Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the NZ Māori All Stars take on the Australian Indigenous All Stars at FMG Stadium, Waikato.

Six Warriors have been named for the Māori men: captain James Fisher-Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Te Maire Martin and Jacob Laban.

Kick-off is at 5.45pm.

Team lists:

Māori All Stars: Warriors star Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad will start at five-eighth and partner teammate Te Maire Martin in the halves. The pair are among five Warriors players in the Māori team, including co-captain James Fisher-Harris, who will start at lock. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and second-rower Jacob Laban are the other newcomers. With Nicholl-Klokstad to wear the No.6 jersey, Keano Kini will start at fullback – the pair being among six members of the New Zealand team which won last year’s Pacific Cup final against Samoa. Panthers centre Casey McLean, Fisher-Harris, Briton Nikora and Martin are the others. Bulldogs recruit Leo Thompson and his replacement at the Knights, former Raiders prop Trey Mooney, will start in the front row, with Manly’s Zach Dockar-Clay at hooker.

Indigenous All Stars: Dolphins gun Trai Fuller takes over the fullback role from club team-mate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow this year. Nicho Hynes returns to the side as halfback, partnering with Sharks team-mate Braydon Trindall, after both missed last year with Vegas commitments. Jayden Campbell, who made his debut last year as five-eighth, moves to the bench. Jack Wighton returns at centre and will become the most capped men’s Indigenous player with nine appearances. Coach Ronald Griffiths has named six debutants in his team of 20, including North Sydney Bears lock Caleb Tohi, who has come in for injured Wests Tigers forward Ethan Roberts. He joins two other players in Redcliffe Dolphins hooker Brent Woolf and Titans-contracted rake Ollie Pascoe who are yet to make their NRL debuts.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/15/live-nrl-nz-maori-v-australian-indigenous-mens-all-stars/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the Māori WahineToa take on the Australian Indigenous women at FMG Stadium, Waikato.

Six Warriors have been named for the Māori women: Payton Takimoana, Gayle Broughton, Shakira Baker, Harata Butler, Mya Hill-Moana and Matekino Gray.

Kick-off is at 3.30pm.

Team lists:

Māori All Stars: Shakira Baker, Corban Baxter, Gayle Broughton, Harata Butler, Rima Butler, Kennedy Cherrington, Rueben Cherrington, Laikha Clarke, Zali Fay, Fane Finau, Matekino Gray, Mya Hill-Moana, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Jasmin Strange, Payton Takimoana, Chante Temara, Zahara Temara, Tenika Willison. Coach: John Strange

Indigenous All Stars: Essay Banu, Shaylee Bent, Krystal Blackwell, Rhiannon Byers, Jaime Chapman, Bree Chester, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Taliah Fuimaono, Tallisha Harden, Caitlan Johnston-Green, Keilee Joseph, Grace Kemp, Ella Koster, Lailani Montgomery, Mahalia Murphy, Jasmine Peters, Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Jada Taylor, Caitlin Turnbull. Coach: Jess Skinner

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/15/live-nrl-nz-maori-wahine-toa-v-australian-indigenous-womens-all-stars/

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s fair to say that Tim Percival knows a thing or two about media management and relationships. After all, he had to work for Eddie Jones for a while back when the headline-generating Australian was in charge of England. Currently, the communications lead for the RFU, Percival has put his experiences into a new book, Off The Record & On The Ball.

It’s not just about his experiences, though. Percival sought the help over 30 elite level coaches, including extensive quotes from former Chiefs, Wales and Lions boss Warren Gatland.

The result is a revealing look at the way the media operates within an often variable degree of trust, one that can change with the blow of a whistle or stroke of a keyboard. The book acts effectively as a ‘how to’ guide for both sides of the media/athlete relationship, explaining a lot of the unwritten rules and conventions around an industry that’s often widely misunderstood by the audience that follows it.

One of the main areas of conjecture, especially now that the value of disingenuous empathy as social media currency has never been higher, is around the role of journalists as critics. One of the most notorious instances of that was Gatland’s welcome back to New Zealand as coach of the British & Irish Lions in 2017, where he was greeted with a full page newspaper cartoon depicting him as a clown.

“I don’t think it affected my performance,” Gatland says in the book, with the series against the All Blacks ending in a dramatic drawn third test at Eden Park.

“I was really conscious of the negativity and I’m 100 percent convinced it came from the All Black coaches at the time. It was a deliberate ploy to put pressure on me from day one. It made me determined to do well. It galvanised me and I though, you know, I’m going to work harder here.”

The book also talks about the siege mentality that’s often used by teams to create motivation, against an outside perceived injustice that’s either real or imagined.

Veteran former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp, who was famous for giving off the cuff press conferences leaning out of his car window while leaving training, is liberally quoted in the book. He reveals a level of respect between himself and the media, saying he understands that they “have a job to do”.

“I couldn’t drive past someone at seven o’clock in the morning in January, when it’s freezing cold. It’s not in my nature to go straight past someone without stopping and speaking to them. If I can help them do their job, then what difference does that make to me?”

The overarching theme of Percival’s message is that while there’s no one clear right way for athletes, teams or coaches to operate with the media and vice versa, there are plenty of wrong ones. It’s frustrating that the default option, especially now that not just every comment but also not commenting on certain issues by athletes are dissected by the public, is to simply shun social media entirely.

Gatland makes the sad point that it wasn’t the online criticism of himself, rather that of son Bryn that got to him the most.

“Some of the vitriol on social media, it’s just nasty. It’s disgraceful.”

Perhaps that’s where publications like this can help educate the most, because at least Gatland has a right of reply when conversations are held in press conferences and under a ratified journalistic structure. Comments sections don’t have that and likely never will, so the more the public know about how sports journalism actually works, the healthier the environment will be for everyone.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/15/review-relationship-between-coaches-and-media-probably-isnt-what-you-think/

Source: Radio New Zealand

One moment summed up the Blues’ night against the Chiefs, and it happened before the game had even kicked off. An honour guard of the original 1996 Super 12 winning side stood ready to clap the Blues onto Eden Park, but no one told the players and they ran out the other side, leaving the crowd groaning in embarrassment.

The well-intentioned yet poorly executed theme then continued for most of the next 80 minutes, with the Blues showing glimpses of what they’re capable of. Unfortunately for them and the crowd, it was usually followed by a knock-on or a penalty. It took over half-an-hour for them to score at all, which then wasn’t followed up by any meaningful period of dominance.

Even at halftime the clunkiness was evident, three Kiss Cam targets awkwardly weren’t even looking at the screen and missed their cue – on Valentine’s Day no less.

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It’s not as if the Chiefs were any better in their eventual 19-15 win, mind you. It seemed like both sides were still in preseason mode and it wasn’t until the game entered the final 10 minutes that they were able to click into gear, with three All Blacks combining for the winning try.

That effort from Cortez Ratima was enough for new Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes to breathe a sigh of relief.

“We absorbed a hell of a lot of pressure in that second half,” he admitted post-match.

“What it took was us just staying in that moment and falling back to our prep. We worked it up the middle of the field and had one opportunity, which we converted.”

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Meanwhile, Blues captain Dalton Papali’i lamented his side’s inability to seize key moments.

“We took our foot off the throat, they got two penalties down in our half. It’s small moments that win or lose these games and we gave them three moments to execute, and they did. It cost us the game.”

All I need is a Miracle, while the Highlanders shock the Crusaders

Miracle Faiilagi is two things – a headline writer’s dream and a very, very good rugby player. His three tries helped Moana Pasifika won the Battle of the Pacific 40-26 over the Drua, a surprisingly comfortable scoreline at the otherwise formidable Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Not many were giving Moana much hope after Ardie Savea’s exit for this season, but if they can dig deep and rally around Faiilagi, there’s a way forward for the expansion team whose even existence is constantly precarious.

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While the Highlanders’ 25-23 win over the Crusaders was impressive and celebrated everywhere outside of red and black country, you don’t need to look too far into the past to know that this isn’t the best indicator of how their season will go. This is the second season in a row that they’ve beaten the defending champions in their first home game, last year they ended up losing nine of their next 10 games and coming last.

The same can be said for the Crusaders, who were very flat and still had a chance to win it on the last play. Their redemption season in 2025 still had hiccups, like a big loss to Moana at home, but ultimately that was a long way from the business end of the competition that the Crusaders generally revel in. Put simply: they will be a lot better than this going forward.

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Meanwhile, Max Jorgensen may well have scored the try of the season already on Friday night with his ankle-breaking effort in the Waratahs’ surprisingly comprehensive win over the Reds. Like the Highlanders, the Tahs have form when it comes to early season mirages, but the hope for a strong side in Sydney is something that goes beyond their long suffering fans.

The Tahs’ 2014 final win was the highest attended Super Rugby game in history. It’s fair to say that the appetite among competition bosses to have the narrative revolve around the biggest potential market is large, but it’ll take more than this one result to make that happen.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/15/super-rugby-pacific-wrap-rusty-chiefs-hot-highlanders-and-moanas-miracle/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sailors from the New Zealand and France teams have been rushed to Auckland hospital, after a high-speed collision in race three of the New Zealand SailGP event off Wynyard Point.

Racing was suspended, when the two boats came together on the opening leg, with the Black Foils seemingly losing control of their rudder and spinning back into the French.

France had nowhere to go and flew over the bow of Amokura, as their rivals disappeared up the course towards the first mark. As they rounded the mark and headed back towards the two entangled boats, race organisers called the race off and safety crews rushed to the wreckage.

All crew members were quickly accounted for, but two sailors – one from each team – were injured and taken ashore, conscious and alert.

The Black Foils later confirmed grinder Louis Sinclair was in stable condition with compound fractures to both legs.

“This one was super scary and above the margins,” said France driver Quentin Delapierre. “Hopefully, we will find some solutions, so we never see this kind of stuff again.

“I cannot say anything about the incident – everything happened so quickly and it is super cloudy in my head.

“I didn’t review the footage, so I cannot say accurate things, but it was probably the scariest I have experienced.

“Full support to Team NZ and also my teammates. Hopefully, everyone is OK.”

Delapierre would not reveal which of his crew was injured and could not speculate on whether his boat would be back on the water for Sunday.

“At the moment, it looks difficult for us to race tomorrow, but nothing is impossible, so we’ll see.”

Unsurprisingly, the Black Foils did not put anyone up for media questions, but driver Peter Burling and strategist Liv Mackay were both spotted – shaken, but apparently uninjured – afterwards.

“A member of the Black Foils is being treated at Auckland Hospital, following a collision with the France boat during racing today,” they later posted on social media.

“The team member was transferred in a stable condition. All five other athletes onboard returned to base safely.

“Further updates will be given when available.

“Thank you for the support and aroha at this time.”

Later, they named Sinclair was the injured crew member.

“Sinclair is receiving treatment for compound fractures to both legs, but is in a stable condition.”

New Zealand SailGP marks the first occasion 13 boats have contested racing, with the addition of Artemis Sweden for this year’s series. Spain missed the season’s opening event at Perth, after suffering damage in practice, but the fleet was at full strength for the first time at Auckland.

All 13 teams were jostling for position off the startline, making the tight run to the first mark chaotic. That leg is usually the fastest of the race, exacerbating the risk.

Next year, organisers hope to add a 14th team to the championship and will likely split the fleet into smaller heats of seven, as they for practice racing currently.

Sunday’s forecast suggests even more wind on the course, with racing brought forward a few hours to avoid the worst of the current weather bomb over the North Island.

“I don’t know what’s the league position, but probably tomorrow, we need to take some decisions to avoid this kind of stuff,” Delapierre said. “We were probably above the margin today, so we’ll see what happens.”

Delapiere admitted the fleet size may have contributed to the accident.

“It’s probably part of the equation, but it’s way more complicated than that, so I don’t want to say too much.”

This is New Zealand’s second major crash in as many events.

Moments into the season-opening race at Perth last month, the Black Foils collided with Switzerland, losing their stern, and were unable to race again that weekend.

They faced an anxious repair process over following weeks, but Amokura was apparently back to full integrity for their home regatta, as the home team finished third and first in the first two races to lead the event into race three.

This time, the damage to boat and crew is even more serious.

After the Perth incident, NZ driver Peter Burling was judged at fault and became the first to incur demerit points under newly introduced SailGP ‘Super Licence’ protocols.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/sailgp-black-foils-collide-with-france-two-sailors-including-one-kiwi-injured/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Moana Pasifika have stunned the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, winning 40-26 at Churchill Park. Captain Miracle Faiilagi was the hero for Moana, scoring a hat trick and putting in a massive shift in the humid conditions. Faiilagi has taken over the unenviable task of following Ardie Savea’s massive season in charge of Moana, but showed that he has the presence to inspire the competition underdogs.

The home side looked strangely listless in the opening stages at their traditional fortress, at which they’ve beaten every New Zealand Super side apart from the Hurricanes since their admission to Super Rugby Pacific. That lethargy helped Moana shoot out to a 21-0 lead through tries to Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and two to Faiilagi.

The Drua finally woke up after 20 minutes, with Tuidraki Samusamuvodre finishing off a sustained period of attack, but Tevita Ofa answered back for Moana 10 minutes later.

Faiilagi completed his hat trick straight after the break to make the score 33-12 and setting Moana up for a comfortable victory, but the Drua mounted a far more comprehensive fightback that saw Ilaisa Droasese and Temo Mayanavanua score to pull them within a converted try of the lead.

However, committed defence from the well-conditioned Moana side and some solid performances from their bench saw them close out the game, Ofa Tauatevalu tacking on some insurance at the end with a well taken try.

The win will give Moana plenty of confidence when they head to Wellington next weekend to face the Hurricanes, while the Drua go to Sydney for a meeting with the Waratahs.

Read how the game unfolded below:

Team lists:

Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), 6. Mesake Vocevoce, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Kemu Valetini, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Ilaisa Droasese; Bench – 16. Penaia Cakobau, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Frank Lomani (co-captain), 22. Isikeli Rabitu, 23. Epeli Momo

Moana: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili; Bench – 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 19. Ofa Tauatevalu, 20. Dominic Ropeti, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Denzel Samoa, 23. Glen Vaihu

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/super-rugby-pacific-fijian-drua-v-moana-pasifika/

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s only pre season. That’s what Warriors fans will be telling themselves after an uninspiring, error-ridden performance in Napier in their first hit out of the year.

An ugly outing in Napier saw the Warriors go down 33-18 to a young Manly Sea Eagles side, an ominous sign for Andrew Webster’s men.

Solace will be taken in the fact several frontliners were missing through All Stars duty, and there was plenty of energy provided late by the rookies off the bench.

Harry Inch, Paea Sikuvea and Jack Thompson had brief shining moments, but their introduction was darkened by dozens of mistakes which didn’t allow the home side any momentum or cohesion.

Ali Leiataua bagged a brace, both from Manly errors with the greasy conditions wreaking havoc, and while some rust is to be expected in pre season, the Warriors were far from a well oiled machine at McLean Park.

They have just six days to fix their faults, as they head across the Tasman to meet the Dolphins on Friday.

Follow how the game unfolded:

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/nrl-pre-season-warriors-v-manly-sea-eagles/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Chiefs have rolled up State Highway 1 for a date with the Blues on Valentine’s Day, as both sides open their Super Rugby Pacific seasons at Eden Park. Kick-off is at 7:05pm NZT.

Follow all the action with RNZ’s live blog:

Team lists

Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4 Sam Darry, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Torian Barnes, 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 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai

Chiefs: 1 Jared Proffit, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 6 Kaylum Bosher, 7 Jahrome Brown, 8 Luke Jacobson, 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Josh Jacomb, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 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 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Kyle Brown

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/super-rugby-pacific-blues-v-chiefs-live-updates/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sailors from the New Zealand and France teams have been rushed to Auckland hospital, after a high-speed collision in race three of the New Zealand SailGP event off Wynyard Point.

Racing was suspended, when the two boats came together on the opening leg, with the Black Foils seemingly losing control of their rudder and spinning back into the French.

France had nowhere to go and flew over the bow of Amokura, as their rivals disappeared up the course towards the first mark.

The windward hull of the NZ boat has been sliced in half, so they won’t be seen on the water again this weekend.

As they rounded the mark and headed back towards the two entangled boats, race organisers called the race off and safety crews rushed to the wreckage.

All crew members were quickly accounted for, but two sailors – one from each team – were injured and taken ashore, conscious and alert.

NZ driver Peter Burling stayed on his boat, overseeing the salvage. He and counterpart Quentin Delapierre looked shaken.

Race three has been abandoned, and organisers have cancelled Saturday’s remaining races.

This is New Zealand’s second major crash in as many events.

Moments into the season-opening race at Perth last month, the Black Foils collided with Switzerland, losing their stern, and were unable to race again that weekend.

They faced an anxious repair process over following weeks, but Amokura was apparently back to full integrity for their home regatta, as the home team finished third and first in the first two races to lead the event into race three.

This time, the damage to boat and crew is even more serious.

After the Perth incident, NZ driver Peter Burling was judged at fault and became the first to incur demerit points under newly introduced SailGP ‘Super Licence’ protocols.

New Zealand SailGP marks the first occasion 13 boats have contested racing, with the addition of Artemis Sweden for this year’s series.

Spain missed the season’s opening event at Perth, after suffering damage in practice, but the fleet was at full strength for the first time at Auckland.

All 13 teams were jostling for position off the startline, making the tight run to the first mark chaotic. That leg is usually the fastest of the race, exacerbating the risk.

Next year, organisers hope to add a 14th team to the championship and will likely split the fleet into smaller heats of seven, as they for practice racing currently.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/sailgp-black-foils-collides-with-france-two-sailors-including-one-kiwi-injured/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sailors from the New Zealand and France teams have been rushed to Auckland hospital, after a high-speed collision in race three of the New Zealand SailGP event off Wynyard Point.

Racing was suspended, when the two boats came together on the opening leg, with the Black Foils seemingly losing control of their rudder and spinning back into the French.

France had nowhere to go and flew over the bow of Amokura, as their rivals disappeared up the course towards the first mark.

The windward hull of the NZ boat has been sliced in half, so they won’t be seen on the water again this weekend.

As they rounded the mark and headed back towards the two entangled boats, race organisers called the race off and safety crews rushed to the wreckage.

All crew members were quickly accounted for, but two sailors – one from each team – were injured and taken ashore, conscious and alert.

NZ driver Peter Burling stayed on his boat, overseeing the salvage. He and counterpart Quentin Delapierre looked shaken.

Race three has been abandoned, and organisers have cancelled Saturday’s remaining races.

That’s the second event in a row that the Black Foils have suffered major damage.

New Zealand SailGP marks the first occasion 13 boats have contested racing, with the addition of Artemis Sweden for this year’s series.

Spain missed the season’s opening event at Perth, after suffering damage in practice, but the fleet was at full strength for the first time at Auckland.

All 13 teams were jostling for position off the startline, making the tight run to the first mark chaotic. That leg is usually the fastest of the race, exacerbating the risk.

Next year, organisers hope to add a 14th team to the championship and will likely split the fleet into smaller heats of seven, as they for practice racing currently.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/black-foils-collides-with-france-two-sailors-including-one-kiwi-injured/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The SailGP professional sailing league returns to the ‘City of Sails’ for the second event of the 2026 series, performing in front of an expanded Wynyard Point grandstand.

Can New Zealand bounce back from last year’s disappointment and a hectic few weeks of repairs to their boat, or will the Aussies retain bragging rights on the Waitematā Harbour?

Follow all the action with RNZ’s live blog:

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/new-zealand-sailgp-as-it-happened-day-one-off-aucklands-wynyard-point/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action as the Fijian Drua take on Moana Pasifika at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Kick-off is at 4.35pm

Team lists:

Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), 6. Mesake Vocevoce, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Kemu Valetini, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Ilaisa Droasese; Bench – 16. Penaia Cakobau, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Frank Lomani (co-captain), 22. Isikeli Rabitu, 23. Epeli Momo

Moana: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili; Bench – 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 19. Ofa Tauatevalu, 20. Dominic Ropeti, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Denzel Samoa, 23. Glen Vaihu

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/live-fijian-drua-v-moana-pasifika-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Warriors take on the Manly Sea Eagles in their opening pre-season trial at McLean Park in Napier.

Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is out, after picking up a low-grade hamstring injury at training ahead of the team’s trip to Hawke’s Bay.

He will also miss the 20 February game against the Dolphins, but is expected to return for the round one clash with the Roosters at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium on March 6.

Kick-off against the Sea Eagles is at 3.40pm.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/live-nrl-pre-season-warriors-v-manly-sea-eagles/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The SailGP professional sailing league returns to the ‘City of Sails’ for the second event of the 2026 series, performing in front of an expanded Wynyard Point grandstand.

Can New Zealand bounce back from last year’s disappointment and a hectic few weeks of repairs to their boat, or will the Aussies retain bragging rights on the Waitematā Harbour?

Follow all the action with RNZ’s live blog:

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/14/new-zealand-sailgp-live-updates-day-one-off-aucklands-wynyard-point/

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand SailGP

4pm Saturday, 14 February

11.30am Sunday, 15 February*

Wynyard Point, Auckland

Live updates on RNZ

*Start time has been change for the weather

Amid considerable fanfare, SailGP has returned to Auckland, building on a wildly successful – not for the home team though – debut in 2025.

The wait for availability of the Wynyard Point site proved well worthwhile, when spectators crammed the giant grandstand on the waterfront to watch Australia claim honours last year – and organisers promise bigger and better this time round.

Here’s what you should know about the professional sailing event.

History

Sail Grand Prix was created in 2018 by billionaire Larry Ellison and Kiwi sailing legend Sir Russell Coutts, loosely based on the America’s Cup, where both its founders originated from.

Unlike the ‘Auld Mug’, this format was designed for high-speed racing in identical F50 catamarans around spectator-friendly courses near the shoreline.

Many of the crews are also involved in the America’s Cup, so this event enables them to remain fully professional sailors between four-year cycles, albeit in a different class of boat.

The fleet began with just six teams, but has since doubled in size, with the addition of Brazil and Italy last year, before adding Sweden as the 13th entry for 2026.

Guided by Tom Slingsby, Australia have dominated the league, winning the first three editions and finishing runners-up in the last two. Spain were 2023/24 champions, while Great Britain triumphed in 2024/25.

Another feature of the competition is known as the ‘Impact League’, which rewards teams for promoting sustainability and inclusivity within their organisations. Winning teams receive prizemoney to donate to charities and New Zealand took 2021/22 honours.

Format

Each regatta takes place over a series of tightly contested fleet races (up to seven) across two days, with teams gaining points based on their placings and the top three qualifying for the final at the end of the weekend.

Overall results from each stopover count towards season rankings, with the top three again qualifying for the series final.

Black Foils

New Zealand did not contest the inaugural SailGP series, but joined the fleet in 2020, under the leadership of America’s Cup supremo Peter Burling and sidekick Blair Tuke.

Their distinctive boat Amokura was launched the following year and has suffered several accidents since.

In 2023, its mast was struck by lightning in Singapore, as it was being towed back to base, frying its electrical systems. The NZ crew were already ashore, collecting their winners’ prize, but Danish grinder Martin Kirketerp – who was helping return the boat to port – was taken to hospital with an electric shock.

Later that same season, Amokura’s wing collapsed while racing at Saint-Tropez. No-one was hurt, but the damage was too serious to continue racing and repairs could not be carried out before the next round at Taranto, Italy.

In March 2024, the NZ team announced their ‘Black Foils’ nickname, aligning with other famous Kiwi sporting outfits.

Burling and Tuke have won Olympic and world championship gold, won and defended the America’s Cup and sailed around the world (separately), but SailGP success has eluded them. They finished second in 2022/23 and third the last two years.

Form

The 2026 series has had only one stop so far, at Perth, with the defending champion British team picking up where they left off last year, heading off Australia and France in the event final.

Sweden won two of the seven preliminary races, but finished last in the seventh to place fourth, while Canada also showed their ability with victory in the last race.

New Zealand were off to the worst-possible start to their campaign, damaging their stern in a collision with Switzerland during the opening race and, while the Swiss were able to return to the water on the second day, the Kiwis were shorebound for the rest of the weekend and faced some time pressure to repair their board for the Auckland leg.

They are now at the bottom of the table with no points, alongside Switzerland and Spain, who also suffered malfunctions off Perth.

New Zealand SailGP

New Zealand was originally included on the 2021/22 championship schedule, with Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, as the venue on an alternating arrangement with Auckland’s Wynyard Point.

Covid-19 delayed the NZ stopover until 2023, with Christchurch hosting the very successful event, and it returned there the following year, when the Auckland waterfront site was unavailable.

This time, racing was not possible on the opening day, due to dolphins on the course, and Coutts vowed not to use the venue again.

Instead, Auckland staged the 2025 event, fully justifying the decision to develop Wynyard Point, with a grandstand that is expected to hold more than 10,000 spectators and break the SailGP attendance record, along with unticketed viewing along the shoreline.

Kiwi Phil Robertson skippered Canada to victory at the inaugural 2023 NZ SailGP, Burling steered the Kiwis home in 2024, but the Black Foils struck electrical problems at Auckland, with the Aussies dominating the weekend.

Teams

Australia: Tom Slingsby (driver), Tash Bryant (strategist), Nina Curtis (strategist), Iain Jensen (wing trimmer), Kinley Fowler (flight controller/grinder), Sam Newton (grinder), Jason Waterhouse (flight controller/tactician), Tom Needham (reserve)

Brazil: Martine Grael (driver), Marco Grael (grinder), Mateus Isaac (grinder), Rasmus Kostner (flight controller), Pietro Sibello (wing trimmer), Paul Goodison (strategist), Richard Mason (reserve), Breno Kneipp (grinder)

Canada: Giles Scott (driver), Billy Gooderham (flight controller), Paul Campbell-James (wing trimmer), Annie Haeger (strategist), Georgia Lewin-LaFrance (strategist), Tom Ramshaw (grinder), Tim Hornsby (grinder/technical director), Alex Sinclair (grinder)

Denmark: Nicolai Sehested (driver), Tom Johnson (wing trimmer), Ed Powys (flight controller), Anee-Marie Rindom (strategist), Hans-Christian Rosendahl (grinder), Luke Payne (grinder), Kahena Kunze (strategist)

France: Quentin Delapierre (driver), Manon Audinet (strategist), Leigh McMillan (wing trimmer), Jason Saunders (flight controller), Olivier Herledant (grinder), Bruno Mourniac (grinder), Timothy Lapauw (grinder), Enzo Balanger (reserve), Amelie Riou (reserve)

Germany: Erik Kosegarten-Heil (driver), Kevin Peponnet (wing trimmer), James Wierzbowski (flight controller), Anna Barth (strategist), Will Tiller (grinder), Linov Scheel (grinder)

Great Britain: Dylan Fletcher (driver), Hannah Mills (strategist), Stuart Bithell (wing trimmer), Luke Parkinson (flight controller),, Nick Hutton (trimmer/grinder), Neil Hunter (grinder), Kai Hockley (development), Ben Cornish (reserve), Ellie Aldridge (development)

Italy: Phil Robertson (driver), Ruggero Tita (alternate driver), Kyle Langford (wing trimmer), Andrea Tesei (flight controller), Will Ryan (grinder), Enrico Voltolini (grinder), Jana Germani (strategist), Maelle Frascari (strategist), Jimmy Spithill (reserve driver)

New Zealand: Peter Burling (driver), Blair Tuke (wing trimmer), Leo Takahashi (flight controller), Liv Mackay (strategist), Louis Sinclair (grinder), Marcus Hansen (grinder)

Spain: Diego Botin (driver), Florian Trittel (wing trimmer), Joel Rodriguez (flight controller), Nicolle van der Velden (strategist), Joan Cardona (tactician/grinder), Bernard Freitas (grinder), Matthew Barber (grinder)

Sweden: Nathan Outteridge (driver), Julia Gross (strategist), Chris Draper (wing trimmer), Any Maloney (flight controller), Brad Farrand (wing trimmer), Julius Hallstrom (grinder)

Switzerland: Sebastian Schneiter (driver), Arnaud Psarofaghis (wing trimmer), Bryan Mattraux (flight controller), Stewart Dodson (grinder), Arno de Planta (reserve), Maud Jayet (strategist), Matt Gotrel (grinder)

USA: Taylor Canfield (driver), Michael Menninger (wing trimmer), Hans Henken (flight controller), Andrew Campbell (strategist), Anna Weis (grinder), Peter Kinney (grinder), Mac Agnese (grinder), Harry Melges IV (reserve)

Weather

In a case of imperfect timing, New Zealand’s North Island – including Auckland – is under storm warning this weekend, which has already forced a couple of changes to event scheduling.

Friday practice racing was cancelled, with only New Zealand, Spain and Germany allowed out on the water to test their recent modifications before racing begins in earnest.

In anticipation of worsening conditions on Sunday afternoon, the second day’s racing has been brought forward to 11.30am.

Everyone is talking glowingly of great sailing conditions, but maybe not so great for spectators.

Asked about the expected big winds, Auckland-born Italy driver Phil Robertson replied: “You wet your pants a little and you move on.”

Where to watch

Organisers have increased the size of the already impressive Wynyard Point grandstand by 30 percent to more than 10,000 seats. Boats will whistle past so close, you can almost reach out and touch them.

Other vantage points around the harbour include any of the wharves as far as Bledisloe Wharf on the city side, Westhaven Marina and Stanley Point on the North Shore.

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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/2026/02/14/new-zealand-sailgp-what-you-need-to-know/