|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|

Pukekohe hosts Super Saturday
While the Chiefs men fell to the Hurricanes in Wellington at the weekend – see below for details – the women will be (effectively) right at home against the Hurricanes Poua in Pukekohe this weekend.
A double-header sees Navigation Homes Stadium host all four Super Rugby Aupiki teams with the Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua followed by the Blues taking on the South Island’s Matatū.
After falling agonisingly short to the Blues (27–26) at Waikato Stadium last Saturday, the Manawa will be hoping to secure their first win of the season in front of a ‘Homes’ crowd.
Rugby Final? What final?
Bugger… that is all.
Roigard back in black
Halfback Cameron Roigard is the lone Counties Manukau Steeler to secure a spot in the All Blacks’ class of 2026.
Roigard was a stand-out for the Hurricanes as they blew the Chiefs off the park in Wellington (60–5) during the Super Rugby final at the weekend.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie confirmed his squad for the Nations Championship Southern Series (begins July 4) on Monday.
Pukekohe-raised Blues’ half, Finlay Christie, was absent from the list.
To view the full All Black squad, click here.
Bulls – mess with them and…
You’ll get the horns!
Fresh from flushing Tauranga Whai away this Saturday in must-win for both franchises – yes, we’re optimistic! – the Franklin Bulls will be all set to take on the world… well, a little part of it anyway.
In addition to their next Sal’s NBL match, the Bulls will lock horns with the Philippine’s national team, Gilas Philipinas at the Stockyard in Pukekohe next Tuesday.
Gilas Philipinas are aiming to take down the Tall Blacks on July 3 during the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, so let’s hope the Bulls can soften them up a little (at least!) along the way.
See www.bullsbasketball.nz for tickets or more information about both fixtures.
All Whites – it’s (already?) a knockout?
The All Whites’ undefeated run at the football World Cup has come to an end.
As reported on Monday, after drawing their first fixture against Iran (2–2), the squad could not defend their 1–0 halftime lead, losing to Egypt 3–1.
New Zealand (ranked 85th in the world) will need to upset ninth-ranked Belgium on Saturday to have any hope of making the knockout stages.
Where is Liam Lawson?
Would the real Liam Lawson please call home? We would love to interview him again.
North & South
A Northern team is set to take on the Southern Steel this weekend during the ANZ Premiership final. Unfortunately, it’s the Mystics rather than the Northern Stars that will represent the North Island.
However, the Stars will rise again, as Times junior journalist Rose Fuller recently revealed – click here to read more.



