D'arcy And Goran

Joseph Parker is on the brink of one of the most important decisions of his professional boxing career – whether to sign a big-money multi-fight deal with Bob Arum or Eddie Hearn or remain as an independent.Duco's David Higgins, who has described this week as "pivotal" for Parker, will sit down with the former world champion heavyweight and his family and advisors tomorrow night to thrash out the options and map out a way for another title shot.Should Parker decide to sign with either American Arum or Englishman Hearn, the two main players who have millions of dollars at their disposal, it will mean a re-structure of his current promotional set-up, but either way Higgins will be closely involved.Should Parker and his team decide to remain as an independent, it will likely be a short-term arrangement as the money being thrown around in the sport at the moment is simply too big to ignore."We've received a few options that we're considering," Higgins said. "It could be that Joe ends up becoming a star in America

Greg Inglis has announced his immediate retirement from rugby league.The Rabbitohs captain revealed his decision on Monday, calling it quits on his glittering career nearly two years earlier than he'd planned to.The 32-year-old, who has claimed multiple premierships alongside a lengthy representative career, arrived at South Sydney headquarters to deliver the news."I think it's time and it's the right decision for me," an emotional Inglis told the media on Monday morning. "I've been contemplating it for a while now."As of today, it's official. There's been a lot of speculation out there. My body hasn't given up on me, but I think it's time for me. It's time for me to go and just enjoy life and look after the four horses I have now."It's been an incredible journey ... a remarkable ride.One of the most decorated players of the 21st century, Inglis has been battling a serious shoulder problem and hasn't played since he was injured in round two against St George Illawarra.He ends his tenure on the field with 263

Wellington Phoenix head coach Mark Rudan has rocked the club by informing them that he won't be back next season.The Australian, who has turned the Phoenix around since taking over from Darije Kalezic in May last year, will walk away halfway through his two-year deal - despite the club's best efforts to retain him.The Herald understands Rudan has been unwilling to discuss the situation with the club over the last month and has recently informed them that he is leaving.Rudan's future has been the subject of much speculation since the start of this year, as he has struggled with being isolated from his Sydney-based family.Since January, the Phoenix have been trying to put together a package to convince Rudan to stay, driven by chairman Rob Morrison, but they've been unsuccessful.Living closer to his wife and teenage children is believed to be a key driver of Rudan's decision to return to Australia, though the 43-year-old has also been frustrated with the financial resourcing of the club, and has spoken publicly

Israel Folau has copped a barrage of criticism after the Wallabies star doubled down on his anti-gay stance with a controversial Instagram post last night.The 30-year-old was slammed for calling on "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" to repent for their sins or else "hell awaits" them.In a caption, Folau added: "Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him."Wallabies players Samu Kerevi and Allan Alaalatoa have liked Folau's post.Folau has a history of making controversial, homophobic comments and his latest effort sparked a passionate backlash as Rugby Australia said its integrity unit will launch an investigation.Major Wallabies sponsor Qantas, who threatened to pull its sponsorship last year following a series of provocative posts from Folau, hit out over the Waratahs flyer's post."These comments are really disappointing and clearly don't reflect

Blues will continue to lean on Ma'a Nonu during the injury-enforced absence of their other midfield veteran.Sonny Bill Williams will have knee surgery tomorrow and is expected to be out for up to six weeks.Coach Leon MacDonald says they're fortunate to have the depth of experience the duo bring.He says Nonu has stepped up and is thriving with the extra minutes and game time.The Blues backline is unchanged to face the Chiefs on Saturday in Super Rugby but Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa TuungafasI and Dalton Papali'i come into the pack.The Chiefs backline is also unchanged, though co-captain Brodie Retallick and loosehead prop Angus Ta'avao return, while Taleni Seu comes in at number eight moving Tyler Ardron to lock.It is a chance for Ta'avao to reinforce his versatility value to the All Blacks selectors.With Aiden Ross out with a minor neck injury, Ta'avao will switch to the loosehead side of the scrum to face the Blues in Saturday's Super Rugby match.More known as a tighthead, Ta'avao is one of

Two key Highlanders will miss Friday night's Super Rugby derby against the Crusaders in Christchurch.Having lost first five Marty Banks to a broken foot, co-captain Luke Whitelock has been ruled out with a calf issue.Openside flanker James Lentjes says that's the nature of intra-conference play.“These Kiwi derbys are always physical, so you can always expect to lose a couple of players here and there, so it’s just a chance for someone else to step up and get involved.”That will be first-five Josh Ioane, who will start his first match since their round four loss to the Hurricanes last month.Fullback Ben Smith will captain the side on his 150th Super Rugby match for the Highlanders, taking the armband duties from Luke Whitelock who has been ruled out due to a calf niggle.Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Tom Franklin, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-

Owen Franks' stop-start Super Rugby season has hit another judder-bar.The Crusaders and All Blacks prop has been left out of the squad to play the Highlanders on Friday in Christchurch due to a shoulder injury.Franks has played just once in the last month, clocking 40 minutes against the Brumbies last week.Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says Franks will go for a scan and they'll take their time with him."He'll get a scan ... see how things are going with his shoulder," said Robertsons. "And the best thing for him, we just realise that we'll take our time with our players because we've got the depth in the squad, something we're really fortunate to have."We're rolling and trusting our squad and it's really important that we've got as many bodies available by the end of the competition and by trusting the players now."Fellow All Blacks Codie Taylor and George Bridge are also nursing minor injuries and weren't considered, while Sam Whitelock, Bryn Hall, Jack Goodhue and Brayden Ennor return to the side.Despite

The Wellington Phoenix's quest for a top four finish in the A-League has suffered a setback, paying the price for a listless first half in losing 3-1 away at Adelaide United.The result moves Adelaide level with the Phoenix in fourth place with three regular season matches remaining.The frantic battle for fourth spot – and the home playoff that comes with it – also includes Melbourne City who sit just one point behind after their 4-1 win over Brisbane on Friday.Adelaide came flying out of the blocks and went ahead in the 10th minute, veteran defender Michael Marrone escaping the attentions of Michal Kopczynski in the penalty area to nod home a right wing corner for just his second ever A-League goal.That lead was doubled seven minutes later when teenaged striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos swept home a right-wing cross from Phoenix old boy Scott Galloway.The first 35 minutes was one of the poorest periods of football produced by Wellington in their excellent season to date.Their passing lacked cohesion, possessi

Legendary NZ Rower Mahe Drysdale joins D'Arcy and Goran to explain why he is looking to continue his stellar career in the men's eight, going away from the single sculls.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara joins D'Arcy and Goran on the eve of yet another NZ derby, this time against the Highlanders. The Canes are looking to bounce back after last week's loss to the Crusaders.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some positive injury news for the Highlanders ahead of Friday's match..Having been out since February with an ankle injury, Rob Thompson has been named in the reserves.Coach Aaron Mauger is delighted to have Thompson available to back up starters Tei Walden and Richard Buckman.He says he brings experience and is arguably one of the best midfielders in the competition.Marty Banks retains the starting first five spot with Josh Ioane providing utility cover off the bench.The team will be facing the Hurricanes in a home match in Dunedin.The Wellington team announced their team, and there will be the third positional switch for Jordie Barrett in as many weeks.Having started for the Hurricanes at second five against the Stormers and right wing against the Crusaders, Barrett moves to centre for Friday night's match.Coach John Plumtree says the move has been forced on him.He says he's not big on moving players around and would like him to settle in to his favourite position but due to injuries they've had to do this.

Young Warriors half Adam Keighran will spend time in reserve grade this weekend, with Chanel Harris-Tevita set to make his NRL debut.After jostling with Keighran for the starting spot to begin the season, Harris-Tevita will get his chance this weekend against the Gold Coast Titans as the Warriors look to move on from their recent woes.Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said Harris-Tevita would be coming into the squad"It's part of the business. Everyone knows how this game works. The positive side is we give someone else an opportunity," Tuivasa-Sheck said."Now that Chanel gets a shot with us, we're looking forward to see how he goes in the top side."The side started the season with a dominant win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, but have been thoroughly outplayed in their past two outings with losses to the Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles. As a result, Kearney hinted that things would change in his line up."On the back of a couple of disappointing performances there will be some adjustments to the side," he

The Warriors insist their defensive issues can be fixed – but admit their confidence has taken a hammering over the last two games.The Auckland team has had a nightmare fortnight, with back to back performances that conjured up memories of the bad old days.Gone was the resilience and hunger on defence they displayed last year, when only four teams conceded fewer tries across the NRL season.In the space of 46 minutes at Campbelltown in round two the Tigers crossed for six tries, as the Warriors had no answers. On Sunday in Christchurch their defence was even more porous, as Manly scored eight tries, and could have had four or five more.It was a tough watch. Not only did the Warriors seem powerless at times to stop the Sea Eagles rolling up field – they often made 70 or 80 metres in a set – but they couldn't defend their line, and several Manly tries came from short range.The Warriors were on their heels, and grabbed and clawed at tackles, instead of driving with intent."Defence is plain and simple," said prop

The All Blacks most capped number nine and second most capped Highlanders player, halfback Aaron Smith, has signed a new two-year deal with NZR and his Super Rugby side through to 2021.30-year-old Smith made his All Blacks debut in 2012 and has been a mainstay in the national side ever since, playing 82 tests to date. He made his Highlanders debut in 2011 and has played 129 times for the side.Smith said he was excited to confirm that his future would be in New Zealand."From my earliest playing days, my focus has always been about being passionate about the teams I play for and I've always enjoyed giving 100 percent to the teams I represent," Smith said."I love representing the Highlanders and the All Blacks and playing my rugby in New Zealand gives me the chance to continue to do that."I'm grateful to NZ Rugby and the Highlanders organisation for all the support they've given me over my career and for the opportunities they have provided for myself and Teagan, going forward."New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew sa

Former Warrior and Sea Eagle, and Christchurch-born Lewis Brown joins D'Arcy and Goran to talk about the Sea Eagles-Warriors match this tomorrow night, as well as what Christchurch has been like since the mosque attacks two weeks ago.LISTEN TO LEWIS BROWN TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks sevens assistant coach Liam Barry joins D'Arcy and Goran to talk about his side's upcoming series' in Hong Kong and Singapore, with a host of returning players.LISTEN TO LIAM BARRY TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Phoenix striker David Williams talks with D'Arcy and Goran about the Phoenix's strong run of form, their upcoming match against the Newcastle Jets and their potential in the finals series.LISTEN TO DAVID WILLIAMS TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues are on the brink of their third win in a row - rare territory for them - and so perhaps not surprisingly their head coach Leon MacDonald has taken a softly, softly approach in terms of his selections.Which isn't to say that's an approach the Blues will take against a Stormers team which will attempt to bash them into submission from the opening whistle at Eden Park on Saturday, just that MacDonald hasn't changed much this week.Blues wing Rieko Ioane retains his place for another week as predicted, and Ma'a Nonu stays at No12 despite the return of Sonny Bill Williams, but perhaps the most significant selections as the Blues attempt to build on their win over the Highlanders are in the front row.After making a big impact from the reserves bench at Eden Park last weekend, that's where All Blacks props Karl Tu'inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi will once again find themselves.Sione Mafileo and Alex Hodgman are tasked with starting the job against what is a huge Stormers pack, and Tu'inukuafe and Tuungafasi wit

New Zealand Rugby high performance boss Mike Anthony accepts they didn't communicate the All Blacks conditioning plan for Super Rugby as best they could.Anthony has moved to clarify some of the confusion around the rest weeks required for the All Blacks during the competition.Brodie Retallick's headed home from the Chiefs tour after playing the opening six games, while other players have been rested after five.Anthony says the agreement is no more than six consecutive games."We initially talked around five and then with some feedback from clubs we revised that and said six."That is unless that is broken by a bye, in which case it restarts.Anthony says it wasn't perfectly communicated."We could have probably got out there to people so they understood it and our reasons for i, and reinforcing the fact that it's not just about getting our All Blacks performing at the Rugby World Cup, we want them performing at the back end of Super Rugby." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is quick to admit his side weren't up to their usual standard in last weekend's loss to the Waratahs."We were desperate last week but we were pretty inaccurate a lot of times at key moments," Robertson said. "That's our focus, we made sure we were really clear on what we needed to get better at."With the Crusaders' loss to the Waratahs, which ended their unbeaten start to the season, the Hurricanes were able to draw level on the points table with their southern counterparts at the top of the New Zealand conference.The Crusaders will take a strengthened side to Wellington in the search for local supremacy on Friday night, welcoming back a host of players including captain Kieran Read and Richie Mo'unga.The Hurricanes have had the Crusaders' number in Wellington in recent years, and Robertson noted the rivalry was something Super Rugby and New Zealand rugby needed."There's always the anticipation around it from the players and the public. They're always pretty brutal and results