AUGUST
1
Coach Gary Hollywood's desperate plea, after Kiwi swim star Lewis Clareburt's Commonwealth Games golden heroics
Swim coach Gary Hollywood is confident star pupil Lewis Clareburt could be the best in the world with the right resources, but has warned time is running out.
Hollywood hopes the young Kiwi's historic success at the Commonwealth Games will encourage a much-needed funding increase for Swimming New Zealand.
Athletes like Clareburt don’t come along every day. New Zealanders rarely shine this brightly in the pool - and with fair reason.
"I think Australia get something like $33 million for their swimming and we're not quite scratching a million, so I think we’re punching well above our weight," Clareburt told Newshub, after winning his second gold medal in less than 24 hours.
5
Super-heavyweight Leuila Mau'u knocks out opponent to secure Commonwealth Game boxing medal
Kiwi super-heavyweight Leuila Mau'u has salvaged some pride for the NZ boxing contingent with a massive knockout to ensure a Birmingham Commonwealth Games medal of some description.
After the withdrawal of two-time gold medallist David Nyika with a broken hand last month, the New Zealand pugilists have struggled for wins at this tournament, with only two from nine fights, before Mau'u entered the ring against Leran Regis of St Lucia.
Those previous two winners - featherweight Alex Mukaka and light-middleweight Wendell Stanley - reached the quarter-finals of their respective weight classes, but could not book their passage into the semis, where they would have been guaranteed at least bronze medals.
In amateur boxing, semi-final losers do not fight off for third - they share the spoils.
Then came Mau'u. For most of the first round, Regis looked energetic and busy, throwing more punches and promising to keep the result close.
6
Tom Walsh, Jacko Gill storm Commonwealth Games shot put field to claim gold, silver
Kiwi Tom Walsh has defended his shot put crown, while compatriot Jacko Gill clinched silver at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Walsh's final throw of 22.26m was more than enough to secure the victory, as he coasted to another top-of-the-podium finish, with Gill's 21.90m far and away the next best for second.
Walsh's win means New Zealand now have 17 gold medals, matching their best-ever efforts from the Auckland Games in 1990.
Gill takess his first major medal, after he was forced to pull out of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, due to myocarditis.
His final throw - a personal best - went close to Walsh's first effort of 21.98m, but that only brought out the best in his teammate.
8
Cyclist Aaron Gate creates Kiwi history, wins men's road race for fourth Commonwealth Games gold medal, New Zealand's 18th
Kiwi cyclist Aaron Gate has become the first New Zealander to win four gold medals at a single Commonwealth Games, taking first in the men's road race.
Gate, 31, won three gold medals as part of New Zealand's all-conquering track campaign earlier in the Games and pushed on to add another in the 160km road race.
In a sprint finish, Gate overcame South Africa's Daryl Impey and Finn Crockett of Scotland to cross the line first.
Aside from adding another gold medal to Gate's collection, the victory is New Zealand's 18th of the Birmingham Games, setting a new record and eclipsing that of the 1990 Games at Auckland, where Kiwi athletes won 17 golds.
Earlier in the Games, Gate became the fourth New Zealander to win three golds at a single event, joining Dame Yvette Williams in 1954, Gary Anderson in 1990 and Ellesse Andrews (2022) in the feat.
8
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine overwhelmed with pride as Kiwi side take Commonwealth Games bronze medal
The significance of the White Ferns' Commonwealth Games bronze medal was clear to see in their captain Sophie Devine, who held back tears, after her side's eight wicket victory over England at Edgbaston.
Devine, 32, was the star of New Zealand's run chase, scoring an unbeaten 51 from 40 balls to go with figures of 2/11 with the ball, as New Zealand chased down 111 runs to beat their hosts for the bronze medal.
The win capped the White Ferns' first tournament under new coach Ben Sawyer, who was appointed after New Zealand's unsuccessful World Cup campaign, where they failed to reach the semi-finals on home soil.
As a player who's endured as many lows as any Kiwi cricketer, Devine couldn't have written a better script to take the bronze medal.
10
Trent Boult to take 'significantly reduced role' with Blackcaps after being granted early release from contract
NZ Cricket has agreed to grant star Blackcaps bowler Trent Boult an early release from his contract to allow him to spend more time with his family.
The move means Boult - who has taken 317 test wickets, 169 at one-day international level and 62 in Twenty20 international cricket - will have a significantly reduced role with the Blackcaps during his final years in the game, while still being eligible for selection, if and when available.
The 33-year-old also intends to play more domestic cricket for his Northern Districts side.
"This has been a really tough decision for me and I'd like to thank NZC for their support in getting to this point," said Boult. "Playing cricket for my country was a childhood dream and I’m so proud of everything I’ve been able to achieve with the Blackcaps over the past 12 years."
14
All Blacks snatch victory over Springboks to break losing streak at Ellis Park
Two tries in the final 10 minutes have seen the All Blacks break their losing streak, with victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park.
New Zealand seemed on their way to another disappointing collapse, but surged late to secure the 35-23 win, open their 2022 Rugby Championship account and keep the Freedom Cup.
Reminders of the defeat at Mbombela just a week ago showed in the opening minute, when All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett was unable to field a Springboks up-and-under.
The All Blacks tried to spread the ball quickly to counter the South African rush defence, but Will Jordan's long pass over the top could only roll into touch.
New Zealand found their feet, launching their first meaningful attack through Ardie Savea, who was the recipient of a clever crossfield kick, before beating a couple defenders.
15
Former NZ Rugby boss David Moffett calls for Mark Robinson's resignation over Ian Foster fiasco
Former NZ Rugby boss David Moffett has called for current chief executive Mark Robinson to resign over his handling of All Blacks coach Ian Foster's future.
Robinson's decision to hold a press conference after New Zealand's win over South Africa, but refusal to either back or sack the coach has been criticised by pundits and fans alike.
He was unable to confirm whether Foster would still be in charge when the All Blacks next face Argentina in the Rugby Championship on August 27.
Moffet doesn't believe Robinson is the right man to lead NZ Rugby and has condemned him for his treatment of Foster.
"NZ Rugby is looking more and more like a government department these days," he told Newshub. "They can't make decisions, so what they have is review after review after review."
17
Coach Ian Foster resolute in belief All Blacks can win 2023 World Cup after retaining job
Ian Foster is resolute in his belief the All Blacks can win the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, after he was retained as the team's head coach.
Despite speculation he would become the first All Blacks coach in the professional era to lose his job, Foster has been retained at the helm, backed by his NZ Rugby bosses through next year's World Cup.
NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson and chairman Stewart Mitchell have both expressed their confidence in Foster, and given him the backing to carry on, despite a run of two victories in their last seven tests - including three successive defeats.
"I think it's very strong," Foster said. "The first five tests of the year were always going to be immensely tough."
18
NZ Warriors, Manly Sea Eagles reportedly urged to warn players over provocative try celebrations by integrity unit
The NRL has reportedly warned NZ Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles players, after showing support to convicted ex-teammate Manase Fainu.
Last weekend, Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake - along with Manly trio Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau'atu and Josh Aloiai - made gestures in support of Fainu, who awaits sentencing for stabbing a Mormon church leader.
According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, NRL integrity boss Jason King has reached out to respective Warriors and Sea Eagles chief executives Cameron George and Tony Mestrov, urging them to warn their players over support for Fainu.
"This is something that our integrity team is taking a look at," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo told the Daily Telegraph.
21
Oleksander Usyk edges Anthony Joshua in split decision win to defend world heavyweight titles
Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk has beaten Britain's Anthony Joshua on a surprise split-points decision after 12 hard rounds to retain his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight boxing belts at Jeddah.
The fight in Saudi Arabia was a rematch of one at London in September, which Usyk won on a unanimous decision to take the belts from Joshua, but fought with much more intensity and emotion.
The pressure was on both more than ever, with Usyk this time representing a country fighting for its existence, after a Russian invasion, while Joshua was battling for his boxing future.
Usyk appeared comfortably ahead as the final bell rang at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena, but the American judge awarded the fight 115-113 to Joshua, with the British and Ukrainian judges deciding 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk.
26
Melbourne football club apologises after video surfaces of players performing sex act in pub
A Melbourne football club has apologised, after a social media video was posted of senior players performing a public sex act during Mad Monday celebrations.
The Glen Waverley Football and Netball Club it is aware of the video and the players involved will be disciplined.
"The individuals involved, along with the broader playing group, will be both disciplined and educated, and if need be counselled in the type of conduct expected by members of our club, along with the physical and emotional impact this has had on the families involved, club members, players and the wider community."
A spokesperson adds it is "extremely saddened and disappointed in the behaviour shown by people who should know better".
According to The Advertiser, the shocking video shows one player exposing his genitals, before another man performs a sex act on him, as cheering can be heard in the background of the video.
27
Argentina create history with first NZ win over All Blacks at Christchurch
Ten days of calm among NZ rugby fans have been shattered by more unwanted history, as Argentina upset the All Blacks for the first time on NZ soil, prevailing 25-18 at Christchurch.
The All Blacks' sixth loss in eight games, dating back to their northern hemisphere tour last year, will undoubtedly re-open the doubts over coach Ian Foster, who emerged from an intense examination with a stunning victory over South Africa two weeks ago.
This result - and the Springboks' comprehensive loss to Australia earlier in the evening - will do nothing to calm Foster's critics or those of captain Sam Cane, who was again replaced early, with his team behind.
To rub further salt in the wounds, the defeat came on the same ground that fan favourite and Foster's coaching rival Scott Robertson had achieved so much Super Rugby success with his champion Crusaders. That fact will not have escaped the packed-out OrangeTheory Stadium crowd of Cantabrians.