The All Sport Breakfast

Today's All Star Panel features rugby commentator Ross Bond and sports broadcaster Rikki Swannell. On today's agenda: Did the All Blacks underestimate the under-strength French side in Dunedin? How reflective will today's Black Ferns clash be of their readiness for the World Cup? Is it fair that players have to pay to compete in age grade tournaments? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Front row Cheyenne Tuli-Fale has returned for the Auckland Premier Rugby Final, as two-time champions Ponsonby take on Marist in hopes of maintaining their winning streak. She joined Adam Cooper for a chat about the growth and development of premier grade rugby over the season, and rising competition standards. Tuli-Fale played for Blues Aupiki in the 2025 season and had a taste of the black jersey in the Black Ferns XV team facing the Black Ferns last weekend. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are facing a few hurdles when it comes to Sunday's NRL clash. With two back-to-back losses and their starting halfback out with an injury, they'll be looking to turn things around. Loose forward Erin Clark joined Adam Cooper ahead of the clash the West Tigers, to discuss if the team are ready to take a step up and return to winning ways. They also discussed Tanah Boyd's debut in the No. 7 jersey, and he gave his thoughts on the State of Origin clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Central Pulse are determined to do a fallen teammate proud and make the ANZ Premiership playoffs. The three-time champions need to beat the Magic in Tauranga on Saturday to fend off a late challenge from the Steel to make the Top 3. Midcourter Maddy Gordon joined Adam Cooper to preview their final round robin clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite Will Jordan's star turn at right wing for 79 minutes of the opening test against France, the All Blacks have decided against repeating the dose in the second test. Jordan will start at fullback on Saturday in Wellington, with Reiko Ioane moving over to the left wing and Emoni Narawa replacing an injured Caleb Clarke on the right. ZB's Voice of Rugby Elliott Smith caught up with Jordan when the team was announced earlier this week, discussing the line up changes, switching jersey numbers, and what the All Blacks are expecting from France in match two. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The French are busy this weekend, with the Tour de France kicking off tonight in Lille. 21 stages, 3,338 kilometres, it's a gruelling test of endurance. Christchurch's Laurence Pithie has been selected to compete by German team Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe – competing for the first time. The 22 year old is set to become just the 19th New Zealander to compete since the event began in 1903, and he joined Nick Bewley for a chat ahead of the race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been nearly five years, but the wait is almost over for the Warriors women who will return to the NRL-W tomorrow afternoon. Their opening match is against the defending champions the Sydney Roosters, with kick off at 1.50pm. Their first home game is next weekend in Hamilton. Starting halfback Emily Curtain joined Nick Bewley ahead of her club debut for a chat about the upcoming season. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight sees the All Blacks face off against France in the first test of the 2025 Season. Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho has been named as a reserve, and sat down for a one on one with Elliott Smith ahead of the action. They chatted about an injury forcing Taukei'aho out of the game for 2024, and how the birth of his first child impacted his perspective in life. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has surged to an historic quarter-final win against Switzerland at basketball's Under-19 World Cup in Lausanne. Down by six points at halftime, the junior Tall Blacks won 84-70 - the first time they've made the semi-finals of the global event in this age group. The team joins the 2002 Tall Blacks, who came fourth at the world championships, and the 2024 U17 side, as the one of the few teams to make it this far at the Basketball World Cup. Former Tall Black Casey Frank joined Nick Bewley to unpack the team's success. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international rugby double header is kicking off this afternoon in Whangarei. The Black Ferns are taking on the Black Ferns XV from 1:05, followed by the Māori All Blacks clash against Scotland from 3:35. Antonio Shalfoon is set to make his debut for the Māori side, and joined Nick Bewley for a chat about playing for the team and his unreal 2025 season so far. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 from 9.05pm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 on a promise, has backed up a threat, has drawn a line in the sand. Tired of the increasing rhetoric of rage emanating from the sideline, they have made a stand. Not on my watch. Not on our sidelines. Not in front of our children. It may seem like taking a gun to a knife fight, an overreaction to a small number of ferals who choose to behave like animals, but it's not. It's the act of a union who has the moral strength to attempt to bring a narrative of respect and decency back to our national game. This weekend, hundreds of players will hit pause on their season because of the actions of a few. This will eventually, I believe, trigger a groundswell of fans of the game, who will no longer tolerate the actions of a few. This is not a ‘thoughts and prayers' moment. This is a small voice that has been heard all over the country, that I'd hope will embolden other unions to follow suit. For one person to stand up to a sideline goon is difficult, but when many take the same stand, the power will be transferred from the transgressor to the greater good. The regrettable part of this is not that it must happen, which is a sad indictment on sporting fandom, but that it has been pioneered by a small union in the heartland. Horowhenua Kapiti RFU shouldn't have to take the weight of this on their shoulders, this is not their issue. NZR is the custodian of the game, they are the wheelhouse, this is their responsibility. It's a black mark on their organisation that this boil must be lanced by a small union, not by the people charged with running the game. HKRFU wrote in their release, the standard you walk past is the standard you accept. As a nation of sports fans, we must no longer accept the misguided rage from the sideline. Surely we're better than that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 privacy information.

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 differential more than 120 points better than any other team. Assistant Coach David Hill joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 protocol stop him from climbing on board, I really don't think that matters. His ability to point his dinghy in the right direction is plainly off the scale, that in itself would be a kidney punch to TNZ, but it's what he brings off the briny deep that will have the rest of the fleet a little freaked out. The amount of intellectual property Pete has stuffed in his noggin I'd say is unmatched across the America's Cup. His mana alone in the sailing world casts an enormous shadow over any regatta, his presence within the Italian set up will lift their performance just knowing he's there. I'm surprised in that, as a new parent, I figured he would continue to maintain full engagement in Sail GP, a competition he has full skin in, and be dad the rest of the time. He says he's looking forward to the family lifestyle in Italy, so obviously the demands of Luna Rossa are nowhere near as oppressive as life in a corrugated iron shed with Grant. He's going to be able to breathe, to live, to be his own man. Dum vivimus vivamus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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 privacy information.

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 will etch his name in history as only the third triple champ alongside his lifelong training partner Israel Adesanya, and fellow City Kickboxing stalwart Nikora Lee Kingi. D'Arcy Waldegrave catches up Blood Diamond ahead of what may be his last bout. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 next week's grand final. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 them to try and send the game to extra time. Newstalk ZB Rugby Editor Elliott Smith joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to review the first semi-final. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 didn't want to be there, and it's easy enough to understand why. In the brave new world of T20 franchise baboonery —the money-soaked technicolour chimpanzees' tea party circus masquerading as cricket— test cricket is increasingly becoming a side show, a curious look back to the days where patience was a virtue. Although most players will run with the line that it is a true test and the pinnacle of the sport, this archaic 5-day concept is growing more and more difficult to justify. Hard core cricket fans will never turn their backs on the glory of the old school, so the long game will always have its place. But as the years tick by, the nature of the diminished human attention span, coupled with the financial and calendar-based stresses of keeping 5-day exchanges afloat, the game will slowly fade. The new generation of cricketers, with the avalanche of money and lack of hugely demanding physical and mental exertion T20 offers, could hardly be blamed for focusing their talents anywhere but the shortest form. The WTC, although a laudable concept, still needs to work to hold the attention of fans. A pertinent first move would be to base the final in the top qualifier's backyard. The detached energy of the bemused Lords spectators suggests that they're there because they're members, there for the experience, not because the care about the final result. As a lover of the long game, I hope that the WTC will remain and as time passes, the ICC will develop the series to bring the best of the exchanges to the fore. But with the demands placed on a time poor populace, the obscene money available to the players for little or no effort, and the wholly insignificant nature of the results of franchise T20 exchanges, hope might be all us old fellas have. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, and they're trying to get the job done as they still have a goal to win the entire competition. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 ideal. The issue here of course is the number of teams competing. This was foisted upon the organisers after the Rebels folded. That odd number has created the need for an unusual competition structure which has caused much consternation amongst, predominantly, the media. That number of teams though, has also been the making of this Super Rugby this season. As sad as it was to watch the hapless Rebels stumble and fall, their death has resulted in a vibrant competition that has enthralled the masses since day one. This appears to have been forgotten by the army of enraged media who are now taking potshots at the structure, now that they have tired of celebrating the good. The powers that be had no idea how the points collection would pan out. They weren't to know who would end up where. Yes, they had control over the placement of the finals fixtures, and have probably acquiesced to the broadcasters timing needs, but Super Rugby Pacific isn't a charity, bills need to be paid. There is only one certainty here. There will be one winner. Regardless of how they scale their lofty peak, whatever steps they had to take, none of that matters in the wash up. The champion of 2025 will be remembered, not how they got there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 rematch of last year's final, in which the Blues claimed victory 41-10. Chiefs scrum-half Xavier Roe joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

The Northern Mystics expect to take on a mirror image of themselves when they battle the Mainland Tactix in their ANZ Premiership netball game in Rangiora this afternoon. The Mystics are unbeaten after three rounds and top-of-the-table with nine points, while the Tactix are second on seven points. Captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson points to depth as each team's strength. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek has powered into the last 16 of the French Tennis Open with a straight sets win over Romania's Jaqueline Cristian. World number one Aryna Sabalenka, Jasmine Paolini, Qin-Wen Zheng, and Elena Rybakina are also through. Tennis Correspondent Craig Gabriel joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the results of the third round from Roland Garros. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Crusaders have clinched the second seed in Super Rugby Pacific after a thrilling 33-31 win over the Brumbies in Canberra. Trailing 31-28 with seven minutes remaining, replacement hooker George Bell dotted down in the 77th minute to snatch victory. Sky Sport Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the final round of Super Rugby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A home farewell for a quintet of Blues players in tonight's Super Rugby contest against the Waratahs at Eden Park. Mark Tele'a, Harry Plummer, Ricky Riccitelli, and Adrian Choat are leaving the franchise to head offshore, while Rieko Ioane goes on sabbatical in Ireland. The defending champions host the Waratahs tonight at Eden Park, needing a win and hoping Moana Pasifika lose to the Hurricanes in the capital later this evening. The Waratahs could also sneak into sixth if they beat the Blues and Moana also goes down. Blues player of the year and possible All Blacks bolter Josh Fusitu'a joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent explosion of side-show violence masquerading as sport and the associated media coverage has been quite the eye opener. Basically, it's a Darwin Award trilogy. Combat sports' way of contributing to the awards which recognize individuals who have aided human evolution by removing themselves from the gene pool by dying or becoming sterilized under their own steam. The first of the new look Darwin Award games was the wince inducing Power Slap. The two people slapping each other game has been around for a while now, created by UFC Empresario Dana White. Nothing subtle about this. One contestant stands still whilst the other contestant slaps them in the face with all the power they can muster. They then trade places. Defenceless. Sitting duck stupidity if you will. Part two of the ‘can't look away car crash' triptych was released onto an unsuspecting public in the form of Run It Straight. An Australian game that has chosen to replicate the collisions found in rugby and rugby league. Zero subtleties here, one contestant runs flat out at the other one, holding a ball to give the exchange some tenuous connection to sport. They collide. That's it. That's the game. Dumber than a bag of hammers. The third instalment of the trilogy is the Dan Hooker driven One Minute Scrap. Dan is a UFC fighter who holds a series of one minute stand up punch ups in his back yard. You have one minute to knock the other participant into next week. Agricultural if you will. There are common denominators here: Appeals to the very baseline of the human psyche. Beat someone up. I'm tougher than you, I win. Straight out of the stone-age. The end goal is money. Money. Dirty cash I want you, dirty cash I need you, oh. Clickbait. It's all there to hook straight into the veins of the bored social media hordes. Easy to understand, quick, violent. The rules are so incredibly simple, even the most mentally challenged can understand them. Indeed, the contestants appear to be in that same class. All these pastimes (not sport) are a sad but wholly predictable reflection on the current state of humanity. But before we get too judgey on this, let's not forget that in our so-called advanced society, we still resort to war to settle our differences. Physically we've left the cave, but mentally we are still very much there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's panel features NZ Herald Sports Journalist Bonnie Jansen & Freelance sports journalist Aidan McLaughlin. On the agenda this weekend: Can Auckland FC make it all the way to the Grand Final? Should Ardie Savea get a look at the All Blacks captaincy? Supercars is taking off in New Zealand - this time Christchurch joins the party. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Squash Open is currently underway at the North Shore Squash Club with some intriguing matches in store across the weekend. The men's PSA Challenger has its quarters and semis on Saturday and final Sunday while the women's Satellite runs Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The men's draw involves players such as Northland left-hander Freddie Jameson, who was a finalist at the New Zealand Junior Open this year - but is up against another teen in Auckland's Vihan Chathury who will be playing for New Zealand at World Junior Championships in Egypt in July. New Zealand Juniors coach Evan Williams joined D'Arcy Waldegrave for an update on the action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.