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The battle between the two top sides in Super Rugby lived up to its billing with some quality rugby in the afternoon at Eden Park and the home side winning 31-27 in front of a crowd of over 25,000. The Blues record now improves to 10 wins and 1 loss, while the Hurricanes drop to second spot on the ladder with a record of 9 wins and 2 losses. Bryce Heem opened the scoring in the game with a try after just four minutes for the home side, but this was cancelled out by another veteran, Brad Shields crossing for the Canes just a few minutes later. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns fast start blasts USA Magic dominate late to beat Steel Kiwi golfers surge into contention Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless Chiefs score big win over Moana Pasifika The Blues soon lost Zarn Sullivan with a knee injury and then had Akira Ioane sin binned for a head contact on TJ Perenara. Cole Forbes, the replacement for Sullivan was then able to cross for the Blues but again the Hurricanes came back with firstly Josh Moorby scoring just before the half and then openside flanker Peter Lakai just after the half restarted. The Blues responded soon after, a surging lineout maul falling just short, before Funaki went right quickly before Harry Plumber used quick hands to Mark Telea to cross easily Jordie Barrett pulled the score back by three but Blues prop Angus Taʻavao then burrowed over to score and re-establish the score for the home side. Perenara showed his rugby nous to find a hole in the 68th minute for his 64th career try After turning down numerous shots at goal, with time ticking away, Plummer finally pointed to the posts and put the Blues ahead by four once again. From there it was a question of both sides having to defend against wave after determined attack before the whistle was blown. The Blues now face the Highlanders at Eden Park in a week's time, while the Hurricanes host Moana Pasifika in Wellington next Friday night. Blues 31 (Bryce Heem, Cole Forbes, Mark Telea, Angus Ta’avao tries; Harry Plummer 4 con, pen) Hurricanes 27 (Brad Shields, Josh Moorby, Peter Lakai, TJ Perenara tries; Jordie Barrett 2 con, pen). HT: 14-10. Yellow card: Akira Ioane (Blues).

The Black Sticks Men will play for third at the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia after a draw in their final round robin match. The New Zealand men’s hockey side finished 1-1 against against Pakistan after a goal-less first half as both teams were unable to capitalise on the chances they created. LATEST HEADLINES: Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless Chiefs score big win over Moana Pasifika Hamish Kerr fourth at Gravity Challenge Whai upset the Nuggets; Rams deflate Airs Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ However, New Zealand took the lead in the 35th minute with a field goal by Luke Holmes, who was fresh into the squad for the tournament. But Pakistan scored the equaliser, eight minutes later, with Abu Bakr Mahmood scoring from a penalty corner. The score remained tied for the rest of the match to give the Black Caps a 2-1-2 record. The Black Sticks will play the home side for third on Saturday (10.15pm NZT), three days after losing to Malaysia 6-4.

Multiple New Zealand golfers sit inside the top-30 at tournaments in the USA and South Korea. Lydia Ko is tied for sixth on the LPGA Tour, Ryan Fox in a share of 19th on the PGA Tour, Steven Alker tied for 21st on the PGA Tour Champions, and Momoka Kobori sharing 26th on the Ladies European Tour. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Sticks Men settle for Pakistan draw Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless in NBL Chiefs score big win over Moana Pasifika Kerr finishes fourth at Gravity Challenge Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ko produced seven birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey in a one-under 71 in the second round of the Founders Cup tournament at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey on Friday (Saturday NZ Time). Following a three-under 69 in the opening round on Thursday (Friday NZT), Ko sits at four-under, nine strokes behind runaway leaders Madelene Sagstrom and Rose Zhang. Starting at the 10th tee on day two, Ko made four birdies and a bogey on her first-nine to make the turn at three-under. In an up-and-down second-nine, the 26-year-old made three birdies in four holes but followed it with a double-bogey. Ko, the world No 10, will tee off her third round on Saturday at 1.05pm local time (5.05am Sunday NZT). Fox was a big mover during the second round of the secondary Myrtle Beach Classic on Friday (Saturday NZT), moving up 23 spots. The 36-year-old carded seven birdies and two bogeys in a five-under 66 at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, reach six-under, six shots off the lead. Fox started on fire, with four straight birdies and five in his first six holes, along with a bogey. Further birdies came at the ninth and 15th holes before a bogey at the 18th. The world No 61 will get his third round started at 11.15am Saturday local time (3.15am Sunday NZT). Alker slid three spots during the second round of the Regions Tradition tournament at the Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. The 52-year-old managed a one-under 71, featuring three birdies and two bogeys, to reach four-under, eight strokes back of 36-hole leader Steve Stricker. Starting at the 10th tee, Alker book-ended a birdie at the 13th hole with bogeys at the 10th and 18th. He recovered with birdies at the fourth and seventh to have a chance during the weekend. The Charles Schwab Cup leader tees off his third round on Saturday at 11.53am local time (3.53am Sunday NZT). Michael Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, dropped 24 spots to a share of 51st at one-over after a three-over 75, with four bogeys and a birdie, on day two. At the LET’s Aramco Team Series event in Seoul, South Korea, Kobori completed a one-under 71 in the second round on Saturday. After opening with a four-over 76 that featured three bogeys and a triple-bogey on Friday, Kobori produced three birdies and two bogeys after hitting 13-of-14 fairways. She made back-to-back birdies at the third and fourth, before another at the 11th. Moving up 14 places to 26th at three-over, the 25-year-old sits eight shots off the lead with half the field still to complete their second rounds.

The Franklin Bulls have become the fourth team to at least six wins in the National Basketball League (NBL). The Bulls improved to 6-2, and moved up to third in the standings, after a one-sided contest on Friday night, handing the Southland Sharks their ninth straight defeat, 109-75, at The Stockyard in Pukekohe. LATEST HEADLINES:  Chiefs score big win over Moana Pasifika Hamish Kerr fourth at Gravity Challenge Whai upset the Nuggets; Rams deflate Airs Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ Luther Muhammad top-scored for the Bulls, with 28 points (12/19 FG), while 3x3 Tall Blacks forward Dom Kelman-Poto had his biggest game of the season off the bench, with 15 points (6/6 FG) and six rebounds. Tall Blacks guard Ethan Rusbatch hit five triples for his 20 points (7/9 FG, 5/7 3pt) and Kiwi big Sam Timmins posted a double-double with 16 points (8/9 FG), 12 boards and four assists. Local centre Callum McRae led five Sharks in double figures, with 16 points (6/14 FG) and 11 rebounds. Alonzo Burton finished with 15 points (6/12 FG, 3/6 3pt) and four assists. Although the Sharks scored the opening basket, the game was over as a contest early. The Bulls led by as many as 12 in the first quarter, by 18 in the second, 32 in the third and 42 in the fourth. Franklin dominated in all facets, shooting 66 percent from the field, winning the rebounding battle, racking up 23 assists, scoring 68 points in the paint, 32 off turnovers, 37 from their bench and 30 on the fast-break. The Bulls (6-2) are on the road to start Week 8, against the Bay Hawks (3-4) on Wednesday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Sharks (0-9) will look to avoid double-digit losses on Sunday (tip-off 3pm) at the Taranaki Bulls (6-2). Franklin Bulls 109 (Luther Muhammad 28, Ethan Rusbatch 20, Sam Timmins 16, Dom Kelman-Poto 15, Josh Scott 14) Southland Sharks 75 (Callum McRae 16, Alonzo Burton 15, Marcale Lotts 12, Brayden Inger 10, Caleb Asberry 10). 1Q: 30-21, HT: 53-39, 3Q: 85-54

The Chiefs have run in seven tries to score a 43-7 victory over Moana Pasifika at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart and almost secure a top-four finish in Super Rugby Pacific. All Black Anton Lienert-Brown had arguably his best match of the season as his Chiefs side notched up 31 points in the second half and temporarily moved up to third on the points table. LATEST HEADLINES:  Kerr finishes fourth at Gravity Challenge Whai upset the Nuggets; Rams deflate Airs Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ Three players to make Black Ferns debuts A small home crowd at Moana Pasifika's fifth home venue of the season - Hamilton, Eden Park, Whangārei and Tonga - witnessed the game where the Chiefs proved too strong in all aspects of the game. After a scoreless opening quarter, Quinn Tupaea scored the opening try in the 23rd minute, cutting inside the cover defence and dragging a couple of Moana Pasifika defenders over the line. Moana Pasifika lost loose forward Irie Papuni (26th) for a head-on-head clash and halfback Aisea Halo (33rd) for a cynical infringement, leaving them temporarily down to 13 players. The Chiefs struck immediately, with first-five Josh Jacomb darting through the defensive line for a 12-0 halftime lead. The Chiefs took control in the first minute of the second half, with wing Etene Nanai-Seturo scoring a spectacular solo try, regathering his own chip-kick, bumping off a defender and sprinting 30m to score. The match was over when Lienert-Brown and big loosie Simon Parker scored tries in quick succession as the Chiefs led 31-0 after 58 minutes. The home side got one back through outside back Anzelo Tuitavuki but the Chiefs completed the rout with tries from flanker Luke Jacobson and wing Liam Coombes-Fabling in the final five minutes. The Chiefs (8-0-3, 38 points) head to Melbourne next to face the Rebels (5-0-6, 25 points) at AAMI Park next Friday (kick-off 9.35pm NZ Time), while Moana Pasifika (3-0-8, 14 points) take on the competition-leading Hurricanes (9-0-1, 42 points) on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm). Chiefs 43 (Quinn Tupaea, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson, Liam Coombes-Fabling tries; Josh Jacomb 4 con) Moana Pasifika 7 (Anzelo Tuitavuki try; D’Angelo Leuila con). HT: 12-0

New Zealand's World Indoor champion Hamish Kerr has finished fourth with a best jump of 2.25m at the What Gravity Challenge in Doha. Event organiser Mutaz Barshim, the Olympic champion and three-time world champion, won the event with a best height of 2.31m. LATEST HEADLINES: Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ Black Sticks Men rebound after two losses Three players to make Black Ferns debuts Canes, Blues set for battle for the top spot For Kerr the event said he loved being involved in the event and using innovation to promote the sport. “It was an awesome experience. It is new era of athletic meets and to be a part of something special like this is something I’m grateful for. In terms of the comp itself, the crowd was amazing and the atmosphere was electric. Personally, I’m proud of a lot of things and how we’ve built over the past few weeks, and we’ve been trialling a few new things in the build up to Paris. But, ultimately, I lacked consistency at the higher heights. It is something we will review and focus on the way home and rectify for the next few comps.” Men's high jump is not among the disciplines being contested in Friday's Diamon League meet in Doha.

Exciting teen centre Kahu Capper has been lured back home from the Sydney Roosters after signing a two-year contract with the NZ Warriors. The 18-year-old Taranaki-raised Capper will experience preseason training with the NRL squad before starting the 2025 season with the club’s SG Ball Cup (under-19) and Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) sides. LATEST HEADLINES: Whai upset the Nuggets; Rams deflate Airs Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ Black Sticks Men rebound after two losses Hamish Kerr to compete with world's best In January, he captained the victorious Aotearoa Māori under-18 team at the Pasifika Youth Cup in Pukekohe when he was named MVP of the tournament. “Kahu’s a quality young footballer with huge potential and desire,” said Warriors general manager of recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden. “We’ve been watching his development for some time and met up with him recently. He’s keen to come home to be near his family and to further his rugby league career with the Warriors.” Capper has been in the Roosters’ system the last three years playing for their Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) side while attending renowned rugby union nursery Waverley College. He has mixed rugby league with playing rugby union at Waverley, which has led to call-ups for the New South Wales Waratahs 16s and 18s representative sides. Born in Esperance in Western Australia on February 9, 2006, Capper started playing rugby league for the Warriors – the South West Warriors, that is – before his family returned to Taranaki, where he played for the Western Suburbs Tigers. He attended Spotswood College in New Plymouth before being scouted by the Roosters.

Colin Munro has confirmed his retirement from international cricket, officially ending a career that spanned 123 matches. The explosive left-hander, who last featured for the Black Caps in the fifth T20I against India at Bay Oval in 2020, represented New Zealand in 65 T20Is, 57 ODIs and a single Test, scoring over 3,000 international runs and taking seven wickets. LATEST HEADLINES: Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ Black Sticks Men rebound after two losses Hamish Kerr to compete with world's best Three players to make Black Ferns debuts Munro ends his international career as the Black Caps current sixth all-time leading T20 international run scorer with 1,724 runs at an average of 31 and a strike-rate of 156.4, including three T20 international centuries, the most by any New Zealander. A proud product of the Auckland Cricket pathway, Munro represented New Zealand at the 2006 ICC Under 19 World Cup in Sri Lanka before making his international debut in all three formats on the 2012-13 tour of South Africa. He would go on to excel in the white ball formats and was a key member of the New Zealand T20 and ODI teams between 2016 and 2019 and featured at the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups and the 2019 ODI World Cup in England. A big-hitting top order batter, Munro eclipsed numerous records during his time on the international stage. His 47-ball century against West Indies at Bay Oval in 2018 was the fastest ever T20 century for New Zealand at the time and saw him become the first player to score three T20 international centuries. His 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka at Eden Park in 2016 is still the fastest T20 half-century by a New Zealander and the fourth fastest of all-time. Munro expressed his pride in representing New Zealand on the world stage and said now was the right time to officially bring his international career to an end. “Playing for the Black Caps has always been the biggest achievement in my playing career,” he said. “I never felt prouder than donning that jersey, and the fact that I’ve been able to do that 123 times across all formats is something I will always be incredibly proud of. “Although it has been a while since my last appearance, I never gave up hope that I might be able to return off the back of my franchise T20 form. “With the announcement of the Black Caps squad for the T20 World Cup now is the perfect time to close that chapter officially.” Among his many achievements on the international stage, Munro cited the team’s run to the 2019 World Cup final in England and sharing the experience with his family and teammates as his favourite highlight during his career in the Black Cap. While his international career has now officially come to an end, Munro will continue to play franchise cricket around the world.

The Mid-North Whai have scored the biggest win of their inaugural National Basketball League (NBL) season. The first-year Whai outlasted the 2022 champion Otago Nuggets 70-69 at Tauranga's Mercury Baypark on Wednesday night, 24 hours before the Canterbury Rams topped the Taranaki Airs 86-83 in a top-four battle in Christchurch. LATEST HEADLINES: Hoskins Sotutu stays with Blues, NZ Rugby Ex-Australian gymnast to compete for NZ 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 American shooting guard Demarcus Holland scored a game-high 20 points (8/14 FG, 3/3 FT), with six rebounds and three assists, while young guard Te Tuhi Lewis was the difference maker, with 17 points (6/8 FG, 5/6 3pt) and three boards off the bench. Import big man Phil Carr posted a double-double with 15 points (5/12 FG, 5/5 FT), 12 rebounds and four assists, and Kiwi guard Jayden Bezzant with 10 points (4/13 FG, 2/6 3pt), six rebounds and two steals. American forward Kimani Lawrence led the Nuggets with 19 points (9/20 FG), six boards and two steals, while Australian wing Ben Henshall stacked up a double-double with 13 points (4/14 FG, 4/4 FT), 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kiwis Tai Webster and Jack Andrew each managed 14 points, with Webster shooting 5-of-12 and adding seven boards, and Andrew shooting 7-of-10 and adding six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. In a brutal to watch game at times, the Nuggets shot just 15 percent (3-of-19) on three-point attempts, while the Whai were still below average, hitting on 25 percent (8-of-31). Both shot under 40 percent from the field. The Whai led 50-41 with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter after Lewis, who had 11 points in the period, but the Nuggets pulled the gap back to two points entering the fourth. With the Whai leading by five early in the fourth, Otago went on a 16-6 run, with Darko-Kelly and Webster hitting threes, to go ahead 69-64 with 2:47 to play. However, Holland made two buckets to give the Whai the lead back and both teams went scoreless in the final minute. The Whai (3-5) travel to Christchurch to face the Rams (6-2) next Friday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Nuggets (4-4) complete their North Island double-header in Napier against the Bay Hawks (3-4) on Saturday (tip-off 4pm). The Rams solidified their place in the top-six, finishing strong to pick up their fifth straight win and sixth in eight games. Tall Blacks guard Taylor Britt scored a season-high 24 points (10/13 FG, 2/3 3pt), with five assists, for the Rams, while Australian centre Lachlan Olbrich added 22 points (7/11 FG, 7/10 FT), 10 rebounds and two blocks. NZ Breakers development player Max Darling had 18 points (7/16 FG) and nine boards off the bench, as Canterbury's two American imports, MJ Walker and KJ Buffen combined for just six points and eight boards. New Breakers signing Mitch McCarron led Taranaki with 17 points (5/10 FG, 6/7 FT) and seven assists, with the Cameron brothers, Flynn and Tobias, contributing 16 points each. Tobias Cameron posted a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds, while Australian Sam Froling managed 13 points and 10 boards. In a game which featured eight lead changes and with no team ahead by more than six points, Canterbury led for all but 90 seconds of the first half. However, the home side found themselves down five midway through the fourth quarter. A pair of McCarron freebies put the Airs up 82-77 with 4:56 remaining, before the Rams ended on a 9-1 run and Taranaki went almost five minutes without a basket. More poor three-point shooting highlighted the game, with the Rams shooting just 16 percent (4-of-24) and Airs 23 percent (6-of-26). The Rams are off until next Friday, when they host the Whai at Cowles Stadium, while the Airs (5-3) return to New Plymouth to host the winless Southland Sharks (0-8) on Sunday (tip-off 3pm). Mid-North Whai 60 (Demarcus Holland 20, Te Tuhi Lewis 17, Phil Carr 15, Jayden Bezzant 10) Otago Nuggets 59 (Kimani Lawrence 19, Tai Webster 14, Jack Andrew 14, Ben Henshall 13). 1Q: 21-25, HT: 36-33, 3Q: 55-53 Canterbury Rams 86 (Taylor Britt 24, Lachlan Olbrich 22, Max Darling 18) Taranaki Airs 83 (Mitch McCarron 17, Flynn Cameron 16, Tobias Cameron 16, Sam Froling 13). 1Q: 22-20, HT: 42-38, 3Q: 67-68

Twenty Kiwi mountain bikers are expected on the start line at the picturesque Italian Riviera this weekend for the opening round of the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Series. It's the first of back-to-back enduro world cups, with the second round in Poland next weekend. LATEST HEADLINES: Ex-Aussie gymnast to compete for NZ 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 Leading the way for the New Zealand contingent is world No 5 Charlie Murray (Christchurch) who again lines up for the Specialized Factory team. There are seven Kiwis entered in the elite men’s category including No 9 ranked Matthew Walker (Christchurch, Pivot Factory) and No 17 Brady Stone (Nelson). There’s also interest in long-time international gravity rider, Eddie Masters from Taranaki who rides for the Pivot Factory team with Walker. The ever-present Rae Morrison, riding for Liv Racing, is the highest ranked kiwi female at No 8 in the world along with fellow Nelsonian George Swift (Yeti Fox Racing) ranked 16th. Another Yeti Fox Factory rider, Joe Millington from Rotorua is the top ranked under-21 rider, while Xanthe Robb (Nelson) is ranked 11th in the female under-21 category. The Finale Outdoor Region nestles in the Italian Riviera on the Mediterranean coast between Genoa and Nice, with the region’s beaches attracting international visitors. The burgeoning network of trails in the hills and hinterland has sprawled to now include 20 municipalities, centred on Finale with its exposed limestone rocks, savage gradients and high speeds along the trails. The enduro race on Sunday (NZT) starts with two downhill special stages and a return to the Supergroppo trail, not used for 10 years, at 7km in length. There is a highly technical trail back on the schedule before the iconic final DH Men stage. The E-EDR on the following day has many of the same trails with a further five for pro athletes in the second loop. Racing starts on Saturday 6.30pm (NZT) with the enduro finish at approx. 3.30am Sunday (NZT), with same timing for the E-Enduro on Sunday. NEW ZEALAND RIDERS Elite men: Matthew Berry (Cambridge), Bradley Lauder (Rotorua), Eddie Masters (New Plymouth, Pivot Factory), Charles Murray (Christchurch, Specialized), Brady Stone (Nelson), Dylan Waghorn (Auckland), Matthew Walker (Christchurch, Pivot Factory) Under-21 men: Matthew Fairbrother (Christchurch), Oliver Jenkins (Christchurch), Joe Millington (Rotorua, Yeti Fox Factory). Tyler Muirhead (Wanaka), Lachie Ross (Upper Hutt) Elite women: Louise Kelly (Nelson), Rae Morrison (Nelson, Liv Racing), George Swift (Nelson, Yeti Fox Factory) Under-21 women: Xanthe Robb (Nelson). Enduro Open Men: Jake Remon (Dunedin).

Powerful No.8 and form player of DHL Super Rugby Pacific, Hoskins Sotutu, has extended his time at the Blues through to the end of the 2026 season. Sotutu, a pivotal figure in the Blues squad, has shown outstanding form throughout the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, in what has been a great season so far. LATEST HEADLINES: Ex-Aussie gymnast to compete for NZ 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 Since making his Blues debut in 2019 against the Crusaders, Sotutu has become a mainstay in the Blues pack, consistently delivering exceptional performances. In the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season to-date, Sotutu is the leading try scorer (9) while recording a further five try assists. He has averaged 7.9 metres per carry in this campaign – the best rate of any forward in the competition (min 50 carries). Sotutu expressed his gratitude for continuing his journey with the Blues. "I'm incredibly proud and honored to extend my time with the Blues. This club means a lot to me, and I'm committed to contributing my best both on and off the field in the coming seasons," said Sotutu. Blues GM Rugby, Murray Williams, praised Sotutu's recommitment to the club. "Hoskins is a rare talent and his form in the 2024 season to-date has been without peer. We're thrilled to have him continue with the club as a cornerstone of our squad," said Williams. Sotutu also praised the family feel at the Blues. “This club feels like home to me, I’ve got a lot of mates here who I’ve played many seasons of rugby alongside. We’re building nicely this season and know we have a massive match this weekend against the Hurricanes – it promises to be a great game in the afternoon sun.” Blues Head Coach, Vern Cotter, said Sotutu has stepped his game up this season. “Hoskins can do things no other player in his position can do with ball in hand. His five point contributions have helped us build scoreboard pressure and he’s getting regular turnovers at lineout and tackle situations,” said Cotter. “He’s building his performance from game-to-game and his consistency each week is remarkable considering he’s playing big minutes.” “I have no doubt he will help his team mates seek a top performance this weekend,” said Cotter.

New Zealand's riders are ready for, one of the world’s toughest three-day events as the Badminton Horse Trials gets underway. Kiwi combinations having won the top prize seven times and many times been on the podium. With it being an Olympic year, the world’s best are hunting down top results, and the New Zealand riders heading to Badminton are no different. LATEST HEADLINES: Sky TV five-year deal with ICC Kobori to play PGA Championship Warriors new forward pack for Rosters Football Ferns to face Japan in Spain NZ top-20 in FIFA Futsal world rankings Stairmand, Vette named for Olympic surfing Caroline Powell, Tim and Jonelle Price, Jesse Campbell and amateur Lauren Innes are the kiwis competing. London bronze medal-winning Olympian Caroline Powell has two entered in her star Greenacres Special Cavalier and 5* debutant CBI Aldo. Eleven-year-old Irish-bred mare Greenacres Special Cavalier placed fifth at Pau 5* and sixth at Maryland 5*. Powell has 16 Badminton completions to her credit. Her best effort was fourth on her Burghley-winning horse Lenamore who had finished Badminton seven times – one of just four horses to have done that many. Three-time Olympian and 5* victor Jonelle Price is in on Badminton debutant Grappa Nera, who she’s previously won the Pau 5*. Former world No 1Tim Price has nine Badminton completions under his belt with four 5* wins in the trophy cabinet. So far Badminton has eluded the two-time Olympian, who won an individual bronze at the 2022 World Champs, with his best effort so far a third. Tokyo Olympian Jesse Campbell is in aboard Cooley Lafitte, with amateur Lauren Innes starting Global Fision M for the third time at Badminton. New Zealand has a great history with Badminton. Jonelle Price was the last New Zealander to win when she rode Classic Moet to victory in 2018. Prior to that, Andrew Nicholson and Nereo (2017), Jock Paget aboard Clifton Promise (2013), and Sir Mark Todd on NZB Land Vision (2011), Bertie Blunt (1996), Horton Point (1994) and Southern Comfort III (1980) are all etched on the winner’s trophy. ESNZ eventing coach Sam Griffiths has also previously won it (2014). It’s the 75th running of the iconic event which was originally started by the 10th Duke of Beaufort. Eleven nations will be represented and included in the 87 acceptances are 19 first-timers. The 2024 edition gets underway on Wednesday (UK time) with the dressage which continues through Friday, with the Eric Winter-designed cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.