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James Slipper scores for the Brumbies in their big win over the Crusaders. PHOTO: JOSEPH JOHNSON/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY James Slipper has scored a rare try in his 200th match to help the ACT Brumbies end a 26-year hoodoo with a 50-24 win against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Having scored just one try in the last two Super Rugby seasons, Slipper was a surprise scorer when he was on the receiving end of an Andy Muirhead offload in the 29th minute. LATEST HEADLINES: Fox, Ko top-10 positions into final rounds Auckland FC settle for draw in Melbourne Walker defends Oceania BMX racing title ND shock Wellington for HBJ Shield title Chiefs top Highlanders; Blues beat Force It was his 10th try in the competition since debuting for the Queensland Reds in 2010. The five-pointer was the cherry on top for the former Wallaby, as he became the second player to reach the 200-game milestone. He now sits just two matches behind former All Black Wyatt Crockett (202 matches) for most games played. But more significantly, the Canberra side won their first match since 2000 against the Crusaders in Christchurch. It is the second time in as many seasons that the Brumbies ended a long winless streak against a Kiwi opposition in New Zealand, after they snapped their 12-year losing record against the Blues at Eden Park last year. Filling the shoes of the injured Tom Wright (knee), Muirhead provided the spark, assisting Slipper's try and scoring one of his own in the 20th minute. With both teams exchanging tries, the Brumbies put their foot on the throttle in the second half, scoring five tries in the second half, including three in the last 10 minutes to put their opponents to the sword. For the Crusaders, their Super Rugby title defence is already in tatters following a 25-23 loss to the rival Highlanders in the opening round. Despite welcoming back All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell and Will Jordan, they could not handle the Canberrans dominance, coughing up 14 turnovers. The Crusaders scored two tries in the first half, with captain David Havili and All-Black George Bell following a dazzling chip by Taha Kemara. But Muirhead, Slipper, and Charlie Cale's five-pointers saw the visitors take a 19-14 lead into half-time. Cale planted another try in the second half after a blistering run down the left flank, while Kadin Pritchard added to his tally after pouncing on a favourable bounce from a Declan Meredith kick in the 54th minute. Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga'anuku kept the Crusaders in the match but tries from Corey Toole, Liam Bowron, and Rob Valetini sealed the victory. ACT Brumbies 50 (Muirhead, Slipper, Cale 2, Pritchard, Bowron, Valetini, Toole tries; Lonergan 2 con, Edmed 3 con) Crusaders 24 (Havili, Bell, Reece, Fainga'anuku tries; Kemara 2 con)

Leila Walker (150) and Megan Williams (73) in action in the elite women’s final. PHOTO: COLE MCCONIE Twenty-year-old Olympian Leila Walker has started her 2026 season on a winning note, successfully defending her elite women’s title at the Oceania BMX Racing Championships in Brisbane. The Cambridge BMX Club rider had the closest of battles with compatriot Megan Williams from Rotorua, with both riders finishing on the same points after a three-moto competition. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs top Highlanders; Blues beat Force Italiano resigns as Phoenix head coach Auckland FC embarrass Phoenix FC Sth Island United claim point from Tahiti Ryan Fox stays in contention in LA PGA Walker, who had the fastest lap time of the event, to be awarded the title on overall points, to follow on from winning the title in New Plymouth last year. Williams produced a confident display with the kiwi pair were too strong for the Australians at the Sleemans BMX facility in Brisbane, which will host the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in 2026. Walker was pleased to get some quality racing in the legs in her first competition since last year. “It started out slowly. It has been a long time between drinks,” she said. “It’s been six months since our last international race. I found my rhythm towards the end, I knocked off the nerves and got the race day done,” said Walker. Australian riders dominated the elite men’s competition won by Jesse Asmus over renowned Olympian Isaac Kennedy in a tight final with the experienced North Harbour rider Michael Bias sixth and Bennett Greenough (Cambridge) seventh. The podium chances for both kiwis were thwarted with a crash in the final. Cambridge rider Brooke Penny finished second in the under-23 women’s contest, racing with the elite women, while the Cambridge pair of Jack Greenough and Finn Cogan finished  seventh and eighth respectively in the under-23 men. Again a fall hindered the hopes for the kiwis with Cogan crashing and Greenough caught in the aftermath. Whangarei club rider Tyla Dinsdale led the kiwi riders in the junior men finishing fourth, pipped from the podium by a slim margin after three third placings in his motos, with Nico Cogan (Cambridge) fifth. The New Zealand pair of Madeleine Hunter (Mountain Raiders) and Azaria Thornley (North Avon) finished fifth and sixth respectively in the junior women’s competition. There are around 200 kiwi entries in the Challenge and Cruiser class racing over the weekend in Brisbane, with the competition one of three events for World Championship selection for junior elite males and females. The World Championships, expected to attract around 3000 competitors, is from 18 to 25 July.

Ryan Fox moved back into the top-10 during the third round at The Genesis Invitational. PHOTO: GOLF NZ New Zealand golfers Ryan Fox and Lydia Ko sit in the top-10 of their respective PGA Tour and LPGA tournaments. Fox rose three spots into a tie for ninth during the third round of The Genesis Invitational on Saturday (Sunday NZ TIme), while Ko dropped three places into solo sixth at the LPGA Thailand tournament. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC settle for draw in Melbourne Walker defends Oceania BMX racing title ND shock Wellington for HBJ Shield title Chiefs top Highlanders; Blues beat Force Italiano resigns as Phoenix head coach Auckland FC embarrass Nix in Capital Fox, a two-time PGA Tour winner last season, carded a two-under 69 at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles to sit at eight-under for the tournament, 11 strokes behind runaway 54-hole leader, American Jacob Bridgeman. The 39-year-old Aucklander posted six birdies, including four on the front-nine, and four bogeys to be joined Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Australian Adam Scott. Fox's round came slightly undone with three bogeys - at the 12th, 15th and 18th holes, all par-fours, in his last seven holes. The world No 49 will tee off his final round with American Jake Knapp on Sunday at 1.40pm local time (7.40am Monday NZT). Ko surged on the back-nine in the third round at the Siam Country Club - Old Course in Chonburi, Thailand on Saturday to sit at 16-over for the week, four shots behind the leader, Thai Jeeno Thitikul. After a front-nine featuring a birdie, bogey and double-bogey, the 28-year-old strung together birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes, before another at the par-five 18th. It was Ko third straight round in the 60s, after an opening five-under 67 and eight-under 64 in the second round.

South Melbourne FC’s Jordan Swibel (left) and Auckland FC’s Luka Vicelich contest for the ball during their OFC Pro League match. PHOTO: OFC MEDIA/PHOTOTEK Two late goals saw South Melbourne FC and Auckland FC settle for a share of the points in an intense encounter in Melbourne. Auckland FC's Under-23s finished Round 2 top of the OFC Pro League, but South Melbourne FC remained the only side yet to suffer defeat, hovering only a few points behind the New Zealanders. LATEST HEADLINES: Walker defends Oceania BMX racing title ND shock Wellington for HBJ Shield title Chiefs top Highlanders; Blues beat Force Italiano resigns as Phoenix head coach Auckland FC embarrass Nix in Capital The opening 45 minutes were high on energy and effort, but with few clear-cut chances to speak of. Auckland FC just about shaded the half, with Reid Drake and Liam Gillion looking dangerous, the former dragging an effort narrowly wide from a tight angle. Teammate Matt Ellis had the best chance of the half, the attacker set free down the right-hand side but blasted his effort over the bar when well placed. For the home side, Jacob Eliopoulos went closest, scrambling an effort from a corner-kick that ended up in the grateful hands of goalkeeper Oscar Mason as Auckland FC survived. Tempers flared as the sides departed for half-time and the energy continued to rise as the action resumed. Chances however, were becoming few and far between, with the physical exertions of both sides taking a toll. Yuki Uchida was presented with a great chance to break the deadlock late on, when an excellent cross from substitute Arran Cocks found the Japanese forward only eight yards out, but his volleyed effort was straight at Mason. Mason stood out again moments later, saving first from Max Mikkola and then from Jack Painter-Andrews in a matter of seconds to keep the scores level. Captain Marco Jankovic had an even better chance minutes later, with a free header from close range – the defender however glanced wide with the goal at his mercy. Auckland FC pushed as the minutes ticked down. Liam Gillion – who had been quiet for much of the evening – flashed a left-footed effort narrowly wide on a rare foray from the New Zealanders. There was more to come from Gillion however. Picking the ball up deep in his own half, the pacey winger ran the length of the field, weaving past the South Melbourne defence before sneaking the ball past Diaz Lopez to seemingly clinch victory. The home side weren’t to be denied however and it was Jacob Eliopoulos who rose highest from a corner to head past Mason and secure a crucial point for South Melbourne. Auckland FC 1 (Liam Gillion 89′) South Melbourne FC 1 (Jacob Eliopoulos 90+6′). HT: 0-0

The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield champion Northern Districts side. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOtT PHOTOGRAPHY History has been made on Saturday at the Basin Reserve after Northern Districts won their first national women’s cricket title — defeating Wellington Blaze by 67 runs to lift the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield. Northern Districts debuted in women’s domestic cricket in November 1999 and had appeared in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final just once before, with a very different line-up in March 2020 — beaten that day by the Auckland Hearts. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs top Highlanders; Blues beat Force Italiano resigns as Phoenix head coach Auckland FC embarrass Nix in Capital Sth Island United claim point from Tahiti Central Districts into Ford Trophy final It may have taken a quarter of a century, but the first title, against a top side on Wellington home turf, now goes down in the books as the watershed moment for captain Jess Watkin and her young team. It was their summer. In the regular season they had dropped only one match, finishing 10 points clear of the field. And on Saturday, they proved they could hold their mettle under pressure, and defended a low-ish total away from home, ultimately with ease. Watkin elected to bat first on a sunny morning in the capital, but little went right initially for her side in the low-scoring decider. A combination of three LBW decisions and Melie Kerr’s deadly googly made things tough going early on, and had Northern’s big names back in the pavilion before they had a chance to get cracking. At the 30-over mark, the top qualifier was in the unfamiliar position of being under pressure at 134-8. Influential Watkin had been one of those big early losses herself, given out LBW in just the third over. It took Northern Districts a quarter-century to win their first women's national cricket title. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY But after the cascade of key wickets, Northern showed they had a tenacious lower order, one that dug in to get the total to 182 - and that was still the fourth lowest tally of their breakthrough summer in this format. Keeper-batter Holly Topp top-scored at eighth in the order, batting for an hour and a half to eke out her 39. The team’s Swiss army knife Marama Downes joined her for a 40-run eighth-wicket stand, a valuable contribution from Downes of 25 off 22 balls. After Hannah Francis (2-28) enticed Downes to nick off behind, Kayley Knight (14) and Lucy Boucher (an unbeaten 12) stuck around to support Topp for a further 47 minutes between them, giving Northern something to bowl at. The victorious Northern Districts side walk from the field after winning their first national title. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Along the way, veteran Blaze keeper Jess McFadyen claimed her 100th List-A dismissal when she stumped Eve Wolland off Francis. Newly appointed full-time White Ferns captain Melie Kerr finished with 3-49, and her big sister Jess a tight 2-32 after the latter had made two of the big early strikes at the top. At the innings break, Blaze would have fancied their chances of achieving their goal of a Super Smash/HBJ Shield trophy double for the 2025-26 season. But Northern had a good attack, including the energy ball that is spinner Nensi Patel and strike bowler Knight, both freshly named in the White Ferns squad to play Zimbabwe this month. The moment Northern Districts clinched the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at the Basin Reserve. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY ND quickly bowled themselves back into the frame, inducing almost a mirror image of their own travails with the bat. Lucy Boucher made the initial breakthrough with a return catch in just the second over to remove Francis; and the loss of Melie Kerr was another huge moment in this game as she departed in the seventh over, after the fourth LBW decision of the match. Blaze captain Georgia Plimmer was caught off Knight next over, then Downes crashed through scoreless Jess Kerr’s stumps to leave zero room for doubt over her second wicket of the afternoon. In the space of three overs, Northern was right back in the contest, the Blaze reeling at 33/4. The onus in the chase now fell on the shoulders of experienced Rebecca Burns at five, and Wellington hearts were in their mouths when she was dropped off Knight on 4 not out. Burns survived to fight some more, and she got the capital through to the 21st over — but by then, they were already running out of batters and hope at 62-7. Downes (3-26, with two maidens) was outstanding for Northern, and came back for her last over when Blaze was still trailing by more than 100 runs, with only two wickets in hand and two tailenders up against it in the middle. She could not quite finish them off, and it was the Blaze tailenders’ turn to fire some shots with the bat in a late rally. Number eight batter Isla McKenzie, just 18 years old and in her second season, found three boundaries in a top score for the Blaze of 32, while their last batter Rachel Bryant also found the fence twice to give the Blaze supporters at the ground a last mid-afternoon lift. Watkin had meanwhile swooped in for 2-25 and, when Mckenzie fell at the start of the 42nd over, trapped by young Tash Wakelin (1-8), the Blaze defiance was all over, the team all out for 118. Northern’s long-awaited celebrations officially began, their own team name now to be etched on the 1935 trophy for the first time.

Another close game in the OFC Pro League as South Island United take a point from their clash with Tahiti United. PHOTO: PHOTOTEK Ryan Feutz came off the bench to score twice, as South Island United secured a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Tahiti United. Sam Garcia will be disappointed his side were unable to take all three points, as they led twice only to concede in the closing stages at Olympic Park. LATEST HEADLINES: Ryan Fox stays in contention in LA PGA Central Districts into Ford Trophy final Phoenix women late A-League equaliser Hurricanes winning start to Super Rugby NZ riders Oceania BMX Racing Champs Tahiti United were by far the brighter side in the opening 45 minutes and will rue a number of missed chances, leading only 1-0 going into the break. That goal came from a magnificent header from Germain Haewegene, powering home from a Bradley Ruiz corner-kick. Joseph Athale almost doubled the lead shortly after but fired his well-hit shot just over from the edge of the penalty area. Captain Teanoui Tehau had a glorious chance to score but was denied by an outstanding save from Steven van Dijk when bearing down from close range. At the other end, Jackson Manuel came closest for the New Zealanders, crashing a dipping free-kick off the crossbar, with goalkeeper Jackson Gardner beaten. Feutz entered the action at half-time and it didn't take long for the powerful forward to make an impact. Receiving the ball inside the area, the striker turned superbly to create space, before expertly placing his effort into the far corner to level the score. South Island United, buoyed by the equaliser, should have taken the lead but Oliver Fay scuffed his effort from ten yards out after a low cross from Ry McLeod. It had taken Tahiti United a while to respond to the early setback, but they eventually found their stride and it was no surprise when the duo of Bradley Ruiz and Teaonui Tehau led to their second goal. The latter controlling a low effort from the former, before calmly tucking past Van Dijk from a few yards out. It seemed set for the Tahitians to take all three points but Feutz was again the man for Rob Sherman's side. This time breaking the offside trap and finishing smartly into the far corner to again level matters. It finished 2-2, with a point apiece a decent start for both sides as they kick off Round 3. Tahiti United: 2 (Germain HAEWEGENE 18', Teaonui TEHAU 65') South Island United: 2 (Ryan FEUTZ 48', 86') HT: 1-0

The Wellington Phoneix have said goodbye to head coach Giarncarlo Italiano PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Giancarlo Italiano has stood down as Wellington Phoenix men’s head coach following the 5-0 derby defeat to Auckland FC. Italiano announced his resignation in his post-match media conference. The club then released the following statement. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC embarrass Phoenix FC Sth Island United claim point from Tahiti Ryan Fox stays in contention in LA PGA Central Districts into Ford Trophy final Phoenix women late A-League equaliser “To lose 5-nil at home with the season still to play for is unacceptable and I take full responsibility,” he said. “The worst thing to do is to lose to these guys. I’m not a big fan of Auckland, I don’t like the way they do things, but you can’t lose to rivals like that. It’s unacceptable anywhere in the world. “Whatever excuse you can throw, it’s unacceptable. I think in the interest of the club now, it’s better to bring in someone with a bit more energy that can redirect the group, maybe refocus them, and keep the season alive.” Italiano arrived in Wellington in 2019 as Ufuk Talay’s analyst and second assistant coach before becoming his lead assistant coach. Italiano became the men’s sixth fulltime head coach in 2023 and led the Nix to their best ever A-League campaign in his first season, narrowly missing out on the premiers’ plate and a place in the grand final. The club thanks Chief for everything he has done for the Wellington Phoenix over the past seven years and wishes him the best for the future.

Quinn Tupaea offloads in the Chiefs win over the Highlanders PHOTO: JOHN CASWELL/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Away winners in the second round of Super Rugby Pacific, but both the Blues and Chiefs didn't cement the victories quite how they wanted. The Chiefs survived a fierce effort from the Highlanders to record a quality 26-23 win in Dunedin. LATEST HEADLINES: Italiano resigns as Phoenix head coach Auckland FC embarrass Phoenix FC Sth Island United claim point from Tahiti Ryan Fox stays in contention in LA PGA Central Districts into Ford Trophy final It makes it eight straight wins for the Chiefs against the Highlanders, starting their year with two quality away wins. The Highlanders were playing with emotion after the tragic passing of prop Angus Ta’avao’s son Leo, with a moving tribute paid to him before the game. Jona Nareki got the hosts off to the perfect start when a perfect cut-out from Folau Fakatava created the space for the winger to eventually cross. Samisoni Taukei’aho responded for the Chiefs at the back of a powerful rolling maul to level the scores after nine minutes. The visitors, who lost Jahrome Brown early to a HIA, started to break the Highlanders open through their wingers, forcing some desperate scramble defence. Eventually, a wild period of play led to a spectacular Leroy Carter try, and the Chiefs led at the break. Quinn Tuapea was the mastermind, catching the Highlanders napping after watching a cross-field kick fly just out of the reach of Sean Withy. Tuapea proceeded to take the resulting lineout drop out quickly and race clear, finding his fellow All Black Carter for the five-pointer. Cameron Millar reduced the margin to a point after the break with two early second-half penalties, only for another deadly Chiefs counterattack to turn the momentum. Locks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i combined for a stunning 90 metre effort and while Vaa’i was brought down, Nareki would go to the bin for a professional foul. The hosts rallied and stopped several certain tries, with Taukei’aho held up and Simon Parker denied after failing to control the wicked bounce from Kyren Taumoefolau’s kick. But as soon as Nareki returned from the bin, Taukei’aho got his second thanks to an errand line-out five metres from the Highlanders lineout that landed in the hooker’s grasp. Kalyum Boshier extended the lead with 13 minutes to go, giving the Chiefs a 13-point. Caleb Tanigtau and Veveni Lasaqa both scored in the final ten minutes to record a losing bonus point, with missed conversions ending any hopes of an emotional victory. Meanwhile the Blues scored a 42-32 away win over the Force in Perth crossing for six tries in total - all converted. the victory extended the Blues' winning streak over the Force to 14 matches and consigned Simon Cron's Perth side to a sorry eighth successive Super Rugby Pacific defeat stretching back to round eight last year. The Force had snatched an unlikely 17-14 halftime lead when Tizzano - the competition's top try scorer last season - forced his way over after the siren had sounded. Despite prop Harry Johnson-Holmes barging over for an 11th-minute try and three goals from the flawless boot of flyhalf Ben Donaldson, the Force had trailed after two first-half strikes from goalkicking No.10 Stephen Perofeta and prop Josh Fusitu'a. he Blues ran in four tries to two after the interval to follow up a hard-fought 26-23 loss to the Chiefs last week in their season opener.

Embarrassment for the Wellington Phoenix in their loss to Auckland FC PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY A howler from Joshua Oluwayemi summed up the game as Auckland FC made it a clean sweep of NZ derbies and embarrassed the Wellington Phoenix 5-0 at Sky Stadium Auckland took a bit of time at the start of the match to find their feet with no Sam Cosgrove or Louis Verstraete; though once they were settled, there was no let up. LATEST HEADLINES: Sth Island United claim point from Tahiti Ryan Fox stays in contention in LA PGA Central Districts into Ford Trophy final Phoenix women late A-League equaliser Hurricanes winning start to Super Rugby Jesse Randall scored two goals to take him to equal top of the golden boot race, while Guillermo May, Lachlan Brook and a Oluwayemi own goal were the other names on the scorers sheet. Sky Stadium was put into stunned silence on the 24th minute when Jake Girdwood-Reich’s up-field clearance beat Oluwayemi in flight, the Wellington keeper’s failed header only able to help it on its way into goal. Auckland doubled their lead just five minutes later, when Randall cut in from the left and curled it past Oluwayemi at the far post. The South Americans combined to make it 3-0 in the 40th minute when Chilean Luis Felipe Gallegos’s cut back from the by-line sat perfectly for the Uruguayan May to slam home from the penalty spot. Randall added his second for the evening on the stroke of half time, the Kiwi winger getting on the end of May’s defence-splitting pass and chipping the on-rushing Oluwayemi to make it 4-0. Giancarlo Italiano made a statement at half time, replacing Oluwayemi in goal with Alby Kelly-Heald. Brook was introduced to the game in the 71st minute and by the 74th, he had the ball in the back of the net for Auckland’s fifth and final goal for the evening. Wellington get to host Sydney FC next, while Auckland will host Melbourne City.

Ryan Fox sits just outside the top 10 at the PGA tournament in Los Angeles PHOTO: RYAN FOX SOCIALS New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox is just outside the top 10 after two rounds of the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. Fox had mixed front nine, but excelled in the back half of the course to finish the day at two-under 69. LATEST HEADLINES: Central Districts into Ford Trophy final Phoenix women late A-League equaliser Hurricanes winning start to Super Rugby NZ riders Oceania BMX Racing Champs Imogen Ayris 2nd with record-equal jump He now sits at tied 12th and six-under for the tournament, six shots back from the leaders. Fox birdied the first hole, but bogeyed the fifth followed by a birdie at the next. He then bogeyed the eigtht and ninth holes. However on the 10th par four he hit a 289 yard straight drive off the tee and then finished the final 11 yards out of the bunker into the hole for two shots. He then birded the 17th hole. The tournament is led by American Jacob Bridgeman and England's Marco Penge at 12-under, one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy.

Dane Cleaver hit out in the CD innings of 349-5 against Wellington. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Central Districts have blasted their way into the final of the men's Ford Trophy domestic one-day cricket competition, beating Wellington by 211 runs at the Basin Reserve. CD face top qualifiers Canterbury in the final on Sunday at the same venue. LATEST HEADLINES: Phoenix women late A-League equaliser Hurricanes winning start to Super Rugby NZ riders Oceania BMX Racing Champs Imogen Ayris 2nd with record-equal jump Mischa Thomas into freeski halfpipe final Black Cap Will Young scored 105 off 103 balls as they posted an imposing 349-5 - their highest-ever one-day total against Wellington. Dean Foxcroft made 89 and Dane Cleaver 75 off 40 balls including six fours and four sixes.and Josh Clarkson his 47 not out with five fours and three sixes. Wellington lost two wickets in the first two overs as they eventually fell all out for just 138 in the 33rd over. Black Caps allrounder Nathan Smith top-scored with30, while CD seamer Brett Randell produced Central's best bowling figures, taking 3-30 off nine overs. Four other players reached double figures for the Firebirds with Nick Kelly the best at just 22 runs while other internationals Tim Robinson, Muhammad Abbas and Tom Blundell all fell cheaply.

Makala Woods scored a vital late goal for the Phoenix to draw with Melbourne Victory PHOTO: A-LEAGUE Makala Woods has earned the Wellington Phoenix a rare point in Victoria before the A-League breaks for a fortnight. The American striker has scored her fourth goal since joining the club as an injury replacement to secure the Phoenix a 1-1 draw with the Melbourne Victory. LATEST HEADLINES: Hurricanes winning start to Super Rugby NZ riders Oceania BMX Racing Champs Imogen Ayris 2nd with record-equal jump Mischa Thomas into freeski halfpipe final Yeo shares lead at NZ PGA Championship Woods equalised in the 87th minute after the Victory had taken the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half. It’s only the second time Wellington have left Melbourne with a point, pleasing head coach Bev Priestman. “I’m delighted to pick up a point on the road,” Priestman said. “We had a lot of chances that we should have put away and that’s a little bit of a learning for us, but with the tight turnaround, in that heat, and when you pick up a point late in the game…it always feels better than probably a draw from the beginning. “But I’m happy we got the point and probably this international break is much needed for the group.” It’s Woods’ ninth goal contribution in just seven matches, with five assists to go with her four goals since joining the squad at the start of the year. “She’s been a great addition to the squad. She brings energy, she’s dynamic and she’s just a real positive influence in the group. “That’s really lifted the group at a time that they needed it. “She didn’t really have a pre-season with us. She had a bit of an off-season and then in, so for someone like her this break is going to be needed.” Bev Priestman made two changes to the XI which started Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Central Coast, with Grace Jale and Emma Pijnenburg returning in place of Mackenzie Anthony and Daisy Brazendale, who were named amongst the substitutes. Manaia Elliott had the first goalscoring opportunity in the fifth minute when she found a bit of space outside the Victory penalty area, but she blazed her shot over the bar. The Victory had almost three quarters of possession in the first quarter of the match, but most of it was deep inside their half and they were unable to test Phoenix ‘keeper Victoria Esson. The Nix took control after the first cooling break in the 24th minute. Woods had an opportunity to test Victory goalkeeper Courtney Newbon shortly before the half hour mark when she got on the end of a piercing through ball from Pia Vlok, but the American sliced her left-footed effort wide of goal. Five minutes later Football Ferns defender Claudia Bunge produced an important goal-line clearance to keep out an in-swinging right-wing corner from Elliott and Vlok had a shot blocked in the Victory penalty area. Newbon made her first save in the 38th minute and it was a good one down low to her left to keep out a sharp effort from Brook Nunn, who had controlled a tough pass with her first touch and then shot with her second. The Victory shot stopper made another big save at the end of the half, keeping out a point blank shot from Nunn following a left-wing Wellington corner. Nunn also produced a threatening cross in the third and final minute of stoppage time but the hosts were are able to scramble clear. The Englishwoman continued to look a threat at the start of the second half but the Phoenix soon found themselves a goal down from the hosts’ first shot on target. The Victory were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute after Nix midfielder Grace Jale was deemed to have fouled her opposite Sofia Sakalis in the Wellington box. Rhianna Pollicina converted the spot kick, picking out the top left corner. Priestman made her first substitution soon after, bringing on Anthony in place of Pijnenburg. The American was almost immediately into the action, combining with her countrywoman Woods, but Anthony was unable to make proper contact to the left-wing cross to trouble Victory’s goal. Vlok had a shot blocked in the penalty area moments later. After a quiet spell the Phoenix threatened an equaliser after the second cooling break. Lucía León had to be substituted with less than 10 minutes remaining because of cramp and Zoe Benson took her place. Esson made a good save moments later to keep the Nix in the match, denying Victory striker Kennedy White after she slipped in behind the Wellington defence. Woods drew the Phoenix level with three minutes remaining in the 90, controlling a defence-splitting pass from Vlok and then shooting past Newbon and into the left hand corner. It came after a string of Wellington corners. Vlok was substituted soon after with Brazendale taking their place. Neither side was able to produce a clear cut opportunity in the seven minutes of stoppage time with Nunn coming closest with a first-time effort from the edge of the box that looped over the goal in the fourth minute of time added on. Seven Wellington Phoenix players will now head away on international duty with the A-League resuming in three weeks’ time when the Nix will play host to Brisbane Roar at the renamed Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, March 14 as part of the Match For Good double-header.