With teams reduced to four riders in Paris, this could make for a very different race and arguably present New Zealand with a rare opportunity to make its presence felt. “Overall we believe this is amongst our strongest track and road teams and accordingly the depth of talent has meant it has been a challenging job for our selectors. While we congratulate our selected riders, we also want to acknowledge the world-class talent that we just could not fit into our tight quotas.” Track and road team: Track, Women, Endurance: Bryony Botha (Auckland), Emily Shearman (Palmerston North), Nicole Shields (Clyde), Ally Wollaston (Cambridge). Sprint: Ellesse Andrews (Christchurch), Shaane Fulton (Nelson), Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu). Male, Endurance: Aaron Gate (Auckland), Keegan Hornblow (Nelson), Tom Sexton (Invercargill), Campbell Stewart (Palmerston North). Sprint: Sam Dakin (Auckland). Road, Women: Kim Cadzow (Tauranga), Niamh Fisher-Black (Nelson). Men: Laurence Pithie (Christchurch), Corbin Strong (Invercargill). Reserves: Female Track, Sprint: Olivia King. Endurance: Sami Donnelly, Michaela Drummond. Road: Ella Wyllie, Henrietta Christie. Male Track, Endurance: George Jackson, Nic Kergozou. Road: Finn Fisher-Black, George Bennett.

New Zealand drivers Ryan Wood and Matt Payne have registered top-10 finishes in both races at the latest round of the Supercars Championship. Wood finished fourth and eight, and Payne eighth and ninth in Races 9 and 10 of the season  over the weekend at the Perth SuperSprint at Wanneroo Raceway. LATEST HEADLINES:   Mystics put on first-half show against Magic Glen Jackson to take over the Fijian Drua Erin Routliffe hits a new world ranking high  Tuatara go clear in NBL; Saints outlast Bulls Fiona Xu sets records in Epson Tour victory Hillier wins in Bogota; Fox fades at Valhalla For Walkinshaw Andretti United rookie Wood, the results were his third and fourth top-10s, with the fourth-placing in Perth matching his career-best from the first race of the Taupo Super400 last month. The 20-year-old, who remains 16th in the Championship after not finishing his first two races of the season, qualified second for Race 9 and fourth for Race 10, but was later docked three places on the grid for being judged to have impeded Mark Winterbottom during qualifying. Payne, in his second full-time season with Grove Racing, remained fifth in the Championship after his sixth and seventh top-10s from 10 races in 2024. He trails leader Will Brown by 391 points, with the top-three of Brown, Broc Feeney and Chaz Mostert separating themselves from the pack. The other Kiwi drivers in the top-10 heading to Western Australia, Andre Heimgartner and Richie Stanaway, dropped multiple positions after disappointing weekends. Stanaway finished 24th and 12th to fall to ninth overall, while Heimgartner, who won in Taupo five weeks ago, finished 13th and 15th to drop to 11th. Jaxon Evans, the fifth New Zealander on the Supercars grid, crossed in 18th in both races in Perth, moving up to 20th. The next Supercars round is the Darwin Triple Crown on June 15-16.

Defending national 1st XV champions Southland Boys High School have made a losing start to the Southern Schools Rugby Championship. The Jason Rutledge-coached Invercargill school fell 33-24 to Otago BHS at Dunedin's Littlebourne Ground last week in their traditional interschool fixture, a repeat of the 2023 Otago Schools Championship final. LATEST HEADLINES:  Weightlifter David Liti named for Paris 2024 Solid results for Kiwis Wood, Payne in Perth  Mystics put on first-half show against Magic  Glen Jackson to take over the Fijian Drua  Erin Routliffe hits a new world ranking high  Tuatara go clear in NBL; Saints outlast Bulls Fresh off finishing fourth at the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational and only returning from Japan three days earlier, the Royal Blues simply ran out of gas after building a big lead. Southland BHS led 17-0 at halftime after a composed first half and 24-0 after a try early in the second half. But then Otago BHS left wing Manaia Lesa and second-five Tevita Latu sparked a comeback. Christopher Ure, Jackson Hughan, Latu, who booted four of five conversion attempts, and Sione Takataka scored second-half tries to lift the home side to their second win in five days. In other Southern Schools RC results, Dunedin schools John McGlashan College and King's HS played out a 13-13 draw, while Queenstown's Wakatipu HS defeated the Otago BHS 2nd XV 31-5 in Frankton. Contrastingly, last year's beaten Top 4 finalists, Westlake BHS have started their North Harbour 1A and Blues Region 1st XV title defences with three big wins. Westlake have defeated Massey HS 44-10, Rosmini College 41-8 and Takapuna Grammar 71-0 to be one of three schools north of the Harbour Bridge at 3-0-0, alongside Whangarei BHS and Rangitoto College. After two rounds of the Auckland 1st XV 1A competition, four schools - St Paul's College, King's College, Auckland Grammar and St Kentigern College - remain unbeaten, while last year's beaten Blues Region finalists Sacred Heart College have lost two straight. In the opening round of the Mainland 1st XV Premiership, Nelson College avenged their loss to Christchurch BHS in the 2023 final with a 30-19 win at Waimea Road on Saturday, while semifinalists St Bede's College and St Thomas of Canterbury scored wins. Hamilton schools St John's College and St Paul's Collegiate have started the Central North Island 1st XV competition with two victories, while defending champions Feilding HS thumped St John's College (Hastings) 90-0 in their opener. The 10-team Wellington 1st XV Premiership kicks-off on Wednesday, with Wellington College hosting last year's beaten finalists St Pat's Silverstream, before champions Scot's College welcome Paraparaumu College to Monorgan Road on Saturday. The Super Eight competition, featuring eight of the best boys' schools in the central North Island, also starts on Saturday, with Palmerston North BHS hosting Gisborne BHS and New Plymouth BHS welcoming Hastings BHS. FIRST XV RESULTS NORTH HARBOUR 1ST XV 1A - ROUND 3 Whangarei BHS 22 Mahurangi College 21 Rangitoto College 22 Massey HS 14 Westlake BHS 71 Takapuna Grammar 0 Rosmini College 61 Manurewa HS 0 NORTH HARBOUR 1ST XV 1B - ROUND 2 Westlake BHS 2nd XV 50 Rosmini College 2nd XV 12 Westlake BHS 3rd XV Green 29 Westlake BHS 3rd XV Red 19 Rangitoto College 2nd XV 14 Massey HS 2nd XV 5 Long Bay College 28 Northcote/Birkenhead/Glenfield 27 Kaipara College 38 Orewa College 14 AUCKLAND 1ST XV 1A - ROUND 2 St Paul's College 31 Botany Downs SC 6 King's College 31 De La Salle College 28 Liston College 31 Dilworth School 11 St Peter's College 22 Kelston BHS 19 Auckland Grammar 27 Sacred Heart College 20 St Kentigern College 35 Mt Albert Grammar 16 AUCKLAND 1ST XV 1B - ROUND 2 Pool A Avondale College 17 Waitakere College 17 Tangaroa College 50 One Tree Hill College 0 Southern Cross Campus 17 Aorere College 12 Pool B Macleans College 24 Onehunga HS 10 Tamaki College 20 Howick College 15 Pakuranga College 29 Sir Ed Hillary Collegiate 0 Mangere College 19 Mt Roskill Grammar 17 CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND 1ST XV - ROUND 2 St Peter's Cambridge 41 Whanganui Collegiate 24 St Paul's Collegiate 33 Rathkeale College 3 St John's Hamilton 41 Francis Douglas MC 10 Lindisfarne College 29 Wesley College 25 Feilding HS 90 St John's Hastings 0 MAINLAND 1ST XV PREMIERSHIP - ROUND 1 Marlborough BC 41 Shirley BHS 26 St Thomas of Canterbury 24 Selwyn Combined 7 Nelson College 30 Christchurch BHS 19 Christ's College 59 Timaru BHS 12 St Bede's College 21 St Andrew's College 18 MAINLAND 1ST XV CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 1 St Thomas 2nd XV 17 Waimea Combined 17 Ashburton Schools 17 Christ's College 2nd XV 0 Rangiora HS 40 Horomake Combined 12 Christchurch BHS 2nd XV 57 Roncalli Aoraki Combined 14 St Bede's College 2nd XV 78 Cashmere Combined 0 SOUTHERN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 1 - ROUND 2 Otago BHS 33 Southland BHS 24 John McGlashan College 13 King's HS 13 Wakatipu HS 31 Otago BHS 2nd XV 5 SOUTHERN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 2 - ROUND 2 Blue Division South Otago HS 36 Cromwell College 3 Gore HS/Menzies 53 St Kevin's College 15 Maroon Division Southland BHS 2nd XV 21 Dunstan HS 7 Mt Aspiring College 38 John McGlashan 2nd XV 3 Waitaki BHS 31 Central Southland College 15