Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

A greater investment in health and well-being, and rewards for long service are among the changes to the new collective agreement between players and New Zealand Rugby.

The New Zealand Rugby Players Association (RPA) and NZR have settled on a new three-year agreement for professional rugby in Aotearoa.

The agreement covers 1 January of this year through until 31 December 2028.

It includes the expansion of the medical, life and trauma insurance cover to include Aupiki players, while players will continue to receive 36.56 percent of player generated revenue over the term.

With offshore movement still a major drain on the Kiwi talent pool, the agreement will see increased annual investment for player retention, personal development, education, financial planning and player health and safety.

There is also the allocation of the player payment pool to ensure all professional players receive additional player payments and benefits.

Women will have greater incentive to stay in the country, with a new Super Rugby Aupiki contracting model seeing hub-based players paid $25,000 with campaign-only players getting $20,000.

Longevity will also be rewarded, with additional payments based on length of service for Sevens, in Super Rugby Pacific and for NPC players.

To harness future talent, a new scholarship fund will be established, co-designed by NZR with the parties providing up to $500,000 in 2026 and $1m per year in 2027 and 2028.

RPA chief executive Rob Nichol said the new Partnership Agreement was an influential turning point.

“This Partnership is a powerful and progressive agreement and delivers significant investment in the personal development and education, retention and long-term support of our professional players. It will position us well in a constantly evolving and competitive landscape.”

NZR interim chief executive Steve Lancaster said professional players were a huge factor in the success of the business and the game at every level.

“It’s critical that we are aligned with the RPA and act together in the best interests of our game and its stakeholders, and this new partnership reflects that commitment. It’s particularly pleasing to increase the investment in the Black Ferns, Black Ferns Sevens and Super Rugby Aupiki, and to commit to a greater connection between our professional players and the wider rugby community.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/nz-rugby-agrees-to-new-deal-with-players/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shaking his idol Julian Savea’s hand was a surreal moment for an 11-year-old Tevita Ofa.

Now in 2026, he calls him team-mate.

“He was my favourite player growing up. He was awesome in that 2015 World Cup and they ended up bringing the trophy to where my primary had a rippa rugby competition and I got to meet him,” Ofa said.

“I rocked up on stage, and he was there. I was just buzzing. I was just so grateful that I got to shake his hand and now to be in the same environment as him, being able to see him now, it’s surreal. I still hold those memories close.”

Initially star-struck, Ofa is now able to call on his hero for advice.

“He’s awesome, always keeping me honest, always holding me accountable and then he’s always there to pick me up when I do make those mistakes.

“He’s one you can go to. He’s always open. He’s not afraid to help the young boys out. So, whenever I need to ask questions, I’ll go to him first.”

The electric Counties winger wants to emulate the impact Savea had on his younger self, on the next generation.

“I hope I can have that influence on someone, especially the young Polynesian kids coming through.”

Ofa grew up in Manurewa with four rugby-mad siblings.

“We always played rugby, whether it was at the park or out on the road, because we live on a dead-end, just wherever we could throw the pill around, we always had a pill in our hand.”

As well as Savea, Ofa was not short on legendary wingers to look up to, being schooled at Wesley College.

“Obviously, when you hear about Wesley, you hear about Jonah, so there’s another big inspiration.”

The younger Savea has also been instrumental in Ofa’s development, with Ardie’s spectacular season with Moana in 2025 lighting a fire under the franchise.

“Ardie’s pretty important in his own respect. But, we want to not only to prove a point to everybody else, but also to ourselves. We spoke about there’s going to be a big hole, but it’s on us to fill that hole.”

Having spent time with the Chiefs academy and development side, Ofa was given his shot at Super in 2025 by Tana Umaga.

“It means a lot. They gave me an opportunity when no one else would, I also get to represent my family and my parents. They migrated from the island, so I’m carrying a lot of people on my back, and I’m proud to carry that.”

He said it’s a special environment being surrounded by his Pasifika brothers.

“The culture here is second to none. All the boys here love to have a laugh. But when we get on the field, it’s all business, the boys know that when we get out there, we need to switch on, get our job done, and then when we get off, boys have a laugh, have a muck.”

Ofa enjoyed a strong rookie season, but was not content with his performance.

“I want to earn a starting spot in this team, whether that’s on the wing or in the centres. I want to come back stronger this year. I wasn’t satisfied with my performance last year. I felt like I didn’t really make the most of that opportunity that they gave me, but coming back this year, I promised I’d step up to everything I promised myself.”

Not just wanting to improve his own game, Ofa said Moana is determined to prove they can meet or better the standards set by Savea.

Ofa is eligible to represent three nations due to his Samoan mother and Tongan father.

As for whether he is chasing a black, red, or blue jersey?

“Growing up, I always admired the black jersey, but for me it’s just playing my best footy for Moana and then if those opportunities come, I’ll take it with both hands.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/rugby-tevita-ofa-hopes-to-follow-in-julian-saveas-footsteps/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Pacific Islands will once again be without Super Rugby in 2026.

Tonga was set to host Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs on 11 April, but is now searching for an alternative venue due to a lack of funding.

Moana have played in the Pacific Islands just twice since their inception, in Apia in 2023 and in 2024 in Nuku’alofa.

Last year, they were forced to cancel a scheduled match in Tonga, citing logistical challenges.

The franchise has again made the decision to cancel this year’s round nine fixture against the Chiefs in Tonga, initially scheduled to take place at Teufaiva Stadium.

Moana Pasifika CEO, Debbie Sorensen, said that the decision came down to a lack of funding and sponsorship, despite the franchise’s best efforts to make the game happen.

“We have explored every avenue possible to try and make it work, but unfortunately, we were unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to bring this game to Tonga. The challenge we face is that we are not funded to bring any games to the Pacific region, and we believe we should be.

While we are heartbroken for our team, our fans, and especially our families in Tonga, we remain hopeful and deeply committed to growing the game in the region. We look forward to opportunities to bring world-class rugby to Tonga and other Pacific countries as soon as possible.”

Just last week, Moana coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga voiced his frustration at the lack of investment.

Moana Pasifika – a franchise born to provide more Pasifika players with another professional pathway – no longer receives any funding from World Rugby, a move which disillusions coach Tana Umaga.

“We just want to be on a level playing field around the funding that goes out to all the teams. You can just see what we bring to the competition, world rugby probably needs to help out a bit more. When you look around the world and how many Pacific island players are playing in all these different countries, you don’t want to lose sight of what we represent and what we can do for this game.”

Moana Pasifika is now working with Super Rugby Pacific, New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs to find an alternative venue.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/tonga-to-miss-out-on-moana-match-again/

Source: Radio New Zealand

After an injury delay, Tall Fern Charlisse Leger-Walker’s dream of becoming just the second New Zealander to play in basketball’s WNBA is back on track.

A torn ACL sidelined Leger-Walker from United States college basketball for the majority of last season and forced her to withdraw from consideration for the 2024 WNBA draft.

“I had a full year basically to recover and the process itself is pretty daunting and it’s a long one but I’ve had a lot of great people to support me and great resources so I’m feeling really good right now.

“With these injuries it can be really hard not to just try and rush to get back and when it is taking over almost months and years that is a long time to sit out so I’m just really glad that I didn’t do that and really took extra time almost to make sure I was feeling strong enough to come back and play.”

The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist began her NCAA career with Washington State University but is now a graduate working towards her master’s after making the move to UCLA.

“I’m going into my sixth year of being over here in college, fourth year I guess playing, but it is completely different to anything we have in New Zealand in terms of the scale of just collegiate sports and how much they put into it.

“Obviously they have a lot of money in America and they like to put a lot into their sports and so coming over here it’s been really cool just to be a part of that system and being in games where you’re playing in front of thousands of people and you get free gear and you get free food and you kind of just get taken care of in a different way that unless you’re professional in New Zealand isn’t really a thing for uni students.”

The 24-year-old said collegiate athletes were treated well with support systems that ranged from massages to academic tutors but it was not an easy ride for the players.

“It is a lot on your body, it is a lot in terms of just your time we train for about three hours on court every day and then you add a lift session after that which is about an hour, we have film study where we watch our practices and other teams.

“Every day we meet with our coaches and then on top of that you also have your school your studies as well which takes up a big portion of your day so it is a lot to navigate and manage.

“But I still am very grateful just to be living this and having the opportunity to travel all around America and play some amazing teams.”

The next step in Leger-Walker’s career is to turn professional and she will “for sure” put her name forward for the competitive WNBA draft after her final college season wraps up this year.

“In terms of the draft basically anyone can put their name forward if you are eligible, which for girls you have to have completed at least three collegiate seasons, most people do four, or you have to be over the age of 21 but have played pro so you can go into the draft.

“Only 36 girls get drafted but because the rosters are so small only 12 people get named to a roster.

“There’s really only 144 spots to go on to the WNBA so when you break it down to those numbers it’s very hard to make teams.”

The first New Zealander to play in the WNBA, Megan Compain, is someone Leger-Walker has turned to for advice.

“She played with my mum (Leanne Walker) and I’ve had multiple conversations with her about her kind of journey into that and what she thought of it.

“Obviously it was a different time back then with the WNBA but I just think it speaks to that it is possible and I think it’s really cool seeing people in front of you who have done that and that’s one of the motivations for me too is just to remind people especially girls from New Zealand that it is possible.”

Leger-Walker had been focused on getting back playing for the UCLA Bruins before she considered whether she would be available for the Tall Ferns, a team she had played for since she was 16

“Wearing the Tall Ferns singlet is a big part of my journey and something I want to get back to but those conversations will happen a little bit later on.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/wnba-back-on-fit-again-charlisse-leger-walkers-radar/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Chris Greenacre has taken over as head coach of the Wellington Phoenix for the forseeable future following the abrupt departure of Giancarlo Italiano.

Greenacre is stepping up from his role at the Phoenix academy, where he has been the head of pro development and men’s reserves head coach for the past four seasons.

He is in ongoing discussions with the club about the head coaching position for rest of the A-League season and beyond.

Italiano quit after Saturday’s 5-0 loss to Auckland FC. The Australian had been with the Phoenix since 2019 and head coach since 2023.

This is Greenacre’s fourth time as an interim coach for the Phoenix.

He filled in after the club’s first coach, Ricki Herbert, resigned during the season after a run of poor results in 2013.

In 2016 he was called on again, in a co-coach role with Des Buckingham, after Ernie Merrick also left during the season and again during the 2017/18 season to fill in when Darije Kalezic exited after a breakdown in contract negotiations.

Over his time with the club, Greenacre has served as an assistant coach under Herbert, Merrick, Kalezic, Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay.

Greenacre arrived at the Phoenix as a player in 2009 and made 84 appearances and scored 19 goals before hanging up his boots in 2012.

He has worked towards his coaching qualifications and is now one of the few coaches in New Zealand to hold a Pro Diploma after completing the course in 2022.

Greenacre’s first task will be preparing the team for Sunday’s home game against Sydney FC.

“It’s not the first time I’ve done this, but it doesn’t get any easier,” Greenacre said.

“Coming in this morning was quite difficult for me. We have to move on quickly as a club, but you never forget what’s gone before you.

“I want to pay tribute to Chiefy. He led the Phoenix to their best ever season, narrowly missing out on the premiers’ plate and a place in the grand final, and that shouldn’t be forgotten.”

Greenacre said everyone at the club is hurting following the derby defeat on Saturday and are determined to make amends.

“I wasn’t involved in it, but I’m still hurting. I’m a fan first and foremost.

“We want to get some pride back in the badge and what the Phoenix represent.

“It’s a big game for our players from a personal perspective. When you don’t have a great result you can’t wait for the next game to come around quickly, so you can get back to what you do well.

“The players will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field in front of our home supporters and restore some pride.”

Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill has thanked Greenacre for stepping into the role at short notice.

“We’re very lucky to have someone of Greeny’s calibre at the club,” Gill said.

“He’s a great coach and person, on top of being a Phoenix icon, and he’s done a tremendous job at the academy over the past four years preparing our young men’s players for professional football.

“These are difficult circumstances but Greeny didn’t hesitate when I asked if he could take charge. He loves the Phoenix and wants to restore some pride in the club.”

The Phoenix are also looking for a new assistant coach as Italiano’s right hand man Kelly Guimarães has resigned too, effectively immediately.

The Brazilian was appointed to the lead assistant role for the 2025-26 season, but has stood down in the wake of the derby defeat.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/chris-greenacre-steps-in-as-wellington-phoenix-coach-for-fourth-time/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Athletics New Zealand selectors have a dilemma on their hands as they try to finalise their squad for next month’s World Indoor Championships in Poland.

New Zealand’s three female pole vaulters are fighting for just two spots at the event.

On Monday morning, Imogen Ayris vaulted a personal best 4.76 metres at a meeting in France to gain the qualifying standard for the world indoors. Four athletes finished on 4.76m, with a Czech athlete Amalie Svabikova winning on a countback. Ayris finished third.

Olivia McTaggart also delivered a season’s best performance of 4.70m to finish in 5th at the same competition, while Eliza McCartney recorded 4.70m at the Auckland Champs on Friday.

The trio have now all met the entry standard for the championships, but nations are only able to enter two athletes per event.

Both Ayris and McTaggart are scheduled to compete again in Europe before the World Championship qualifying period closes.

McCartney, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, is scheduled to compete at the national championships in Auckland next week, but now may consider heading overseas to compete to help impress the selectors.

Ayris and McTaggart competed in last year’s World Indoor Championships, finishing ninth and eleventh respectively.

McCartney, who won the silver medal at the 2024 World Indoors in Glasgow, set the national record mark of 4.94m in 1998.

All three pole vaulters have also qualified for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Sprinters Zoe Hobbs and Tiaan Whelpton have run world indoor qualifying times in recent weeks, while shot-putter Tom Walsh is also scheduled to compete in Poland.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/kiwi-pole-vaulters-scrapping-for-world-championship-spots/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The New Zealand Breakers do not want to get left behind in the Australian NBL as other cashed up teams lock in tested talent and inject rising stars into squads to chase championships.

The dust had barely settled on Dillon Boucher’s first season back with the Breakers when the president of basketball operations turned his attention to where improvements needed to be made for next season.

Finishing seventh in the 10 team league in the 2025/26 season was not what Boucher and the new ownership had in mind when they linked up with the organisation in March last year.

Reaching the final of the Ignite Cup was a bright spark in the season and they secured the prize money by winning a close game, something that the team struggled to achieve during the regular season.

A “rebuild” and “trying to bring in a level of professionalism and standards that we want to live by” was what the club had set out to achieve, but for anything they had improved off the court, the club was ultimately judged by what happened on the court.

“I would be lying if I said we didn’t want to be in the playoffs this year and I believe we should have been and could have been. So from that perspective it’s disappointing,” Boucher said.

“We’re already starting to have one eye on next year and how we’re going to build for next year and where we fell short.

“We’ll do a lot of off-season strategy on working out where we failed this season and where we need to get stronger.”

Boucher said every area of the organisation – front office, support staff, coaching staff and players – would be under scrutiny.

The missing margins

The Breakers won big and lost big in the 2025/26 season and had a habit of capitulating in the close ones.

Across the season the Breakers won three games by 29 points or more, including a 42 point victory over the Illawarra Hawks in October.

They lost three games by 30 points or more including a 41 point loss to Sydney in January.

In the close ones the Breakers lost six games by four points or less.

Second season head coach Petteri Koponen acknowledged consistency was problem.

“We showed some really good stretches throughout the year, we had some upset wins and some bad heartbreaking losses…we improved from the last year but at the same time I think the league got better also.”

Koponen said they needed to find the “margins” for improvement on and off the court if the Breakers were to contest the post-season next season.

It was a sentiment echoed by NBL Most Improved Player nominee Sam Mennenga.

Mennenga averaged a career-best 17.2 points per game and 6.8 rebounds in a season when the Breakers relied heavily on the big man who spent a stint sidelined with a wrist injury.

“There’s always things you want to change,” Mennenga said.

“I think that there is a lot of improvement that can be made and there is lessons that can be learnt.

There is a lot that we can take away to progress and improve, even just the day to day principles and standards that you set to win.”

Boucher was also on the same page.

“We’ve shown week in, week out that although we haven’t been consistent, we’ve been able to challenge teams and push teams and certainly compete.”

Is NZ first the right path?

A focus on bringing New Zealand talent home was part of the ownership’s direction when they took over.

“We will always try and recruit New Zealand talent, but at the same time made it really clear that we are there to win and we need to win games,” Boucher said.

“So if there’s better talent that’s outside of New Zealand, then 100 percent we’ll be talking to talent outside of New Zealand.

“We always want to try and develop within, give opportunities to New Zealand players, but those players have to be able to fill the role better than someone else from, say, across the ditch or overseas somewhere else.”

Including development players the Breakers had 11 New Zealanders involved with the roster of varying experience levels in the NBL.

Starting from scratch

Koponen’s future after two seasons at the club is not yet decided. Neither are the contracts of the majority of the playing roster.

The 37-year-old coach was coy before the final regular season game about whether he would return for another stint in the NBL.

“Everything is always open in this job but we’ll see. After the season we sit down and see what is the plan moving forward and how we can progress as a club,” Koponen said.

Boucher said all coaching staff appointments would be reviewed in the off-season and whether they returned would depend if the coaches wanted to return and if the club “had the ability to bring them back”.

Only three players – including import Parker Jackson-Cartwright – were under contract for next season and between now and when free agency began in two months Boucher wanted to have a couple more players locked in.

“At the moment we don’t have a huge number back next season, but it’s almost purposely done to be able to start again from scratch.

“Some of the players are on existing contracts that were there before we started. Some are brand new contracts. So for us, it’ll be what are the key pieces we need to be stronger next season.

“Some guys really put their hand up towards the end of the season knowing that their contracts are going to be up for renewal. And some guys seal the fate for themselves with either performances or how they behave and things like that.”

The next Next Star

Part of running a fine-tooth comb through the roster and deciding where improvements could be made was a decision about getting another Next Star.

Mexican teenager Karim Lopez spent two seasons with the Breakers under the NBL’s Next Stars programme and will be part of the NBA draft in May.

Lopez is a hot commodity, predicted to go high in the draft, but he also left a good impression on the club that helped him develop as a professional player.

The forward ended the 2025/26 season with an average of 11.9 points per game and 6.1 rebounds.

“Definitely wouldn’t say no to a Next Star and certainly looking at what’s out there at the moment.

“We’ve been able to get great service out of Kareem and I think if we could have someone of his ability, again, put in front of us, then I would certainly be open to looking at what that looks like.”

Having a Next Star on the roster allowed a club to have 12 contracted players rather than 11.

“So it is one extra player, and that’s great when you’ve got injuries to have 12 players, but also to be able to keep 12 players happy and being able to play them on a regular basis is really difficult for a coach to do.

“Some teams load up their starting five and their bench is not so strong and they can come undone when you have injuries. And then you sometimes have a really deep bench of seven guys that can really play ball and they’re all pretty even, but unfortunately in a game someone has to miss out on some minutes here and there.

“Those pieces are really hard to try and juggle and for us right now, what we can control is where we think we need to improve, and then it’ll be going to market and seeing like how we can improve, what players are available, who are free agents, those sorts of things are really important.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/nz-breakers-bank-prize-money-in-disappointing-season/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Crusaders have gone down 50-24 to the Brumbies in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.

The Brumbies led the Crusaders 19-14 at half time.

See how the game unfolded here:

Team list

Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Sevu Reece, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Will Jordan

Bench: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Louie Chapman, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/super-rugby-crusaders-crushed-by-brumbies-in-christchurch/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action as the Crusaders take on the Brumbies at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.

Kick off is at 3.35pm.

Team list

Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Sevu Reece, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Will Jordan

Bench: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Louie Chapman, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/live-crusaders-v-brumbies-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Giancarlo Italiano’s dramatic exit as Wellington Phoenix’s head coach leaves the struggling A-League club in limbo with eight games remaining in the season.

Italiano stepped away from the team he had been the head coach of since 2023 after another hefty derby loss to Auckland FC.

He publicly announced his departure not long after the final whistle on Saturday.

The Phoenix play title-contenders Sydney FC in Wellington on Sunday, so the club will need to make some quick decisions about who takes on the head coach role either in an interim or permanent capacity.

Unless the 10th placed Phoenix can string wins together and get other results to fall their way, they will miss the play-offs and the season will be over in nine weeks time.

Italiano was the Phoenix’s sixth permanent head coach in 19 seasons, but this is not the first time the club has been left scrambling to fill the role.

The question is whether the club will turn to the same man that has temporarily filled in three times previously – Chris Greenacre – to see out the season.

The club’s first coach, former All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, was in charge for six seasons before he resigned during the season after a run of poor results in 2013.

Former Phoenix player Greenacre, at the time an assistant coach with the team, stepped in for the remainder of the 2013 season.

Experienced A-League coach Ernie Merrick was next to take on the permanent role for three seasons before leaving in similar circumstances to Herbert and Italiano in 2016.

Again Greenacre was part of the solution, helping to fill the void before the club’s third coach Darije Kalezic joined.

When Kalezic left during the 2017/18 season after a breakdown in contract negotiations for the following season, Greenacre, who was then a youth programme head coach with the Phoenix took charge of training and head coach duties.

Fourth coach Mark Rudan had success with the Phoenix before leaving for family reasons, but at least he made until the end of the 2018/19 season before returning to Australia.

Australian Ufuk Talay became head coach in the 2019/20 season and brought with him Italiano as a analyst and second assistant coach.

Talay left the club four seasons later, at season’s end, with the accolade as the club’s most successful coach and Italiano moved into the head coach role.

The Phoenix have yet to announce the plan to replace Italiano but they will not have to look far to find Greenacre should they decide he is again the go-to.

Player to coach

Greenacre, a former Manchester City and Tranmere Rovers striker, played 84 times for the Phoenix between 2009 and 2012.

He scored 19 goals during his Phoenix playing days and became a fan favourite along the way.

A long held ambition to coach started at the Phoenix in 2012 when he made the quick transition from player to assistant coach.

Greenacre has served as an assistant coach under Phoenix coaches – Herbert, Merrick, Kalezic, Rudan and Talay.

He is the Phoenix academy’s head of pro development and has coached the reserves team since 2017.

In 2024 Greenacre also coached the New Zealand Under 20 team.

Licensed to do the job

Coaching qualifications, in the form of licences, matter in football.

When Greenacre was leading the Phoenix in an interim capacity after Merrick quit, he was doing so in a co-coach role with Des Buckingham.

At the time, under Football Federation Australia (now Football Australia) regulations the coach needed a Pro Licence which Buckingham held and Greenacre did not.

Buckingham became the head coach and the Phoenix said Greenacre, with a UEFA A Licence, was the co-coach.

Greenacre has since upskilled and in 2022 completed the AFC Pro Diploma.

Kelly Guimaraes

Brazilian Kelly Guimaraes was Italiano’s lead assistant coach for the 2025-26 A-League season and could also get the call-up to the top job.

He arrived in Wellington with a decade of assistant coach experience with the likes of Paranaense, Corinithians and Gremio in Brazil.

At the time of his appointment he said the assistant coach “needs to be very close with the players so they can act as an intermediary between them and the head coach”.

“We also have to be another set of eyes for the head coach.

“The head coach has a lot of things to think about, to plan and to organise and sometimes the assistant coach can see something that helps the coach.”

Guimaraes and Italiano would have worked closely together and it may cause less disruption to the squad for him transition to the head coach role, even if just until the end of the season.

“In Brazil as a footballer and coach I have learned the players need the freedom to play and use their creativity,” Guimaraes said in July.

“I think we’re going to motivate the players to be free and create.

“Of course they will respect the team’s tactical plans, but they will be free to create and to make something different.”

The players and the team could use something different to get them through the remainder of the competition before the club will face some big decisions about the future.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/wellington-phoenix-face-familiar-scramble-following-swift-italiano-exit/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The medical assessments are in and it’s been confirmed that New Zealand Freeskier Fin Melville Ives broke his collarbone in crashing out during the qualification rounds of the Halfpipe competition at the Winter Olympics.

Melville Ives, the current world champion and one of New Zealand’s best medal hopes, was stretchered off after the heavy fall during his second run after being knocked unconscious.

He’s now recovering and remains in good spirits, jesting his injuries are “nothing but a scratch”.

“It was really a game of two halves,” he said afterwards, with his sense of humour intact.

Melville Ives, 19, has also thanked the medical staff that have helped him so far, and his coach Murray Buchan.

Another Kiwi halfpipe freeskier Ben Harrington, who finished ninth, dedicated his second run to Melville Ives, saying to cameras on the slopes, “Hey Finski, this one’s for you, brother, love you, let’s go skiing.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/broken-collarbone-for-kiwi-free-skier-fin-melville-ives/

Source: Radio New Zealand

First-five Stephen Perofeta converted all six of his team’s tries and scored one himself, as the Blues overhauled Western Force 42-32 at Perth.

After a controversial loss to the Chiefs in their opener last week, the Auckland-based side took advantage of a big wind at their backs in the second half to overcome a 17-14 deficit, outscoring their rivals 21-3 during the 20 minutes after the break.

Prop Josh Fusitua and Perofeta touched down in the first 40 minutes, but a try to flanker Carlo Tizzano gave the home side a surprise lead at halfway.

After the restart, fullback Zarn Sullivan, flanker Torian Barnes and wing Cole Forbes rattled on three tries that gave their team the momentum and a 15-point lead, that provided a buffer to withstand a late Force rally.

Follow the live progress here:

Squad

Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Anton Segner, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/22/auckland-blues-v-force-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho had a try double, as the Chiefs downed the Highlanders 26-23 in Dunedin for their second straight win of the season.

Follow the live action here:

Squads

Highlanders: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Rohan Wingham, 4 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Sean Withy (VC), 8 Lucas Casey, 9 Folau Fakatava, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki (50th Highlanders Game), 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (C), 13 Jonah Lowe, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a

Chiefs: 1 Jared Proffit, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6 Kaylum Boshier, 7 Jahrome Brown, 8 Luke Jacobson (c), 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Josh Jacomb, 11 Leroy Carter, 12 Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13 Daniel Rona, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo

Bench: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Emoni Narawa

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/highlanders-v-chiefs-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action, as the Blues take on Western Force at HBF Park in Perth.

Kickoff is at 9.35pm.

Squad

Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Anton Segner, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/live-auckland-blues-v-force-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC are closing in on the top of the A-League after dismantling the Wellington Phoenix 5-0, a dominant win that puts them just one point behind league leaders Newcastle.

Wellington’s hopes of securing their first-ever win over their northern rivals were dashed early due to a bizarre goal keeping error in the 24th minute.

A dejected Phoenix captain Alex Rufer addressed home fans immediately after the heavy defeat.

“We need to look at this and be accountable – it’s not good enough,” he told Sky Sport.

The talking point came when Wellington goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi was caught out of position under a long clearance from Auckland defender Jake Girdwood-Reich.

Unable to stop the ball, Oluwayemi brushed it into his own net in a costly howler as he attempted to head the ball away.

Auckland carried the momentum as Jesse Randall scored his ninth goal of the season, adding a second just before the break.

Guillermo May also found the net in the 41st minute.

Later Randall was involved again, setting up Lachlan Brook for a goal.

Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano benched Oluwayemi at halftime, replacing him with Alby Kelly-Heald as the Phoenix trailed 4-nil.

Auckland coach Steve Corica said the three points were vital in closing the gap on Newcastle.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/wellington-phoenix-captain-alex-rufer-apologises-to-fans-after-embarrassing-loss/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC are closing in on the top of the A-League after dismantling the Wellington Phoenix 5-0, a dominant win that puts them just one point behind league leaders Newcastle.

Wellington’s hopes of securing their first-ever win over their northern rivals were dashed early due to a bizarre goal keeping error in the 24th minute.

A dejected Phoenix captain Alex Rufer addressed home fans immediately after the heavy defeat.

“We need to look at this and be accountable – it’s not good enough,” he told Sky Sport.

The talking point came when Wellington goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi was caught out of position under a long clearance from Auckland defender Jake Girdwood-Reich.

Unable to stop the ball, Oluwayemi brushed it into his own net in a costly howler as he attempted to head the ball away.

Auckland carried the momentum as Jesse Randall scored his ninth goal of the season, adding a second just before the break.

Guillermo May also found the net in the 41st minute.

Later Randall was involved again, setting up Lachlan Brook for a goal.

Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano benched Oluwayemi at halftime, replacing him with Alby Kelly-Heald as the Phoenix trailed 4-nil.

Auckland coach Steve Corica said the three points were vital in closing the gap on Newcastle.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/phoenix-captain-apologises-to-fans-after-embarrassing-5-0-loss/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has resigned, after a [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/587537/phoenix-captain-apologises-to-fans-after-embarrassing-5-0-loss humiliating 5-0 A-League loss to Auckland FC.

The Wellington club has thanked ‘Chief’ for his work, with the coach confirming his departure after the match at Sky Stadium.

“Giancarlo Italiano has announced his resignation as men’s head coach,” the message read on Wellington Phoenix’s X account.

With tonight’s loss, the Phoenix have equalled their worst-ever loss at home.

More to come…

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/wellington-phoenix-coach-quits-after-loss-to-auckland-fc/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action, as the Highlanders take on the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Squads

Highlanders: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Rohan Wingham, 4 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Sean Withy (VC), 8 Lucas Casey, 9 Folau Fakatava, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki (50th Highlanders Game), 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (C), 13 Jonah Lowe, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a

Chiefs: 1 Jared Proffit, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6 Kaylum Boshier, 7 Jahrome Brown, 8 Luke Jacobson (c), 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Josh Jacomb, 11 Leroy Carter, 12 Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13 Daniel Rona, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo

Bench: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Emoni Narawa

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/live-highlanders-v-chiefs-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sprinter Tommy Te Puni has etched his name in the national record books at the International Track Meet in Christchurch.

Te Puni eclipsed the national 200 metres record, running 20.35s, ahead of closest rival Lex Revell-Lewis.

The Auckland sprinter dips under Joseph Millar’s 2017 national mark of 20.37s.

Four men notched times under 21 seconds, with national 400 metres record holder Revell-Lewis clocking a personal best of 20.49s.

Zach Saunders followed him in 20.71s and Kadin Taylor notched 20.87s for fourth. The quartet now all rank within the top 12 all-time for New Zealand.

Tiaan Whelpton ran the fastest 100 metres race of his career, clocking a scintillating 10.01s time, but the wind was above the legal limit of +2.0m/s, with the wind reading +4.9m/s at the time of the race.

This performance comes after his 10.02s at the Cooks Classic in January and his equal resident record performance of 10.10s at the Sir Graeme Douglas International in Auckland two weeks ago.

Whelpton and Te Puni both now turn towards the New Zealand track and field championships in Auckland in a fortnight. The pair of record-breaking sprinters will chase national titles and, for Whelpton, the magic sub-10 second mark over the 100m.

Tom Walsh was well clear in the men’s shot put, throwing 20.83 for his best throw of the season.

Holly Robinson took the top spot in the women’s para shot put, scoring 85.48 percent of her world record, with Lisa Adams in second with 86.84 percent.

Will Little won the 3000 metres title, followed in by clubmates Cam Clark and Toby Tasker.

In the women’s race, Tillie Hollyer took out the national title ahead of Tamara Reeves in second and 18-year-old Brynne Gordon was third.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/21/speedster-tommy-te-puni-breaks-national-200-metres-record-at-christchurch/