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The defending National Basketball League (NBL) champion Canterbury Rams appear to be finding their rhythm. The Rams won their fourth straight contest, a comfortable 96-85 win over the Otago Nuggets at Christchurch's Cowles Stadium on Thursday night, improving to 5-2 and moving into the league's top-four. LATEST HEADLINES:    Four more trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes Ferns in A-League Women Team of the Season Tall Blacks' Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame Black Ferns squad named for Pacific 4 Series Ice Blacks second at IIHF World Championships American forward MJ Walker led a balanced Rams offence with 18 points (6/17 FG, 5/12 3pt) and three assists, while Tall Blacks guard Taylor Britt produced 17 points (7/10 FG, 3/4 FT) and five assists in just 20 minutes. The Rams had three other double-digit scorers, with Australian big man Lachlan Olbrich going for 13 points (4/12 FG, 5/6 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks, import forward KJ Buffin 13 points (5/16 FG) and 11 boards, and Kiwi guard Kaia Isaac 10 points (3/5 FG, 2/4 3pt), seven assists and two steals off the bench. Tall Blacks forward Walter Brown had nine points and six rebounds, and 3x3 Tall Blacks Aidan Tonge eight points for the home side. Former Tall Blacks guard Tai Webster became the first player this NBL season to reach the 40-point milestone, scoring an efficient 40 points (18/25 FG, 2/5 3pt), to go with three assists and two steals. American forward Kimani Lawrence finished with 18 points (8/14 FG) and four boards, while Australian guard Ben Henshall had six points, seven rebounds and two steals. Canterbury trailed after the Nuggets scored the game's first basket but the rest of the first period was all theirs. From tied at 7-7 midway through the quarter, Judd Flavell's side scored 11 straight points, then 12 straight later, part of an overall 26-3 stretch to lead 33-10 at quarter-time. Brown and Taki Fahrensohn had six points each during the run. Webster took it upon himself to bring the Nuggets back into the game, opening the second quarter with eight straight points. The Nuggets went on a 15-0 run and eventually got within six. Webster scored 14 points in the quarter, but the Rams still led by nine at halftime. Otago never got closer than that, with the Rams stretching their lead back to 22 points midway through the fourth, before the Nuggets ended the game on a 13-2 run. Next up, the Rams (5-2) host the Taranaki Airs (4-2) next Thursday night (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Nuggets (3-3) return welcome the Nelson Giants (2-4) to Dunedin's Edgar Centre on Sunday (tip-off 3pm). Canterbury Rams 96 (MJ Walker Jr 18, Taylor Britt 17, Lachlan Olbrich 13, Kenyon Buffin Jr 13, Kaia Isaac 10) Otago Nuggets 85 (Tai Webster 40, Kimani Lawrence 18). 1Q: 33-10, HT: 50-41, 3Q: 77-61

New Zealand’s talented trio of mountain bike gravity riders return to the scene of their triple triumph for the opening round of the UCI MTB downhill World Cup in Scotland. . Kiwi riders Erice van Leuven, Poppy Lane and Sasha Earnest created history on the slopes of Fort William with a podium lock-out for the trio at the UCI World Championships in August. LATEST HEADLINES: Four more trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes Ferns in A-League Women Team of the Season Tall Blacks' Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame Black Ferns squad named for Pacific Four Series Ice Blacks second at IIHF World Championships They are among 25 Kiwi gravity riders competing in the first round of the 2024 UCI World Cup, returning to the famed slopes of Fort William, set in the Nevis Range north-west of Glasgow. Fort William has been hosting UCI MTB World Cups since 2002 and has been the setting of some of the most iconic moments in downhill mountain biking history. It is one of the longest courses (2.8km) on the circuit, and pits competitors against a brutal, energy-sapping race run, while unpredictable and changeable conditions can often lead to surprising results. The teen trio have all progressed to contracts with professional teams and on the circuit fulltime, with van Leuven (Hutt Valley) in her second year with Commencal Les Orres, while Earnest (Auckland) has joined Trek Factory and Lane (Mt Maunganui) rides with High Country. The trio might well need to watch for another rising kiwi in Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch, just 17 years, who claimed the national junior title and rides for the Union professional team. There are 13 Kiwi men lining up in the elite competition, with old hands like Brook MacDonald, Wyn Masters and Sam Blenkinsop all returning with new teams. Last year’s top ranked men’s elite Kiwi gravity rider was Rotorua’s Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Intense) who leads the Kiwi charge, while there is expectation in the return from injury for the outstanding Lachie Stevens-McNab (Union) after dominating the domestic scene this summer. Queenstown’s multi-national champion Jess Blewitt has returned after an injury-plagued 2023 with Cube Factory, keen to make her mark in the elite women’s competition. She is the sole New Zealand rider in the elite start list, with former junior world champion Jenna Hastings recovering from a leg injury. There are seven New Zealand riders on the junior men’s start list this weekend, led by the exciting Hawke's Bay rider Tyler Waite, who has been picked up by the strong Yeti-Fox Factory team, while Christchurch’s Luke Wayman returns to the junior circuit, joining the Gravity Cartel. There is a change to the format this season with qualification for all four grades on the first day, followed by semifinals for elites, with the select few only to move through to the finals on the second day. The qualifying is from noon on Saturday local time (11pm NZT) and semifinals from 3pm (2am NZT Sunday), with finals from 11.30am (10.30pm) on Sunday through to elite men’s final at 2pm (1am Monday).

The Wellington Saints have brought in a hometown son to bolster their National Basketball League (NBL) roster. Former Tall Blacks forward Taane Samuel will suit up for the Saints - possibly as soon as Sunday's meeting with the Manawatu Jets - for the fourth straight year, coming off a successful season in Japan's third tier. LATEST HEADLINES: First quarter charge leads Rams to NBL victory NZ Under-20s salvage draw with South Africa NZ Breakers snag ex NBA player Jonah Bolden Black Ferns to play Red Roses at Twickenham Four more trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes "His basketball IQ and versatile skill-set meshes well with our system," said Saints head coach Zico Coronel. "He'll help to galvanise and deepen our roster. Reciprocally, we provide Taane an environment that can help him to further progress his career, as he returns to New Zealand temporarily following a successful first season playing in Japan." Samuel, a 6-foot-8 small forward, averaged 16.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists, while shooting 50 percent from the field, in 50 games for Okayama in Japan's B3 League in 2023-24. The 25-year-old averaged 12.7 points, 4.4 boards and 1.2 assists, shooting 56 percent, in 17 games last year for the Saints, numbers down from his two previous seasons in Wellington. Samuel also spent two seasons with the Jets. Samuel appeared in three games for the Tall Blacks during their FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying campaign in 2021, averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists, shooting 56 percent. Meanwhile, the winless Southland Sharks have released their second import player this week. The Invercargill franchise, which has started the season 0-7, said goodbye to American shooting guard LaGerald Vick on Tuesday, just weeks after farewelling veteran point guard Josh Turner. In between, the Sharks signed young American guard Caleb Asberry, joining countryman Marcale Lotts. Turner appeared in just two games, averaging 9.0 points and 2.0 rebounds, shooting 33 percent from the field, while Vick played eight games, averaging 17 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals, shooting 39 percent. Asberry has played three games, averaging 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals, shooting 30 percent.

Former NBA talent and Sydney Kings big Jonah Bolden will continue his Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) career with the NZ Breakers, after the announcement of a one-year contract. Bolden, a 6-foot-10 small forward, returned to professional basketball with the Kings last season after almost three years away from the game, following the conclusion of three years in the NBA. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ Under-20s salvage draw with South Africa Black Ferns to play Red Roses at Twickenham Four more trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes Ferns in A-League Women Team of the Season Tall Blacks' Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame The 28-year-old forward is currently playing for Capitanes de Arecibo of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional during the ANBL off-season, after averaging 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in his solitary season with the Kings. Mody Maor said the Breakers' track record of ensuring players reach their full potential will be the key to unlocking Bolden next season. "The Breakers is an organisation which appeals to players who want to achieve things or are chasing something in their career," Maor said. "Regardless of whether that player is an import or local, everyone's got better, everyone's improved, and everybody has made steps forward, and it's something for which we are very proud. "I'm looking forward to Jonah arriving in Auckland and unlocking everything he can do." The Melburnian was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after just one full NCAA season at UCLA and a pro season in Serbia. After another European season in Israel, Bolden return to the Sixers, playing a total of 51 regular season games (and 10 playoffs games) with the 76ers and Phoenix Suns from 2018-2020, averaging 4.3 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. Bolden is the sixth fully-rostered player confirmed for the 2024-25 season, joining import guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, NZ-born former 'Next Star' Mojave King, Kiwi big Sam Mennenga, and Australians Mitch McCarron and Dane Pineau in the squad. The Breakers still have Tall Blacks forward Finn Delany and Lithuanian 'Next Star' Mantas Rubstavicius under contract for next season, but neither is expected to return to Atlas Place. Development players Alex McNaught, Carlin Davison and Max Darling will fill out the Breakers' wider training squad.

Two New Zealand Football Ferns have earned the accolade of being named in an A-League women's team of the season Melbourne City's Rebekah Stott has been named as a starting defender, while Phoenix midfielder Macey Fraser is a substitute. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame Black Ferns named for Pacific Four Series Ice Blacks second at IIHF World Championships NZ Warriors hold top NSW Cup team to draw Warriors make two changes for Knights clash Fraser has now joined the Utah Royals in the National Women's Soccer League on what is reported to be a record sum. Members of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) were asked to vote on their best team selection at the end of the Liberty A-League regular season, a tradition that began in 2009. The composition of the team is based on the number of votes tallied for each player in each position, with the substitutes bench comprising those players who finished below those in the starting XI positions. The player with the most votes is determined the Team of the Season’s captain Phoenix forward Mariana Speckmaier, who has been recalled to the Venezuela squad, picked up the fan's player of the year award for her 10 goals in 21 matches. 2023-24 A-LEAGUE WOMEN'S TEAM OF THE SEASON Captain - Michelle Heyman (Canberra United) Goalkeeper - Morgan Aquino (Perth Glory) Defenders - Kayla Morrison (Melbourne Victory), Jamilla Rankin (Melbourne Victory), Charlotte McLean (Sydney FC), Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City) Midfielders - Vesna Milivojevic (Canberra United), Rhianna Pollicina (Melbourne City), Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory) Forwards - Heyman, Sarina Holden (Newcastle Jets), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC) Substitutes - MacKenzie Hawkesby (Sydney FC), Jada Whyman (Sydney FC), Taylor Otto (Melbourne City), Grace Maher (Western United), Macey Fraser (Wellington Phoenix), Emily Gielnik (Melbourne Victory) Coach - Dario Vidosic (Melbourne City)

Auckland professional rider Dion Smith will become just the eighth New Zealander to compete in all three cycling Grand Tours when the Giro d’Italia begins in Turin at the weekend. The 31-year-old from Taupaki has enjoyed over a decade as a professional rider based in Europe, last year rejoining Intermarché-Wanty, who he competed for in 2017-2018. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame Black Ferns named for Pacific Four Series Ice Blacks second at IIHF World Championships NZ Warriors hold top NSW Cup team to draw Warriors make two changes for Knights clash Smith rode for WorldTour team Mitchelton-Scott/Team BikeExchange-Jayco for four years from 2019-2022. Smith joins emerging star Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) as the only kiwis in this year’s Giro d’Italia, after completing the Tour de France in 2017, 2018 and 2023 and the Vuelta a España in 2019. “I am looking forward to trying out the Giro. It is something different, a different schedule and it ticks off all three (Grand Tours),” said Smith. “It is good to be back (with Intermarché-Wanty). I had a nice year last year and did the Tour and now the Giro. It has been great. “A lot of the staff are still here from last time which goes to show they keep people that they know and value. I am enjoying it. They are a Belgian team so different to Mitchelton which as an Australian team was a bit more like the Kiwi vibe.” His main job is to look after the team’s star rider, Biniam Girmay from Eritrea, a stage winner on the Giro two years ago. “We don’t have a GC leader so it leaves us open on any stage and not hold us back like some of the GC teams who ride for one guy over the whole three weeks. We can chase a lot of opportunities. “Biniam is capable of winning one or more stages and the rest of us have chances. It is 21 days where anything can happen and we can definitely show our faces on a number of stages.” Starting in the northwest in Turin, this year's route makes its way down Italy's west and centre to Pompei, before heading up the east coast to the Dolomites, capping the main racing off at Bassano del Grappa climb before flying to Rome for the final day. “Grand Tours are all different but they are also all the same – three weeks long, a lot of mountains and flat stages. I do not know what to really expect but this year may be not have as many mountains but more medium stages which will work well for our team.” Smith believed he had some productive years still ahead of him on the WorldTour but also noted that teams were bringing through younger riders. He is on the long list for selection for one of two spots in the New Zealand team for the Olympic Games road race, and while he is itching to compete in Paris, he is also super-impressed with some of the young kiwi talent on the WorldTour. “Laurence (Pithie) has been incredible this year and Corbin (Strong) and Finn (Fisher-Black) are both riding well. It is great to see. “A couple of those boys probably deserve to go to the Olympics. Let’s see what happens with my form in the next couple of months, but if I don’t make it, then I will definitely enjoy watching them ride.” Until then, Smith and Pithie face 3346kms of riding, including 45kms climbing, over 21 days from Turin to Rome. .

The Sunshine Coast became Puddle Place as New Zealand and South Africa shared a 13-13 draw in the opening match of the Rugby Championship (TRC) Under-20 tournament. A 78th-minute try to wing Frank Vaenuku salvaged New Zealand a share of the points, with first-five Rico Simpson narrowly missing the conversion for the victory at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns to play Red Roses at Twickenham Four more trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes Ferns in A-League Women Team of the Season Tall Blacks' Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame Black Ferns squad named for Pacific Four Series Down 13-8, New Zealand patiently constructed phases inside South Africa's 22 before Simpson ripped a 20-metre skip pass to the unmarked Chiefs wing. A tropical downpour turned the field into slush with a vile easterly compounding the misery. The Baby Blacks had the wind at their backs in the first half but were unable to capitalise on an overwhelming advantage in territory. The only scoring in a brutal and bumbling opening half was a penalty kicked by fullback Isacc Hutchinson. South African pivot Tylor Sefoor was pinged for not rolling (or swimming) away from a ruck after a determined charge by Xavi Taele. Hutchinson punished the Junior Boks from 25 metres. In the 37th minute, Hutchinson kicked a 50/22 and New Zealand finally secured clean lineout possession, eventually earning a five-metre scrum. Unfortunately, Malachi Wrampling knocked on from a scrum, a rare blemish from the bustling No 8. Hutchinson had another opportunity from a similar position but sprayed the ball wide of the target. Hutchinson, alongside fellow St Bede’s College product Ben O’Donovan, generally applied themselves with poise, courage, and intelligence. The kicking was educated and precision commendable in shocking weather. It was an absolute slog in the forwards, with South African loose forwards Tiaan Jacobs, Bathobele Hlekani and Sibabalwe Mahashe menacing. New Zealand’s scrum was steady and robust. New Zealand seven Johnny Lee and locks Tom Allen and Liam Jack (nephew of 67-test All Black Chris Jack) met fire with fire. It was going to take something audacious and exceptional for a try to be scored. It arrived in the 53rd minute from the hands of Simpson. A bullet pass sailed 25 metres and hit wing Stanley Solomon on the chest, and he dashed clear. New Zealand did not secure the restart and inexplicitly momentum turned. Sefoor kicked a penalty to make it 8-3. Two minutes later Simpson failed to secure a towering and swirling kick. Ethan Bester swopped on the spillage at the New Zealand 22. Second-five Bruce Sherwood carried on and offloaded in the grasp of a retreating Solomon to Joel Leotlela, who had a clear passage to the line. Sefoor converted the wing's try and it was suddenly 10-8 to South Africa. New Zealand appeared to be imploding. Another Sefoor penalty made it 13 unanswered points in six minutes. Sefoor could have put South Africa out of reach after a scrum penalty in the 72nd minute, but he missed a handy shot from near the New Zealand 22. In the 73rd minute, flanker JF van Heerden was yellow-carded for an illegal tackle as New Zealand wrestled back the initiative. The brisk risk of Simpson added zest to a stagnant New Zealand attack. Solomon was consistently elusive except when he got flattened by Joshua Boulle in a booming tackle, with Solomon bouncing straight back to his feet. The Baby Blacks showed composure and daring to regain control of a match they marginally dictated for large periods, but almost let slip. New Zealand’s next assignment is against Argentina on Tuesday (kick-off 7pm NZT). New Zealand 13 (Stanley Solomon, Frank Vaenuku tries; Isacc Hutchinson pen) South Africa 13 (Joel Leotlela try; Tylor Sefoor; 2 pen, con). HT: 3-0

The Black Ferns will play England in front of a potential record crowd for a women's rugby international in September at Twickenham in London. The hallowed ground has the current record of 58,598 set in 2023 and English captain Marlie Packer told BBC she wants fans to beat that figure on the back her side's recent Grand Slam Women's Six Nations victory. LATEST HEADLINES: Four more trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes Ferns in A-League Women Team of the Season Tall Blacks' Kirk Penney joins FIBA Hall of Fame Black Ferns squad named for Pacific Four Series Ice Blacks second at IIHF World Championships "Our last two games at Twickenham have resulted in the best two crowds ever recorded in women's rugby. We want more," said Packer. "Playing the Black Ferns at the home of English Rugby is an unbelievable opportunity that doesn't come around all too often. We can't wait for thousands of our supporters to get behind us on another special day at Twickenham." The 117-year-old Twickenham Stadium has a capacity of 82,000 with the most recent clash at the ground seeing England win 32-23 in 2012. The Red Roses won the last meeting between the two 35-12 at Mt Smart Stadium last November, which also clinched the WXV 1 title for them. The Black Ferns hold a 19 wins to 11 advantage overall since tests began between the two sides in 1997. Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting was pleased with the challenge presented to his side. "It is an awesome opportunity for our wāhine to be playing England at a packed-out Twickenham Stadium. "To see the fans filling the stands during the Women's Six Nations has been outstanding and we are hoping to see the same when we take on England's Red Roses." England will also play Women's Six Nations runners-up France in a one-off test at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester on September 7. The matches will build-up to the second edition of WXV, which will be held in Canada. The Black Ferns kick-off their season and the annual Pacific Four Series next Saturday against the United States at Hamilton's FMG Stadium Waikato.

Tayla Ford is set to become the first New Zealand woman to wrestle at the Olympic Games, with the 30-year-old's selection to the New Zealand Team for Paris 2024. Ford has been involved in wrestling for more than 20 years, competing nationally and internationally since she was 16. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ BMX world championships team named Rising stars in NZ Rugby Under-20 squad Football Ferns held to a score-less draw Two big names returning to NZ Warriors Black Caps-England test venues named The Adelaide-based athlete has competed at three Commonwealth Games, taking bronze at both Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022. “It’s a dream come true and it still feels pretty surreal at the moment,” said Ford. “I’ve always wanted to make the Olympics, and to become the first female wrestler from New Zealand to do so is pretty special. “Back in Glasgow, I made history as the first New Zealand woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in wrestling. It’s always been a goal of mine to make history, it’s part of what motivates me so it’s pretty amazing.” Ford secured qualification for Paris last month, winning her pool in the U68kg division at the Africa/Oceania qualifier in Egypt. Ford began wrestling when her Dad heard that women’s wrestling had been added to the programme at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. “He wrestled in high school so he got back into it and I joined him. We had a mat in the garage where we’d train and we had a video tape of wrestling at the Sydney Olympics which we’d just play constantly while we were training.” The Nelson-born, Christchurch-raised, athlete is now based in Adelaide where she coaches up-and-coming wrestlers. The Olympic wrestling competitions will be held from August 5-11 at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in central Paris.

The 3x3 Tall Blacks' dreams of competing at the Paris Olympics have ended in heartbreaking fashion. Chasing one spot at Paris 2024 at the FIBA Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1 in Hong Kong over the weekend, the 3x3 Tall Blacks bowed out in the semifinals, before going on to finish fourth. LATEST HEADLINES: * Gaze battles to third at UCI MTB World Cup * Kiwi Ryan Fox fades further at The Masters * Tuatara bounce back in NBL; Bulls top Jets * Pulse stave off Stars in netball's Premiership * Black Sticks Women claim Japan series win The Piet van Hasselt-coached team of Nikau McCullough, Dom Kelman-Poto, Chris McIntosh and Aidan Tonge fell 20-18 to Austria in a semifinal that went down to the final seconds and was decided at the free-throw line. The two teams traded shots from beyond the arc in the early going, a sign of things to come as both squads focused on their outside shots throughout the contest. After Austria built a 17-14 lead, New Zealand stormed back to tie it up at 18-18 thanks to a pair of free throws from Chris McIntosh and back-to-back buckets from Dom Kelman-Poto. A costly turnover with 16 seconds remaining saw Austria gain possession, with Fabio Söhnel fouled on a drive in the final second, converting both free throws to send the 3x3 Tall Blacks home empty-handed. McIntosh was huge in the semifinal, scoring 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting from downtown and 4-4 from the foul-line. McCullough added four points and Kelman-Poto three points and five rebounds. Earlier in the tournament, New Zealand went 2-1 in pool play to qualify for the semifinals - beating Egypt 17-13, losing to tournament winners and Olympics-bound Latvia 21-10 and topping Mongolia 12-10 in overtime. Tonge, called into the team in the absence of big man Tai Wynyard, hit the game-winner, scoring five points (3/4 FG) and grabbing eight rebounds, and Kelman-Poto had four points and five boards in the crucial win over Mongolia. New Zealand won despite shooting 0-for-12 from deep and just 9-of-32 overall. In their opener against Egypt, McCullough scored a game-high eight points, while McIntosh had four points and four rebounds, and Kelman-Poto three points and 10 boards. In a one-side game against Latvia, McCullough scored six points and Kelman-Poto four.

Two reigning World Indoor champions and two former Olympic medallists have been selection as part of the initial 15-strong New Zealand athletics team set to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Indoor champions, high jumper Hamish Kerr and middle distance runner George Beamish, have been included along with two-time Olympic shot put bronze medalist Tom Walsh and 2016 pole vault bronze medalist LATEST HEADLINES: * New players need to step up for Black Caps * Bulls take down Nuggets to stay unbeaten * Can Hurricanes keep winning streak going? * Veterans bolster Black Sox World Cup squad * Nelson Giants ease by Manawatu Jets in NBL It will be Kerr's second Olympics after finishing 10th in Tokyo will Beamish has been selected for his first Olympics and will compete in the 3000m steeplechase. Beamish, who finished fifth in the steeplechase at the 2023 World Championships will be the first kiwi steeplechaser at an Olympic Games in 40 years. He won the 1500m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year. The team will see the welcome return of pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, who last competed on the Olympic stage when winning bronze as a teenager at Rio 2016. McCartney has had her injury issues in recent years, but the Aucklander is back to her best as evidenced by her World Indoor silver medal in Glasgow last month. To further underline the strength and depth of women's vaulting in New Zealand, McCartney will be joined on the New Zealand team by Olympic debutantes Olivia McTaggart, and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Imogen Ayris - subject to the pair meeting performance conditions. Both Tom Walsh and Jacko Gill are all set for a third successive Olympic appearance in the men's shot. Christchurch-based Walsh, the current Commonwealth champion, is hunting history as he bids to become the first Kiwi man to land athletics medals at three successive Olympics after snaring bronze at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Maddi Wesche who was sixth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic earned bronze at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and was fourth at the World Indoor Championships last month has also been selected in shot put.. Taranaki's Zoe Hobbs is also set for her Olympic debut as she becomes the first Kiwi to be selected in the women's 100m at an Olympic Games since 1976. Papamoa-based Sam Tanner, the New Zealand all-time number two for the 1500m and mile, has earned selection in the men's 1500m at a second successive Olympic Games while Camille French has booked her ticket for Paris in the marathon. Three further throwers will also feature in Paris as Connor Bell (men's discus), Tori Peeters (women's javelin) and Lauren Bruce (women's hammer, subject to additional conditions) have earned Paris 2024 selection. Bell, who bettered his national discus record with a stunning 68.10m throw in Oklahoma on 14 April, and Peeters, who finished second in the 2023 Diamond League Final in Eugene, will be making their Olympic debuts. The team is completed by Ethan Olivier, 18, who is set to become the first New Zealand triple jumper to compete at an Olympic Games since Dave Norris at the 1960 Rome Olympics. NZ ATHLETICS TEAM Men’s 3000m steeplechase: Geordie Beamish Men’s discus: Connor Bell Men’s high jump: Hamish Kerr Men’s shot put: Tom Walsh, Jacko Gill Men’s triple jump: Ethan Olivier Women’s 100m: Zoe Hobbs Women’s hammer: Lauren Bruce* Women’s pole vault: Eliza McCartney, Olivia McTaggart*, Imogen Ayris*

Trampoline athletes Dylan Schmidt is set to compete at his third Olympics after claiming bronze at Tokyo in 2021 while Maddie Davidson is lining up for her second. Davidson, was the first woman to compete in the trampoline in New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing in 10th place. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors steal NSW Cup win; U-21s also win Tall Blacks players on move in ANBL free agency Dylan Walker returns, Nicoll-Klokstad milestone Warriors reach Harold Matthews Cup grand final Will Shaun Johnson return to Warriors in 2025? "It's crazy that it's my third Olympics, it's flown by," Schmidt said. "To go to my third Games and have the chance to do something special is pretty amazing and I really love being part of the wider New Zealand team." Schmidt said he felt he was in good form, with a recent fourth at the recent World Cup in Cottbus, Germany. "Performing at my peak should get me right up top in Paris. "If I can do that it puts me in the mix for the podium and even the top spot. Ultimately, I'm there to be happy with my performance and if I'm happy I'll be in the mix. I really just want to enjoy it have fun and put out a performance I'm proud of." Schmidt - who was raised in Te Anau in Southland but is now based in Auckland - said his world championship title two years ago was special. "It's a great one to look back on but right now I'm focused on the job ahead and doing everything I can to prepare for Paris." Christchurch-based Davidson, 25, said she was thrilled to be going to her second Olympics. "It's pretty special, the first time was a real whirlwind so to do it a second time is great. "I'd love to make the final in Paris, things are going really well in training so we're definitely heading in the right direction." The trampoline competition at Paris will be held August 2.