The All Sport Breakfast

Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa is underway, the Tauranga Whai opening the tournament with a 81-60 victory over the Northern Kahu last night. The Tokomanawa Queens are kicking off their own campaign tomorrow afternoon, taking on the Kahu at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua. Coach Tania Tapu joined D'Arcy to preview the tournament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've arrived at the penultimate round of the NPC. Northland has just one last opponent in the way of their quest to lock up the Ranfurly Shield for the summer. Counties Manukau are making their way up north this afternoon with the aim of wrestling the Shield from their grasp and beginning their own reign. Captain Jimmy Tupou joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National League is upon us. The first fixtures between the country's top clubs are taking place – Auckland FC's reserve side is beginning their campaign with a clash against the Wellington Olympic, hoping to start on a high note. Captain of the side, Jimmy Mitchell joined D'Arcy to preview the season. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After claiming victory over both France and Scotland, the Black Ferns are looking to cap off their Northern Tour with a win over the current World Champions: England. The Red Roses showed some vulnerability last weekend, drawing with Canada, and the Ferns will be aiming to capitalise on that, defeating them for the first time since 2022's World Cup Final. Winger Justine McGregor joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fish heads have met. And will meet again. And again, and again. Then possibly, hopefully, maybe they will arrive at conclusion that will rescue the game of rugby from itself. On Thursday NZR met with key rugby stakeholders to start hammering out a plan which will, all things going well and good, beat some financial sense into the national game. As it stands, the game will die if the status quo remains. The key question, begging a rapid and brutal answer is this: earn more or spend less? Based on conversations with the boss of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association Rob Nichol, the answer is simple. The game needs to stop spending money on things it can't afford, on things it doesn't need. Bog standard budgeting really. Disclaimer: this is plainly a very simplistic assertion, from a simple man who is not neck deep in the fiscal weeds of running an enormous and important machine. The issue the game faces is this. Every character around the summit table needs a haircut and a shave, but no-one wants to be the first on the chair when Sweeney Todd opens for business. No one wants to face the prospect of a skinhead or a mullet or a cutthroat blade shave for the benefit of all. The game isn't poverty stricken as it stands, but the trajectory, a favourite line in NZR board-speak, is boring in and down. Collapsed scrum, broken necks. Like in most households, the cost-of-living crisis is real, and as tempting as it is to put it all on the plastic and worry about it later, i.e. the ill-advised but impossibly difficult to ignore Silverlake debacle, this is a short-term and fraught process, destined for failure. I get the distinct feeling that David Kirk knows what has to happen and this current series of board room exchanges is merely lip service before the buck is forcibly stopped. Right there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Davis Cup returns to Auckland this weekend. After a big win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in February secured our promotion to Group 1, New Zealand is set to take on Japan. Artem Sitak is the non-playing captain for the New Zealand team, and joined D'Arcy to discuss the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian NBL season has arrived. The Breakers are set to begin their campaign tomorrow afternoon, going up against the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena. Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright joined D'Arcy to preview the season opener. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After kicking off their WXV Global Series with a win over France, the Black Ferns are back in action this weekend. They're taking on Scotland, building towards next weekend's major clash against England – the World Champions. Prop for the Ferns, Maddison Robinson joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow the Warriors face the first of possibly three club-defining crossroads. The first junction to be successfully negotiated is the one blocked by the Newcastle Knights. Beyond that does not warrant comment. It's Newcastle or the bush. Nothing else matters. It's easy to punch down on the prospects of the team. Their first foray into the 2026 finals season exposed many a fissure that the team has papered over so far. This is not a criticism of the team. It's what finals football is, a deep interrogation of all teams, peeling back layers to expose the vulnerabilities each team has been careful to mask. The Warriors 2026 are a relatively inexperienced group who are flirting with greatness. The white-hot atmosphere of finals football will be turned up a notch at Eden Park. That firestorm last week may have cooked the side, but it was survivable, such is the reward for finishing the regular season near the top of the table. A loss wasn't season ending. This week, should they be exposed to the same barbeque, the charred remains will be scraped off the plate into the bin of lost promise. However, there are reasons as fans to embrace the positive possibilities. The pants-down bottom slap of last week served as a timely reminder of the fine line between celebration and commiseration. The team now know how delicate that hair-trigger is, and are now experientially aware of that impossibly fine line. Speaking to some of the team on Tuesday, the biggest takeaway was a sense of calm. There was little in the way of stress. There was a contained excitement, carefully managed internal confidence, framed by the fresh recognition of soul crushing defeat and the joy of playing their favourite game on the biggest stage. That's a heady mix. Up the Wahs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pressure is on for the Warriors. They're gearing up for a do or die match against the Newcastle Knights – a win would book them a spot in next week's preliminary finals while a loss would end their season. Earlier in the week D'Arcy caught up with Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett to discuss Sunday's clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pole vaulter Imogen Ayris has admitted the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest was hardly a target to begin the year. The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and compatriot Eliza McCartney qualified for the event in its maiden running as two of the top eight ranked athletes. Ayris explained to Adam Cooper how she went from being happy sitting outside the world's top 15, before flying up into contention. The pair are scheduled to compete early tomorrow morning. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a comfortable win over the Springboks Women, the Black Ferns are kicking off their WXV Global Series campaign. They're back in action early Sunday morning, facing France at Matmut Stadium in Lyon. Atlanta Lolohea is coming off the bench for the Ferns, and joined Adam Cooper to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the final showdown in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. The All Blacks have one last chance to level the series, as the Springboks are leading 2-1 as they head into the Baltimore clash. Elliott Smith, Newstalk ZB's Voice of Rugby, is on the ground in the States, and caught up with winger Will Jordan to preview the final test. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are gearing up for arguably their biggest game in years. They're taking on the Dolphins tonight in the first qualifying final, and a win would put them straight through to a preliminary final in two weeks' time. Former Warrior and Rugby League Commentator, Willie Poching joined Adam Cooper to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young athletes are converging in Tauranga from today for a sporting tournament that trumps the Olympics. More than 14,000 intermediate aged athletes will compete in this year's AIMS Games, both from across New Zealand and overseas. Organiser Kelly Schischka joined D'Arcy to preview the week-long tournament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest events on the Auckland running calendar is kicking off tomorrow. The North Shore Marathon is a mixture of road, beach, and grass trails, and offers a 5km, quarter marathon, half, and a full marathon option, as well as a kid's route. Organiser Dion Jelly joined D'Arcy to discuss the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a long and intense season, we've finally reached the final round of NRL's regular season. The Warriors have secured a spot in the finals, and have a shot at securing their first minor premiership since 2002 when they take on Manly tonight at Mt Smart Stadium. Halfback Tanah Boyd is currently sideline with a knee injury, but joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the eve of the third test of the Greatest Rivalry Tour – and the final on South African soil. The series is tied, both the All Blacks and Springboks having won one game, and both teams will be vying to take the lead. Newstalk ZB's Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith is in South Africa, and he spoke with starting hooker Asafo Aumua ahead of the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A historic clash tonight, as the Black Ferns take on the Springbok Women on South African soil for the first time. It's the first in a double header, the Ferns clashing ahead of the third test between the All Blacks and Springboks early Sunday morning. Winger Justine McGregor joined D'Arcy to preview the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have this horrible feeling that there are flocks of unhatched chickens being counted in NZ league circles currently. As the team continues to make every post a winner, even when the odd victory is more by fluke than design, the chants increase in volume. Last week's stumbling effort against the Knights may have eventually realised plenty of points for the Penrose gang, but it also reiterated the constant guillotine-like threat that hangs over the necks of all teams in the NRL. It only takes a slight drop in intensity, skill, effort, focus, etc for the opposition to scoot away with the chocolates. The Warriors were only saved from a face full of egg by the ham-fisted shithousery from Jacob Saifiti, who was marched after 13 for an attempted beheading of Luke Laulilii. Forced to play the remainder of the fixture a man down, Newcastle lost by only 14, 12 of those points scored in the last 18 minutes. With 7 of the 8 tries converted, the team has a lot to thank Taine Tuaupiki for. The cards look favourable for the Warriors. Their fine work across the season to date has given the fans every reason to puff out their collective chests and believe that indeed this is the mythical year they have dreamed of. This afternoon against Manly will give more strength the arms of the team and their followers should the regular season finish with a victory. Moreso if the victory is without the lint that was attracted to last week's tumbling effort. It's not how you start, it's how you end. The finish line is in sight, but that tempting target must be ignored until the back straight. One precise foot after another is all that is required right now. Let's not count unhatched chickens, one of those eggs might contain a goose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Farah Palmer Cup is back. It kicks off today, with the first round taking place over the weekend. Auckland is looking for redemption after bowing out at the semi-final stage last year, but are faced with a challenging first round match up – Canterbury. Captain Eloise Blackwell joined D'Arcy to preview the tournament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History was made last week, the Northland Taniwha claiming the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1978. They defeated Canterbury 36-12 at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium and have brought the famed Log of Wood up north. Tomorrow evening is their first defence, clashing with the Tasman Mako. Taniwha prop Marcel Renata joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are well and truly rolling, now sitting on top the NRL ladder with a minor premiership in sight. It comes after their comprehensive victory over the Rabbitohs, 45-26, last Saturday. They have just two games to go, and winning both is of utmost importance if they're to secure a top spot on the ladder after the Panther's claimed victory over the Bulldogs last night. First up is their clash with the Knights tomorrow afternoon at Mt Smart Stadium. Warriors Assistant Coach David Tangata-Toa joined D'Arcy to discuss the season and their upcoming match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Standing at the base of El Capitan. A sheer granite face in Yosemite National Park in the US. 2300 meters of near-death experience. The film Free Solo documented the outrageous ascent of that overwhelming rock face by free climber Alex Hannold. Watch it, it'll bend your mind. Alex scales the monster unaided. A free climb. No ropes, no fear. No second chance. Climbing shoes and chalk – that's it. The All Blacks won't fall to their deaths if they slip on the face during their ascent of their El Capitan, the scaling of South African rugby. Every step, every foothold, every crimp, pinch, pocket, or sloper negotiated without fail. One wrong move for a free climber; the game is over. So far the All Blacks have negotiated their treacherous climb with only the odd misstep or slip. Some loose grips and sketchy holds have left them hanging by chalk coated fingertips, but they have not lost their grip on the face. Whether this team can continue their climb to the tour's summit is unknown, but we'll all be watching, craning our necks to get a good view of what will be a stupendous achievement. Let us not forget the mass pessimism expressed by the rugby public when this Greatest Rivalry Tour was announced, the fear of inevitable defeat, the remote hope of at least taking one win from the many exchanges. The All Blacks had been faltering, showing an almost expected vulnerability at every turn, with the halcyon days of global domination a dearly held but distant memory of what the All Blacks meant to us. A colossus. An unflinching, merciless and relentless group of men hell bent on conquering all. Under Dave Rennie, for those who dare to dream, the All Blacks may scale those dizzying heights again. Unlike free climbing, mistakes aren't punishable with a fatal fall into the yawning emptiness, and although a successful climb in this instance looks as unlikely as a free climb of El Capitan, this seemingly impossible task is looking more likely with every carefully taken step and cautious hold. Fortune favours the brave.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are braced for a South Africa backlash in the second test of four in Cape Town tomorrow morning. They'll be aiming for a repeat of last weekend's dominant victory and to keep their winning streak alive. Dave Rennie has made three changes to his side, including bringing Simon Parker on to the blindside flank due to the injury to Josh Lord. Former All Black Reuben Thorne joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Ferns are back in action this afternoon. They're going head-to-head to the Wallaroos at GoMedia Stadium this afternoon – their first international match since they last clashed in April. Mererangi Paul is starting on the wing for the side and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A dominant victory over the Broncos last week has put the Warriors in a good position in their quest to claim a top two spot. However, a win against the Rabbitohs tonight is of utmost importance to keep that dream alive. Joe Vagana, former Warriors prop, joined D'Arcy to discuss the season and the upcoming clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Rally Championship is rolling on. The Hawke's Bay Rally is returning to the region for the first time since 2022, when it was cancelled due to Cyclone Gabrielle. Hayden Paddon is taking part in today's race, and joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The action is nearing, with the first test in the Greatest Rivalry Tour kicking off tomorrow morning. The All Blacks are going head-to-head with the Springboks at Johannesburg's Ellis Park at 3am Sunday. Anton Leinert-Brown has been named to come off the bench for the Kiwi side, and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Log o' Wood. A generational continuum. From the dawn of time —okay, 1904— NZ rugby teams have competed for a slab of oak, donated to NZR by Uchter John Mark Knox, the 13th Governor of New Zealand, the 5th Arl of Ranfurly. The magic and the presence of the Shield hasn't dimmed in all those years. Thursday night's fireworks at New Zealand's newest sporting toy, Tahi Aotearoa Whare hakinakina kei Te Kaha (One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha) was a wonderful collision of the old and the new. The Shield and the stadium. Another stich in the rich and varied tapestry that is New Zealand rugby. The explosion of joy from the Taniwha, both players and fans, illustrated the hold this elusive trophy has on our national game. The stark difference in reaction from last week's losing captain, Bay of Plenty's Naitoa ah Kuoi and this week's triumphant skipper Rivez Reihana, encompass what victory in these fierce exchanges mean to the game. As a young fella, growing up in the 70's in Otautahi Christchurch, the Sheild to me was fringed with an almost indescribable aura. There was not a great deal of books at our place, but of the few, one stood out. Can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but on the cover was a picture of the Shield. It intrigued me and has ever since, through decades of domestic encounters. The 1985 game between Canterbury and Auckland in front of over 50,000 fans was a game that has reached legendary status, a game that every Christchurch man and his dog claimed to have attended. In the office on Thursday night, one of my colleagues, a young man from the north, cried as his team did the unthinkable and won the Shield. Billy is as engaged as I was, decades later. The game's highlight for me was a shot of ex-Northland players Eric Rush and David Holwell in the stands, watching their kids in Cambridge blue lift the log. The joy was infectious. Intergenerational continuum. The Ranfurly Shield, the greatest trophy in New Zealand sport, by the length of the straight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Darts Masters is in Auckland this weekend, showcasing some of the best darts players in the world. It kicked off today at Spark Arena, and PDC Commentator Mark Webster joined D'Arcy to chat about the all the action expected over the weekend. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bar has been set for the Warriors as they look to content for a Premiership this season. Coming off a dominant win over the Panthers, the Warriors are looking to back that up against the Broncos in Brisbane tonight. Chanel Harris-Tavita plays in the halves for the team, and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have gone two for two to begin their first tour of South Africa in three years. They have one last chance to refine their game before taking on the Springboks – facing the Bulls tomorrow morning at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Assistant Coach Tamati Ellison joined D'Ary to discuss their preparations and preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greatest Rivalry Tour is rolling on, the All Blacks facing the Bulls after going two for two to start things off. They'll be wanting to continue their work building combinations with the first Springboks test a little over a week away. Elliott Smith is over in South Africa, and caught up with All Blacks first-five Josh Jacomb to ahead of the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2011. World Cup. In NZ. First five eighth freight train derailment. Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald. Just saying. Being an All Black is dangerous. Being an international rugby player is fraught. Playing against the biggest, fastest, toughest athletes rugby produces is just asking for a pass to the sick bay. There are no guarantees around continuity of selection or form, nor avoidance of calamitous injury. Dave Rennie knows this. His selection of Richie Mo'unga has raised an eyebrow or two considering the saturation of potential 10s within his South African tour squad. There are points aplenty around Richie's recall to the national side: It's a long path to the World Cup and with the pivot role being that of utmost import, having a stuffed quiver is essential. Richie's inclusion also gives him the best chance of learning the ropes of Rennie's way. Having a heady mix of experience and youth within creates a habitat rich with opportunity to lift and learn. This is a combined effort to take the playmaker role into rarified air, the space, if you can breathe, where World Cup winning sides are born. The combined rugby intelligence quota of Mo'unga, Love, Barrett, McKensie, and Jacomb provides a rich and fertile ground for the continued growth of this pivot role. As Lucinda Williams sings, "Water the dirt; flowers last for you". Gardener Rennie knows this. He hasn't got long to plant his crop and reap what he's sown, so he's getting his seeds in deep now, and I know why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL's top four are log-jammed as the battle for a top two spot ramps up ahead of the finals. With four and a half rounds to go, the Panthers and Roosters sit level on 36 points, the Warriors on 34 and the Sharks have 32, but face the Dragons tomorrow night. The Warriors strengthened their push for the top with a decisive win over the Panthers last night – 28-12. Former Warrior Motu Tony joined D'Arcy to recap the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A scratchy first outing for the All Blacks to open their tour of South Africa. They've needed a late surge to shake off the Stormers for a flattering 38-21 win in Cape Town. The match was locked at 14-all before the All Blacks scored four tries in the final 15 minutes as the visitors finally tired. All Blacks Assistant Coach Tana Umaga joined D'Arcy to review the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wasn't pretty, but the All Blacks managed to claw their way to victory in the opening match of the Greatest Rivalry Tour. Poor discipline saw them concede three yellow cards, but in the end, they claimed a 33-14 win over the Stormers. Former All Black Wyatt Crockett joined D'Arcy to review the action. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scene set. Questions answered. Last night the Warriors stood up to be counted. All week I'd been speaking my truth on-air: if the Warriors couldn't beat Penrith at Mt Smart, they didn't deserve to be in the NRL title conversation. They do now. They do so on the back of some outstanding contributions, that of the returning half Luke Metcalf and newfound centre staple Leka Halasima. Luke's return showed what this team had been missing, and with all due respect to Martin and Boyd, Metcalf brings to the halves attributes not consistently displayed by the former. This is not to throw shade at the other two 7's, who in their own right have provided a lot for the fans to celebrate. But there was magic on display last night, from a player who had spent so long on the bench his backside was burning a hole in the pine. He did enough to secure his role for the duration of the season whilst simultaneously giving coach Webster a guilt headache. Halasima, Leka the Centre, continues to excite and surprise in the role he has surely made his own. As a 20 year old, his promise is immense. I shudder to think what this phenom is capable of. Along with those two stars, the team's performance as a whole got me thinking that... Y'know, it might actually be... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 NPC season has kicked off with a bang. Tonight's prime time viewing is the next chapter in the storied rivalry between North and South, with Auckland heading across the Strait to take on Canterbury. Xavi Taele is starting at centre for Auckland, and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRLW Warriors are starting their season on a roll, winning three of their four opening matches. Tomorrow afternoon they're taking on the Titans during Magic Round in a huge 3v4 clash, aiming to cement their spot on the ladder. Prop Annetta Nu'uausala joined D'Arcy to preview the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a rough loss to the Bulldogs last weekend, the Warriors are back at their home away from home, taking on the Gold Coast Titans. A bounce back is crucial to remain within touching distance of the top two spots. Assistant Coach David Tangata-Toa joined D'Arcy to discuss last week's performance and the upcoming clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.