The All Sport Breakfast

The richest horse race in New Zealand is taking place today. Ellerslie Racecourse is hosting the NZB Kiwi this afternoon, as part of Champions Day in Auckland. Ellerslie's CEO, Paul Wilcox, joined D'Arcy to discuss the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is this the Warriors' year? The team put on an emphatic performance, smashing the Sydney Roosters 42-18 in their NRL season opener last night. Chanel Harris-Tavita grabbed two of the Warriors seven tries, as they refused to settle on their 22-6 halftime lead. Former Captain Tohu Harris joined D'Arcy to unpack the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major Super Rugby Pacific clash is looming. The Blues are back at Eden Park, set to take on the Crusaders in a primetime match up tonight. The Crusaders will be looking to keep their momentum rolling after a dominant showing against the Chiefs last weekend, while the Blues will be aiming to bounce back after a final play defeat to the Brumbies. Lock for the Blues, Josh Beehre joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi golfer Nick Voke is in touching distance of the lead after two rounds of the Japan-Australasia Championship in Auckland. Voke's carded a six-under par second round to sit in second position at eight-under for the tournament, one shot behind joint leaders Kohei Okada and Jay Mackenzie. He caught up with D'Arcy after coming off the green yesterday for a chat about how he's tracking so far. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South Africans couldn't remove their World Cup back monkey; can the New Zealanders jettison their shoulder riding chimp? The Indian cricketers have a similar issue with New Zealand, the little team that continue to embarrass the dominant force in world cricket. The Proteas problem of choking in big moments at global white ball tournaments has long been an itch that can't be scratched. After cruising through the World Cup prelims, unbeaten until the semi-final versus the Black Caps, the Africans, full of rightful confidence, held on so tightly to expectation that they strangled the life out of any chances they had. They slumped when it mattered, the oxygen required to operate at such a level of competition, was sucked from them, not only by the miserly bowling from NZ, but by the suffocating nature of unrealised potential. They didn't choke, they self-asphyxiated, as impossible as that may sound. The Black Caps may well stumble at the last hurdle, the monkey on their back not being one that chokes the life out of them, it's the one that whispers in their ear, you're not good enough. Constantly reminded by the world that they have no right to be at the sharpest end of tournament with their tiny population and almost non-existent player base, they have been so close, and short of the Nairobi Champions Trophy win a quarter of a century ago, never pushed through to claim the major title that has beckoned. India has a different, but equally stressful issue. New Zealand has become a thorn in their side, that's been there so long it's gone septic. When it really matters, India can't put New Zealand away. All the money in the world, an incomprehensibly vast population comparison and a governing body that will stop at nothing to stack the odds in India's favour, yet New Zealand regularly gets up their face and embarrasses them. The next layer of pressure for the Indian side is the weight of expectation they must carry. At home, in front of 130,000 fans in the Ahmedabad Stadium, defending champions who may be the first team to go back-to-back in T20 World Cups and the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home. Does any of this matter come Monday morning? It shouldn't. Do past performances really dictate future outcomes? Strictly speaking they don't, but they do play on the minds of competitors. Who deals with these mind shadows the best will surely hold the trophy aloft. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have found some form over the last few weeks, including a 5-0 demolition of the Wellington Phoenix, and a 3-0 victory over Melbourne City. This Sunday they're set to take on the Perth Glory – a team that defeated them earlier this year. D'Arcy was joined in studio by Jake Girdwood-Reich and Lachie Brook, a midfielder and a winger for Auckland FC, to preview the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big athletics meet is taking place in Auckland this weekend – the Trackstars Meet. Tonight some of the biggest track and field athletes will be hitting The Trusts Arena, vying for the title of Track Star. One of the competitors is running prodigy Sam Ruthe, who joined D'Arcy to preview the event and chat about the early stages of his career. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific franchise conceded that their round 9 fixture against the Chiefs will not take place in the Kingdom of Tonga. Short of a last-minute significant sponsorship deal, the game will be played in either Pukekohe or Rotorua. This will be the second time in as many years that the Auckland based team will be unable to ply their trade on the friendly islands. This is wretched news for the fans in Tonga. To have a Super game in their backyard would be a sporting highlight for the populace, to be denied again is heartbreaking for the team (according to CEO Debbie Sorenson) and for the rugby mad fans across the archipelago, all 170 islands....or the 40-odd inhabited ones at least. Emotionally difficult, but fiscally impossible. Even if they could extract 600 k of sponsorship blood out of the stone of our embattled economy, it would be irresponsible to use that money to spend 80 minutes playing rugby in front of 10,000 people. It makes no sense. And it wouldn't make any dollars either. The $600 k is based on the cost of the broadcast; a figure Sky TV won't assist with. Really? That much? Look at the NPC, they film that on a potato, surely they could drastically reduce costs, shoot an inferior product for the good of the people of Tonga. Playing there is a wonderfully romantic notion, and I commend Manu Pasifika for having a crack, but the reality is that that trip to Nuku'alofa is a nice to have, nothing more, nothing less - and that's the long and short of it. Manu Pasifika may represent the islands, but with a Pasifika population in Auckland of 400, 000, this where the focus of the club should be. Tamaki Makaurau is the hotbed of Pacific rugby talent. This city is where the eyeballs are, where the crowd numbers should be and where their success will be built. Sure, as an aspirational exercise for the kids of the Kingdom – you've got to see it to be it – it would be a significant exercise, but beyond the moth filled pockets of Moana Pasifika. I'm under the impression that the king of Tonga is worth a few sheckles, maybe hit him up to cover the costs? Regardless, it's not going to happen soon, if it should happen at all. That'll do. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tall Blacks are back in action over in the Philippines as they play a series of World Cup qualifying matches. They won their first matchup against the Philippines early yesterday morning and will look to make it two from two when they take on Guam tomorrow night. Judd Flavel is the head coach of the Tall Blacks and he joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend the Manu World Champs hits the Auckland waterfront for the first of two qualifying rounds in the city of sails. Piri Weepu, former All Black and now ambassador for the Manu World Champs joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZ golf open rolls on with the third days play getting underway later today. Yesterday afternoon D'Arcy caught up with Dan Hillier, a pro golfer representing New Zealand at the open shortly after hopping off the green for the day to discuss how he's been going at the tournament and what it means to compete in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Theres another exciting night of racing lining up at Waikaraka Park this evening. Tonight racers will be competing for the NZ Modified Grand Prix, with the Auckland street stock champs also in action. Brad Lane won the modified dirt cup last weekend and will be racing tonight, and he joined D'Arcy this morning to discuss the competition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have stumbled in their final Super 8 match at the T20 world cup overnight against England, losing by 4 wickets. The Black Caps set a target of 159/7 led by strong contributions from Glenn Phillips (39) and Tim Seifert (35) but no one was able to push on for a big total. They looked to have the game in the bag with England requiring 43 off the final 3 overs, but an expensive Glenn Phillips over conceded 22 runs putting New Zealand on the back foot. A strong partnership of 44 for the seventh wicket between Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed sealed the match for England. D'Arcy was joined by Rachin Ravindra shortly after the match to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last weekend Auckland FC put on a statement performance in the New Zealand derby against the Wellington Phoenix running out 5-0 winners in Wellington. This weekend they are back home when they take on Melbourne City later today. Jesse Randall is an attacker for Auckland FC who at the moment is also at the top of the goal scoring standings. He joined D'Arcy to discuss the derby and look ahead to tonight's game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the country's best track and field talent will be on show in Christchurch this afternoon as the city hosts its annual International Track Meet. Tom Walsh, Nick Palmer, Anna Grimaldi, Lisa Adams, and Tiaan Whelpton are all set to compete in their respective events. Shot putter Nick Palmer has the home crowd advantage, and joined D'Arcy to preview the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're rolling into the second week of Super Rugby with a blockbuster New Zealand derby. The Chiefs are heading down to Dunedin to face off against the Highlanders this evening. The Highlanders will be aiming to keep their momentum going, after last weekend's victory over the defending champion, the Crusaders. Attack coach Cory Brown joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are hitting the waves as the Ocean Swim series returns to the Bay of Islands. There's a range of different races this weekend, with something for anyone. Brent Foster, former Commonwealth Games and Ironman competitor, is one of those swimming – he joined D'Arcy to discuss the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uh oh. Trouble at mill. Trouble on the slopes. Trouble with five-time Olympic medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott. I hasten to add, not trouble of her doing – I don't believe that she has a troubling bone in her body. The NZ press has jumped on a perceived error within the judging panel, who placed the Kiwi in silver medal position after her final slopestyle run. It was by a snowflake, a mere .35 of a point behind eventual winner, the Japanese rider Mari Fukada. Two-time British Olympian Aimee Fuller has told TNT Sports that she believes the final decision was controversial and the judges got it wrong. “I think there was injustice in the results of today's women's slopestyle final, a real shame to see that progression wasn't rewarded on this instance.” Progression being the key word here —a buzz word that has long hovered around snowboarding— which is the ability, drive, and necessity to continue to raise the quality and difficulty of tricks in the Slopestyle, Half pipe, and Big Air. Aimee makes some valid points around the application of scores through each section of Zoi's run, the final three jumps being the crux of the criticism. Technically sound on the rails from the Kiwi, but progressively superior in the air. Pushing the boundaries successfully and cleanly, a level above the eventual gold medallist. If I was being picky, Zoi's dismount on the third rail, the front side lip slide with a 270 pretzel out, was a metre or two early and that may have cost her. But the main gripe from Fuller rests with the glamorous final three jumps. I'm no judge, I haven't slid in 15 years, and when I did ride, I was a sloppy try hard, so it's probably a bit rich for me to comment. This debate around an athlete besmirched can be whittled down to one thing: the vagaries of judging. As beautiful and gobsmacking as judged events can be, it's a subjective bunfight and really has no place at an Olympic level. Highest, fastest, longest, strongest, etc. Measured not judged. The athletes know this, are comfortable with this, and understand the complexities and perceived injustices of the process. Yet they still compete. They accept, smile, and move on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breakers could still earn a basketball prize this season when they face the Adelaide 36ers in Sunday's Ignite Cup final on the Gold Coast. They ended the ANBL regular competition in seventh after beating the ninth-placed Taipans 115-84 in their final match. The Ignite Cup took place throughout the regular season, and there are some serious cash prizes on the line. Parker Jackson-Cartwright, point guard for the Breakers, joined D'Arcy to discuss the game. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025/26 A League season will see our third New Zealand derby play out, with Auckland FC taking on the Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium tonight. The Black Knights will look to make it 6-0 against their southern rivals and build some momentum as they head into the back half of the season. Auckland FC coach Steve Corica joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland needs sporting events. As many as possible. As big and flash and shiny as they come. The oft rumoured State of Origin has been teasing the populace for many a year. Rumours are still thick on the ground; this time it's thought that the announcement will be as early as this month. Great if it happens, but it will be a one off I'd suggest, great for a stellar tourist weekend for the 09, but not the long term locked down major sporting event the city yearns for. We have the ASB Classic. An annual tennis-fest to be proud of, long may it be a staple of the summer. The annual All Black fixture at Eden Park. Then crickets. The insects, not the test version which the city is incapable of hosting. It's hardly big or shiny either right? I'm not sure it's sport, but the hugely popular Black Clash cricket sportainment event is in the Bay. No big motorsport event in AK, although there were attempts at bringing Formula E here, but that got quashed before it had a chance to plug in. Supercars? Taupo and Christchurch. The World Rally Championship has been and gone; it is now a rarely realised pipe dream. Sevens rugby is long dead. Aotearoa's major golf tournament is in Queenstown. PDC darts? At least we've pinched that back from the Tron. Surfing's World League? Raglan. No America's Cup, thanks Grant. All of this points to one thing, the Auckland leg of the Sail GP. If the government and Auckland city don't fight tooth and nail to keep this rapidly expanding global event here on the sparkling Waitemata, somebody will need to get in the sea. These opportunities to host a major sporting event like this as a rare as a summer without poo on our beaches. Secure it and secure it long term. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sail GP is in full swing this weekend at the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland with 12 teams from across the world competing. In last year's edition of the competition the Great Britain team took home the glory winning the competition. Hannah Mills was part of that team as the strategist. She joined D'Arcy to discuss the weekends action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Super Rugby season is officially underway with the first two games happening last night. The Highlanders edged past the Crusaders in a thriller 25-23 while the Waratahs put on a dominant performance against the Reds 36-12 There's a three game slate this evening but we are going to look at the prime time match happening between the Blues and the Chiefs at Eden Park tonight. Both teams will be wanting to make a statement to begin the season and get their campaigns underway with a victory. Zarn Sullivan is the fullback for the Blues, and he joined D'Arcy to discuss the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sail GP buildup continues as the second round of the competition gets underway today in the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland. Melanie Roberts is the race director. She has been managing all of the events since it began in 2019. She joined D'Arcy to discuss what she has seen change and evolve throughout her time, what conditions are looking like for this weekend and what is the most difficult part of being the manager. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow afternoon there is a huge game going down at FMG Stadium in Waikato, the NRL All Star Game. The game is competed between the Maori All Stars and the Indigenous All Stars. Briton Nikora is a second rower for the Maori All Stars and he joined D'Arcy to discuss the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge multisport event got underway this morning in the South Island the iconic Coast to Coast race. The race spans 243km beginning at Kumara Beach on the West Coast and finishes at New Brighton Beach in Christchurch. Hamish Elliot is competing at the event, he won in 2024 and was a runner up in 2025. Hamish joined D'Arcy to discuss the race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big weekend in Auckland this weekend with the second round of the 2026 Sail GP season taking place in the Waitemata harbour over the weekend. 12 teams from across the globe have descended on Auckland for what's set to be an exciting weekend of racing. D'Arcy kicked off the show at the event by chatting with Blair Tuke. He is the co-CEO and wing trimmer for the New Zealand team named the Black Foils and they discussed the event and what it means for the New Zealand team to be competing after the disaster in Perth a few weeks ago. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major athletics meet is taking place tomorrow in Auckland – the Sir Graeme Douglas International. The meet covers a wide range of track and field events, attracting competitors from across the country, including Paralympian Anna Grimaldi. She won a gold and a bronze at the Paris Olympics, in the 200m and 100m respectively, and will be competing tomorrow in the para women's 100m. Grimaldi joined D'Arcy to preview the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Perth 7s are kicking off tonight – the fourth stop of the 2025/26 rugby 7s circuit. The Black Ferns Sevens put on a dominant display in Singapore last weekend, running through the pool stages and semi-final before dominating Australia in the finals, 36-7. They'll be aiming to string together another dominant tournament and continue to build their lead over Australia in the series standings. Jorja Miller joined D'Arcy to look back on their success in Singapore and look ahead to Perth. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a Super Smash-induced hiatus, the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield returns to the Eden Park outer oval. The Auckland Hearts are set to take on the Central Hinds in the first of two matches today, and will hope to hit the ground running with a strong performance. Fast bowler for the Hearts, Bree Illing joined D'Arcy to preview the test. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC was unable to get themselves back on track last weekend, falling in the final moments to the Perth Glory – 2-1. They'll be raring to return to their winning ways this weekend in their home game against Sydney FC, aiming to put their troubling start to the year behind them. Central defender for Auckland FC Jake Girdwood-Reich joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the match and discuss the team's performance thus far. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joy. Respect. Aroha. This is snow sport. For the most part, those three words sum up the Winter Olympics. The crotch dropped pants and laissez-faire attitude of the snowboarders and skiers in big air, slopestyle, and halfpipe at the winter medal fest is a beacon of this state of mind. To watch the encouragement and enthusiasm of the competitors as they celebrate every athlete up against them, is to understand the primary driver of these extraordinary humans. Genuine celebration of success oozes out of every pore as the next big trick is stomped, which is a frequent occurrence in these snow sport disciplines, based on the oft used word, progression. The constant evolution we witness shows no sign of abating, each run promises to amaze and astound and push the boundaries of the sport. Don't get me wrong, these athletes are fiercely competitive, risking life and limb for their country, they are relentless in their quest for victory. But they leave that for their run, the rest of the time, from the sideline, they are expressing support, excitement and joy. Rock stars the lot of them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feet are hitting the ground tomorrow in Auckland. The Coatesville Half Marathon is the third race in the five-event Auckland Half Marathon Series and features a mix of challenging terrain and stunning views. Jasmine Finney is taking part in tomorrow's race, and joined D'Arcy to preview it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are beginning. It kicked off with the opening ceremony earlier this morning, snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Freeski athlete Ben Barclay selected as the flagbearers for New Zealand. New Zealand's Chef de Mission Marty Toomey joined D'Arcy Waldegrave for a chat heading into the Games. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big weekend for racing fans. The New Zealand Grand Prix is kicking off at Otago's Highland Motorsport – one of the only two national grand prix events currently not part of F1. It's the 70th edition of the race and also serves as the Grand Final of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. V8 Supercar driver Ryan Wood is taking part this weekend, and he joined D'Arcy to discuss the race. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HYROX is back for 2026. The race combines eight 1km bouts of running and eight workout stations, and participation has nearly doubled since it debuted in New Zealand last year – rising from 6000 to nearly 11,000 athletes. Kiwi Dexter Buchanan took second place at the Men's Pro in Melbourne, and joined D'Arcy to explain more about the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC's patchy form has continued into 2026 with a draw to the Central Coast Mariners last week. The game ended 2-2 after Auckland conceded a late goal. They'll be hoping to return to their winning ways this weekend when they cross the ditch to take on the Perth Glory at home. Central midfielder Louis Verstraete joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canterbury men will contest their sixth consecutive Grand Final in cricket's T20 Super Smash after trouncing Auckland by nine-wickets in Christchurch. The Kings rolled the Aces for just 106 in 18.4 overs. Canterbury opener Chad Bowes then thumped an unbeaten 59 off 31 balls to secure victory with a whopping 9.3 overs to spare. They'll face the Northern Brave in this afternoon's title decider at the same venue. Head Coach Peter Fulton joined D'Arcy to reflect on last night's clash, and look ahead to today's Grand Final. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major sporting event is taking place this weekend in Dunedin – the Masters Games. It's the 37th edition of the event, and with over 60 sports on offer, it caters to every athlete who wants to get involved. Former All Black Kees Meeuws is an ambassador for the event, and joined D'Arcy Waldegrave for a chat. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland is hosting the Canoe Slalom Oceania Championships this weekend, and with ICF ranking points on the line, all competitors will be determined to put on a good show. Finn Butcher, Kiwi Olympic Gold Medallist, is one of the competitors, and he joined D'Arcy for a chat ahead of the Championship. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm for the old guy. Being an old guy myself, I'll be cheering for Novak Djokovic in tomorrow's Australian Open final. But why? It's just not the fact that Novak is at level 38 (better than saying 38 years old) and is going toe to toe with one of the next generation of tennis superstars, nor is it a lifelong fanboy situation. I'm not a fan. Really, in the case of a lot of tennis players, he's hard to like. His anti-vax status, as fashionable as it's become, still beggars' belief. Please, don't message me defending his decision, he's entitled to do what he wants with his carcass, hell, he can burn books too if that's his thing. My support of him in this final boils down to one thing, and aptly it's as self-centred as a lot of tennis players are, it comes down to my desire to witness history. Novak has risen to demigod status not only in tennis, but sport full stop. But he can still go up a notch. Roger Federer rightly has a place in the holding pen of tennis goats, as does Rafa Nadal and Andre Agassi. Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, and Margaret Court are chewing cud there too. Novak already has a golden slam (all titles and an Olympic gold) as does Steffi Graf. He's the only male triple career slam holder (Steffi Graf has 4), he has a non-calendar year Grand Slam as well. Tomorrow though, he could move out of the holding pen into the paddock. All alone. If he captures a record 25th Grand Slam he will become the true GOAT. I want to see him make tennis history. That's why I'm cheering for Novak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC defender Dan Hall admits it's been frustrating that the side have struggled to keep the ball out of their net this season. The Black Knights have only managed four clean sheets during the current A-League campaign and have conceded six goals in their last four games. Hall believes if his reigning minor premiers can improve their defence, it will help their attack. He told D'Arcy Waldegrave that as a defender, you pride yourself on clean sheets, which haven't been there as much as last season. “So that's obviously something to work on.” Auckland FC host the Central Coast Mariners at Mount Smart from 5pm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.