Search Results

New Zealand have won the inaugural Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament, defeating Australia 36-25 in the final fixture on the Sunshine Coast. The 'Baby Blacks' victory meant they were the only undefeated side in the tournament. LATEST HEADLINES: Phoenix draw with Victory in A-League first leg NZ Warriors' woes continue in Roosters loss Central Pulse beat Tactix to remain unbeaten Kiwis Fox, Alker eyeing top-10 finishes in US Black Sticks third at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Things threatened to unravel for New Zealand in the 53rd minute when right wing King Maxwell was yellow-carded for accidentally colliding with an Australian receiver leaping to catch a kick. Down 19-13, Australian left wing Harry McLaughlin-Phillips scored two tries in the vacant space King would have been defending. Aussie first-five Harry McLaughlin, who has made six appearances in Super Rugby Pacific for the Queensland Reds, was quick to exploit the space. New Zealand steadied the ship in the 65th minute when hooker Manumaua Letiu rumbled over for a try after earlier being held up. Openside Johnny Lee seized the initiative by tapping the ball from a penalty and it was not the first time the Crusaders Super Rugby Under-20 winning captain would stamp his blueprint on proceedings. Rico Simpson converted, and the visitors regained the lead 26-25. In the 68th minute, New Zealand struck another hurdle when Simpson was yellow-carded for a rather innocuous ‘crocodile roll.’ Simpson had made a try-saving tackle by rolling an Australian player onto his back in the in-goal area and had a hand in creating two tries. His gliding style is eerily reminiscent of Wallabies Rugby World Cup-winning first-five Stephen Larkham. Instead of imploding, New Zealand’s forwards showed the discipline and rhythm of a symphony orchestra. Australia was deprived of possession and infringed allowing reserve fullback Sam Coles to chip over a penalty and extend to 29-25. New Zealand marched authoritatively back inside Australian territory and after 17 phases, centre Xavi Taele carried three players over the chalk. It was fitting centre Taele would apply an exclamation mark. He has had an outstanding campaign and set up a try for speedy halfback Dylan Pledger. The contribution of Letiu off the bench was immense, also faultless with his lineout throws. Andrew Smith and Jeremiah Avei-Collins also added muscle. Earlier, McLaughlin-Phillips opened the scoring with a penalty in the third minute. New Zealand scored the first try when Simpson, Taele, and fullback Isaac Hutchinson combined to put whippet wing Stanley Solomon clear. Australia created plenty of chances, but Hutchinson snuffed out dangerous second-five Ronan Leahy and Lee bundled fullback Angus Staniforth into touch when it looked likely the cousin of former Wallabies wing Scott Staniforth would write a headline. The hustle of Lee would create New Zealand’s second try. Maxwell kicked into space. Australian wing Xavier Rubens retrieved and was caught by Lee causing him to throw a panic pass which Solomon leapt like Dylan Schmidt to snaffle and sprint 40m. Australian blindside Lee Ekanayake proved a real handful and twice kicked the ball more than 50m. It was openside Dane Sawers who bustled over for Australia’s first try in the 49th minute after a sustained forward assault. In the earlier match, South Africa beat Argentina 30-28 meaning each side enjoyed a victory but New Zealand stayed ahead of Argentina, who had beaten Australia in the opening round. New Zealand 36 (Stanley Solomon 2, Dylan Pledger, Manumaua Letiu, Xavi Taele tries; Rico Simpson 3 con, Sam Coles pen, con) Australia 25 (Dane Sawers, Will McCulloch 2 tries; Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2 pen, 2 con)

The Wellington Phoenix’s AAMI Park streak goes on but their 100th A-League clean sheet frustrated the Melbourne Victory as the first leg of their semifinal ended 0-0 on Sunday night. The Victory could not breach Phoenix’s stubborn defence in Melbourne, where Wellington’s winless run at AAMI Park extended to 21 matches. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ Warriors' woes continue in Roosters loss Central Pulse beat Tactix to remain unbeaten Kiwis Fox, Alker eyeing top-10 finishes in US Black Sticks third at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hourigan wins second consecutive WTT title World Cup gold medal for Carrington, Hoskin However, Giancarlo Italiano’s Phoenix will head back across the ditch for the return leg on level terms thanks to their milestone clean sheet – the club’s 12th of a record-breaking season. The Phoenix, who ended the regular season 11 points ahead of third-placed Victory in second spot, did not register a shot in November’s 1-1 draw at AAMI Park but that was not the case this time around as they sat back and waited to pick off the Victory on the counter-attack. Wellington – who are four games unbeaten against the team from Melbourne this season (W1 D3) - will host the Victory in the second leg at Sky Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm), with the winner facing either the Central Coast Mariners or Sydney FC. The Phoenix entered the first-leg showdown aiming to end their AAMI Park hoodoo, having gone 20 matches without a win at the venue in Melbourne. Meanwhile, the last time Wellington defeated Victory at AAMI Park was back in April 2017. Chiefy labelled the streak a “hoodoo” heading into the game. As for Victory, they were coming off an unforgettable penalty shoot-out win over rivals Melbourne City in their elimination final. On Sunday evening, after viral violinist Evangeline Victoria wowed the AAMI Park crowd once more, the Phoenix started brightly and managed to get in behind the Victory’s defence inside four minutes – Nicholas Pennington slid a ball across the six-yard box but somehow the home side cleared the danger. Wellington were well organised which has become the norm, while the Victory looked disjointed in the final third, though that changed as the half wore on. The Victory grew into the contest and dominated proceedings as the Phoenix tried to absorb the pressure and pick off the hosts on the counter-attack. While Wellington lived dangerously, the Victory did not really create any clear-cut chances aside from a couple of decent efforts via Salim Khelifi and Bruno Fornaroli. It was more of the same in the second half, with the Phoenix holding firm, though they started the second period better than they ended the first 45 minutes. The entire stadium came to its feet to help will the Victory on approaching the hour-mark and it almost yielded a goal. However, Wellington were at their trademark best to keep the ball out of the back of the net. For all of the Victory’s territory and time in possession, they were limited to to a lot of long-range attempts. The Victory almost nicked a goal in the 88th minute after a threatening run from Chris Ikonomidis as the ball moved away from Paulsen

The Warriors bandwagon might be struggling a little after their latest loss, the fourth in a row as the Roosters dominated for a 38-18 victory. The Roosters made sure veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves celebrated his 300th club match in style as halves Sam Walker and Luke Keary tormented the Warriors with their kicking game. The Warriors meanwhile, will have some soul searching to do as they look to face the Panthers in Magic Round without star halfback Shaun Johnson who went off with a suspected pec injury late in the match. LATEST HEADLINES: Pulse beat Tactix to remain unbeaten Hourigan wins second consecutive title World Cup gold for Carrington, Hoskin Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after defeating Hurricanes The Roosters attacked from the opening whistle field position and Dom Young capitalised crossing over in the corner after some slick passing to the right. Two minutes later, Young broke through the line again before the Roosters kept the ball alive on the next play and Angus Crichton crashed over after some crafty second phase play. A mistake by Edward Kosi deep in his own territory gave the Roosters an opportunity to set up off the scrum and Walker lopped a ball over for Young on the right for a 16-0 lead. The tit-for-tat scoring sequence continued when Crichton pounced on a Keary grubber in the in goal and the Roosters made it four tries in 13 minutes. The Warriors managed to wrestle back some momentum late int he first half and looked to open their account in the 36th minute when Johnson skipped through the line but the try was ruled out due to an obstruction by Jackson Ford. The Roosters found their mojo again early in the second half and after a Dallin Watene-Zelezniak denied Young a chance at a hat-trick, Walker produced a cross-field kick which sailed over for Daniel Tupou to cross on the left. In the 49th minute Warriors finally got on the board when Johnson spotted Kosi open on the left edge and floated a ball over the top to reduce the deficit 32-6. Any hopes of a Warriors comeback were quickly shut down when James Tedesco scored after Joey Manu put Joseph Suaalii into space for a 32-6 lead. The Warriors had fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad score from close range but the Roosters had the final say when Keary punted a perfectly weighted grubber and Walker was the beneficiary in a fitting end to the match for the star halves. Overall the Warriors were again their own worst enemy in the first half, completing just nine of their 15 sets and missing 25 tackles in the first half. Roosters 38 (Dom Young 2 tries, Angus Crichton 2 tries, Daniel Tupou, James Tedesco Sam Walker tries; Walker 4 con) Warriors 18 (Edward Kosi, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Addin Fonua-Blake tries; Adam Pompey 3 con). HT: 22-0

The Black Sticks men's hockey side have finished a creditable third at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia. In their sixth match in eight days they beat the host nation and defending champs 3-2 to take bronze in front of a capacity crowd. LATEST HEADLINES: Hourigan wins second consecutive title Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after defeating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel The Malaysians scored first after just three minutes when Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal converted from a pass by Faizal Saari. However the tenth ranked New Zealand side replied swiftly, scoring two goals in five minutes through a Scott Cosslett penalty corner goal in the fifth minute and a Jonty Elmes field goal in the 10th minute. Malaysia, ranked world No 13, had a great chance to level the score when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 39th minute after the ball hit a kiwi defender and went wide. Black Sticks Dane Lett then pushed out the lead for the visitors to 3-1 with a penalty corner goal in the 48th minute. Fitri Saari reduced the deficit 44 seconds before the final whistle but it was just too little, too late for Malaysia, who had beaten the kiwis 2-1 in a friendly on May 1 and 6-4 in the round-robin stage of the tournament. The Black Sticks return home for a week and then head to Europe for the FIH Nations Cup.

New Zealand driver Nick Cassidy has won the Berlin E-Prix race nine, with fellow Kiwi Mitch Evans in fourth. Cassidy produced a stunning comeback drive having slipped to 21st at the half-way stage, to take the chequered flag first and the race win Berlin E-Prix Round 9. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after beating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel Multiple Kiwi golfers surge into contention Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless in NBL After starting ninth on the grid Cassidy came from nowhere to mount a late-race charge, having successfully navigated two spells under Safety Car conditions. It wasn't easy for the Jaguar driver who gave plenty of credit to his team. "That was crazy. It was tough. they (the team) were flawless all race I didn't have the car to win today, but we pulled it off," said the 29-year-old Aucklander. Cassidy's winning progress came on Lap 43 where he pushed past Oliver Rowland and then slide past Jean-Eric Vergne later that same lap. Vergne was eventually second with Rowland, who started on the grid in 15th third. Race 10 is also in Berlin tomorrow morning. Cassidy currently heads the season standings with Germany's Pascal Wehrlein second. Evans is fifth overall.

New Zealand's Paige Hourigan has won back-to-back ITF doubles titles with her Indian partner Rutuja Bhosale. Hourigan and Bhosale defeated the fourth seeded Japanese pair Haruna Arakawa and Aoi Ito 3-6 6-3 10-6 in a lengthy final at the US$75,000 World Tennis Tour tournament in Fukuoka City, Japan. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after defeating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel Multiple Kiwi golfers surge into contenti It's the biggest title of her career standing ahead of the recent victory at the US$60,000 Burnie tournament although in 2019 Hourigan and Taylor Townsend did make the final of the ASB Classic. Last month Hourigan and Bhosale claimed the doubles title at a $40,000 ITF tournament in Wuning, China. The title which is the 14th of Hourigan's career gives the 27-year-old a ranking improvement from 389 to 299 . They are set to team up again for the ITF US$60,000 tournament this week at Kurume in Japan. Hourigan needs to be inside the top 300 after Roland Garros to be an option to play with Erin Routliffe in the women’s doubles at the Olympics, under ITF rules.

A gold medal for New Zealand and the potential for more at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged, Hungary. Lisa Carrington and Alicia Hoskin won the women's K2 500m final to take the first gold of the regatta for New Zealand. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after beating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel Multiple Kiwi golfers surge into contention The pair put on a commanding performance to win by over a second from a Danish crew followed a Swedish boat. Carrington, 34, is the defending Olympic champion in the K2, with the now-retired Caitlin Regal. However, in the women's K4 500m, the crew of Carrington, Hoskin, Olivia Brett and Tara Vaughan finished fourth in their final. In the women's K1 500m, both Carrington and Aimee Fisher won their respective heats, with semifinals overnight. Carrington is also the defending Olympic champion in women's K1 500m. Carrington and Hoskin were last month confirmed in a six-strong canoe racing team for Paris.

Kiwi golfers Ryan Fox and Steven Alker are on the cusp on top-10 results on their respective tours in the US. Fox will enter the final round of the PGA Tour's Myrtle Beach Classic on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) tied for seventh, while Alker sits in a share of 13th after three rounds at the PGA Tour Champions' first senior major of the year, The Tradition. LATEST HEADLINES:  Black Sticks Men finish third in Malaysia Tuatara blowout Jets; Hawks top Nuggets K2 World Cup golf for Carrington, Hoskin Hourigan wins second consecutive title Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Fox posted six birdies and a bogey in a five-under 66 in the third round at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday (Sunday NZT) to reach 11-under, seven strokes off the lead. The world No 61 made birdies at the second, fourth, fifth, ninth, 10th and 15th, before spoiling his charge with a bogey at the closing hole. Still, he moved up 12 spots from a share of 19th after 36 holes. Chasing his best result on the PGA Tour this season, albeit it at a secondary tournament, Fox will tee off his final round on Sunday at 12.05pm local time (4.05am Monday NZT). Alker carded six birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey during a two-under 70 in the third round at the Greystone Golf Club in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday (Sunday NZT). He picked up eight spots to be tied for 13th at six-under, seven shots behind the 54-hole co-leaders, American Doug Barron and South African Ernie Els. Alker, who will need something special to win his second senior major, gets his final round started on Sunday at 12.26pm local time (5.26am Monday NZT). Fellow Kiwi Michael Campbell dropped several places after a three-over 75 in the third round, featuring two birdies and five bogeys, to be tied for 56th at four-over. Meanwhile, Lydia Ko has faded at the LPGA Tour's Founders Cup event, carding four birdies and seven bogeys in a three-over 75 in the third round at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey. Ko went from tied for sixth into a share of 39th at one-under, now 18 strokes off the lead. The 26-year-old made five straight bogeys from the fifth to ninth holes, with other dropped shots coming at the first and 15th. The world No 10, who made birdies at the second, 12th, 14th and 18th, will tee off her final round on Sunday at 8.55am local time (12.55am Monday NZT).

The Auckland Tuatara and Bay Hawks have scored home wins in Saturday night National Basketball League (NBL) action. The Tuatara became the first team to reach eight wins, dominating the overmatched Manawatu Jets 110-72 at Eventfinda Stadium, while the Hawks finished strong to defeat the Otago Nuggets 116-105 in Napier. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after defeating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel Multiple Kiwi golfers surge into contention Former Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster shone for the Tuatara, finishing with 29 points (11/15 FG, 4/7 3pt, 3/3 FT), five rebounds, 13 assists and three steals, backed up by Rob Loe, with 22 points (9/13 FG, 4/5 FT), seven boards and three assists. Tall Blacks veteran Reuben Te Rangi contributed 16 points (6/9 FG, 2/4 3pt), five assists and two steals, while young forward Charlie Dalton had 16 points (5/7 FG, 2/3 3pt, 4/4 FT) and three steals off the bench. Tom Vodanovich also provided 14 points (6/13 FG, 2/6 3pt), seven rebounds and two steals. Mustapha Heron carried the Jets offence with a game-high 31 points (12/18 FG, 5/6 3pt) and three steals, with the only substantial support coming from Simon Lafaele with 12 points (5/8 FG, 2/3 3pt), eight boards and two steals. The Tuatara never trailed, scoring the game's first 12 points and leading by as many as 13 in the opening quarter. Manawatu scored 10 straight points to pull within four early in the second period but the Tuatara stretched out by 18 by halftime. The Jets, who committed 23 turnovers and allowed 60 points in the paint, only got as close as 14 points in the second half, with the Tuatara's bench outscoring them 27-12 in the fourth quarter. In Week 8, the Tuatara (8-2) head to Dunedin to face the Nuggets (4-5) on Thursday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Jets (1-8) head to New Plymouth to battle the Taranaki Airs (5-3) on Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm). In a game of wild runs, the Hawks ended the stronger to send the Nuggets home from their North Island double-header winless. American guard Isaiah Moore scored a game-high 30 points (12/23 FG, 2/6 3pt, 4/7 FT), with four rebounds, eight assists and two steals, while Australian guard Keanu Rasmussen had 27 points (8/10 FG, 5/7 3pt, 6/6 FT) and two steals. Tall Blacks forward Jordan Ngatai finished with 20 points (8/17 FG, 4/4 FT), four boards and two blocks, Luke Sutherland 20 points (8/14 FG, 4/7 3pt) and three blocks and Josh Roberts 13 points (6/8 FG), and a monster 20 rebounds. Ex Tall Blacks guard Tai Webster led the Nuggets with 27 points (11/15 FG, 2/2 3pt), eight assists and two steals, Kimani Lawrence 22 points (10/16 FG), five boards and three assists, Ben Henshall 20 points (8/21 FG, 4/9 3pt), five rebounds and five assists, and Zach Darko-Kelly 13 points (5/11 FG, 3/7 3pt), six boards and two blocks. The Nuggets dominated the first quarter, leading by as many as 14 points, before the Hawks responded with a 29-8 run, including three triples from Rasmussen to take a 49-42 lead midway through the second quarter. After some back-and-forth, Otago scored 14 straight points in the middle stages of the third period to retake a seven-point lead. However, from five points down with 6:37 remaining, the Hawks outscored the Nuggets 22-6 down the stretch, with threes from Rasmussen and Sutherland and back-to-back three-point plays from Ngatai. The Hawks (4-4) host the Franklin Bulls (6-2) to open Week 8 on Wednesday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Nuggets, losers of five of their last six games, get no respite against the Tuatara at the Edgar Centre next week. Auckland Tuatara 110 (Corey Webster 29, Rob Loe 22, Reuben Te Rangi 16, Charlie Dalton 16, Tom Vodanovich 14) Manawatu Jets 72 (Mustapha Heron 31, Simon Lafaele 12). 1Q: 25-17, HT: 59-41, 3Q: 83-60 Bay Hawks 116 (Isaiah Moore 30, Keanu Rasmussen 27, Jordan Ngatai 20, Luke Sutherland 20, Josh Roberts 13) Otago Nuggets 105 (Tai Webster 27, Kimani Lawrence 22, Ben Henshall 20, Zack Darko-Kelly 13). 1Q: 23-34, HT: 59-54, 3Q: 88-88

The Black Ferns have opened their Pacific Four Series campaign with a 57-5 win over the United States. The try-scoring opened in the second minute to midfielder, Amy du Plessis and did not stop for the next 24 minutes as the Black Ferns scored six tries within that time. LATEST HEADLINES: Magic dominate late to beat Steel Kiwi golfers surge into contention Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless Chiefs score big win over Moana Pasifika Hamish Kerr fourth at Gravity Challenge New Zealand scored nine tries to one in a commanding performance as the Eagles struggled to string phases of play together. At halftime the home side were in control with a 36-nil lead after crossing for six tries in the first 40 minutes. Black Ferns fullback Mererangi Paul was one of the stars of the game, scoring a hat-trick in a rollicking start in the opening 15 minutes. The Black Ferns now face Canada on next Sunday in Christchurch (kick-off as, with some stronger opposition expected. Canada thrashed the USA 50-7 in their first match two weeks ago. Black Ferns 57 (Mererangi Paul 3, Amy du Plessis, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Ruby Tui , Layla Sae, Patrica Maliepo tries; Ruahei Demant 3 con, Hannah King 3 con) United States 5 (Freda Tafuna try). HT: 36-0

The Highlanders have gone a long way toward securing a Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals berth, while sinking the Crusaders. First-five Cam Millar accounted for 27 points as the Highlanders heaped more misery on the struggling defending champion Crusaders, winning 32-29 at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues go to top after beating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel Multiple Kiwi golfers surge into contention Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless in NBL It was the Highlanders' first victory over a New Zealand franchise (not including Auckland-based Moana Pasifika) since 2021, ending a 19-match losing streak. It was also the Highlanders' first win over the Crusaders since 2021. The three-point victory, the Highlanders' fifth in 11 matches, kept them in seventh with 23 points, eight ahead of the ninth-placed Western Force with three rounds remaining in the regular season. Millar opened the scoring with a penalty, then the Highlanders benefitted from some fortune, with centre Tanielu Tele'a scoring from long-range for a 10-0 lead after seven minutes. Halfback Folau Fakatava was yellow-carded minutes later for a ruck infringement despite looking like he had secured the Highlanders a penalty. The Crusaders scored twice, through wing Sevu Reece and second-five Dallas McLeod, while a man up to go ahead 14-13. Fakatava returned to the field and set up Millar for a try, before the No 10 added two penalties before halftime, with the home side leading 26-14. Chay Fihaki set up Reece was his second soon after the resumption, while Fihaki booted a penalty in the 52nd minute to cut the gap to four points. Millar kicked his fifth and sixth penalties in the final 10 minutes to make it a two-possession game, before being yellow-carded for being offside in added-time. Reserve wing Macca Springer scored the final try to earn the Crusaders a bonus point. Next week, the Highlanders (5-0-6, 23 points) face the table-topping Blues (10-0-1, 45 points) at Eden Park on Saturday (kick-off 7.05pm), while the Crusaders (2-0-9, 14 points) will try to keep their top-eight hopes alive against the ACT Brumbies (9-0-2, 39 points) in Canberra earlier that day (kick-off 4.35pm NZ Time). Also on Saturday night, the Brumbies defeated the NSW Waratahs 29-21 in Sydney to remain third, and the Western Force rolled the Fijian Drua 48-10 in Perth. The Queensland Reds held off the Melbourne Rebels 26-22 in Brisbane on Friday night and have now secured a spot in the playoffs. Highlanders 32 (Tanielu Tele'a, Cam Millar tries; Cam Millar 2 con, 6 pen) Crusaders 29 (Sevu Reece 2, Dallas McLeod, Macca Springer tries; Chay Fihaki 3 con, pen). HT: 26-14

Women's artistic gymnast Georgia-Rose Brown has been named to the New Zealand Olympic Team for Paris 2024. The 29-year-old earned her place in Paris 2024 after topping the rankings at the 2024 apparatus World Cup series on the uneven bars. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Sticks Men rebound after two losses Hamish Kerr to compete with world's best Three players to make Black Ferns debuts Canes, Blues set for battle for the top spot Sky TV sign five-year cricket deal with ICC The uneven bars are her primary event, however she will compete in the all around competition (vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor) at the Olympics. "Bars is my favourite apparatus and the one that comes the most naturally to me but I still train all four apparatus and consider myself an all-rounder," said Brown. "I'm looking forward to just immersing myself in the whole Olympic experience and enjoying it. Performance-wise the goal is to hit all of my routines and possibly make an all-around final." Brown is experienced at the top level of competition, however she is best-known for her achievements having won three Commonwealth Games medals competing for Australia. In January, she concluded the formal process to switch national allegiance to New Zealand, with the application ratified by the International Olympic Committee. "I've had the opportunity to represent my dad's side, so now I'd like to represent my mum's side too," said Brown whose mother is a New Zealander. "I've wanted to compete at the Olympics since I made my first international team in 2010, so this means the world to me. Everything I've worked for throughout my career has paid off. I am so grateful." Brown currently lives in Melbourne and trains at the Melbourne Gymnastics Centre.