The All Sport Breakfast

This week’s panel features Rugby Writer Jamie Wall and Newstalk ZB Sports Journalist Dean McLachlan. On the agenda this weekend:  Are Moana Pasifika in big trouble?   Violence and abuse on the sidelines   Kai Kara-France, our next superstar?   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic intend to shut down the Southern Steel's tried and tested connections in this afternoon's crucial ANZ Premiership matchup in Invercargill.  The hosts have former Tactix teammates Aliyah Dunn and Kimiora Poi, plus Kate and Georgia Heffernan.  Both sides are competing for the third playoff spot, with just three rounds to go in the regular season.  Capta...

The Warriors believe they're striking the Broncos just as the NRL giants are getting their mojo back.  The 4th placed Wahs are in Brisbane to tackle the Broncos from five o'clock this evening, knowing the home side has jumped to 7th on the ladder after two much-needed wins.  Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar says the six-time premiers are a hard team to scout.  LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp...

The Māori All Blacks are aiming to be both brutal and fleet-footed in tonight's clash against a Japan XV in Tokyo.  The match day 23, which features eight newcomers, has only had two trainings amid the travel to Japan after being named on Tuesday.  But first-time captain Kurt Eklund wants the team to play in typical Māori fashion, playing with power and pace.  The match is underway...

Bravo Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union.    The union, along with the full support of all concerned parties, have taken a stand against the scourge of the game. In fact, the scourge of sport full stop.   The unprecedented step of postponing an entire weekend of rugby, across all grades, is a case of the mouse that roared. This little provincial union, based in Levin, has acted...

This week’s panel features Nathan Limm and Ross Bond. On the agenda this weekend:    The Crusaders and Chiefs are clashing for the Super Rugby Pacific title   The Warriors are facing an underpowered Panthers team  Is Auckland City FC facing humiliation on the world stage?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors aren't underestimating an understrength Penrith Panthers line-up in today's NRL showdown at Mt Smart.  The four-time defending champions are without their State of Origin reps, with travel difficulties from Perth not allowing them to play.  Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones says even without the likes of Nathan Cleary and Isaiah Yeo, the Panthers are a threat.  Warr...

The Mystics aren't fretting about a short turnaround between ANZ Premiership matches.  The northerners pipped the Magic on Monday to maintain second place on the ladder, and the defending champs meet the same opponent in Hamilton this afternoon.  Mystics Head Coach Tia Winikerei joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

The Chiefs are confronting their unwanted record in Super Rugby finals ahead of tonight's decider against the Crusaders in Christchurch.  Defeats to tomorrow night's hosts in 2021 and 2023 as well as a loss to the Blues last year paint an ugly picture for the visitors.  However, the team won both of their regular season contests comfortably, and are entering the final with a points diffe...

What a blackeye for Grant Dalton.    Peter Burling's move to Luna Rossa says so much about their relationship, or the strained nature of it at least.   It was a shock when Peter elected to walk away from negotiations with Team NZ, a bigger shock that he’s now tied his colours to the mast of Luna Rossa’s AC75.   His exact role is not yet known, to us anyway, and should the proto...

The Crusaders are wary of losing momentum in tonight's Super Rugby final showdown against the Chiefs in Christchurch.  The Chiefs had a points differential of plus 231 after the regular season, more than 120 points better than any other team.  Crusaders wing Sevu Reece joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

This week’s panel features Gold Sport Rugby Commentator Hamish McKay and Aiden Mclaughin. On the agenda this weekend:  Mark Robinson’s calling it time   The Super Rugby Finals format   SBW v Paul Gallen - What's going on?   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Stars are determined to fix their starts as they look to rectify consecutive thrashings in the ANZ Premiership.  The South Auckland-based side host the Steel at Pullman Arena this afternoon.  They're coming off 21 and 17-goal hidings at the hands of the Magic.  Stars midcourter Lisa Mather says they have to come out hot.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Multiple World kickboxing champion and UFC veteran, Blood Diamond is intent on writing the final chapter of his storied combat career by taking his third King in the Ring Crown this weekend at Auckland’s EventFinda stadium.  The 110-fight veteran has built a legendary career that includes multiple world titles, UFC appearances, and two King in the Ring triumphs.   Victory this weekend wi...

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham admits Super Rugby Pacific's final-four playoffs stage remains their Achilles heel heading into tonight's semifinal with the Chiefs in Hamilton.  The Canberra side have lost four consecutive semis in Aotearoa, and haven't made a final since 2013.  Larkham's been asked if they've learned from those experiences.  The winner will face the Crusaders In nex...

The Blues are coming to terms with their title defence being over after the 21-14 semi-final defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch.  The Crusaders will host either the Chiefs or Brumbies next weekend in the decider, after absorbing a ferocious Blues performance.  The home side trailed 14-nil early and then were forced to park up at their own try-line as the Blues threw 40 phases at the...

The World Test Championship final is heading for quite the finish.   As we sit, South Africa needs 69 runs to get their hands on the Mace, still the coolest trophy in sport.    This means the game will actually get to day 4, a triumph in itself after the first two days where wickets tumbled with T20-like regularity, the game devolving into a war of attrition. It’s as if the players...

This week’s panel features Paul Allison and Alex Powell. On the agenda this weekend:  The new Black Caps coach has been named Rising complaints over the Super Rugby playoffs format Red Bull is giving Yuki Tsunoda time and support - something they didn't give Liam Lawson  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Southern Steel are looking to redeem themselves after last week’s ANZ Premiership fixture.   They were defeated by the Pulse, falling 45-70 in Invercargill.  Assistant Coach Liana Leota joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues will be fighting to get four of their departing players another week in the jersey when they battle the Chiefs in the Super Rugby playoffs tonight in Hamilton.  Mark Tele'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Harry Plummer and Adrian Choat are all leaving after this season.  Choat says the team's fully aware of what's at stake.  He told D’Arcy Waldegrave they’re all playing for each other,...

I’m fascinated by the accelerated criticisms around the finals structure of Super Rugby Pacific.   Granted, the process is not perfect. The matches could have been ordered in manner that may avoid the probability that the Hurricanes-Brumbies encounter result will be essentially of little import.   The nature of qualification where a life is offered to the highest qualifying loser isn’t i...

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says they can't afford to take the Blues lightly in today’s Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final in Hamilton.   The Chiefs beat the Blues twice this season, although their previous meeting was a one-point win.  McMillan feels they can't read much into the Blues' recent form but acknowledges the threat of the defending champions.  Tonight’s game is a rem...

The Crusaders' home Super Rugby playoff winning record has been extended to 30 consecutive games after a comfortable 32-12 win over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch.  The hosts ran in five tries to two and held the Reds scoreless for 70 minutes.  The result secures the Crusaders a home semifinal next week.  Commentator Tony Johnson joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to review the clash.&nb...

This week’s panel features NZ Herald Sports Journalist Michael Burgess and Sports Commentator Lavina Good. On the agenda this weekend:  Is the 'Run it Straight' style game a stain on society?   Violence against referees in local rugby.  What will Gary Stead's legacy be once he fully retires?   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Australian Correspondent Jim Dolan gives us the latest from the wonderful wide world of Aussie sport.   The Waratahs are still in with a chance - how?   Everyone is talking about the players who aren't playing in the NRL   The Aussies need someone to score some runs ahead of the World Test Championship.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...