New Zealand woolhandler wins 'All Nations' title

Alexandra woolhandler and shearer Pagan Karauria has provided one of the highlights for New Zealand on day three of the world shearing championships in France.

The 30-year-old won the All Nations Open woolhandling final.

The 18th Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships are being held in the French town of Le Dorat.

There was also a big New Zealand win in the All Nations Senior shearing final.

Alexandra woolhandler and shearer Pagan Karauria in action in France.
Alexandra woolhandler and shearer Pagan Karauria in action in France. Photo credit: Supplied

The event was won by Alex Smith, of Rakaia, son of former New Zealand World championships representative Grant Smith. 

Meanwhile there were mixed results for other New Zealanders in France.

Golden Shears and New Zealand shearing champion Rowland Smith was runner-up to Welsh international Richard Jones in the All Nations Open Shearing final.

Teammate Cam Ferguson was sixth.

Canterbury blade shearer Allan Oldfield was third in the All Nations blade shearing final, won by reigning World champion Mayenseke Shweni, of South Africa.

The Allflex New Zealand Shearing and woolhandling team of machine shearers Smith and Ferguson, woolhandlers Karauria and Sheree Alabaster and bladeshearers Oldfield and Tony Dobbs are well placed to reach the world championships individual and teams finals.

The events are being held on the last day of the championships in Le Dorat, on Sunday.

Newshub.