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A dismal showing by the NZ Warriors as they reverted back to their worst, starting well, but then falling to the previous winless Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart. The first 10 minutes looked good as Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad capitalised went through from 10 metres out and Shaun Johnson converted. LATEST HEADLINES: McLaughlin loses podium finish in IndyCars Canoe sprint team aiming for Olympics medals Schmidt, Davidson selected for Paris Olympics NZ Warriors steal NSW Cup win; U-21s also win Tall Blacks on the move in ANBL free agency Dylan Walker returns, Nicoll-Klokstad milestone A few minutes later Addin Fonua-Blake powered through Kieran Foran from close range for his third try of the season and the Warriors had raced to a 12-0 advantage. And then it went backwards for the home side. The Titans hit back with a long range try in the 14th minute with Kelly putting Alofiana Khan-Pereira into space, the wing making plenty of ground before turning a pass inside for AJ Brimson to race away and score. The Titans then scored again after a Warriors forward pass with Tanah Boyd, showing fancy footwork to cross and convert his own try for 12-12. The scoring continued as David Fifita took an inside pass from Chris Randall and carried two defenders over the line to make it 18-12 to the Des Hassler coached side. A spilled bomb by Marcelo Montoya deep in his own territory handed Boyd a chance to slot a field goal to stretch the lead to seven points at the break. Oly three minutes after half-time the Titans went further ahead when Kelly put a move on Rocco Berry and then sent a superb flick pass for Alofianna Khan-Pereira to cross in the left hand corner. Trailing 23-12 the Warriors looked to have hit back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck pulled down a Johnson bomb to score but replays showed Wayde Egan had knocked on at dummy half and the bunker cancelled the try out. The Titans marched down field and Fifita produced a quality offload to send Brimson over for his second try of the day in the 55th minute and Gold Coast were closing in on a drought-breaking victory at 27-12. The Warriors were desperate for a response Fonua-Blake took a pass from Dylan Walker and powered over under the sticks and the Warriors were back within nine points. Six minutes later the Warriors crossed again when Berry followed through a Johnson bomb and came up with a great catch to score. Johnson's conversion made it 27-24. Johnson continued to test the Titans' back three with high kicks but the visitors dug deep for three consecutive sets to keep their tryline intact. With four minutes to play, Johnson turned to the grubber kick and forced a line dropout, before Kelly came up with a huge play to defuse a bomb in the 78th minute and the Titans clung on for a morale-boosting victory. The Warriors next game is away at the Newcastle Knights on Sunday week. Gold Coast Titans 27 (AJ Brimson 2 tries Tanah Boyd, David Fifita, Alofiana Khan-Pereira tries; Boyd 3 con, goal) NZ Warriors 24 (Addin Fonua-Blake 2, Charnze Nicol-Klokstad, Rocco Berry tries; Shaun Johnson 4 con). HT: 19-12

The Black Caps have been thrashed by Pakistan in the second T20 by seven wickets with 47 balls to spare in Rawalpindi. The inexperienced New Zealand side were bowled out for just 90 runs in the 19th over with the home side chasing the total down in the 13th over. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi Andre Heimgartner wins in wet in Taupo Auckland Tuatara destroy Southland Sharks Lydia Ko in top-10 after second round at major NZ Warriors outplayed by St George Illawarra Rufer's costly penalty miss for Phoenix in draw Shaheen Shah Afridi was the best of the Pakistan attack with 3-13 while Mohammad Amir finished with 2-13. Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan took two wickets each. New Zealand was sent in to bat with openers Tim Seifert and Tim Robinson out cheaply for 12 and 4 respectively. The highest score for the Black Caps came from Mark Chapman with 19 from 16 balls, while Cole McConchie made 15. Dean Foxcroft was the only other batter to make double figures with 13. . New Zealand's 90 runs was never going to be enough, with Pakistan's Mohammed Rizwan scoring an unbeaten 45 off just 34 balls to anchor the chase. Ben Lister, captain Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi all took a wicket each. Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the five match series after the opening match was abandoned after just two balls due to rain.

Jett Cleary has been confirmed to join the NZ Warriors on a three-year deal as the Auckland club strengthens it's future. Jett, 19, the son for former Warriors player and coach Ivan Cleary, is seen as a key prospect and talent, despite his father being a three-time premiership winner, alongside elder son Nathan. LATEST HEADLINES: Canoe sprint team aims for Paris Olympic medals Schmidt, Davidson selected for Paris Olympics 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 The youngest Cleary was born in Auckland when his father was in his first year as assistant coach of the Warriors. Jett played for St Dominic's College in Penrith and the Panthers' development teams in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) and the SG Ball Cup (under-19). "It's an exciting time for us to be able to bring a player of Jett's quality into our pathways system from next season," said Warriors chief executive Cameron George. "The Cleary family has the strongest links with our club through Ivan's time with us and it's a special thrill to sign Jett and have the Cleary name back with us." Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden said that Jett "has a big future in front of him". "We're excited to give him the chance to develop in our system. While he was only young when he left New Zealand to go back to Australia, Jett has the benefit of strong family ties with the club and with Auckland as well. "He brings wonderful pedigree with him as well as a great understanding of the game after coming through Penrith's fantastic pathways." The announcement comes after news Shaun Johnson's plans for next year are still up in the air. The Warriors have reasonable depth in the halves, with Johnson, Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and the injured Luke Metcalf. Cleary potentially seen as a long-term project to replace Johnson, with the 2023 Dally M Medal runner up signed until the end of the season, but yet to sign a contract extension with the club. It is the second big transfer move from the Panthers in a week for the Warriors, who announced that James Fisher-Harris will be moving to Mt Smart next season. The Warriors face the Gold Coast Titans in their first home Anzac Day game since 2015.

.New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin has been disqualified from the opening IndyCar race of the year after a third place finish McLaughlin and his Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden, who won the street race in St Petersburg in Florida, were both disqualified after an investigation revealed they breached 'push to pass' parameters. LATEST HEADLINES: Canoe sprint team aiming for Olympics medals Schmidt, Davidson selected for Paris Olympics NZ Warriors steal NSW Cup win; U-21s also win Tall Blacks on the move in ANBL free agency Dylan Walker returns, Nicoll-Klokstad milestone 'Push to Pass' is a button which activates a system that delivers increased power through turbo boost for a predetermined period during the race. The team's third driver Will Power was penalised 10 points as officials found he did not benefit from the violation, IndyCar said in a statement. "An extensive review of data from the race on the streets of St Petersburg revealed that Team Penske manipulated the overtake system so that the No 2, 3 and 12 cars had the ability to use Push to Pass on starts and restarts," said the statement. "According to the IndyCar rulebook, use of overtake is not available during championship races until the car reaches the alternate start-finish line," the statement added. Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward has now been credited with the race win. Team Penske has also been fined $42,000 for each entry and will forfeit all prize money. The delay in announcing the penalties and updated official race results was prompted by a review of data and another look at the Team Penske cars, which took place during the recent Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Newgarden's disqualification means New Zealand driver Scott Dixon, who won the second race of the season at Long Beach, now moves to the top of the IndyCar standings after two rounds, while McLaughlin drops last.

Fullback Taine Tuaupiki kicked a conversion after the final siren to give the NZ Warriors a dramatic 26-24 win over St George Illawarra in Saturday's Round 7 New South Wales Cup contest at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong. The Dragons had sneaked into the lead – 24-20 – for the first time in the match with a Savelio Tamale try four minutes from fulltime but the Warriors were not to be denied. LATEST HEADLINES:  * 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? * Five new Black Ferns contracted players named Inside the last minute, they organised a try for wing Setu Tu to lock it up 24-24 with all the pressure on Tuaupiki to seal victory. He did not disappoint, coolly slotting the goal for the Warriors’ third win of the season. The victory rounded out a brilliant day for the club’s pathways teams after the Harold Matthews Cup side stunned favourite Canterbury Bankstown 12-10 to make next week’s under-17 grand final and the Jersey Flegg Cup under-21s headed off the Dragons 28-22 for their first win of the season. The NSW Cup victory was built on a fast start, which delivered tries to second rower Maia Sands, Tuaupiki and hooker Jaydee Aloa – all converted by Tuaupiki – for an 18-0 lead inside 24 minutes. The Dragons snared a try before the break and two more in the third quarter to close to 14-18 with 25 minutes to play before the Warriors went out to 20-14 when they opted for a penalty 12 minutes from time. It would be critical. In the space of three minutes the Dragons scored twice but could convert only one of the tries for a 24-20 lead before the two Tus - Tu and Tuaupiki - combined to seal victory. Tuaupiki’s goal kicking was the difference. The Warriors were outscored five tries to four but Tuaupiki converted all four as well as adding a goal for a total of 14 points while St George Illawarra’s Jesse Marschke succeeded with just two conversions. The Warriors face top side Penrith at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday (kick-off . Wing Garry Tuilekutu bagged a hat-trick and hooker Makaia Tafua a double to help the Warriors' Jersey Flegg Cup to break through for their first win of the season when they held out the Dragons on Saturday. It was reward at last for the players who had bounced back from a challenging start in the first three rounds of the season to push Newcastle before losing 18-8 and then Manly Warringah last week in a 20-16 defeat. While the Dragons, running fourth in the competition, opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the Warriors replied through Tafua in the 26th minute and then Tuilekutu with his first four minutes later enabling them to go to halftime with a 10-6 lead. St George Illawarra surged to a 16-10 advantage with two tries early in the second spell before two Tuilekutu tries in the space of two minutes and Tafua’s second in the 60th minute – all converted by William Piliu – flipped the contest with the Warriors bolting to a 28-16 lead inside the last 10 minutes of the 70-minute match. The Dragons clawed it back to 28-22 with their fourth try in the 63rd minute but the Warriors, desperate to savour victory for the first time in six attempts, defended stoically to hold on for a well-deserved and much-needed win. They are back home on Saturday, facing the Penrith Panthers at North Harbour Stadium. The Panthers had their just their second loss of the season last weekend, going down to the Wests Tigers 20-18.

A clinical finish following a shaky first half has given the Central Pulse a comprehensive 56-44 win over the Waikato-BOP Magic in their second-round match of the ANZ Premiership at TSB Arena in Wellington on Saturday.  After edging out to a two-goal lead at half-time, the home team capitalised with ruthless efficiency on an impressive defensive effort over final two quarters, the Pulse's fast-flowing through-court game out-pacing the Magic as they cruised to their second win in two games. LATEST HEADLINES:  * Kiwi Andre Heimgartner wins in wet in Taupo * Auckland Tuatara destroy Southland Sharks * Lydia Ko in top-10 after second round at major * NZ Warriors outplayed by St George Illawarra * Rufer's costly penalty miss for Phoenix in draw Both teams had opted for the same starting line-ups which took the court in last week's opening round, the Pulse again running with training partner and Central Manawa goal attack Kiana Pelasio in the absence of Tiana Metuarau, still sidelined with a foot injury. Both teams were plagued by a flurry of turnovers in the opening minutes, but it was the Magic who proved more efficient in converting as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Pulse had to work hard to by-pass some solid midcourt defensive pressure, but slowly eased their way back into the game with five goals on end. The home team maintained that margin, but were forced to work hard midway through the opening stanza, when they had to survive two minutes with only six players after goal defence Parris Mason was sidelined for dangerous play. It was the fifth suspension in just four games of the new ANZ Premiership season as players work hard to adjust to new rule interpretations aimed at improving player safety. The Pulse's midcourt defence stepped up, Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness combining with wing defence Fa'amu Ioane to stifle the Magic's pace on attack through to shooters Saviour Tui and Ameliaranne Ekenasio. The two shooters worked hard to balance the circle, with Tui nailing the last three goals of the quarter to give the visitors a narrow 12-11 lead. Both teams lifted the defensive pressure in the second quarter, Magic circle defenders Erena Mikaere and Georgia Takarangi all efficiency in restricting the space Pulse shooters Amelia Walmsley and Khiarna Williams could find in the circle. Pulse goal keep Kelly Jackson was also in outstanding form at the other end of the court, pouncing on any remotely loose ball to pick up an impressive series of intercepts and deflections, while goal defence Kelea Iongi - on for the sidelined Mason in the first quarter - also stepped up to grab her share. Walmsley - shifting out to goal attack - and Williams were efficient in their conversion rate, sinking 13 from 16 to give the Pulse a narrow 24-22 lead at the main break. The Magic suffered another attack of the third-quarter jitters, as they did in last week's 64-52 opening loss to the MG Mystics. Ekenasio and Tui shot at 100 percent in sinking 11 from 11, but the Pulse midcourt defensive screen again stifled the Magic attack and shut down the supply of ball into the circle. In contrast, Walmsley and Williams flourished on a feast of ball, sinking 18 from 22 to give the Pulse a healthy 42-33 lead at the three-quarter mark. The final quarter provided more of the same, and although the Magic continued to battle, the Pulse controlled the final 15 minutes to take out the spell 14-11 and secure the win. Central Pulse 56 (Amelia Walmsley 38/47, Khiarna Williams 13/18, Kiana Pelasio 5/9) Waikato-BOP Magic 44 (Saviour Tui 23/30, Ameliaranne Ekenasio 21/24). 1Q: 11-12, HT: 24-22, 3Q: 42-33

The Mainland Tactix required all their experience and poise to fend off a spirited second-half fightback before finally subduing a gallant Northern Stars 59-54 in Christchurch on Sunday. In control through the first half, the home side found themselves firmly on the back foot when the Stars came right back into the reckoning with a terrific third quarter which left the scores all tied up at 43 goals apiece heading into the final stanza. LATEST HEADLINES: * Will Brown wins Supercars Race 8 in Taupo * Lydia Ko stays in touch at women's major * Diamond League medals for Wesche, Kerr * Pakistan thrash Black Caps in second ODI * Blues rout ACT Brumbies; Crusaders beaten With six centurions in their midst, the Tactix needed every ounce of that experience to finally break the goal-for-goal impasse of the opening eight minutes of the final term, pouncing on a Stars error to gain the slightest of edges and hold on for a hard-fought win. Tactix shooter Ellie Bird played an influential hand for her side with 47 goals from 51 attempts while at the other end, Stars shooter Summer Temu had an inspiring debut with 20 from 20 after coming on in the second quarter and playing a fearless role. Covering for an injured Aliyah Dunn, Bird got the start at goal shoot for the Tactix in a settled line-up with resolute defender Jane Watson lining up for her 150th national league match. With shooter Amorangi Malesala ruled out through injury, new-season recruit Rahni Samason got her first start, pairing with captain Maia Wilson under the hoop. Exciting teenaged defender Lili Tokaduadua made her first start at the elite level from the custodian’s position of goalkeeper. Tactix shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Bird quickly rekindled their in-circle connection from previous seasons with a string of easy-made passages to goal as the home side threatened to push on when forging an early five-goal lead. With Watson a bundle of energy at the defensive end, the Tactix put the squeeze on the Stars shooting accuracy, the visitors doing well to keep the home side to a 16-14 lead at the first break. Needing to improve their shooting returns, the Stars introduced Temu, younger sister of former team member Ellie, at goal shoot on the resumption, but it was the Tactix who grabbed to first three goals to build a five-goal buffer. The experienced Selby-Rickit guided the Tactix attack end superbly with Erikana Pedersen and Kimiora Poi chipping in with a steady stream of scoring opportunities from close range for Bird. That required a defensive reshuffle from the Stars with Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa coming on at goal defence and Kate Burley moving back to goalkeeper. That defused the situation temporarily as the Stars clawed their way back through the steady shooting of Wilson, playing a strong hand from goal attack, and Temu but a second late surge where defender Karin Burger was a prominent force, paid dividends when the Tactix rolled out to a handy 33-27 lead at the main break. With a forceful halftime chat still ringing in their eras, the Stars took heed with a forceful reply in the third quarter. The experience of Wilson and temporary replacement player Gina Crampton shone through as the Stars swiftly changed the momentum with slick and accurate play on attack which was well supported by an impressive performance from debutant Temu. The defence end also sparked into life with successive intercepts from Holly Fowler and Burley helping the Stars level up with six minutes of the term left. The extra vigour exhibited by the Stars cause hesitation from the Tactix on attack, the visitors out-scoring the home side to the tune of 16-10 and leaving the game up for the taking when the sides went into the last break all square at 43-43. Mainland Tactix 59 (Ellie Bird 47/51, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 12/12) Northern Stars 54 (Maia Wilson 31/38, Summer Temu 20/20, Rahni Samason 3/6). 1Q: 16-14, HT: 33-27, 3Q: 43-43

The defending champion Northern Mystics had to hold off a charging Southern Steel to win 61-52 in Round 2 of the ANZ Premiership in Invercargill. The loss is the 20th consecutive for the Steel, but it was a much-improved performance as the Steel were within three goals in the third quarter and did not lose energy or enthusiasm at the end of the game despite a string of player changes. LATEST HEADLINES: Lydia Ko fades at first women's golf major Scott Dixon pulls off fuel-saving IndyCar win Black Caps win third T20, keep series alive Wellington Saints, Whai pick up big NBL wins Tactix pounce late to take the shine off Stars The return of former captain Shannon Saunders and a faultless shooting performance from Grace Namana, were the home side’s highlights. A 92 percent shooting performance from the Mystics and the seamless interchange of their strong bench players allowed them to keep in front throughout and pull away when they needed to. Less than two minutes into the game, Saunders took the court at wing attack for her first game since having her first child. Her vision and precision passing immediately lifted the confidence of the players around her, and the Steel had a much-improved start to the game than in their opening match (scoring nine more goals than they did in the first quarter against the Tactix a week before). The Mystics put pressure on the Steel at their centre pass, but when the ball got through to the Steel shooters, Namana and Georgia Heffernan were sure with their shots. Goal shoot Namana, in particular, had her eye in (she ended the game on 100 percent accuracy from her 33 attempts and took out MVP). The Mystics started out aggressive on attack, but were sometimes too enthusiastic. Grace Nweke took much of the quarter to find her range, but after the first 15 minutes, the Mystics held the upper hand, 16-13. Through some dogged defence in the circle from Carys Stythe and Phoenix Karaka, then Catherine Hall, the Mystics extended their lead to seven. While the Steel midcourt of Saunders and captain Kate Heffernan, who picked up three sharp intercepts in the first half, kept the home side in the game, the shrewdness of Mystic feeders Peta Toeava and Tayla Earle, kept the Steel at arm’s length. Up 32-25 at halftime, the Mystics upped the ante immediately and pulled out to a double-figure lead for the first time, but the Steel gradually pegged it back. Defenders Abby Lawson and Taneisha Fifita niggled the Mystics into basic errors and kept the defending champions scoreless for a rare three minutes. Even though Saunders was benched for the second half to manage her heavily strapped knee, with Ivari Christie returning to wing attack, the Steel attack didn’t lose momentum. A great understanding between Namana and Georgia Heffernan whittled the difference down to three, and saw the Steel eventually draw the third quarter. But it was a run of five goals right at the death of that spell that put the Mystics comfortably back in control, 46-39. The Steel went through more player changes in the final stanza. Kate Heffernan left the game after three quarters, also managing her ankle injury, with Renee Savai’inaea shifting into centre. Goal shoot Jen O’Connell made her first appearance in the ANZ Premiership since her serious knee injury in 2020, but it unfortunately was a brief one. Nweke ended the game with 91 percent accuracy, and was well supported by both her goal attacks Filda Vui and Hannah Glen. Northern Mystics 61 (Grace Nweke 48/52, Filda Vui 9/9, Hannah Glen 4/5) Southern Steel 52 (Grace Namana 33/33, Georgia Heffernan 14/20, Jennifer O'Connell 5/6). 1Q: 16-13, HT: 32-25, 3Q: 46-39

Several current or former Tall Blacks have picked up new contracts in the opening week of Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) free agency. Former NZ Breakers big man Rob Loe has back-tracked on his ANBL retirement, rejoining beaten grand finalists Melboune United for 2024-25, while Izayah Le'afa and Tohi Smith-Milner have found new homes. LATEST HEADLINES:   * Dylan Walker returns, Nicoll-Klokstad milestone   * Warriors reach Harold Matthews Cup grand final * Will Shaun Johnson return to Warriors in 2025? * Five new Black Ferns contracted players named * Northern Mystics hand another defeat to Steel Loe, 32, retired from the ANBL after the 2022-23 season with the Breakers, but joined United as an injury replacement player on a short-term basis last season, playing eight games and averaging 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. "In the time that he spent with us to start the season, we thought he was elite in so many areas,” said United head coach Dean Vickerman. “His IQ, his defensive ability to play within our structure and our system, and the ability to be a motion-maker and a decision-maker, with his shooting ability." Loe, currently playing in the National Basketball League (NBL) with the Auckland Tuatara, joins Tall Blacks Shea Ili and Flynn Cameron at United, who lost the five-game ANBL Finals to the Tasmania JackJumpers in March. Former Breakers guard Le'afa will suit up for the Sydney Kings next season, inking a two-year deal, with a mutual option for year two, while Smith-Milner will join Tall Blacks teammate Tyrell Harrison at the Brisbane Bullets, on a two-year deal, with a club option for year two. Le'afa, 27, spent the last two seasons with the Breakers, averaging 7.5 points and 1.2 steals in 30 games in 2023-24, after two years with the South East Melbourne Phoenix to start his ANBL career. "I hope to bring all the little things to the team that help to win, like toughness, energy and team-first mentality," Le'afa said. "Being in a new environment like Sydney, I feel can help grow my IQ for the game, leadership, being more of a knock-down shooter and continuing to elevate my defensive end of the floor - in essence becoming the best player I can possibly be." Smith-Milner, 28, will play for his fourth club in his ninth ANBL season. He averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 14 games with the Adelaide 36ers last year, following two seasons with the Phoenix and five with United. "His ability to space and stretch the floor with his shooting, IQ and versatility makes him a key piece to our roster build," said Bullets head coach Justin Schueller. Before the free agency period opened on April 15, several New Zealand players were signed or re-signed. The Breakers brought out the second year of 6-foot-10 power forward Sam Mennenga's contract with the Cairns Taipans, bringing the Westlake Boys High product back to play for his hometown club. In his rookie season, Mennenga, 22, made 27 appearances, averaging 17 minutes, 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds, while shooting 47 percent from the field. His standout performance was 22 points and 11 rebounds against United, while he also impressed in his pro debut against the Breakers at Spark Arena last September, finishing with 17 points and four rebounds. “Sam is a very typical modern big who can also play at centre”, said Breakers head coach Mody Maor. “He can play inside and out.  He’s a good shooter; he’s also a very physical post-player.  He can put the ball on the floor and can also spot up and make decisions." The Taipans locked away one of their key pieces for NBL25 by re-signing Kiwi Sam Waardenburg, 25, to a one-year deal. The inaugural ANBL Next Generation Award winner endured an injury-interrupted 2023-24 in which he averaged 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 23 games, following a breakout rookie season. The 6-foot-10 swingman flashed his immense ability and potential across a handful of games, including a 22-point performance in Cairns’ Round 5 win over Sydney, and a career-high 14 rebounds in a Round 2 win over South East Melbourne. "It was especially important for me to retain Sam for next season. To have a stretch big make big plays like a point guard, allows us to add and explore unique opportunities on the floor," said Taipans head coach Adam Forde. After a couple of injury-plagued seasons, Harrison established himself as the Bullets starting big and was rewarded when Brisbane picked up his option on April 10 for another season, his eighth with the team. The 24-year-old 7-foot-1 centre averaged 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in 27 appearances, the best numbers of his career, making him one of the league's best local big men. "Tyrell showed last season why we believe in him moving forward, and we are excited for his continued growth," said Schueller. Remaining on contract with the Breakers are Tall Blacks forward Finn Delany, and development players Alex McNaught, Carlin Davison and Max Darling. Delany, currently with Zaragoza in Spain, averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 19 games last season in Auckland. Canterbury Rams 6-foot-4 forward Walter Brown is also still contracted with the champion JackJumpers for a third season on the Emerald Isle. The 20-year-old made just four appearances in 2023-24. Former Tall Blacks and Breakers guards, brothers Corey and Tai Webster, also learned their playing futures with the Perth Wildcats earlier this month. The Wildcats picked up the club option for Tai Webster, 28, extending his stay in Western Australia another season, but declined the option for Corey Webster, 35, making him a free agent. Tai Webster averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 boards and 2.7 assists a game, while shooting 46 percent from the field in 28 games in his first full season Out West, while Corey Webster lost favour, averaging 6.1 points and shooting 42 percent in 20 appearances. Perth still have Kiwis Hyrum Harris and Dontae Russo-Nance contracted for next season, while Otago Nuggets big man Jack Andrew is also off-contract with the 10-time ANBL champions. Also joining Corey Webster and Andrew in the free agency mix are Kiwis Reuben Te Rangi and Anzac Rissetto (Phoenix), Sam Timmins (Kings) and Tom Vodanovich (JackJumpers).

Utility Dylan Walker will return from an ankle injury while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will mark his 100th career appearance when the One New Zealand Warriors face the Gold Coast Titans in just their second Anzac Day home game at Mt Smart. Walker is set for just his third appearance of the season after last playing in the round two clash against Melbourne on March 16, his comeback is offset by the loss of experienced second rower Kurt Capewell. LATEST HEADLINES: Will Johnson return to Warriors in 2025? Northern Mystics hand another loss on Steel Van Gisbergen gets caught up in Nascar race Lydia Ko fades at the first women's golf major Scott Dixon pulls off fuel-saving IndyCar win Capewell played the full 80 minutes and made 43 tackles in Friday night’s loss to St George Illawarra but suffered a throat injury which has seen him ruled out. It’s yet to be confirmed how long he will be sidelined. In his absence Wellington-raised rookie Jacob Laban, who turned 20 last week, has been brought off the bench to start for the first time. His first three appearances since his debut against South Sydney have been off the interchange. Set to make his NRL debut from the bench is highly-regarded prop Zyon Maiu’u, also 20, who was originally signed at the same time as Laban in 2021; the pair were also re- signed last November through to the end of the 2026 season. Maiu’u appeared in all 27 matches for the club’s New South Wales Cup side which went within a win of the grand final last year and has added another five appearances this year. As well as Maiu’u and Walker, who’ll play his 222nd match on Thursday, the other players listed on the interchange are prop Tom Ale and Paul Roache, who covers hooker and the halves. Along with Capewell, also out of contention again this week is utility Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) plus Marata Niukore (foot), Jazz Tevaga (hamstring), Bunty Afoa (hamstring), Luke Metcalf (leg) and Demitric Sifakula (knee). The game will be a double celebration for Nicoll-Klokstad who, like all his teammates but Shaun Johnson, will experience playing an Anzac Day match at Go Media Stadium for the first time as well as bringing up his 100-game milestone. He started his NRL career with seven games for the Warriors in 2017 before racking up 66 games for Canberra from 2019-2022. In his first three outings this season he has averaged a phenomenal 287 metres a game – 263 against South Sydney, 341 against Manly Warringah and 258 against St George Illawarra. This will be the One New Zealand Warriors’ 15th Anzac Day game and the third to fall on a Thursday after 2013 and 2019; of the previous 14, 13 have been played in Melbourne. Johnson is the only survivor from either squad from the first Anzac Day match at Go Media Stadium against Gold Coast in 2015, a game the Titans won 38-24. 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett, 11 Jackson Ford, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Tohu Harris Interchange: 14-Dylan Walker, 15-Tom Ale, 16-Zyon Maiu'u, 17-Paul Roache, 18-Adam Pompey, 20-Taine Tuaupiki, 21-Ali Leiataua, 22-Edward Kosi, 23-Tanner Stowers-Smith

A New Zealand-born basketballer who the Los Angeles Lakers selected in the 2023 NBA Draft has signed a one-year deal with the NZ Breakers. Mojave King, 21, was born in Dunedin to a Kiwi mother and American father, Leonard King, who had a successful career in the National Basketball League (NBL) with the Otago Nuggets. LATEST HEADLINES: * Lydia Ko in touch with leader at golf major * NZ athletics team named for Paris Olympics * New players need to step up for Black Caps * Bulls take down Nuggets to stay unbeaten * Can Hurricanes keep winning streak going? Named after the Mojave Desert, King moved to Australia at four and has previously played in the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) as a 'Next Star' player for the Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers. The shooting guard will join the Breakers after a season with the Indiana Mad Ants in the NBA G-League. King is in exalted company, with NBA champion and Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks and Kiwi hoops icon Steven Adams as the only other New Zealand-born basketballers to hear their names called in the NBA Draft. “I’ve signed with the Breakers because I’ve had some excellent conversations with head coach Mody Maor,” said King from his Indianapolis base. “Mody is a big reason why I decided to sign. His vision and the way he’s going to try to make the team play next season is everything I want to be a part of in my basketball career.” Maor, entering his sixth season with the Breakers, has established himself as one of the ANBL’s premier coaches. He has a proven reputation for advancing the skills of all players who sign for the club. In King, he sees another player who will only get better by playing a season in the ANBL for the Breakers. “We are betting that Mojave’s best basketball is ahead of him. He’s been in the process of finding the right basketball home for some time,” said Maor. “We feel there is much more to Mojave on both sides of the court. He has incredible natural gifts - size, feel, shooting, and athletic abilities, but they haven’t been consistently displayed in a winning basketball environment yet.” King brings to the Breakers the experience of playing 56 ANBL games with the Taipans and 36ers across two seasons. His best performance was a 25-point haul against the Brisbane Bullets in 2021. His best performance against the Breakers was 15 points for the 36ers in Hobart two years ago. King averaged 19.7 minutes of game-time over 45 games across two seasons in the G-League, scoring 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds. He admitted he was determined to improve those numbers with the Breakers. “A big thing for me coming to the Breakers will be to improve my consistency,” he said. “Mody has a really clear vision of how he wants to use me, and it aligns with the things that are important to me.” Maor was also convinced he could get consistently good performances out of King. “There’s a wealth of untapped potential, which is something that we are very interested in seeing inside our system and environment." King is the fourth player signed to the 11-man Breakers’ roster for NBL25. He joins marque signing and All-NBL First Team selection Parker Jackson-Cartwright, new Kiwi signing Sam Mennenga and returning Australian Dane Pineau. More player announcements are expected in the coming weeks, and the squad is expected to assemble for the first time in early-August in Auckland.

The NZ Warriors' Harold Matthews Cup side have produced their second major upset to reach the competition's grand final. After stunning Parramatta last week, the Warriors under-17s shocked minor premiers Canterbury Bankstown to reach the decider, the first time the club has had a team in a grand final since 2014. The TJ Ashford-coached Warriors held on for a gritty 12-10 victory over the Bulldogs at Sydney's Henson Park on Saturday to add yet another chapter to their fairytale debut campaign in the renowned pathways competition. It began with what could have been a deflating 36-10 loss to the Eels in February but that result instead provided the launching pad for what has turned out to be an exceptional season so far. And the biggest game of all is yet to come. It is the first time a Warriors side has been in a grand final since the Stacey Jones-coached side defeated the Brisbane Broncos in the NYC (under-20) showdown in 2014. When the Warriors’ 2024 Harold Matthews side was trounced 40-10 by Cronulla Sutherland in the penultimate round of the regular season, chances of reaching the finals hung in the balance but the team snared the sixth and final spot a week later with a resounding 46-10 win over St George and has not looked back. Last Sunday the Warriors avenged their opening round loss to the Eels by racing to a 24-0 lead and then closing out the game 30-20 to eliminate the third-ranked side. The Bulldogs had been dominant all season, with seven wins and a draw, averaging more than 37 points a game. The fewest points they had been restricted to in any match was 20. As one of the two top qualifiers, they had the last two weeks off, giving the Warriors a potential edge in match fitness. With the match played in wild, wet and windy conditions, the Warriors again made a fast start, as they had against Parramatta, with wing Kairus Booth, a schoolboy rugby union player from Balclutha, scoring in just the seventh minute. Then five minutes later, powerful loose forward Lennox Tuiloma added to his try-scoring tally with Booth converting for a 10-0 lead. Canterbury Bankstown responded in the 19th minute with an unconverted try to halfback Matthew Barakat, leaving the Warriors up six at thalftime. That became 12-4 with a Booth penalty four minutes into the second spell, two points that would prove vital in the final analysis. Heading into the closing stages, the Warriors still had an eight-point lead until the Bulldogs scored and converted with two minutes to play. Defending heroically throughout, they shut out their opponents in the final minutes to earn a grand final date with the Western Suburbs Magpies, who finished second in the regular season and held out Cronulla Sutherland 8-6 in the other preliminary final. The Warriors returned home before heading back to Sydney later in the week, ahead of Saturday's decider, part of the New South Wales Rugby League’s super grand final day for all junior grades, including the under-19 SG Ball Cup.