September 2
'He should be gone': Football Ferns coach slams 'Spanish kiss' World Cup blight
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova has added her disdain to that of the wider football community, as the 'Spanish kiss' controversy continues to overshadow the success of the NZ-hosted Women's World Cup.
Three weeks after Spain defeated England for the women's world crown, their triumph has taken a backseat to the creepy behaviour of Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales, who planted an unwanted kiss on the lips of star forward Jenni Hermoso during medal presentations.
Spain's High Court has opened a preliminary investigation into the incident and world body FIFA has suspended Rubiales, who is refusing to step down, after apologising for his actions.
Klimkova isn't impressed by his defiance, which has cheated his players of their moment of glory.
"The Spanish boss should be already gone," she told Newshub. "We should be celebrating women's football in Spain, we should not be talking about the moment that happened on the stage."
September 3
Coach Foster's warning for All Blacks fans before World Cup opener against France
Coach Ian Foster is urging fans not to panic if the All Blacks aren't at their best in their mouthwatering World Cup opener against hosts France.
The team's ultimate goal is a fourth title and Foster's made it clear he wants his side to grow into the tournament, rather than peak first up.
"I know we all want to present ourselves at the peak of our powers at the start and we’re all trying to do that, but it's how we grow through it," he said. "You want to be there at the end and to do that you've got to get better each day."
The same can be said for the next six days before their opener against France, with the winners of that match likely to top pool A.
September 4
Panthers star, ex-Warriors fan Cleary won't yield to 'Wahs' calls before NRL playoffs
NZ Warriors have been welcomed back to the NRL playoffs series for the first time since 2018, taking their place in the traditional top-eight photocall at Sydney.
They'll make their long-awaited return to the post-season in western Sydney on Saturday against minor premiers Penrith Panthers. A win would see them advance directly to the preliminary final, affording them a bye in week two of the knockouts.
Up against the back-to-back defending champions on their home turf, the Warriors face a tall order this weekend. Key to their cause will be Penrith captain Nathan Cleary, who - in another universe - may well have worn a Warriors jersey himself.
"I'm not shy to say that I was a massive Warriors fan growing up, and I definitely feel a connection to them and have a soft spot," he said.
Not enough of a soft spot to relent to a gang of Warriors fans, urging him to yell the team's ubiquitous catchphrase of 'Up the Wahs', waving them off with a smile.
Watch: Rousing haka greets St Thomas of Canterbury after shock league title
St Thomas of Canterbury haven't really been considered among the giants of NZ secondary schools rugby league - until now.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic - and an outbreak of measles - closed the tournament down for three years, they had reached the semi-finals just once, but largely battled against Auckland powerhouses that have produced generations of NZ Kiwis and NZ Warriors players.
Last year, they made the semis for the second time.
When they shocked St Paul's College - a school that has won more titles than any other over the years - in last weekend's final, the celebrations could be heard back in the South Island.
As the team debarked on their return to Christchurch Airport, they found their supporters waiting to greet them with a rousing haka that was answered by players in a scene that produced goosebumps for onlookers.
September 7
Warriors confirm Johnson scratched from NRL playoff clash against Panthers
NZ Warriors have confirmed star Shaun Johnson will not take the field in their first-round playoff clash with defending champions Penrith Panthers on Saturday.
Johnson, 32, has flow with the team to Sydney to prepare for their first post-season appearance since 2018, amid reports a lower-leg injury had him only 50-50 to face the minor premiership winners.
As the plane landed, the club has confirmed the worst.
"SJ has pulled up at training with calf soreness and is unavailable for Saturday," it posted on Instagram. "He will be available for selection for our next match."
Newshub vision of the team leaving Auckland shows Johnson with a bandage on the troublesome calf.
September 9
'Don't have to rebuild': Foster refuses to panic as All Blacks stumble in Cup opener
The All Blacks may be bruised, they may be defeated, but coach Ian Foster says they are not broken, after a historic defeat to France in the Rugby World Cup opener.
Foster has added another unwanted record to his CV as NZ head coach, with the 27-13 loss being New Zealand's first defeat in tournament poolstage.
Despite the All Blacks starting each half as the stronger of the two sides - thanks largely to a try double from winger Mark Telea - France's quality ultimately told.
From being in the contest at 16-13 in the second half, the All Blacks bench didn't provide the impact of yesteryear, as the hosts pulled away to open their own tournament in style.
"I don't think we have to rebuild," said Foster. "Stats are stats, I understand all that, but, in the past, we've won all our pool games and not necessarily won a tournament.
"The goal is to win the tournament."
September 12
All Blacks or Warriors? Viewing figures show who won clash of codes
The All Blacks' World Cup-opening defeat to France has comfortably outrated NZ Warriors' loss to Penrith Panthers, official figures from Sky show.
With last weekend providing a blockbuster for Kiwi sports fans, audiences turned out in their droves to watch both codes, as well as Israel Adesanya's defeat to UFC rival Sean Strickland.
With build-up largely from across the Tasman, speculation over which event would draw in more viewers was rife.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George told the Daily Telegraph he had "no doubt our game at 6pm Saturday night will beat the All Blacks World Cup match", but official viewing figures released to Newshub show the All Blacks comfortably won the battle.
Across Sky Sport and free-to-air channel Sky Open, more than one million viewers tuned in from 7am on Saturday morning to see the All Blacks suffer the historic loss to France - New Zealand's first poolstage defeat at a Rugby World Cup.
By contrast, 700,000 people tuned in to watch the Warriors, who were beaten 32-6 in their NRL qualifying final against the Panthers.
September 13
12yo autistic boy who's only played golf three times takes national title
A 12-year-old schoolboy from a small rural town in the Bay of Plenty has caused a seismic shockwave in New Zealand's golfing scene, winning a national title after only playing three rounds of golf in his life.
Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau is the new champion of the nine-hole golf competition at the national Zespri AIMS Games held in Tauranga amassing a staggering 87 Stableford points from his three nine-hole rounds - thanks to a barrage of booming drives and unerring iron shots.
Hailing from the small township of Taneatua - which doesn't even have a golf course - the talented teemaster strolled down the fairways of Mount Maunganui, Otumoetai and Summerhills golf clubs, with a beaming smile, wearing basketball boots and playing with borrowed clubs.
As he had only ever played three rounds of golf before going to the AIMS Games, Bayleigh was given a scoring handicap to reflect his newness to the game. He also has autism, meaning that - until recently - he spent most of his time in class under his desk, not speaking.
September 16
'As special as it gets': Johnson savours career-best Mt Smart moment in playoffs win over Knights
Through his decade-long, 251-game tenure with NZ Warriors, stalwart Shaun Johnson has created some cherished memories at Mt Smart.
Friday's emphatic 40-10 win over Newcastle Knights – with their season on the line - to book their place in the NRL preliminary final is one Johnson admits has shot right to the top of his rankings.
More specifically, with seven minutes to play and the result sealed, he had the luxury of exiting the game early to a round of cacophonous applause from a soldout crowd showering their prodigal son with adulation.
"It's a moment I'll never forget," said Johnson, shaking his head as he relived it.
"I'm 33... played a few seasons now. That's as special as it gets.
"I can't think of a better [Mt Smart moment]. They just make me feel so good and I love them for it."
September 17
'They can beat them': NRL legend Johns tips Warriors to upset Broncos at Brisbane
NZ Warriors have won over countless fans and pundits with their resurgent form in 2023, and the most high-profile figure to turn into a believer is rugby league great Andrew Johns.
Before the Warriors' convincing semi-final win over his former Newcastle Knights club, NRL 'Immortal' Johns admits he didn't think the Auckland-based side had enough talent to seriously threaten Brisbane Broncos in next weekend's preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium.
After witnessing the Warriors' seven-try blitzkrieg firsthand from the sidelines of a deafening Mt Smart, Johns has drastically changed his tune.
"Leading in, I thought whoever won that game over there yesterday, Brisbane would hammer them, whether it was the Knights or the Warriors, but I think the Warriors are a chance," Johns told Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
September 19
Woodchopping legend Wynyard reveals he has weeks to live, turns to alternative treatments in cancer battle
Legendary Kiwi woodchopper Jason Wynyard has been given just weeks to live in his battle against a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Wynyard, 49, is a nine-time world champion and has called upon those fighting instincts for the toughest battle of his life, but doctors have told him it is one he will not win.
In May, he was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt Lymphoma and has since undergone four cycles of chemotherapy, but learned before the fourth that the cancer had spread too far and was too aggressive to defeat.
In an Instagram post, Wynyard says doctors gave him the strongest possible chemo treatment, but on August 18, they told him there was nothing more they could do to help him and gave him weeks to live.
"We sat down with the doctors, Sharon and I, and got the pretty tough news," he said. "They gave me two weeks' survival time.
"It's been four weeks now and I'm still going, still fighting. Any time there's life, there's still hope... as long as you can keep looking for answers.
Kiwi Lawson reportedly misses out on 2024 Formula One seat with AlphaTauri
Despite a string of impressive performances as an injury replacement with AlphaTauri, Kiwi Liam Lawson has reportedly been overlooked for a fulltime Formula One drive with the team in 2024.
While Lawson, 21, has made a strong case to earn a seat on the 2024 F1 grid, German outlet Auto Motor Sport indicates he will not remain in the AlphaTauri cockpit.
Instead, Red Bull will continue with their current driver pairing of Japan's Yuki Tsunoda and Australian fan-favourite Daniel Ricciardo.
Newshub understands official confirmation of the team line-up will come this week, with Tsunoda taking centrestage at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix and Lawson remaining with AlphaTauri, due to Ricciardo's broken hand.
The news will be a huge blow to the rookie, who has beaten Tsunoda in all three races he has driven so far this season.
September 20
'Cool, really cool': Warriors faithful learn team song to celebrate winning season at Mt Smart
One of the perks of a winning season is being able to perform your team song in the sheds with your mates after each victory.
In 2022, NZ Warriors enjoyed that luxury precious few times - six to be exact - and even less at their spiritual home, as they served out the final months of their COVID-19 exile across the Tamsan, but turned that around this season to make a regular occurence of the ritual.
After each of their 15 NRL regular season wins, there were probably enough videos of that song posted on social media that most of the 26,000 fans at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart knew the words and pined for the chance to serenade their team after a playoff win over the Knights in their last home game.
The result was simply spine-tingling.
"It's pretty cool that the crowd knows the whole song," said veteran utility Dylan Walker. "When you hear them singing it after the game, you know you've done a good job."
September 23
Warriors owner Robinson watches gamble pay off with deep NRL playoff run
NZ Warriors owner Mark Robinson admits he's survived through some nervous times with the Auckland-based NRL club, but is finally seeing the fruits of his labour paying off.
After three seasons of COVID-19 exile across the Tasman and their worst-ever record in 2022, the Warriors have soared to premiership contention, as they face Brisbane Broncos for a spot in their third Grand Final.
Robinson first bought into the club in 2018 - the last time it reached the NRL playoffs - and took outright ownership 12 months later, stamping his own mark from his privileged position, as the organisation searched for the right culture to turn its fortunes around.
Right now, he looks something like a genius.
"At times, I was pretty worried with COVID and the rest of it, but we all got in together and stuck together," reflected Robinson. "We went through the club and worked out who needed to stay and who needed to go, and what players were important for our environment.
"This year, we're starting to see the fruits of it."
September 24
How social media reacted to 'blatant' forward pass in NZ Warriors playoff loss to Brisbane
The NRL and referee Gerard Sutton have come under fire for missing a "blatant" forward pass in the NZ Warriors' 42-12 preliminary final loss to Brisbane Broncos.
The Warriors' fairytale season came to a comprehensive end in front of a sellout crowd at Suncorp Stadium, as the Broncos ran in seven tries to three and booked their spot in the final against back-to-back defending champions Penrith Panthers.
One moment has left fans perplexed and infuriated at the referee.
Trailing 24-12 midway through the second half, the Warriors defence was split by Broncos fullback (and former Warrior) Reece Walsh, who floated a pass forward to winger Selwyn Cobbo, who then found second-rower Jordan Riki with another marginal pass for a try that put Brisbane three converted tries clear.
The pass was completely missed by Sutton and his sideline official, with Fox Sports Australia commentator Andrew Voss saying: "Walsh has thrown it forward a mile, it's gone forward more than a mile."
One fan said on Facebook: "That pass was already on daylight savings time - one hour forward."
September 25
Rock bottom: Australia all but eliminated from World Cup after record defeat to Wales
Wales have became the first side to advance to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a one-sided 40-6 demolition of Australia that left the two-time winners facing embarrassingly early elimination.
The victory at the OL Stadium guarantees a top-two finish in Pool C for Wales, while Australia's destiny is now out of their control, after already losing to Fiji.
An early try from Gareth Davies laid the platform for Welsh success, with Nick Tompkins and captain Jac Morgan also going over, while replacement first-five Gareth Anscombe efficiently kicked six penalties, a drop goal and a conversion, after taking over from the injured Dan Biggar.
Australia, who were World Cup winners in 1991 and 1999, and have never previously failed to get past the poolstage, did not add any score, after Ben Donaldson put over two penalties in the opening 14 minutes.
September 26
Swimming legend Pascoe announces she's pregnant with first child
Swimming champion Dame Sophie Pascoe - New Zealand's most decorated Paralympian - has announced she is pregnant with her first child.
Taking to Instagram, Dame Sophie has posted a video that her and partner Rob are expecting.
"Rob and I are very excited to share that we have a baby Samson on board who is well and truly kicking away, and planning to dive into this world early 2024," she wrote.
Dame Sophie has won an incredible 19 Paralympic medals won in the pool, dates back to Beijing 2008.
September 27
Teenage debutant Walmsley shines as Silver Ferns keep Taini Jamison series alive
A fantastic debut performance from shooter Amelia Walmsley has seen the Silver Ferns level the Taini Jamison Trophy, beating England 57-36 at Porirua's Te Rauparaha Arena.
Needing to make a statement after falling to a one-goal loss last weekend, Dame Noeline Taurua bravely handed the teenager her debut ahead of veteran Maia Wilson and was rewarded with a near flawless performance.
Walmsley netted an impressive 36 goals from 41 attempts and was supported by captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio's 21 goals and 10 assists.
Two days after the embarrassing defeat in the series-opener, New Zealand came out firing, as Dame Noeline made changes to the starting side from Christchurch.
With focus on Walmsley, playing her first test in front of her Central Pulse home crowd, shooting partner Ekenasio seized the early initiative, outscoring England singlehandedly in the opening quarter to give the Silver Ferns the upper hand at 17-7.
While Ekenasio dominated the early scoring, Walmsley was allowed to settle. After missing her opening two shots, Walmsley didn't miss again in the opening half, but a 5-0 scoring run from England saw the gap close, as the NZ advantage was cut to 27-23 at halftime.
Newshub Sport wishes you a Merry Christmas... see you in the New Year!
