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The All Whites have drawn with Tunisia in Cairo in the second match of their FIFA Series, before being defeated on penalties to finish fourth in the ACUD Cup. Head coach Darren Bazeley made four changes to the side that was narrowly defeated by Egypt in the opening game of the tournament. In defence, Tommy Smith earned his 52nd cap, replacing Nando Pijnaker at centre-back, while Reading’s 19-year-old defender Tyler Bindon replaced Dane Ingham at right-back. In midfield, Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer came in for Clayton Lewis and clubmate Kosta Barbarouses replaced Max Mata up front. The All Whites started strongly against the world No 41 and had the ball in the net in the ninth minute. A clever free-kick created space for Liberato Cacace to fire in a long-range effort, his shot rebounded to Michael Boxall, who crossed for Barbarouses to score but it was ruled out for offside. Minutes later, two further chances fell to the All Whites, with Tommy Smith going close from a corner and Callum McCowatt flashing a cross across the box but it could not find a black shirt. The All Whites pressure continued to build in the 25th minute when Sarpreet Singh won and then took a free-kick from just outside the box to hit the side netting. It was not until the 27th minute that Tunisia had their first real chance of the game with a ball cut back to Rafia but he fired wide past the post. As the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, the All Whites had a golden opportunity to open their account after being awarded a penalty following Barbarbouses being fouled in the box. Sarpreet Singh stepped up to take the shot but it was well-saved by the Tunisian keeper. Moments later, the All Whites were awarded a second penalty before VAR intervened to reverse the decision and keep it goalless at the break. The second half continued how the first ended, with the All Whites dominating possession and creating the better of the chances. In the 64th minute, it was another great chance for the All Whites after Singh’s flick found Matt Garbett close to goal but the Tunisia keeper again denied him. The chance caused a reaction from the African side, who responded with two opportunities of their own. A 66th-minute Tunisian free-kick from the edge of the D looked dangerous but sailed over Max Crocombe’s net. Two minutes later, Tunisia had another chance, with Kachrida firing wide after a rapid counter-attack. With it goalless after 90 minutes, the game ended in a draw but Tunisia claimed third at the tournament after converted all four of their spot kicks. New Zealand 0 Tunisia 0. Tunisia won the penalty shootout 4-2

Auckland United have made history, winning their first OFC Women’s Champions League after beating Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United 1-0 in the final in Honiara. Bree Johnson’s strike after 25 minutes was the difference, as the New Zealand champions held on to ensure they will return home with the trophy. The two sides looked to impose themselves on one another early on. Hekari United keen to go one better than last year when they finished runners-up to AS Academy Féminine, while Auckland United were vying to become the first-ever New Zealand winners. United had an early chance gifted to them through a failed clearance in the fourth minute. The ball rebounded off Bree Johnson’s shins, and Rene Wasi was the fastest to react to the loose ball. However, no one could take advantage of her low ball across the six-yard box. Just before the half-hour mark, Auckland United found what would prove to be the decisive breakthrough. Wasi’s cross from deep ricocheted into Johnson’s path, and the forward’s pace allowed her to nick the ball past the onrushing Fidelma Watpore, allowing a comfortable side-footed finish into the unguarded net. Down by one, but certainly not out, Hekari United came close to an equaliser through a sustained period of pressure. Initiated by captain Marie Kaipu just after the cooling break, the Papua New Guinea international striker was closed down quickly by an attentive Auckland defence packing out the box, and her teammates were unable to find a way through. Moments later, the Papua New Guinea champions came close again, with Phylis Pala’s looping cross batted away by Amberley Hollis, all too aware of the lurking Kaipu. The resultant corner struck the upright, causing chaos in the box but Auckland were able to eventually clear their lines and survive. The Kiwi champions thought they had a second through the combination of Johnson and Wasi again, with the latter winning possession in midfield and taking off down the right flank. Her inch-perfect ball was latched onto by Johnson, who was flagged offside in a close call. Captain Talisha Green kept Michaelyne Butubu quiet to the extent that Hekari’s mercurial forward switched to wingback in the second half to escape her attention, with second-half substitute Nenny Elipas replacing her up front. Despite the early flurry from Hekari, Auckland United began to assert control over the game, again with their youngsters at the heart of things. Influential substitute Pia Vlok was a constant threat — picking the ball up in the middle of the park and releasing Alexis Cook who subsequently played in Danielle Canham, though the midfielder’s volley was hit right at Watpore. The minutes ticking down, Auckland United were excellent in their ability to manage the game and held off Hekari United strongly, limiting the threat on Hollis’ goal. The Aucklanders were jubilant at the final whistle — a trophy and their own place in Oceania’s football history. The player of the match award went to Auckland United’s Alaina Granger. Auckland United swept three of the four tournament awards, including being awarded the Fair Play Award for their excellent disciplinary record through the campaign. Tafea FC’s Jane Alatoa won the Golden Boot Award, having netted four goals in the tournament, all scored in the group stage. The powerful forward was a constant menace to the opposition as the Vanuatuan side made an impressive run to the semifinals. The Golden Glove Award for the competition’s top goalkeeper was won by Auckland United’s Hollis. The Kiwi stopper was an influential presence for her side, as they conceded only twice across all five of their matches. Auckland United also produced the Golden Ball Award winner. Captain Talisha Green was the outstanding figure for the eventual winners, leading by example with both her on-field ability and her leadership credentials as skipper. Auckland United 1 (Bree Johnson 25′) Hekari United 0. HT: 1-0 OFC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE AWARDS Golden Boot - Jane Alatoa (Tafea FC) Golden Glove - Amberley Hollis (Auckland United) Golden Ball - Talisha Green (Auckland United) Fair Play Award - Auckland United

Auckland Softball is calling on Softball New Zealand (SNZ) to make necessary improvements to the National Fastpitch Championship (NFC) tournament. After sweeping the national event earlier this month, Auckland Softball released a statement asking for action from the national body. Last season, delays as a result of scheduling at the NFC meant some Auckland men's players had to depart the tournament grand final in Christchurch before it had concluded. The 2024 tournament was only marginally better as Auckland Softball again pushed for solutions from the governing body. At the recent NFC at Rosedale Park on Auckland's North Shore, Auckland won both men's and women's titles to sit back on top of softball's provincial level. Auckland defeated Canterbury in the men's final and North Harbour in the women's decider, but there was still plenty of conjecture around the management of the tournament. The last three NFC finals have seen the losing team leaving prior to the prizegiving due to time constraints, but despite long-running discussions regarding the format and timing of the tournament, no real change has resulted. Players and management have had to catch flights, including Canterbury in this year's final. One of the umpires for the final also left before the completion of the game. The timing issue came to a head last season when Hoani Lambert, chairperson of the SNZ executive board, said Softball Auckland’s actions were unacceptable.  In the lead up to the 2022-23 tournament in Christchurch, SNZ was informed by Auckland Softball four weeks prior to the event about the only flight option due to the increased costs around travelling during Labour Weekend. Meetings involving SNZ the night prior and morning of the finals failed to find a solution, with broadcasting obligations. The start of both finals was delayed by SNZ, with teams sitting in the dugouts waiting for games to commence. Policies and procedures have been talked about so that the situation would not occur again. But nothing has been initiated and the 2024 men's final saw SNZ, with no prior discussion, reduce the warm-ups to one pitch per innings due to time constraints. Auckland Softball were concerned that the pinnacle event has been impacted by event management in the previous three years. Canterbury Softball proposed - backed by Auckland Softball - at the SNZ conference in May 2023 for a multi-week National League. The concept was unanimously approved by provincial associations.  However, nine months later SNZ has not completed any work on the issue, much to the disappointment of Softball Auckland CEO Gareth Teahan. “Auckland suffered last season with travel difficulties and mammoth charges to try and change flights from Christchurch for amateur sportspeople. We could see the problems occurring, but nothing was done about it,” said Teahan.  “This year, the tournament was held in Auckland and Canterbury were watching the clock and were not able to stay for the prizegiving. It devalues what is otherwise a great national teams event. Auckland Softball will continue to advocate and assist with a new concept that allows our top-level players to excel at the highest level."

While the Crusaders' top team has yet to put a win on the board in 2024, the franchise's next generation is showing promise. The Crusaders put together a dominant performance to defeat the Chiefs 31-17 in the final to capture the Super Rugby Under-20 title for the first time at Taupo's Owen Delany Park on Sunday. Wins over the Highlanders in round one and the Blues in the semifinals set them on the path to the finals match up against the Chiefs. Finals day kicked off with the NZ Barbarians playing Moana Pasifika. The Baabaas started strongly with some set piece tries that were straight out of a Barbarians playbook, and led 21-0 after as many minutes. Moana Pasifika responded with three tries and narrowed the deficit to 21-15 but the Baabaas scored two late tries to win 36-15. The Highlanders finished their weekend off with a big 59-19 win over Fiji Drua, with captain Josh Whaanga and Max Ratcliffe picking up doubles. The Hurricanes held out a strong Blues outfit to claim third place. Scoring three first-half tries, they were forced to defend for long periods in the second spell to hold on to their 24-19 winning margin. The final day’s play was the culmination a week-long tournament, the fourth edition to be hosted in Taupo. Hurricanes loose forward Mosese Bason joined the impressive list of players who have won the Sir John Graham Player of the Tournament award, following in the footsteps of current All Blacks Luke Jacobson and Fletcher Newell. Bason showed his strong work rate across all three game days, the dynamic loose forward impressing selectors with his effort with ball in hand and on defence. The purpose of the tournament is to provide a platform for talent identification for the New Zealand under-20s along with on and off field development for emerging players, coaches and wider management. This year, players attended a development session with Sir John Kirwan on mental wellbeing, a Q&A with All Blacks coaches Leon MacDonald and Jason Ryan and players Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Leroy Carter and Mitch Karpik. NZ Rugby high performance player development manager Matt Sexton said the tournament reaffirmed the country’s ability to produce quality rugby players. “Once again this tournament has delivered on and off the field. We have seen some great matches contested between the eight teams and enjoyed some quality development opportunities throughout the week. “I am confident the New Zealand under-20 coaches will have been happy with the players they have seen in action and will now work towards naming a 30-player squad for the upcoming Under 20 Rugby Championship in Australia,” said Sexton.

A new champion will be crowned in Super Rugby Aupiki in 2024 after the Blues rallied from a 17-8 deficit to inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on title-holders Matatū. The Blues only need a bonus point from their two remaining matches to qualify for the April 13 decider against Chiefs Manawa. The Manawa remained unbeaten after overpowering the Hurricanes Poua 43-12 at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North on Friday night. Darkening clouds and driving rain descended on Eden Park when the Matatū least needed it. Down 20-17, stranded deep inside their 22, they had one last chance to salvage their season. However, a desperation Charlie Woodman pass was picked off by Angelica Mekemeke-Vahai to seal the victory. It was a match full of endeavor, 25 lineout breaks attest to that, but coaches' patience would have been stretched to boiling point as mistakes frequently undid artistry. The most calculatedly bold call of proceedings was in the 63rd minute when the Blues were down 17-15 but were rewarded a penalty in kicking range. Instead, Ruahei Demant opted for a lineout. The ball was bobbled in the transition from catch to maul but crucially the Blues preserved. The hosts had success attacking Matatū up the middle of the ruck and the direct route was one taken by Aldora Itunu a nostril hair from the paint. Unsurprisingly the former Black Ferns prop was unstoppable. Earlier, Itunu levelled Laura Bayfield in a contender for the biggest hit of the season. Matatū started the contest with a protracted 15 phases of attack. A Mel Puckett turnover caused by lackadaisical cleaners yielded no profit.  A lack of accuracy here, and a gentle fumble there, Matatū have often been the irritable architect of their own demise. “There is a lot of positive stuff to take out of that, we just weren’t able to finish,” Bremner observed. Matatū hooker Georgia Ponsonby opened the scoring after 14 minutes, bumping off Puckett from close range. Katelyn Vahaakolo did her best impersonation of Doug Howlett with a breathtaking 55-metre try. She skinned three defenders and left the remainder in awe. Persistent penalties saw Blues lock Eloise Blackwell yellow-carded in the 34th minute. Matatū could not convert and it was 8-5 at halftime. Matatū midfielders Grace Brooker and Amy du Plessis have combined at international level. Their threat was constant with Brooker at times as dangerous as kryptonite. She played a hand in tries to Ponsonby and Hiini as the Matatū charged ahead 17-8. In her 100th first-class match, Cottrell replicated her first-round try against the Matatū with an almost direct replica of her 20-metre dash in Invercargill. A 17-15 lead was not enough for the Matatū. The Blues bench ran deeper and Matatū was often guilty of trying too hard. Women's Rugby World Cup-winning Black Ferns Demant and Liana Mikaele Tu’u enjoyed strong and welcome returns. Maama Vaipulu continues her eye-catching form and skipper Maia Roos is a force of nature. “We’ll go back to the learning book and see where we can get better,” said Roos. Chiefs Manawa secured a place in their third consecutive final, capitalising on a second-half capitulation by the Poua. With 32 minutes remaining, Poua only trailed 19-12 after a try to rookie Elinor-Plum King. Chelsea Semple had ripped possession from the plucky blindside whose audacity to snatch it back caused the Black Ferns veteran to blush. It would be the last moment of anxiety for the visitors. In the finish, the Manawa were rampant. Ironically, it was 58th minute try by Semple that ensured a rut set in for Poua. Following a string of penalties, Semple glided past fatiguing defenders with ease. The Manawa emptied the bench and every individual made telling contributions. Especially noteworthy were pinball prop Krystal Murray and outside back Kiriana Nolan. Hooker Vici-Rose Green engineered the last try for Chyna Hohepa with a push-up and retrieval of the ball those living in military barracks would struggle to emulate. Initially, the hosts attacked with variety. enjoying 73 percent of territory in the first half. Inventive kicking surprised the Manawa and the Poua were pesky at the breakdown. Monica Tagoai continued her damaging form by repeating her first-round try against the Manawa, but the Poua squandered another three guilt-edged chances for tries. Down 7-5, disaster struck the Poua a minute before the interval. The Chiefs snaffled a turnover and spun the ball wide to Ruby Tui, who rolled a kick forward for Mererangi Paul to pursue, collect, and score. Tui was never far from the limelight and her 40-metre solo in the second half was headline-worthy. Japanese international Seina Saito was another worthy of plaudits. The Manawa debutant and hooker scored two tries, her second from a lineout drive bound to three teammates opposing nobody. With 13 tackles and eight carries, Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Simon was productive. A fourth straight win may have come at a cost with veteran lock Charmaine Smith carted off the field following a lengthy delay after she was tackled and fell awkwardly in the dying stages of the match. Blues 27 (Katelyn Vahaakolo, Krysten Cottrell, Aldora Itunu, Angelica Mekemeke Vahai tries; Krysten Cottrell 2 con, pen) Matatū 17 (Georgia Ponsonby 2, Di Hiini tries; Roise Kelly con). HT: 8-5 Chiefs Manawa 43 (Seina Saito 2, Mererangi Paul; Chelsea Semple, Victoria Edmonds, Ruby Tui, Chyna Hohepa tries; Chelsea Semple 2 con, Ariana Bayler 3 con) Hurricanes Poua 12 (Monica Tagoai, Elinor-Plum King tries; Isabella Waterman con). HT: 12-5

Standout performances from their star players has seen the White Ferns remain in contention in their T20 series against England. Chasing a record T20 run chase in New Zealand, England appeared to be cruising to victory before a brilliant runout by Melie Kerr turned the tide, eventually coming up four runs short in the third match at Nelson's Saxton Oval on Sunday. After Heather Knight departed in the 17th over, two more wickets fell in quick succession, with England requiring eight runs from the final over. Opening batter Suzie Bates was handed the ball for her only over of the innings, taking two wickets and allowing just four runs to complete a dramatic three-run win. “The last game I think we felt we were in winning positions in both innings and let it slip, and today we probably weren’t in a winning position ... [but] once we managed to get into a winning position we took it," said Bates. “That’s massive confidence for this group, who has struggled to beat England in recent times.” Thanks to a classy top-order of Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont, England were in control, needing just 29 runs off the last five overs, with eight wickets in hand. Bouchier was the White Ferns’ tormentor, smashing 11 fours and a six on her way to 71 from 47 deliveries. Along with Beaumont (37 from 34), they put on 92 runs for the second wicket. However, captain Sophie Devine finally dismissed Bouchier, then took another wicket for figures of 2-23 from three overs, while Kerr sent Knight back to the pavilion, then chipped in with a wicket. After failing to respond under pressure in the first two encounters, New Zealand made their highest T20I score against England in reaching 155-3 from their 20 overs. Earlier, Devine bludgeoned a half-century to give the hosts hope of staying alive in the five-match series, which now shifts to Wellington's Basin Reserve for the fourth and fifth matches on Wednesday and Friday. Devine, who missed the series-opener, was at her brutal best as the White Ferns scored 55 runs from the final five overs in partnership with Kerr. Devine smacked five fours and two sixes in making 60 from 37 balls, while Kerr was not far behind in their 99-run partnership for the third wicket with an unbeaten 44 from 35 deliveries. Opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout set the pace in the power play for the hosts, looking to take the game to England with an array of shots. She helped New Zealand reach 40-0 after six overs, but was dropped twice before eventually perishing for 34 from 27 balls. New Zealand 155-3 (Sophie Devine 60, Melie Kerr 44 not out, Bernadine Bezuidenhout 34) beat England 152-8 (Maia Bouchier, Tammy Beaumont 37, Sophie Devine 2-23, Suzie Bates 2-4) by three runs

The Blues and Chiefs have continued their strong starts to the Super Rugby Pacific season with New Zealand derby victories. The Blues handed the Crusaders a fifth straight loss 26-6 at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday night, while the Chiefs held off the fast-finishing Highlanders for a 28-21 win at Hamilton's FMG Stadium Waikato hours earlier. The wins lifted the Chiefs (18 points) and Blues (17) into the top-four, trailing the undefeated Hurricanes (22). With steady rain falling, which made expansive rugby difficult, first-five Stephen Perofeta put the Blues ahead early with the first of his four penalties. The Crusaders tried to keep the ball in hand and captain David Havili went close to scoring in the midst of a lineout maul. When the home side lost flanker Dalton Papali'i to a yellow card, they had another crack, but No 8 Cullen Grace knocked on near the tryline. With Papali'i back on the field, the Crusaders took the points on offer, with first-five Riley Hohepa successful from close-range.  At the other end, Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli also charged over from a lineout maul, but replays revealed he lost the ball. After 30 minutes, Perofeta restored the Blues lead with a 40-metre penalty kick, but Hohepa responded from a similar distance.  The Blues suffered a major blow before halftime, when fullback Zarn Sullivan hobbled off with a calf injury, but when Crusaders halfback Willi Heinz was yellow-carded after the siren, Perofeta put his side ahead again at the break. Immediately after the restart, Cole Forbes - who replaced Sullivan - and Perofeta broke upfield and into the Crusaders 22, and 13 phases later, prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi barged over for the first try of the contest. Within seconds, the Blues took a quick tap and poured back into Crusaders territory, with Forbes putting centre AJ Lam across for a second. Havili left the field soon after, adding to their growing casualty list. With the Crusaders short-handed, wing Caleb Clarke burst out of his own half, earning the Blues another penalty advantage and with wing Sevu Reece in the sin-bin for offside, just as Heinz returned. Riccitelli was held up from lineout maul, but the Crusaders managed to force a turnover. The hosts continued to exert pressure and their pack simply marched through a Crusaders scrum to earn another penalty, slotted by Perofeta for a 20-point lead. From the kickoff, loose forward Corey Kellow charged down a Blues clearance and centre Levi Aumua seemed to have a try, but replays showed Clark knocking the ball free in a despiration goal-line tackle. The Crusaders still had field position, but their lineout let them down again and Forbes was able to clear the threat.   The result provided a fitting celebration of 100 appearances for Blues captain and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who played out the entire 80 minutes in his comeback from a broken jaw. The Chiefs victory was thanks to a strong first half as the Chiefs ran away to a 21-0 lead at the break. The Highlanders’ start set the tone for a rough opening 40 minutes when returning flyhalf Rhys Patchell put the opening kick-off into touch on the full. It set the Chiefs in perfect field position and while Damian McKenzie's penalty did not have the distance, Daniel Rona opened the scoring when Shaun Stevenson put him into space with a nice offload. The Chiefs' pack rolled through and took advantage of a yellow card to Timoci Tavatavanawai when hooker Bradley Slater mauled his way over the line. Unfortunately, the half went from bad to worse when centre Tanielu Tele'a was yellow-carded for a dangerous cleanout on Quinn Tupaea, eventually upgraded to a red. Tupaea's centre partner Rameka Poihipi was the benefactor, slicing over the line to cement the commanding advantage. Cortez Ratima looked to seal the win when he dived over the line, capping off an impressive night for the scrumhalf as he backed up a Damian McKenzie break. However, the Highlanders refused to die and it was Tavatavanawai that sparked them into life. The wing scored in the 59th minute for their first points of the game before a yellow card to Chiefs number eight Luke Jacobson completed the shift in momentum. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens dived over the line and when Nikora Broughton darted over with two minutes to go, suddenly the game came alive. The Highlanders had one last chance to score after the siren but the Chiefs defence held strong to come away with the win. The Crusaders host the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday night (kick-off 7.05pm), while the Blues face cross-town rivals Moana Pasifika at Eden Park on Saturday (kick-off 4.35pm) and the Highlanders welcome the Hurricanes to Dunedin (kick-off 7.05pm). Blues 26 (Ofa Tu'ungafasi, AJ Lam tries; Stephen Perofeta 2 con, 4 pen) Crusaders 6 (Riley Hohepa 2 pen). HT: 9-6 Chiefs 28  (Daniel Rona, Cortez Ratima, Bradley Slater, Rameka Poihipi tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con) Highlanders 21  (Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Nikora Broughton tries; Sam Gilbert 3 con). HT: 21-0

The All Whites have falled 1-0 to Egypt on a penalty that was only awarded after a VAR review overturned the referee’s original decision. Mostafa Mohamed’s 29th-minute goal from the spot was the deciding factor in a first round W Cup match at Cairo's New Administrative Stadium on Saturday. New Zealand played confidently early on as they strung passes together. The opening 25 minutes was even, with neither side having a clear chance on goal. The critical moment came when Egypt’s Emam Ashour darted into the New Zealand penalty area and he was tackled by All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker. Ashour went down, grabbing at his shoulder, his teammates called for a penalty and referee Clement Franklin waved away the appeals, indicating Pijnaker had connected with the ball before the player. While Ashour was treated — and eventually taken out of the game — the VAR team reviewed the incident, resulting in referee Clement pointed to the penalty spot. Mohamed stepped up and confidently belted his shot high as goalkeeper Max Crocombe dived the wrong way. New Zealand almost equalised before halftime as captain Liberato Cacace chipped into the Egyptian box for Max Mata to head over the bar from 10 metres. In the 52nd minute, the All Whites had a half-chance when a Clayton Lewis free kick floated into the Egyptian area and Michael Boxall got a head to the ball, earning a corner when it was deflected wide of the post. Six minutes later, Cacace and Mata combined again to produce a chance for the striker,whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Mohamed Abo Gabal. On the hour, Egypt had their first chance of the second half when Omar Marmoush broke clear but shot high and wide. In the 68th minute, Sarpreet Singh was brought down outside the Egypt area. Singh took the direct free kick himself, his curling shot skimming the top of the crossbar. Egypt almost doubled their lead in the 79th minute when Marwan Attia smashed a shot goalwards which Crocombe tipped against the post. As the half wore on, the New Zealanders pushed forward in search of a late equaliser that would have sent the game to penalties. New Zealand will watch Sunday’s match between Tunisia and Croatia with interest, as they will meet the loser in Tuesday’s play-off for third at the four-nation tournament. Egypt 1 (Mostafa Mohamed 29') All Whites 0 . HT: 1-0

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak starred as the NZ Warriors came from behind to kick-start their 2024 NRL campaign with an 18-10 defeat of the Canberra Raiders in Christchurch on Friday night. Coming off back-to-back narrow losses, the Warriors found themselves in another close contest but Tuivasa-Sheck and Watene-Zelezniak ensured they were on the right side of the scorecard in front of a full house at Apollo Projects Stadium. Chasing a 3-0 start to their season, the Raiders stayed in the contest until the end but the Warriors bounced back from last weekend's heart-breaking loss in Melbourne after Xavier Coates scored on the last play of the game.  The Warriors showed some early confidence on the back of a Raiders error, with Shaun Johnson finding Addin Fonua-Blake in space who brushed off Raiders defenders before strolling over the line. The Raiders looked to hit back in the 30th minute when five-eighth Ethan Strange muscled his way over the line, however, the try was denied after the bunker ruled a loss of possession.   But the Raiders had momentum and, in their next set, star centre Matt Timoko stamped his authority, powering through Tuivasa-Sheck and Marcela Montoya to make it 6-4. Canberra were on the attack in the shadows of halftime and in range for a two-point field goal but Watene-Zelezniak laid on a huge tackle on Albert Hopoate to ensure his side took their two-point lead to the sheds. After holding off the Warriors for repeated sets on their line, the Raiders stole the lead when Jamal Fogarty delivered a peach of a pass for Timoko, who tipped on to right wing Nick Cotric to score. Fogarty converted to make it 10-6. Canberra's lead was short-lived as Watene-Zelezniak took the ball across-field before finding a perfectly positioned Luke Metcalf, who dived over next to the uprights for a 62nd minute try. Metcalf converted to make it 12-10. Tuivasa-Sheck put the Warriors further ahead just three minutes later after swooping on a fumbled Metcalf kick before powering through Hudson Young and Hopoate to stretch the lead 18-10.  "We've had two weeks where we played pretty and looked really good at times and tonight probably didn't look as good but we got the win and sometimes you've got to win lucky," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "I'm really wrapped for the boys, they dug in at the end there and found a way to get it done. I think there's going to be a huge amount of relief and we can move on from here which is good." The Warriors return to Auckland to host the Newcastle Knights in a semifinal rematch next Sunday (kick-off 5.05pm), while the Raiders are back on the road next week to meet the Cronulla Sharks at PointsBet Stadium. NZ Warriors 18 (Addin Fonua-Blake, Luke Metcalf, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck tries; Luke Metcalf 3 con) Canberra Raiders 10 (Matthew Timoko, Nick Cotric tries; Jamal Fogarty con). HT: 6-4

The Melbourne Rebels have been left to rue another slow start in crashing to the table-topping Hurricanes, who piled on the points in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Palmerston North. The unbeaten Hurricanes made a staggering 14 personnel changes to their line-up heading into the match but did not skip a beat as they notched their fifth win of the season with a 54-28 victory on Friday night. The Rebels had no answer in the first half to the Kiwi outfit, who led 33-7 at the break on the back of five tries and were ahead 33-0 after 34 minutes. Wing Salesi Rayasi grabbed two tries, while skipper Brad Shields, who last played for the Hurricanes in 2018 before a stint in Europe, also crossed in his first match of the season after recovering from a foot injury. Rebels lock Angelo Smith scored in the 39th minute to ensure his side at least lodged some points in a humiliating first half which will do little to help their case for survival. In financial dire straits, Melbourne are still waiting on a decision from Rugby Australia on their future in the competition. Frustrated Rebels coach Kevin Foote said his team gave the ruthless home side too many opportunities, particularly in the first half. "It's the way we've been playing. We're not starting very well and then we're showing a lot of character to come back," Foote told Stan Sport . The Rebels rallied to open the scoring in the second half through centre Lukas Ripley, and the team came together when youngster Mason Gordon crossed in his Super debut. Replacing Andrew Kellaway at fullback, the 21-year-old ran onto a ball from his Wallabies playmaker brother Carter and made his way through some heavy traffic to make it 47-19. While the battered Melbourne kept toiling away, the Hurricanes kept them at bay as they racked up a total of eight tries for the night. Veteran halfback TJ Perenara was among the try-scorers while Jordie Barrett collected a five-pointer in each half in his return from a two-game suspension. "Rebels are a great side, they play a lot of rugby and they've been going through a bit of adversity as a franchise and we knew they were going to keep turning up for each other," said All Blacks centre Barrett. "We showed great control, particularly with a lot of rotation and changes ... it was important for us to start strong. We got a little bit loose in the end but we will take the win."  The Hurricanes, now four points clear of the Brumbies at the top of the standings, head to Dunedin next Saturday to face the Highlanders (kick-off 7.05pm), while the Rebels travel to Sydney to meet the NSW Waratahs on Friday night. Hurricanes 54  (Jordie Barrett 2, Salesi Rayasi 2, Brad Shields, TJ Perenara, Harry Godfrey, Du Plessis Kirifi tries; Aidan Morgan 7 con)  Melbourne Rebels 28  (Lukas Ripley, Angelo Smith, Mason Gordon, Jordan Uelese tries; Carter Gordon 4). HT:

The White Ferns have fallen short in their run-chase in the second T20I at Nelson's Saxton Oval on Friday. Replying to England's 149-7 in fine conditions, New Zealand could only reach 134-8 in their 20 overs, with Melie Kerr top-scoring with 44 runs from 36 balls, to fall in a 2-0 hole in the five-match series. Needing to score at 7.5 runs an over for victory, the White Ferns made a strong start, with Suzie Bates (19 from 13) and Kerr adding 27 runs for the second wicket in three overs after losing opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout to a run-out in the second over. Captain Sophie Devine, Kerr and Maddy Green continued to push the scoring after Bates departed but when Kerr was dismissed in the 15th inning just after New Zealand had brought up the century, the downfall came. Brooke Halliday, Green, Izzy Gaze and Jess Kerr all fell in quick succession, leaving the White Ferns 108-8 after 17.1 overs, before Leah Tahuhu and Rosemary Mair added more respectability. Earlier, Mair took 2-25 from four overs and Devine 2-30 from three as captain Heather Knight (56 not out from 40) helped England recover from being 77-6 in the 14th over to reach a defendable total. The White Ferns will look to avoid losing the series in the third T20I at the same venue on Sunday (first-ball 1pm). The fourth and fifth matches are scheduled for Wellington's Basin Reserve on Wednesday and Friday.

New Zealand stars Alice Zeimann and Shaunna Polley took out the final stop of the tour, completing their grand slam by winning all four tour stops. They were challenged by the visiting US team Alaina Chacon and Mariah Whalen, whom they would match up with in the final. In an earlier round, Alaina and Mariah were able to take the first set pushing the match to three sets before eventually falling to the kiwis 2-1 (17-21, 21-16, 15-9). When they saw each other again in the final, the home team were able to end the game in two close sets 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) in what was great preparation for the Olympic Qualifiers. The bronze medal would go to the USA team of Peri Green and Victoria Corcoran who overcame New Zealanders Meile Rose Green and Katie Sadlier 2-0(21-18, 21-14) Fellow Kiwis Jack McManaway and Thomas Reid took the men's title, but only after getting past American's Phil Dalhausser, a former Olympic gold medallist, world champion and four-time Olympian alongside teammate Olympian Taylor Crabb. They did just that, forcing three sets after dropping the first, eventually winning 2-1(15-21, 21-18, 15-11). After the semifinal, Thomas Reid described it as a "Surreal moment" and an "unbelievable fight". McManaway said "To be on the court with him (Phil Dalhausser) you want to take in the moment, but you also want to play some good ball. When we took the second set to take it to three, we went, it's about us right now. So let's do it for the home fans and get the job done". In the final, the New Zealand overcame Canadian pair Jake MacNeil and Alexander William Russell 2-0(22-20, 21-19) The bronze medal would go to Brad Fuller and Alani Nicklin who defeated Phil Dalhausser and Taylor Crabb 2-0(22-20, 21-12).