Rugby Sevens Women nominated for Players of the year 2019
World Rugby’s women’s Sevens Player of the Year award will again go to a New Zealander, as the Black Ferns swept the nominations for the annual prize.
Having seen Black Ferns Sevens star Michaela Blyde claim the award in the past two years, teammates Ruby Tui, Tyla Nathan-Wong and captain Sarah Hirini have seen the Kiwi women complete a shut out of the 2019 nominations.
Tom Walsh becomes first man in history to defend the Diamond League shot put title
New Zealand’s Tom Walsh has become the first man in history to defend the Diamond League shot put title.
The defending world champion won the season finale in Brussels, Belgium with a throw of 22.3 metres.
Vantage Black Sticks Women book their place at the Tokyo Olympic Games
The Vantage Black Sticks Women have won the Oceania Cup against the Hockeyroos and booked their place at the Tokyo Olympic Games with a 1-1 draw. Heading into the match the New Zealand side only needed to draw the match to qualify for the Olympic Games and despite significant pressure late in the match the New Zealand side held their nerve to see off the Australians.
Black Sticks Coach Graham Shaw commented “The game was ugly at times, but the team dug in and was able to stick together to get a fantastic result”.
Black Sticks Men bounce back in game two against the Kookaburras
The Vantage Black Sticks Men have fought out a tough 2-2 draw with the Kookaburras in game two of the Oceania Cup from Rockhampton. The result sets up a must win final match for the Vantage Black Sticks Men as they look to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.
Vantage Black Sticks Captain Blair Tarrant staid after the match “We got the draw and its all on for tomorrows match as we look to bring home the Oceania Cup. We really focused on our midfield play and the boys in the midfield really stepped up tonight and did a great job for us”.
Addition to NZ Athletics Team for World Champs
A further addition to the Doha 2019 World Championships team has been confirmed with Caden Shields in the marathon event. This brings the team to a total of 13 athletes preparing to compete in Doha.
•Alana Barber (20km race walk)
•Portia Bing (400m hurdles)
•Camille Buscomb (10,000m)
•Jacko Gill (shot put)
•Malcolm Hicks (marathon)
•Zoe Hobbs (100m)
•Hamish Kerr (high jump)
•Edward Osei-Nketia (100m)
•Julia Ratcliffe (hammer throw)
•Quentin Rew (20km and 50km race walk)
•Caden Shields (marathon)
•Tom Walsh (shot put)
•Maddison-Lee Wesche (shot put)
Tim Price continues Kiwi charge at Burghley Horse Trials
Defending champion Tim Price is the best placed of the New Zealand riders after the cross country round at the Burghley Horse Trials in England.
The world number one is seventh on his mount Bango on 41.6 penalty points, with Britain’s Pippa Funnell at the top of the leaderboard on 26.8 heading into the final showjumping round.
