D'arcy And Goran

New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew has set the record straight about the proposed Nations League format, saying his organisation hasn't yet agreed to the concept despite reports suggesting otherwise.RFU interim chief executive Nigel Melville indicated today that England won't be signing up for World Rugby's proposal due to concerns about the prospect of relegation.Melville's comments is seen as a major roadblock to the development of a global league, with the April 5 deadline to reach an agreement looming.Speaking to D'Arcy and Goran, Tew said reports suggesting a divide between Southern and Northern hemisphere teams in their support of the Nations League was a "complete exaggeration"."The concept that's on the table is one we're all working through," he said. "It's been reported since Nigel's comments that the Southern hemisphere wants it and the Northern hemisphere don't."Well that's not quite accurate. The reality is we have a great idea, it comes with complications, we need to do a lot of analysis ... and w

Emotions are running high around the cricket world after Kings XI Punjab captain Ravi Ashwin executed a Mankad dismissal in his team's IPL win.The wicket has sparked friction across the international game — but one image shows even legends of the sport have been caught up in the wrong debate.Spinner Ashwin took the bails off at the non-striker's end while England batsman Jos Buttler was backing up, with the controversial move overshadowing his side's 14-run victory over Rajasthan — and the IPL return of Aussie Steve Smith.The term "Mankad" — used when a bowler runs out a non-striker before delivery — was coined 70 years ago when Indian allrounder Vinoo Mankad twice ran out Bill Brown at the bowler's end during India's tour of Australia in 1947.It is considered to be against cricket's spirit of fair play and Buttler, who scored 69 off 43 deliveries, walked dejectedly back to the pavilion after an argument with the India bowler.While legends, including Shane Warne and England captain Michael Vaughan, have decla

Issac Luke has been named at hooker while Karl Lawton has been included on an extended bench for the Warriors ahead of Saturday's clash with the Sea Eagles at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.The Warriors will head into the "away" game looking to bounce back after an awful 34-6 loss to the Wests Tigers last Sunday.All 17 players who took the field at Campbelltown have been named in this week's line up with Lawton's inclusion in the place of Nate Roache the only change to the squad named by coach Stephen Kearney last Tuesday.Roache was a late withdrawal from the Tigers game after suffering from calf tightness at the captains' run."Last week's performance against the Tigers was disappointing," said Kearney."I'm expecting our players to respond accordingly and Saturday's game against Manly gives us a good chance to do that."Nate's still got a bit of tightness in his calf so we won't be risking him this week."Although he has been charged by the NRL judiciary for dangerous contact on Tigers forward Mikaele Thomas, prop

The Warriors stumbled in their second game of the season, but fans may not need to worry.The Kiwi NRL side failed against the Tigers, splashing out 34-6. Commentator Greg Alexander told D'Arcy and Goran that the Warriors just couldn't handle the rain that challenged them throughout the game. "The Tigers played very good wet weather football last week against Manly in atrocious conditions, and they just replicated that last night." However, he thinks that the Warriors just didn't give themselves an opportunity to play as they had against the Bulldogs.Alexander thinks the blueprint for success is there, and still have an opportunity to do well during the season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a reversal of fortunes for many Kiwi teams during the third round of the 2019 Super Rugby tournament.After both enduring difficult stretches of late, the Blues and Chiefs emerged victorious in their most recent games, putting an end to unfortunate losing streaks.The Crusaders, however, saw their year-long winning streak come to an end at the hands of the Waratahs. TVNZ reporter Scotty Stevenson joined D'Arcy and Goran to evaluate a weekend of matches and what the wins and losses mean for the rest of the season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues will attempt to win their first New Zealand derby since round one in 2016 without Sonny Bill Williams but the key midfielder has travelled to Christchurch to represent his Muslim faith with the blessing of his franchise.Williams' sadness at the horrific events in the city last Friday was evident in a video message he posted on a social media site later that day and it was agreed by all that Christchurch is where he should be at this time.His side play the Highlanders at Eden Park on Friday but assistant coach Tom Coventry today revealed the Blues' team management were set to approach Williams about a trip south anyway."We were going to ask Sonny whether he would like to go so we were all in agreement," Coventry said. "It was a pretty short conversation. We all know how hard he took it – it was a pretty simple decision to make."Sonny has gone down to aid and support his faith and the people he represents. It also lines up with an All Black break … it's been a torrid old couple of weeks for everyone a

Highladners veteran Marty Banks has been handed the keys to the attack this weekend, starting at No.10 in their match against the Blues.Banks will be making his first start with the club since returning from a stint abroad at the beginning of the year, with incumbent first five-eighth Josh Ioane moving to the bench.The 29-year-old was a key part of the Highlanders' 2015 Super Rugby championship victory and showed his class again in 2017 when he came off the bench to lead the Highlanders to a famous win against the British and Irish Lions.A cult hero among many New Zealand rugby fans, all three of Banks' appearances for the Highlanders have come from a reserve role this season.Banks will join a fairly settled Highlanders line up, with Ben Smith and Aaron Smith taking their regular places in the spine. Patelesio Tomkinson continues to hold down the No.13 jersey alongside Thomas Umaga-Jensen in the midfield.Young hooker Ray Niuia is in line for his first appearance for the club, should he be called upon to repla

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney wants an overhaul of the NRL's rules regarding mid-air tackles — and is confident that a solution can be found.In the wake of a potentially nasty incident involving Warriors winger David Fusitu'a on Saturday, which could have resulted in a serious injury, Kearney is agitating for change.He has been in dialogue with the NRL over the episode, and will ask for a "please explain" from the head of referees Bernard Sutton.The governing body has confirmed that the official got the call wrong on Saturday, but Kearney hopes more can be done."I've emailed the footage and my concerns over the tackle," said Kearney. "I'm looking to talk to Bernard Sutton to get a bit of clarification. They have already emailed me back to say it should have been a penalty ... so it raised a concern and they are addressing it. I'm sure they will make the appropriate changes if need be."Midway through the first half of the Warrior's 40-6 victory over the Bulldogs, Fusitu'a leapt high to reel in a Blake Green c

The Auckland Council has bailed out Eden Park to the tune of $63 million, and nearly $10m of that is a brand-new, no-strings grant.Mayor Phil Goff supported a proposal from officials that the extra money, totalling $9.8m, be a no-interest loan, secured against the Eden Park assets. But by a vote of 12-10, councillors preferred the option of a grant.Goff later told the Herald he believes councillors were wrong to give the Eden Park Trust Board a grant, partly because it is unsecured and partly because he believes it sets a bad precedent for the park."You can basically guarantee that Eden Park will be back for more, because why wouldn't they? That's free money we've just given them."The issue arose because Eden Park has a $40m loan due to ASB Bank, as well as a $7m credit facility. The trust cannot repay the loan, and under the terms of its deed the council was obliged to take it over. In addition, the council has a pre-existing $6.5m loan to the trust.The council has agreed to consolidate all those monies and

The Silver Ferns are set to face the New Zealand Invitation Men's Netball team in a World Cup preparation match.The historic game will be part of the upcoming International Netball Series, with the Silver Ferns also set to face the Fiji Pearls and an All Stars side at Pulman Arena in June.Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua said that facing the men's team would be a pleasant challenge for her side ahead of the World Cup - one which she wasn't overly confident would result in a win though."They're amazing when they play and we've sort of used and abused them in the past and not given them full recognition," Taurua told D'Arcy and Goran. "This is big, not only for the Silver Ferns but for our brand ... no one's ever done it before."The only offset to that is losing before the Worlds, possibly. More than likely they could beat us because we don't have the elevation or that same aerial gain."But we've gone in the past when we've absolutely smashed opposition going into the World Cup and we over-inflate what we

Silver Ferns legend Casey Kopua is set to hang up her black dress once more - and this time it's for good.Kopua announced on Friday that she will call time on her 17-season netball career at the end of this year's ANZ Premiership season.And although a retirement in 2015 didn't stop the 33-year-old from making a shock return to both domestic and international netball, Kopua was adamant that this year was her last."I know I retired internationally before and at that time it was the right thing to do ... [but] I'm happy with the decision," Kopua said."This next six months is the biggest six months for me because after that, that's it. The only difference is this time it's for good. My mind is willing, but my body isn't."Keen to finish her career on a high, Kopua said her pending retirement from the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic wouldn't affect her commitment to playing in July's Netball World Cup but was yet to decide what the future held for her involvement in the sport."In my mind, unless I'm injured I'm going t

Concussion has impacted the Highlanders side to host the Crusaders in Dunedin on Saturday night.Midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jenson and lock Pari Pari Parkinson have both been ruled out following head knocks.They've been replaced by Tei Walden and Jack Whetton respectively.Shannon Frizzell is on the blindside for Jackson Hemopo, while Waisake Naholo returns on the right wing. Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Richard Buckman, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (cc), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Josh Dickson, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone.Reserves: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Dillon Hunt, 22 Folau Fakatava, 23 Marty Banks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A surprise selection in the Crusaders front row for their Super Rugby match with the Highlanders this weekend.George Bower replaces the injured Joe Moody at loosehead prop, with Harry Allen remaining on the bench.Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says Bower is a strong, versatile prop forward.There are eight changes to the Crusaders starting fifteen including a first appearance of the season for captain Sam Whitelock."Every team has to go in with confidence," says Whitelock. "They're a good pack and will be trying to build on the success they've had this year. They'll be excited by that. That's our challenge. We have to go down to their home patch."All Black Whitelock's return could hardly have come at a better time – especially with his Crusaders and national teammate Scott Barrett putting in such a busy start to the year.Barrett is due for a rest next week when the Crusaders play the Waratahs in Sydney, as is Richie Mo'unga."It's good in a couple of ways," Robertson said of Whitelock's return. "We've grown a

The Hurricanes have axed both of their starting props from last week's Super Rugby win over the Highlanders.Chris Eves and Jeffrey To'omaga-Allen have been dropped from the 23, with Toby Smith and Ben May to start against the Chiefs on Friday night.Vaea Fifita moves to lock alongside James Blackwell, with Reed Prinsep to start at blindside.Assistant coach Jason Holland says changes are a combination of form and rotation.He says they're looking for ways to be better up front with different combinations.There is just one change to the backline with Wes Goosen starting on the left wing, with Ben Lam being rested.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The MCC's world cricket committee is pushing for a 'shot clock' to be introduced in test cricket.It's one of a number of moves to speed up over-rates, which have fallen to an 11-year low in the red-ball game.Under the proposal from the MCC, a 45-second countdown would be shown on the scoreboard as soon as the umpire calls "over".That would be increased to 60 seconds for a new batsman on strike, and 80 seconds for a change of bowler.On the first breach, they would receive a warning with further infringement resulting in five penalty runs being awarded to the opposition.Shane Warne, who is on the committee, says the ideas are aimed at making the sport a better watch.He says it's better for the public to follow and understand, by keeping it interesting.The committee has also suggested a standardised ball for test cricket's new championship.Former Black Cap Kyle Mills told D'Arcy and Goran that these changes are long overdue. He says a standardised ball is a great idea. "I've always wondered why this hasn't happe

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has denied claims that his dressing room is split after their horror start to the Super Rugby season.The side has struggled with handling errors and defensive lapses in the early season, finding themselves without a win through the first four rounds.And while their season appears to be on life support, Cooper has denied claims that the losing streak is affecting the dressing room."We work really hard on feedback and we've got good leaders in the group that will keep tapping in with us as coaches and making sure that we're all aligned and in the same waka," he told Radio Sport.Despite his leadership coming into question, Cooper said the team still had the belief they would be playing in the post-season. Flanker Mitchell Brown echoed that and said the players had to take the blame for their poor start."I think he's probably unfairly copping a lot of the blame," Brown said of the criticism Cooper had been receiving."At the end of the day it comes down to the players on the field and how

Adam Keighran has been named to make his NRL debut in the No.6 jersey alongside halfback Blake Green in the Warriors' season-opener against his former Canterbury-Bankstown club at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday.The 21-year-old started at standoff in each of the club's NRL trial wins over Melbourne and the Wests Tigers.Head coach Stephen Kearney has given him the chance against a club he played for in the former Intrust Super Premiership (now the Canterbury Cup NSW) in 2017 before switching to Penrith last year.While Keighran will be the only player on first-grade debut for the Warriors on Saturday, another former Bulldog Lachlan Burr will start at loose forward in his first outing for the club and his first NRL appearance in three years after last playing for Gold Coast in 2016.Keighran becomes Warrior number 231 and Burr number 232, with Burr coming into the side for Isaiah Papali'i who has been stood down for a week for a breach of club standards.After two games in 2009, he went on to play 177 games for No

Robbie Manson will be the New Zealand men's single sculler this international rowing season.Manson was confirmed today for the two World Cups and world championships, following his convincing victory over two-time Olympic gold medallist Mahe Drysdale in the Rowing New Zealand trials at Lake Karapiro earlier this week.While appreciative of the challenge from Drysdale, the 29-year-old was looking forward to now being able to put his sole focus on the world championships."It's been a good summer so it's nice to have that confirmation really just to be able to get on and focus on world champs this year and not have any distractions," Manson told Radio Sport."In some ways it (the challenge from Drysdale) has I guess pushed me to be better. But in other ways it's sort of possibly distracted from the bigger picture for myself."Manson, who finished in a disappointing fifth the previous two times he held the seat at the world championships, said he has learnt a lot from the last couple of years and is excited to impro

Sevu Reece is set to make his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders, just five months after having his overseas contract torn up due to a court appearance on an assault charge.Reece, who had a stellar Mitre 10 Cup season with Waikato, had inked a two-year deal with Irish side Connacht, but it was ripped up in October, after his involvement in a domestic violence incident in July.Reece was seen grabbing his partner and pulling her down to the ground, after the pair got into an argument. The woman suffered injuries to her face and bruising to her waist and knee. The judge granted Reece a discharge without conviction and fined him $750.It was enough for Connacht to end their association with the Waikato winger, and initially, Reece was not named in any Super Rugby squads.However, Reece was called into the Crusaders' camp for pre-season training, and has now been named in the defending champions' starting lineup for their clash against the Chiefs on Saturday. He is also likely to be named a full-time replacement fo

It will be a familiar side that runs out for the Hurricanes in Wellington against the Highlanders this weekend, with just two changes made.A week removed from their 43-13 battering of the Brumbies, the Hurricanes will welcome back utility Jordie Barrett and prop Jeff To'omaga-Allen to the starting side.Barrett will start on the wing against the Highlanders in place of Vince Aso, who moves back to the bench, with Chase Tiatia holding on to the No 15 jersey after an impressive outing against the Brumbies."We were really pleased with most aspects of our game against the Brumbies and we are looking to build on that by making minimal changes," Hurricanes coach John Plumtree said."There were obviously some tough calls when it came to selecting the side but we were really impressed with the way Chase handled his debut and he has been rewarded for that."The Highlanders are going to be a massive challenge for us, like all New Zealand derbies are, but we are very keen on maintaining our proud record at Westpac Stadium