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From down and out late in the third quarter, the Manawatu Jets sparked life back into their National Basketball League (NBL) season. The Property Brokers Jets scored 39 points in the fourth period to overcome the Taranaki Airs 111-106 at Palmerston North's Fly Palmy Arena, while the Auckland Tuatara won their fifth straight in Sunday's Sal's NBL action. LATEST HEADLINES: Penalties relegate Lawson to 17th in Bahrain NZ Warriors lose 17th straight to Melbourne Blues back-to-back in Super Rugby Aupiki Kiwi Matt Payne wins at Taupo Supercars Ili and Saints fill it up; Whai swim by Giants American guard Miles Gibson scored 12 of his team-high 31 points (14/20 FG, 2/3 3pt) in the fourth to lead the Jets back from 14 points down at quarter-time, 17 down late in the third and nine back with 4:49 remaining. Gibson, who also added nine rebounds and three steals, got the comeback going with a three to close the third quarter, before scoring five quick points in the fourth. Corey Webster, who finished with 21 points (9/22 FG, 3/7 3pt), seven assists and two steals, hit three triples in the fourth, and Kenny Goins got in one the act too as Manawatu took the lead for the first time since early in the opening quarter with 2:55 left to play. Miles Gibson put up 31 points and led the Manawatu Jets' comeback in the fourth quarter. PHOTO: MANAWATU JETS The Airs retook the lead twice, before Goins hit his fifth three with 1:19 to play, followed by a Gibson basket 40 seconds later for a four-point lead. Goins, who had 19 points (7/11 FG, 5/8 3pt), nine boards and eight assists, finished it off with nine seconds on the clock. Young NZ guard Dontae Russo-Nance also starred for the Jets, with 22 points (7/15 FG, 3/5 3pt, 5/7 FT), while Isaac Miller-Jose also had eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Owen Foxwell almost willed Taranaki to the victory, scoring a game-high 35 points (11/20 FG, 5/8 3pt, 8/9 FT), with five boards, nine assists and three steals, with Kiwi big Jack Andrew managing 15 points (6/8 FG), six rebounds and three blocks. Australian centre Harry Froling had 18 points (7/11 FG, 3/6 3pt) and four rebounds, Armon Fletcher 17 points (6/11 FG), four boards, three assists and three steals, Quintin Bailey 10 points and five rebounds, and Carlin Davison nine points, six boards and seven assists. Next up, the Jets (4-4) stay at home to host the neighbouring Hawke's Bay Hawks (4-3) on Friday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Airs (4-3) are off until an Easter Monday (tip-off 6.30pm) showdown with the Tuatara (5-3) in New Plymouth. Manawatu swept Sunday with a 46-30 win over the Airs in the Sky Broadband Rapid League, thanks to guard Tyson Thata's 20 points. Manawatu Jets 111  (Miles Gibson 31, Dontae Russo-Nance 22, Corey Webster 21, Kenny Goins 19) Taranaki Airs 106  (Owen Foxwell 35, Harry Froling 18, Armon Fletcher 17, Jack Andrew 15, Quintin Bailey 10). 1Q: 18-32, HT: 48-54, 3Q: 72-85 Australian guard Will Hickey recorded his third triple-double in just his fourth appearance for the Tuatara, guiding them to a 106-97 win over the Hawks at Eventfinda Stadium. Hickey amassed 31 points (13/24 FG, 3/7 3pt), 11 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals in 37 minutes, as all five Tuatara starters scored in double-digits. The team's two other imports, Buay Tuach and Charles Pride, also made major contributions. Tuach had 23 points (7/14 FG, 2/4 3pt, 7/8 FT) and Pride 20 points (7/12 FG, 5/9 3pt), five rebounds and two steals. Will Hickey compiled his third triple-double in four games for the Auckland Tuatara. PHOTO: NBL Tall Blacks centre Rob Loe finished with 13 points (5/13 FG, 2/5 3pt) and 11 rebounds and Tom Vodanovich 11 points (4/9 FG), seven boards, four assists and two steals. For the Hawks, former Nelson Giants forward Dan Grida produced in his first game for the Hawks this season, scoring a game-high 33 points (13/18 FG, 6/9 FT), seven rebounds and four blocks in 32 minutes. Teen star Jackson Ball put up 16 points (6/11 FG, 3/3 FT) and two blocks, while Luca Yates compiled 10 points and 13 rebounds, also in his first game for the Hawks, and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 10 points (4/13 FG). After trailing by as many as nine points in the opening quarter, the Tuatara took the lead for good late in the second. An 11-0 burst to end the third and then an 18-6 run in the fourth gave Auckland a 98-79 lead with 5:06 remaining. The Tuatara head to New Plymouth to face the Airs next on Easter Monday, while the Hawks remain in the Super City to meet the struggling Indian Panthers (0-7) in Pukekohe on Tuesday (tip-off 7pm). Young guards Campbell Scott scored 12 points and Kobe Kara 11 points as the Hawks defeated the Tuatara 46-36 in the Rapid League. Auckland Tuatara 106 (Will Hickey 31, Buay Tuach 23, Charles Pride 20, Rob Loe 13, Tom Vodanovich 11) Hawke's Bay Hawks 97 (Dan Grida 33, Jackson Ball 16, Luca Yates 10, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 10). 1Q: 28-28, HT: 54-50, 3Q: 80-70

New Zealand driver Matthew Payne has won the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, easing to victory in the feature race at the Taupō Super 440. The 22-year-old Penrite Racing driver took the lead from Cameron Hill on lap 8 of the 61-lap race on Sunday at the Taupo International Motorsport Park and never looked back even through two pit cycles to win Race 10 of the 2025 Supercars championship. LATEST HEADLINES: Whai beat Giants, Saints defeat Nuggets Auckland City win OFC Champions League Auckland FC draw; Phoenix fall in A-League First half Blues blitz beats Moana Pasifika Kiwis stand on podium at Supercars Taupo Payne emerged behind Hill in second position after a frantic first lap, after pole-sitter Brodie Kostecki was carted wide by Kiwi Ryan Wood through the fast turn 8. After passing Hill for the lead, Payne was peerless, joining Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin as New Zealand winners of the Richards Trophy. Hill and Chaz Mostert completed the podium, ahead of Kostecki and Thomas Randle, with Broc Feeney stunning with fastest lap points amid a charge from 20th to seventh. Matthew Payne was victorious in Race 10 of Supercars at the Taupo Super 440. PHOTO: SUPERCAR New Zealand's Andre Heimgartner, then Will Brown, Will Davison and James Golding rounded out the top-10. Cam Waters, who started 18th, finished 12th. Of the other Kiwis on the grid, Wood was 11th, Richie Stanaway 13th and Jaxon Evans 14th, the best combined results for the New Zealand quintet. The next round of the Supercars season is May 9-11 May in Launceston, Tasmania.

The looks on the faces of Warriors coach Andrew Webster and co-captain Mitchell Barnett tell the story. PHOTO: NRL The NZ Warriors' winless streak against the Melbourne Storm has reached 17 matches after a dire first half at AAMI Stadium. The Warriors were smashed 42-14 in NRL Round 6 in Melbourne on Sunday, conceding seven tries, six in the first half, as the Storm ran out to a 36-0 lead at the break. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues win Super Rugby Aupiki again Kiwi Matt Payne wins Taupo Supercars Whai beat Giants, Saints defeat Nuggets Auckland City win OFC Champions League Auckland FC draw; Phoenix fall in A-League The Warriors were dealt a blow early on with co-captain James Fisher-Harris suffering a pectoral injury that ruled him out for the rest of the game while Jackson Ford spent time in the sin-bin. Ford impeded a Storm player in the build-up to Shawn Blore's try and the shorthanded Warriors conceded three more during the 10 minutes he was off the field. Wing Xavier Coates held the Warriors at bay with two tries, bringing his personal tally to 12 in eight games against the Auckland-based side. Melbourne suffered their own injury concerns, losing Kiwis half Jahrome Hughes to a shoulder injury at halftime. In the second spell, the Storm appeared to relax a little in front of over 26,000 crowd and allowed the Warriors to run in three late tries for a 14-6 second-half advantage. Leka Halasima went over from a kick with Rocco Berry next and finally Luke Metcalf right on the whistle. Overall, the Warriors slip to 3-2 for the season and sit sixth in the standings, with a home game at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart against the Brisbane Broncos looming on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm). Melbourne Storm 42 (Xavier Coates 2, Josh King, Shawn Biore, Trent Loiero, Harry Grant, Grant Anderson tries; Ryan Papenhuyzen 7 con) NZ Warriors 14 (Leka Halasima, Rocco Berry, Luke Metcalf tries; Luke Metcalf con). HT: 36-0

The Blues with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (left) celebrate beating Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Blues have won consecutive Super Rugby Aupiki title following an entertaining 26-19 victory over Matatū at Eden Park. The last play of the match typified the heart of Matatū centre Amy Du Plessis who burst inside the Blues 22 and looked to an overlap to her right. However the pass intercepted Portia Woodman-Wickliffe who broke through defenders with the ball recycled quickly and cleared to touch by the replacement halfback Kahlia Awa for the victory. Down a 12 while conceding eight successive penalties was the worst possible start for the Blues. By contrast, Matatū was patient, polished, and worthy of the lead. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi Matt Payne wins Taupo Supercars Whai beat Giants, Saints defeat Nuggets Auckland City win OFC Champions League Auckland FC draw; Phoenix fall in A-League First half Blues blitz beats Moana Pasifika Wing Winnie Palamo crossed after six minutes following a lofted pass from Du Plessis. The Blues had failed to secure any possession. Facing a warning for repeated infringements, Du Plessis spared the Blues a reduction in numbers when she wriggled over for her fourth Aupiki try in the 18th minute. The Blues came back in the 21st minute when Matatū fumbled at halfway. From the scrum, Woodman-Wickliffe cannoned into a hole and distributed to Ruahei Demant, who finished under the sticks. Demant played every minute this season and scored five tries. A spark flickered. Suddenly, the Blues mangled Matatū with prop Chyrss Viliko resembling a schoolyard bully with her 26th-minute try. A second conversion by Krysten Cottrell propelled the hosts to a 14-12 advantage. Matatū conceded a third of their points in the second twenty minutes of the first half in 2025. Matatū lost halfback Maia Joseph and fullback Kaea Nepia to injury before the break, with prop Moomooga Palu replaced by Amy Rule. Matatū seized the initiative after the interval with No.8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker imperious. In the 55th minute, the Blues crumbled when a 21-phase assault was completed by Olsen-Baker. Hannah King’s sideline conversion made it 19-14 to the visitors. The threat of Demant and Woodman-Wickliffe lurked. In the 61st minute, Demant offloaded in traffic, and with one arm, to Woodman-Wickliffe as the Blues reclaimed the lead, 21-19. Unfortunately in the 63rd minute Matatū hooker Georgia Ponsonby was yellow carded for head-on-head contact in a tackle. Eloise Blackwell’s sanction for a similar incident was even harsher. The foundation Blues captain in her 20th match was red-carded in the 67th minute. Matatū pressed and then panicked. A rushed pass was intercepted by Braxton Sorenson-McGee in the 70th minute. The 18-year-old hit the accelerator and outpaced Fia Laikong and Grace Brooker to the line in a 60 metre burst that had most of the crowd hoarse. Earlier, Sorenson-McGee had been involved in a try-saving tackle and two clean breaks. Blues' defence proved resolute as Maia Roos who has played every minute in Blues history held Pip Love up in a maul after 17 exhaustive phases. Reserve prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu atoned for an elementary knock-on with a showcase of defiance close to the posts. The Blues won more games (6) and scored more points (240) and tries (37) than any side in 2025. Thirteen players featured in the 2024 final. The Blues now face the Australian Super W champions NSW Waratahs this Thursday in a historic crossover Champions Final. Blues: 26 (Ruahei Demant, Chryss Viliko, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Braxton Sorensen-McGee tries; Krysten Cottrell 2 cons, Demant con) Matatū: 19 (Winnie Palamo, Amy Du Plessis, Kaipo Olsen-Baker tries; Hannah King 2 cons) HT: 14-12

Ashi Das won her first match for New Zealand at the Billie Jean King Cup. PHOTO: TENNIS NZ Seventeen-year-old Aishi Das won her singles match in the final tie of the Asia/Oceania Group I competition in Pune, India. Das defeated Eudice Chong of Hong Kong, China 2-6 6-0 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland City win OFC Champions League Auckland FC draw, Nix lose in A-League First half Blues blitz beats Moana Pasifika Kiwis stand on podium at Supercars Taupo Crusaders top Canes, Waratahs bt Chiefs Despite a slow start, Das stormed back into the match in the second set, while holding firm for a gritty 6-4 win in the final set against her much more experienced opponent, 11 years her senior. The result offers a positive signs for the teen, as Das does not have a WTA ranking. Currently her only ranking is at ITF Junior level, where she is showing promise at 126 in the world. Her opponent Chong is currently ranked 379 on the WTA rankings. Das' win was the only win of the final tie, with New Zealand losing to Hong Kong, China 2-1. However, with qualification already earned into the play-offs of the Billie Jean King Cup, the result was inconsequential. Instead it was a good chance for the younger players in the squad to get some valuable experience at this level. Sasha Situe celebrated her 19th birthday with her Billie Jean King Cup singles debut, losing a competitive one hour 13 minute match to Man Ying Maggie Ng 6-2, 6-3. Situe had high spirits despite the loss, with the crowd singing Happy Birthday to her. The doubles was played by Aishi Das and Monique Barry, losing 6-0, 6-2 to Hong Yi Cody Wong and Eudice Chong. From Asia/Oceania Group I, New Zealand qualify for the play-offs in November alongside India, who also won four of their five ties. India's only loss was in the first round to New Zealand.

The Wellington Saints have sent out a warning as they moved to the top of the National Basketball League (NBL) standings. The Mills Albert Saints dominated in a 111-99 win over the Otago Nuggets at Dunedin's Edgar Centre, before the Tauranga Whai surged past the Nelson Giants 85-81 at the Trafalgar Centre in Sal's NBL action on Saturday. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland City win OFC Champions League Auckland FC draw; Phoenix fall in A-League First half Blues blitz beats Moana Pasifika Kiwis stand on podium at Supercars Taupo Crusaders top Canes; Tahs shock Chiefs Tall Blacks guard Shea Ili put on a show as the Saints completed a perfect 'Deep South Double-Header', going for 31 points (11/16 FG, 4/4 3pt, 5/5 FT), four rebounds and eight assists in 32 minutes off the bench. His national teammate Hyrum Harris was equally impressive, with 24 points (10/15 FG, 4/4 FT), 13 boards, five assists and five steals, while three other Saints players - Nick Marshall, Rangimarie Dougall-Mita and Izayah Le'afa - scored in double-digits. Marshall finished with 15 points (4/15 FG, 3/8 3pt, 4/4 FT), four boards and three assists, Dougall-Mita 14 points (5/8 FG, 4/7 3pt) off the bench and Le'afa 13 points (4/11 FG, 4/8 3pt), six assists and two steals. Shea Ili drives between two Otago Nuggets on his way to the basket. PHOTO: NBL/LOU EMANUEL American guard Donald Carey Jr led the Nuggets with a near triple-double, with 26 points (8/14 FG, 5/8 3pt, 5/5 FT), eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Kiwi Jono Janssen put up 20 points (8/14 FG, 3/6 3pt) and four boards, import forward Jose Perez 19 points (5/12 FG, 8/12 FT), four rebounds and four assists, and their third import Jaylen Sebree 12 points (5/13 FG, 2/6 3pt), seven boards and two blocks. The Saints, who defeated the Southland Sharks in Invercargill two days earlier, never trailed in the game, building their lead to double-digits by the end of the first period and to 25 points midway through the second. Otago scored 15 straight points to end the second quarter to get within 10 at the main break, and it remained their until an 18-4 run by the Saints in the third ended the game as a contest. The Saints (6-2) are now off until playing the Nelson Giants (0-6) at TSB Arena on Easter Monday (tip-off 3pm), while the Nuggets (3-4) host the Franklin Bulls (5-2) in Dunedin on Wednesday (tip-off 7pm). The Nuggets avoided the sweep, with wing Christian Martin scoring 16 points off the bench to take the home side to a 38-30 win over the Saints in the Sky Broadband Rapid League. Wellington Saints 111  (Shea Ili 31, Hyrum Harris 24, Nick Marshall 15, Rangimarie Dougall-Mita 14, Izayah Le'afa 13) Otago Nuggets 99  (Donald Carey Jr 26, Jono Janssen 20, Jose Perez 19, Jaylen Sebree 12). 1Q: 32-21, HT: 55-45, 3Q: 84-63 American guard Chris Jones top-scored with 20 points (7/14 FG, 5/5 FT), five rebounds and two steals as the Whai rallied in the fourth for the win. Trailing by six entering the fourth, Matt Lacey’s side went on a 17-4 run to start the final period, out-scoring the Giants 25-15 to hold on. Nelson closed within two points on a Sam Dempster three with 15 seconds to play, but Hayden Jones missed two free-throws to tie it up with six seconds remaining and Kruz Perrott-Hunt made no mistake from the foul-line. Carter Hopoi hit four three-pointers, scoring 19 points for the Whai. PHOTO: NBL Up-and-coming forward Carter Hopoi had 19 points (7/10 FG, 4/7 3pt), seven rebounds and two blocks for the Whai. Australian forward Sean Bairstow put up 15 points (6/12 FG), five boards and five assists, and Perrott-Hunt 14 points (4/10 FG, 5/6 FT) and five assists. Australian centre Callum Dalton was Nelson’s leading scorer, with 22 points (9/13 FG, 2/4 3pt) and eight rebounds, while Lachlan Crate scored 10 points off the bench. Former Indian Panthers guard Alex Robinson, who was immediately snapped up by the Giants, had 14 points (6/12 FG), four boards and seven assists. The Whai (5-2) return home to host the Southland Sharks (2-5) on Thursday (tip-off 7pm), while the Giants (0-6) have a tough assignment to get their first win against the league-leading Saints. Tauranga swept both games, winning the Rapid League contest 37-32, thanks to 11 points from guard Jayden Bezzant. Tauranga Whai 85 (Chris Jones 20, Carter Hopoi 19, Sean Bairstow 15, Kruz Perrott-Hunt 14) Nelson Giants 81 (Callum Dalton 22, Alex Robinson Jr 14, Lachlan Crate 10). 1Q: 22-21, HT: 44-48, 3Q: 60-66

New Zealand's Sammie Maxwell (left) took second place and the lead in the MTB Series rankings PHOTO: WHOOP MTB WORLD SERIES Kiwi rider Sammie Maxwell has taken over the top of the Mountain Bike World Series rankings, after a second placing in the cross-country second round event in Araxa, Brazil. Her second placing on Sunday came at the same course where she won the World Series cross country gold a week earlier, but on this occasion riders completed it in the opposite direction. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ BJK Cup loss, young players chance Auckland City win OFC Champions League Auckland FC draw, Nix lose in A-League First half Blues blitz beats Moana Pasifika Kiwis stand on podium at Supercars Taupo Maxwell was in the lead pack throughout behind Sweden's Jenny Rissveds, who dominated from the front to claim her fourth career World Series victory however she was forced to unclip and make up a lot of time. With a tough battle behind in hot, humid and rugged conditions, Maxwell produced a superb final lap, the fastest in the race, to push more than 50m clear of Great Britain's Evie Richards to secure second place, 28 seconds behind Rissveds. "It has been a tough week backing up at the start of my first season in elite racing and in tough conditions here in Brazil so I took my preparations very quietly," said Maxwell. "So to get this result means so much because. I am really proud of how I raced - really cool, calm and very mature. "Reversing the course was interesting. Last week's course suited me better, but I was able to find my flow and trust myself on the downhills to close the gaps." New Zealand's Anton Cooper was 40th in the men's race, more than five minutes behind American winner and series leader Christopher Blevins.

New Zealand Supercars drivers have dominated the opening 37-lap race of the Taupo Super 440. Penrite Racing's Matthew Payne claimed the victory from pole at Taupo International Motorsport Park on Saturday, while 21-year-old Wellingtonian Ryan Wood earned his first podium with a third after a late charge. LATEST HEADLINES: Rams rebound, Tuatara rout Panthers NBL NZ secure spot in BJK Cup World Playoffs Connor Bell breaks own NZ discus record Peter Burling departs Team New Zealand American guard departs Indian Panthers The Auckland 22-year-old was consistent from start to finish in the race to take the chequered flag and his third career victory, 4.102 seconds ahead of Cam Waters. Wood crossed in third after overtaking Australian Anton De Pasquale on the penultimate lap. Of the other New Zealand drivers, Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans and Richie Stanaway were eighth, 17th and 18th, respectively. New Zealand drivers took two of the placings at race one of the Taupo Supercars. PHOTO: SUPERCARS In Saturday's second 37-lap race, Payne finished just off the podium in fourth, after qualifying seventh, while Heimgartner was eighth and Wood ninth, both starting outside the top-10. Stanaway qualified 13th but finished 21st, and Evans remained 19th. Australian series leader Will Brown moved up from 13th on the grid to finish fifth in Race 8, while he crossed in seventh in Race 9. Qualifying for Sunday's 61-lap feature race starts at 10.35am, with the top-10 shootout from 12.50pm, with the green flag dropping at 3.05pm.

The Blues have beaten Moana Pasifika 36-17to move up the table to eighth on 16 points equal with the Hurricanes on three wins, five losses. It was the first back-to-back wins in 2025 for the home side as they hosted their in-form cross-town rivals at Eden Park. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwis take podium at Supercars Taupo Crusaders top Canes, Waratahs bt Chiefs Rams rebound, Tuatara rout the Panthers NZ secure spot in BJK Cup World Playoffs Connor Bell breaks own NZ discus record Peter Burling departs Team New Zealand A first-half 24-5 blitz for the Blues - four tries to one - effectively gave them the win as Moana Pasifika were equal in the second spell 12-12, but scored two tries to the Blues one. Hooker Ricky Ricciteli opened the scoring after just three minutes in a typical display while Beauden Barrett was in control and cross after 16 minutes. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu was next across the line as the Blues looked like they could run riot. Hoiwever, No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eloa scored to get Moana Pasifika on the scoreboard 10 minutes before the halftime break. Anton Segner goes high for the Blues during a lineout in the win over Mona Pasifika. PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Into the second spell and the Blues made several breaks through AJ Lam and Mark Telea but could not quite capitalise. Replacement hooker Kurt Eklund crashed over as did Hoskins Sotutu, who had a solid game. Kyren Taumefolau scored for Moana Pasifika from a clever cross-kick in the final minute, while Miracle Faiilagi, who looked injured at times, was the other try scorer. Ardie Savea did his best but was generally kept quiet by a Blues forward pack who dominated their opponents for the majority of the game. The Blues are away on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm) to the Crusaders, while Moana Pasifika host the Brumbies on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4.35pm) in Pukekohe. Blues 36 (Ricky Riccitell, Beauden Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Mark Telea, Hoskins Sotutu, Kurt Eklund tries; Beauden Barrett 3 con) Moana Pasifika 17 (Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Miracle Faiilagi, Kyren Taumoefolau’ tries; Patrick Pellegrini con). HT: 24-5

Celebration time for Auckland City winning the OFC Champions League again. PHOTO: OFC/PHOTOTEK Auckland City have lifted their 13th OFC Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Hekari United in the final of the 2025 edition at the National Stadium in Honiara. Under the floodlights and backed by a strong crowd, Myer Bevan’s goals in each half proved decisive as Auckland City overcame a spirited Hekari United to claim their fourth consecutive OFC Champions League title. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC draw, Nix lose in A-League First half Blues blitz beats Moana Pasifika Kiwis stand on podium at Supercars Taupo Crusaders top Canes, Waratahs bt Chiefs Rams rebound, Tuatara rout the Panthers Alongside their commitments at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June, the result means the Navy Blues will also be OFC's representatives at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup later in the year. Hekari were making their first appearance in the final since winning the OFC Champions League in 2010, and got off to a physical and aggressive start, pressing high in an effort to get their dangerous front three into the game. It sparked a few promising chances early on, with Ati Kepo coming closest nodding a pinpoint cross from Pala Paul just inches wide of the left post. The Navy Blues were forced onto the back foot, but as they so often do, remained composed and focused on the task at hand. Reduced to chances on the counterattack, Myer Bevan spurned a shot straight into the arms of Dave Tomare after advancing down the right-hand side of the box. Bevan scored against the run of play in the 39th minute though, latching onto a low delivery from Haris Zeb with a classy back-heel finish into the bottom-right corner of the net. The former New Zealand international proceeded to sprint away in celebration, sending Auckland City into the half-time break with the lead. Needing to make a game of it in the second half, Hekari found every route to their star winger Rex Naime blocked, either by Jerson Lagos or Nathan Lobo. Instead, David Yoo was looking lively down the other end for Auckland City, powering a low shot wide of the bottom right corner two minutes into the stanza. Hekari’s chances were further thinned when striker Ati Kepo was forced from the field with cramp just after the hour mark. It turned into a case of managing the game for Auckland City FC, and they added the decisive second goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute. Matty Ellis won the spot kick for the Navy Blues after getting on the outside of Erick Joe in the box, and Myer Bevan duly obliged with a cool right-footed penalty into the bottom-right corner of the net, sending Tomare the wrong way. Matty Ellis had the chance to add a third goal late in injury-time but was denied by Tomare in a one-on-one situation inside the penalty area, as City strolled towards the finish line. The final whistle was meant by joyous scenes from those in Navy Blue, as Auckland City continued their continental dominance with yet another OFC Champions League crown. Auckland City 2 (Myer Bevan 39’, 83’) Hekari United 0 . HT 1-0

Auckland FC have made it 12 matches undefeated in the A-League after a 2-2 draw away at Sydney FC, but only after being down and almost out. Meanwhile, the Wellington Phoenix lost to the Melbourne Victory 2-3 at Sky Stadium and ended any remote chance of making the playoffs. LATEST HEADLINES: First half blitz by Blues beats Moana Kiwis take podium at Supercars Taupo Crusaders top Canes, Waratahs bt Chiefs Rams rebound, Tuatara rout the Panthers NZ secure spot in BJK Cup World Playoffs Twenty-year-old Adrian Segecic scored in both the 17th and 32nd minutes from powerful strikes for the home side, but Auckland refused to sit back. Logan Rogerson latched on to a deflection from the keeper to score in the 35th minute before Francis de Vries grabbed the equaliser in the 65th. Francis de Vries (right) in action for Auckland FC against Sydney FC. PHOTO: A-LEAGUE For Auckland coach Steve Corica, it was the first time against a Sydney team for nearly 20 years Auckland’s s now four points over Melbourne City, who came from behind to beat Brisbane Roar 3-2, and six over Western United, who have a game in hand – an away match against Western Sydney Wanderers.. For the Nix, it was lost opportunities as Nishan Velupillay scored for Victory afer four minutes, before the very useful Corban Piper replied a few minutes late for the home team.  Zinedine Machac finished off the first half with a goal to take the lead for Melbourne into the break. They added another one a few minutes later thanks to Nikos Vergos. Paulo Retre got one back for the Phoenix in the 75th minute in yet another highlight goal, but by that stage it was too late and the Nix hopes had faded.

The Crusaders have survived a wild last quarter to hold on for a 31-24 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Hurricanes in Wellington. Rob Penney’s side were reduced to 13 men late after Ethan Blackadder and Antonio Shalfoon went to the sin-bin but held on at Sky Stadium to jump the Chiefs for the top spot in the competition. LATEST HEADLINES: Rams rebound, Tuatara rout the Panthers NZ secure spot in BJK Cup World Playoffs Connor Bell breaks own NZ discus record Peter Burling departs Team New Zealand American guard departs Indian Panthers It allowed the hosts to launch a comeback, reducing the margin to seven before having several chances at the Crusaders’ line. Each time, the visitors came up with the deciding blow, including the rolling maul turnover after the siren for the win. It came after the Crusaders held a 31-10 lead, following a double from hooker Ioane Moananu. The Hurricanes opened the scoring after a smart run from centre Peter Umaga-Jensen close to the line. This woke the Crusaders into action as All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams sparked the visitors into action. The Crusaders raced out to a lead, with Williams scoring first from a rolling maul before Moananu backed up a Scott Barrett break for his first. Former Wallabies first-five James O’Connor was a sudden inclusion after Tahs Kemara’s HIA and made an instant impact. O’Connor pounced on an overthrown lineout and spun past two defenders, sprinting away to give the Crusaders a 19-10 lead. This was quickly extended when wing Chay Fihaki continued his hot streak with a lovely finish in the corner, giving Barrett yet another try assist. Moananu’s second had the Crusaders in what seemed like a prime position for victory before the collapse. Peter Lakai reduced the margin before the pair of yellow cards within three minutes opened the game wide open. Umaga-Jensen took a chance to expose the space as the centre crossed for a double. The Hurricanes marched back into the 22 and had a chance to claim the win, before the visitors got over the ball for the steal. A late breakdown penalty offers one last chance to strike, only for the visitors to hold strong. The victory put the Crusaders top of the ladder, meanwhile, the Hurricanes missed a golden chance to jump into the top-six. Crusaders 31 (Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu 2, James O’Connor, Chay Fihaki tries; Taha Kemara 2 con, James O’Connor con) Hurricanes 24 (Peter Umaga-Jensen 2, Peter Lakai tries; Riley Hohepa con, pen, Callum Harkin 2 con). HT: 24-10 Later in the night, the Chiefs missed a chance to go back to the top of the SRP standings, falling 21-14 to the NSW Waratahs at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. The Waratahs ended an almost nine-year losing streak to the Chiefs to move up to fourth, after dominating the first half, crossing the try-line twice but having two disallowed after TMO reviews. The first try of the match looked to be scored by Teddy Wilson but was rescinded after a knock-on was found. Later, Lalakai Foketi appeared to score but it was judged his foot hit the ground simultaneously to the ball. The Chiefs played below their standards in a loss to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney. PHOTO: CHIEFS Standout fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii had 11 carries for 102m overall, assisted in multiple tries and scored the first try. Flanker Jamie Adamson, making his first start for the Waratahs, made 27 tackles, and was a valuable member for the Waratahs defence, aiding their win with a late turnover. The Waratahs capitalised on the yellow card for Chiefs centre Gideon Wrampling, running the full length of the pitch to score a try that will be a contender for try of the year. After a Chiefs knock-on at the goal-line, Andrew Kellaway ran it out from his own in-goal, before the ball went through the hands of Suaalii and Kellaway, who passed it over Cortez Ratima’s head to Wilson. In the second half, Samipeni Finau was able to score off a penalty, after making a gradual push to their try-line to bring their score up. Chiefs   star playmaker Damian McKenzie was well off his best, making seven fumbles in a tough night. The game ended after 28 phases from the Chiefs, ending in a ‘no–try’ decision after a double knock-on. The win came despite the final penalty count being 18-5 against the Waratahs as Miles Amatosero copped a yellow card in the final 10 minutes after six penalties in a row. NSW Waratahs 21 (Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Triston Reilly, Teddy Wilson tries; Lawson Creighton 3 con) Chiefs 14 (Leroy Carter, Samipeni Finau tries; Damian McKenzie 2 con). HT: 14-7