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Offence remained a challenge as the Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns lost their trans-Tasman Throwdown series to Australia. The Tall Blacks fell 92-67 to the Boomers in Game 2 at the Sunshine Coast’s UniSC Arena, while the Tall Ferns were no match for the Opals, going down 98-57. LATEST HEADLINES: Fox top-10, Ko top-20 tournaments Blues beat Drua playoffs still alive Auckland United FC OFC League Fox top-five PGA, Ko down order Delany Tall Blacks for trans-Tasman The Boomers kept the Tall Blacks in check thanks to teen Austin Rapp and Harry Wessels who dominated down low to help the home side to a 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.    In the second quarter, the Boomers continued their defensive dominance, shutting down the Tall Blacks' attack and ending the quarter, with Todd Blanchfield hitting two three-pointers, extending their lead to 42-28 at halftime.    The Tall Blacks started the third quarter with renewed energy, taking advantage of the Boomers being a little stagnent. Taylor Britt led the charge, scoring a game-high 19 points and bringing the score difference to 10 heading into the final quarter.  Finn Delany returned from Japan for the Tall Blacks PHOTO: BASKETBALL NZ Despite a strong start in the fourth quarter, the Tall Blacks lost momentum as Harry Wessels pulled in seven rebounds and three blocks. The Tall Blacks' turnovers proved costly, allowing the Boomers to capitalize and secure a 92-67 victory in game three of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown.    Key players included Xavier Cooks for the Boomers and Taylor Britt for the Tall Blacks, both delivering standout performances.    Australian Boomers 92  (Xavier Cooks 16, Elijah Pepper 12, Todd Blanchfield 11) Tall Blacks 67  (Taylor Britt 19, Shea Ili 18). 1Q: 18-10, HT: 42-28, 3Q: 60-50 The Tall Ferns started strong, with Sharne Robati continuing her impressive form from Wednesday night. Stephanie Reid also made an immediate impact, scoring a quick three points and providing an assist. Despite a tight first quarter, the Tall Ferns faced challenges with fouls and turnovers, allowing the Opals to pull ahead to a 29-10 lead.   In the second quarter New Zealnad struggled to score against the Opals' strong defence as the home side stormed to a 33-point lead at halftime 57-35 The Tall Ferns came out with renewed purpose in the third quarter. Esra McGoldrick added five points to the scoreline, Bailey Flavell continued to hustle and McKenna Dale hit a corner trey. The New Zealanders managed to close the gap, winning the quarter 21-18.     However, much like in game one of the series the Opals finished strong for a 98-57 victory.    Standout performances for the Opals included an a great all-round performance from Maddi Rocci, Alex Fowler with a 15 points, and Duke Blue Devil alum Miela Sowah, who continued her sharp-shooting form, also with 15 points.     Robati and McGoldrick once again led from the front for the Tall Ferns, combining for 25 of the team’s 57 points.   The dead-rubber Game 3s of the series are at Hamilton’s Globox Arena on Sunday, Tall Blacks-Boomers at 2.10pm and Tall Ferns-Opals at 4.10pm.   Australian Opals 98  (Fowler 15, Sowah 15, Rocci 13) defeat the 2degrees Tall Ferns 57  (Sharne Robati 14, Esra McGoldrick 11). 1Q: 29-10, HT: 57-25, 3Q: 75-46

The Blues might be making a late run for the playoffs PHOTO: SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC The Blues have beaten Fijian Drua 34-5 in Suva to keep their Super Rugby Pacific playoff hopes alive. Prop Marcel Renata smashed over the line six minutes into the game as the defending champs showed they meant business and kept the ball tight. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland United FC OFC League Fox top-five PGA, Ko down order Delany Tall Blacks for trans-Tasman Murray leads NZ riders at UCI MTB Lani Daniels in biggest career fight The Blues looked like the 2024 winning version, keeping the ball, letting the opposition defend and generally getting rid of the loose play which has hampered them most of the season. The majortity of Blues' tries came from rucks close to the line fellow front rowers Angus Ta'avao and Josh Fusitu'a crossed the line too. Halfback Taufa Funaki made the most of his start by scoring a try as well, with wing Cole Forbes eased over midway through the second have to cement the win. . The Drua could only manage a try to Selestino Ravutaumada in the last few minutes to get on the scoreborard. The Blues are now up to temporary fifth on 27 points and return to NewZealnad for an away game in their own hometown next weekend against Moana Pasifika, who will be coming off a bye. At ANZ Stadium, Suva: Blues 34 (Marcel Renata,, Taufa Funaki, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Cole Forbes’ tries; Beauden Barrett 3 con, pen) Fijian Drua 5 (Selestino Ravutaumada try). HT: 22-0.

Experienced international Finn Delany has been bought into the Tall Blacks PHOTO: BASKETBALL NZ Following the conclusion of his season in Japan, 53-game Tall Blacks forward, Finn Delany, will join the squad for the remainder of the trans-Tasman Throwdown. Delany’s finished up his Japanese B.League on Monday as Veltex Shizuoka lost their semi-final series game three decider against Toyama. LATEST HEADLINES: Murray leads NZ riders at UCI MTB Lani Daniels in biggest career fight Pulse ready for ANZ Premiership NZ teams Junior Golf World Cup Christchurch United link to Vanuatu Dleany, 29, comes in to the squad with both Corey Webster out for game one and two and Flynn Cameron for the series. He is currently with the Judd Flavell coached Tall Blacks team in the Sunshine Coast and will suit up for the Tall Blacks tonight. Game one had the Boomers win 80-68 in Adelaide game three is Sunday in Hamilton.

Celebration for Auckland United with a 2-1 win over Hekari at the OFC Women's Champions League PHOTO: OFC Auckland United FC have beaten Hekari Womens FC 2-1 to virtually book their place in the semifinalsof the OFC Women's Champions League. It was a high-quality encounter between two teams who had met in last year’s final in Honiara, but this match was a step up in quality from that battle won 1-0 by Auckland United. LATEST HEADLINES: Fox top-five PGA, Ko down order Delany Tall Blacks for trans-Tasman Murray leads NZ riders at UCI MTB Lani Daniels in biggest career fight Pulse ready for ANZ Premiership The Papua New Guinea side brought a physical approach to proceedings and appeared to rattle the New Zealand champions at times, particularly in the first spell. The opening goal came three minutes from half-time when the ball was lofted into the box. Hekari could only half cleared the ball, with it falling to Alaina Granger who prodded the home from close range. Whatever Auckland United FC coach Ben Bate said to his players at half-time had the desired impact as his players came out with a real fire in their belly and largely dominated proceedings. The first goal after the break proved decisive as Auckland United came out of the sheds with a real assertiveness about their play. They doubled their lead in the 55th minute when substitute Ava Pritchard rifled a stunning right footed effort past Betty Sam in the Hekari Women’s FC goal. Much of Auckland’s attack came down the right where Pia Vlok made a series of dangerous runs and created Auckland’s opening chance of the match but Zoe Benson who scored five goals in the first up win over AS Pirae, fired over the cross bar. At the other end of the field Ramona Padio, who missed last year’s tournament, was a constant threat for Hekari Women’s FC, and fired a rasping shot just wide of the left-hand post in the 35th minute, in what was the closest her side got to finding the back of the net in the first spell. For Hekari, Maria Veronika was a rock at the back and twice denied Auckland genuine goal scoring chances, first blocking Auckland captain Talisha Green’s shot in the 40th minute before denying Benson with a block two minutes later. Hekari's best effort in the second spell came through a Nenny Elipas header which looped just over the bar with 20 minutes remaining, but the reality was Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United goal was seldom pressed into action. Late drama saw Hekari Womens pull one back as the match ticked into stoppage time. Shalom Waida nodding in from close range after an excellent corner delivery, but a dramatic late comeback was not forthcoming. The victory leaves Auckland United on the brink of the semi-finals. Before then however, they face American Samoa's PanSa FC. Hekari Womens FC will look to rebound from today's defeat when they face AS Pirae on Sunday (local Tahiti time). Hekari Womens FC 1 (Shalom Waida 90') Auckland United FC 2 (Alaina Granger 42’, Ava Pritchard 55’). HT: 0-1

Ryan Fox is tied fifth after the first round at the PGA Tour even in South Carolina PHOTO: PGA OF AUSTRALIA New Zealanders are competing in various international golf tournaments across the United States and Europe with Ryan Fox in the best position so far. Fox is two strokes off the lead and tietd fifth at his PGA Tour event after carding a six-under par 65 in a blemish free round in South Carolina. LATEST HEADLINES: Delany Tall Blacks for trans-Tasman Murray leads NZ riders at UCI MTB Lani Daniels in biggest career fight Pulse ready for ANZ Premiership NZ teams Junior Golf World Cup The lead is held by Canadian Mackenzie Hughes at eight-under. Kazuma Kobori's in a share of 88th, seven strokes back at the Turkish Open in Antalya at one-over. He's one shot below the projected cut after carding a one-over par 72 on the European Tour. Fiona Xu's has stumbled to a 13-over 85 in her first round at the LPGA tournament in New Jersey. Xu's round featured four bogeys, a double bogey, triple bogey and quadruple bogey...and one birdie.. Lydia Ko's three-under amd tied 24th at the same venue, five strokes off the pace.

Charles Murray finished third in the opening enduro race of the season in Italy PHOTO: SEBASTIAN SCHIECK The opening round of the UCI MTB World Series has returned with the first of first of 24 across Enduro, Downhill and Cross-country competition in Europe before the final two rounds for XCO and Downhill in North America. Eleven New Zealand riders competing in this weekend’s opening round of enduro competition at Pietra Ligure, a tourist city on the Italian Rivera, 60kms from Genoa. LATEST HEADLINES: Lani Daniels in biggest career fight Pulse ready for ANZ Premiership NZ teams Junior Golf World Cup Christchurch United link to Vanuatu Teenager to debut for Black Ferns Leading the kiwi charge is Specialized Gravity team rider, Charles Murray who was third overall in the 2024 world series. “You can’t control what happens at every race but if I can be fighting for that top three on every stage time, that will be the goal,” said Murray. “If everything goes to plan then the title is definitely within reach if my form is good. That is in the back of my mind but if I aim for the top three spots, then other things can fall into place.” Blessed with downhill and endurance skills, Murray’s passion is enduro, which is the mountain bike equivalent of motor rally, where the contestants are timed over a series of short downhill tracks, which are joined by lengthy liaison trails. Successful riders have both the skills of downhill and the endurance of cross-country. Riders will tackle 58km of riding with three timed stages totalling 12kms with 1480m of climbing and 61m of descents; while day two comprises 43kms of liaison with four stages of 7.5km total with over 1.2km of descents. “Enduro can’t ever be the same as downhill and cross-country because of the broadcast challenges as we are out in the mountains for sometimes five hours,” said Murray. “But as a participant sport it is huge because that is what most people are riding. It is very relatable to the general MTB public and that is why we have such passionate fans.” Murray has recovered from a challenging off-season with injuries to his right ankle and lower leg, restricting much of his build-up to the road but the Christchurch structural engineer is in top shape as he builds for the season ahead. There are seven elite men from New Zealand competing this weekend, including 2023 World Cup enduro winner Matthew Walker from the Pivot Factory team, who won a World Cup round in 2023, and promising Rotorua rider Joe Millington, who has mixed enduro with downhill success in New Zealand over the summer. George Swift (Yeti Shimano EP) takes over as the most experienced Kiwi rider in the elite women’s ranks, with the retirement of fellow Nelson-based Rae Morrison . There will be interest in Christchurch teenager Winni Goldsbury, who won two rounds of the world series for junior women last year before the season was cut short with injury. She is joining Murray in the Team Specialized pro outfit, and moves to the elite female category. “I like downhill – it is fun,” said Goldsbury. “But you only ride for a couple of minutes. However with enduro, you are riding all day. I don’t like waiting around for a long time to do one run. “With enduro you can make a mistake and fix it or make up for it going through the stages. But if you get a mechanical in downhill, or make a mistake, then it is over. “Moving up to elite for the first time, I am really excited at what is ahead for me and I want to make a good start this weekend.” Day one will see the riders take on 57km across three stages while day two features four stages over 43kms with an extra 278m of climbing. The New Zealand contingent is: Elite Men: Regan Doig (Mt Maunganui), Asher Hart (Tauranga), Oliver Jenkins (Christchurch), Joe Millington (Yeti Fox, Rotorua), Charles Murray (Specialized Gravity), Lachie Ross (Upper Hutt), Matthew Walker (Pivot Factory, Kawerau). Elite Women: Winni Goldsbury (Specialized Gravity, Christchurch), George Swift (Yeti Shimano EP, Nelson). Junior: Cooper Millward (Alexandra), Marcus Sayers (Alexandra).

Lani Daniels will take on the best-of-the-best in July PHOTO: LANI DANIEL FACEBOOK In one of the biggest bouts in New Zealand boxing history, Lani Daniels will square off against the best female fighter in the world, Claressa Shields, for the undisputed World Heavyweight title on July 27.. The fight between the two-division world champion will take on the five-division world champion at Little Ceasars Arena in Detroit. LATEST HEADLINES: Pulse ready for ANZ Premiership NZ teams Junior Golf World Cup Christchurch United link to Vanuatu Teenager to debut for Black Ferns NZ A cricket side lose to Bangladesh New Zealand has never had either a a unified or undisputed, world champion, but Daniels has been the closest to achieving the feat, holding both the IBF World Heavyweight and IBF World Light Heavyweight titles at the end of 2023. Daniels was forced to relinquish her heavyweight title due to also being champion in another division. If Daniels defeats Shields, she will claim the WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC heavyweight belts. The 36-year-old Daniels was already in training, preparing for a fight with Nailini Helu, before that got cancelled and her camp said she is in top condition. Unbeaten in 16 bouts, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and three-time world amateur champion, Shields made her professional boxing debut in 2016, winning her first world title in just her fourth fight in 2017. She went on to win world titles in five weight divisions and become an undisputed world champion in three, being the only boxer between male or female, to do so. Shields also held the lineal title in two weight divisions in Middleweight and Super Welterweight. This is due to a lineal title not currently existing for the heavyweight division for females, however, this fight could change that.

Pulse captain Kelly Jackson tries to stop a shot from the Tactix in last season's ANZ Premiership PHOTO; LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Paying smart remains top of the list for the Pulse when they kick-start this year’s ANZ Premiership netball league against the Magic in Palmerston North on Saturday. With the introduction of the two-point shot, from 3.5m range, which will come into play for the last five minutes of each quarter, a coach’s box, team timeouts and live umpire audio, the new dynamics have presented plenty of chatter in the lead-up. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ teams Junior Golf World Cup Christchurch United link to Vanuatu Teenager to debut for Black Ferns NZ A cricket side lose to Bangladesh NZ team for World Mountain Champs With the two-point shot being the major talking point, the spotlight has naturally fallen on the shooters but in essence, there is much that will also be different in the defensive ranks. For Kelly Jackson, Pulse captain and last line of defence, it’s a welcome innovation. ``Defensively, I’ve been really enjoying the change,’’ she said. ``It’s added a bit of a problem-solving element to the game, trying to work out whether the shooters are going to want to go for the two points or the one point. ``It all depends on the time, the scoreboard and the personnel on court, so trying to think one step ahead of the shooters is important. ``Normally, our game plan has been to keep the shooters as far away from the post as possible. Now they want to be out wide, so it’s about switching that thinking up. Shooting-wise, I think we’ve got some awesome long-range talent within the Pulse with Amorangi (Malesala) and Tiana (Metuarau) more than capable of sinking those twos, so I’m really excited to see them out there and see what we can do.’’ While teams have had the pre-season to work on their strategies and the allure of going for the maximum shooting reward, there is an air of caution on the Pulse’s approach. ``It’s something we can’t get over-excited about, we’ve still got to play some smart netball,’’ said Jackson. ``It remains really important that we keep the scoreboard ticking over. What we’ve seen in the Australian league is that they’re not always going for the two-point shot, they’re being really smart about it and on average are only taking 10 long attempts a game and they’re half a metre closer, so we can learn something from that and that’s to keep the scoreboard ticking over.’’ The Australian rule for the two-point shot is from 3m while in New Zealand it is from 3.5m range. With the league being scaled down from three rounds to two this year, there is little wriggle for early season lapses, the Pulse having extra incentive to add some gloss with play-making goal attack Metuarau set to celebrate her 100th match in yellow and black. Metuarau, 24, has played a total of 115 national League matches, reaching the century mark two years ago when becoming the youngest player to notch 100 games and first to reach the milestone across just one league. That tally includes 16 for the Steel after she ventured south in search of more game time in 2021 but the powerful and vibrant shooter will reach a special milestone in her home colours when running out in front of a sold-out Fly Palmy Arena on Saturday. ``It’s a huge achievement,’’ Jackson said. ``Many people forget how young she is, so to achieve it at such a young age is pretty incredible. She’s been around a long time, got a huge amount of experience and with ball in hand, she’s beautiful to watch.’’ The Magic have consistency in their playing personnel which has continued to build in the last couple of years while growing in confidence as a group. ``We know we’ve got some really good match-ups across the court with them but we’re also confident in our ability and what we can do,’’ Jackson said. ``We’ve had a bit of disruption through the pre-season with illness and injury but we’re very ready to go. The games are the fun part, and we’re ready to rip. It’s exciting and we just want to kick off the season on a really good foot.’’

Emma Zheng (left0 and Cooper Moore are part of the NZ Junior World Cup PHOTO: GOLF NZ New Zealand is sending a team of three girls and three boys to the 2025 Junior World Cup in Nagoya, Japan, late next month. Played at Chukyo Golf Club’s Ishino Course, the Under 19 Boys team features Cooper Moore (Clearwater), Robby Turnbull (Remuera) and Ricky Kang (Millbrook), while the Under 19 Girls team sees Emma Zheng (Royal Auckland and Grange), Chloe So (Pakuranga) and Teresa Wang (Pupuke) pull on the silver fern in Japan. LATEST HEADLINES: Christchurch United link to Vanuatu Teenager to debut for Black Ferns NZ A cricket side lose to Bangladesh NZ team for World Mountain Champs Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns fall in Adelaide Each round, the two best of the three Boys and the two best of the three Girls scores will be taken and put towards each team’s total; meaning that each day, every New Zealand team member will have a chance to contribute to each team’s success. Zheng will lead the Girls team as a Golf New Zealand Academy member Moore and Turnbull, also Academy members, are returning from the 2023 Boys team. Zheng will be looking to continue her strong form in 2025 on the Ishino Course, she emerged victorious at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club in winning the New Zealand Strokeplay Championship Women’s title and performed well at the Australian Junior Girls Amateur in Brisbane. Moore heads to Japan as the current New Zealand Men’s Amateur champion, as well as holding the Australian Junior Boys Amateur title after winning a dramatic three-hole playoff at Indooroopilly Golf Club in Brisbane this April. Turnbull also will tee it up in Japan with rich form behind him as he recently defended his St Andrews Salver title for the leading men’s amateur at the New Zealand Strokeplay Championship. Golf New Zealand Talent Development Manger, Liz McKinnon, and Golf New Zealand Academy coach Jay Carter will travel to Japan to support the team. McKinnon said the tournament will provide a test for the young players beyond the usual rigors of a golf tournament. "This event will provide our players with an amazing opportunity to compete against some of the best young players from around the world. The golf course and the different environment that Japan provides will test not only their golf skills but their travel, tournament prep and in event systems.” Some of the world’s elite golfers have competed at Toyota Junior Golf World Cup including Justin Rose (England), a Rio 2016 Olympics gold medallist and 2013 US Open champion, Jon Rahm (Spain), a two-time major winner including the 2023 Masters and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan

Christchurch United General Manager Ryan Edwards (centre) VFF General Secretary Albert Manaroto (left) and VFF President Lambert Maltock with Christchurch United shirt at VFF Freshwater Stadium. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Christchurch United Football Club has agreed an extensive partnership with the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) to support the football community and create pathways for young talents from the Pacific island nation. General Manager Ryan Edwards was in Port Vila this week to meet with federation officials, club presidents, government ministers, Members of Parliament, national team players and upcoming talents to find out how Christchurch United can best support football in the Vanuatu. LATEST HEADLINES: Teenager to debut for Black Ferns NZ A cricket side lose to Bangladesh NZ team for World Mountain Champs Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns fall in Adelaide McKenzie back for Super Rugby clash The partnership is the result of months of discussions with VFF president Lambert Maltock, former national coach Juliano Schmeling, Vanuatu captain Brian Kaltak and other key VFF officials. “In the recent games between the All Whites and Vanuatu we have seen that there is so much talent in Vanuatu and the other island nations, but most of those talents never get the opportunity to reach their potential,” said Edwards. “Brian Kaltak was given the opportunity, initially through Waterside-Karori and Auckland City, and ended up winning two A-League titles with the Central Coast Mariners, and we know there are many more Brians out there in these islands.” Edwards explains that the partnership includes inviting some of the best talents to join the club’s Residential Academy, running clinics with New Zealand and Vanuatu coaches, inviting some senior players to trial for the national league club, as well as the commitment by VFF to send a Vanuatu national age-group team to compete in the Christchurch International Cup each year. “This partnership will help our players grow, not just on the pitch, but off it as well,” said VFF President, Lambert Maltock, who is also the President of the Oceania Football Confederation. “We are very excited and thankful to Christchurch United for this opportunity, and we look forward to maintaining this strong relationship to build a better future for football in Vanuatu.” Christchurch and Port Vila share another unique connection after the Vanuatu capital was hit by a deadly earthquake on December 17, that killed 13 locals and destroyed much of the central city, as well as other facilities around the island of Efate. “We know how important sport and football was for the recovery of the Christchurch community after the earthquakes, so we asked how we could help and show our support,” says the club’s General Manager. After an initial visit earlier this year was thwarted by cyclone Alfred, Edwards arrived this week with a large shipment of Christchurch United strips that was distributed at the VFF Academy, at club trainings and through the Port Vila Football Association. “The sport community in Christchurch received a lot of support from the rest of the world during that post earthquake period and our club was keen to pay that favour forward to another city suffering the same experiences.”

Blues Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores during the Super Rugby Aupiki Title match between the Blues and Matatū at Eden Park PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Auckland teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee will debut for the Black Ferns in the Paciific Four Series on Saturday against Australia. The 18-year-old will start at fullback as the only debutant in her Black Ferns, while loosehead prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu makes a return to the black jersey off the bench in her first Test since the Rugby World Cup 2022. Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting said he is impressed with how Sorensen-McGee has conducted herself in camp. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ A cricket side lose to Bangladesh NZ team for World Mountain Champs Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns fall in Adelaide McKenzie back for Super Rugby clash Powell ready to defend Badminton title “We’re super excited for Braxton and we are looking forward to seeing her in the black jersey, it’s going to be a proud moment for her and her whānau,” said Bunting. “Selections have been awarded on consistent form through Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and we are allowing more time for players who weren’t selected to learn and settle into our environment. I've also been really impressed with the attitude within our group.” Hooker Georgia Ponsonby anchors the scrum alongside props Chryss Viliko and Tanya Kalounivale. Alana Bremner and Maiakawanakaulani Roos make up the locking duo, while co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu and Layla Sae have been named in the loose forwards. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, last year’s Black Ferns Player of the Year, completes the strong forward pack at No.8. In the backs, co-captain Ruahei Demant (first five-eighth) and halfback Maia Joseph start together, combining with Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis in the midfield. Wingers Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Katelyn Vahaakolo will bring pace and power on the wings with Sorensen-McGee rounding out the starting team. Atlanta Lolohea, Amy Rule, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Dhys Faleafaga, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King and Mererangi Paul have been named as reinforcements. Saturday will also see Roos and du Plessis running out for milestone Test matches. Roos will celebrate her 30th Test match and du Plessis reaches 20. The upcoming PAC4 match is the first to be played in 2025 for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, honouring the legacy O’Reilly created for the women’s game in Aotearoa. “This week is important to us, Laurie O’Reilly pathed the way for women’s rugby through some tough times in Aotearoa. We know Australia will be a great challenge at this stage of our journey and we want to ensure that we have a strong start to our campaign. The focus lies with us, deepening our connections and playing our game as we continue to build throughout PAC4,” said Bunting. Black Ferns: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Maia Joseph; Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt), Layla Sae, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bremner, Tanya Kalounivale, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Atlanta Lolohea, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Amy Rule, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Dhys Faleafaga, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul.

Dale Phillips top scored for New Zealand A in their second-game loss to Bangladesh A PHOTO: BCB Bangladesh A have won the 50-over series against New Zealand A with victory in game two in Sylhet by 87 runs. The home side were put into bat and blased the New Zealand bowlers around the park for a score of 344-5. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ team for World Mountain Champs Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns fall in Adelaide McKenzie back for Super Rugby clash Powell ready to defend Badminton title Tosi, Darry staying with NZ Rugby Mahidul Islam Ankon made 105 and captain Nurul Hasan 112, Northern Districts pace bowler Kristian Clarke took 2-71 from his 10 overs, while Zak Foulkes and Adi Ashok took a wicket each while there was one run out.. Three New Zealand bowlers went for more than 70 runs. In reply New Zealand A made 257 all out in the 44th over with Otago opener Dale Phillips hitting 79 from 54 balls, but he was the only batter to go over 50. Doiwn the order Clarke hit 39, Mitch Hay 38 and Josh Clarkson 34, but nothing to challenge the Bangladesh total Bangladesh spinner Mosaddek Hossain had figures of 3-50 from his 10 overs. Bangladesh won the first one-day game by seven wickets, the third and final game is in Sylhet on Saturday. The two sides then meet in two unofficial tests.