Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 24th July 2025
In today's episode, the government has directed Sport NZ to scrap its guidelines for how to make community sport more inclusive for transgender people; A scathing review of Nelson Hospital has found the persistent delays in recruiting medical staff has been compounded by ageing infrastructure and increasing demand for service; A new government report warns the number homeless people in New Zealand has increased at a rate researchers believe is faster than population growth; The Wall Street Journal is running a story saying the US Justice Department told Donald Trump his name is among many in the Epstein Files; Australia has taken out the top title in this year's Trans-Tasman Best Tasting Tap Water competition, beating New Zealand's Timaru; Sam's Butchery, in the Auckland suburb of Silverdale, has officially claimed the crown for the country's best bacon.
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RNZ News
16 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Black Cap Jacob Duffy to make his Test debut
New Zealand's Jacob Duffy Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Otago bowler Jacob Duffy will finally achieve a dream when he takes to the field for the second Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday. Duffy will make his Test debut after being confirmed in the Black Caps eleven. With a couple of injuries in the squad Duffy was tapped on the shoulder by coach Rob Walter, confirming he would play in Bulawayo. "It's been a while coming; I'm not a spring chicken anymore," 31-year-old Duffy said on the eve of the Test. "There are certain points in your career when you wonder if it's ever going to happen." The quick bowler has played 27 T20 internationals and 14 ODIs since making his international debut in 2020 and while he has been a part of a Test squad he has never played the longest form of the game. Duffy said he has always loved his time in the Black Caps squad, however, some moments have been tough. "When you're the guy sitting there without a cap all those times it can be pretty tough to swallow. "That Indian Test series (at the end of 2024) when we won 3-0 over there was one of my favourite tours I've ever been on and I didn't even play. "So to get that black cap is a dream come true and I feel like I really belong." He admits it is also going to be emotional when he takes the field at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. "Hopefully we win the toss and I get a bowl. I'd love to get into it straight away and team up with my good mate Matt Henry at the other end with the new ball. "Just do what I do, if I'm not ready now I'm never going to be." Captain Mitchell Santner confirmed Duffy would play and indicated there could be other debutants. With quick bowlers Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke ruled out with injury from the first Test lineup, Ben Lister, Zak Foulkes and Matt Fisher come into contention. Black Caps bowler Jacob Duffy celebrates with team mates after dismissing Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis during the recent one day series between the two sides. Photo: Photosport Batting allrounder Michael Bracewell, who played the first Test is now in England so Ajaz Patel is a spinning option. However, Santner will probably take the lead with that role and adding Patel does lengthen the tail. So two other quicks could be selected with Foulkes likely because of his batting skills. The top order is likely to remain unchanged despite Bevon Jacobs being called in as cover. That could result in Santner moving up to seven in the batting order with two of Foulkes, Lister and Fisher playing. Meanwhile, Brendan Taylor returns to the Zimbabwe side following his suspension. Taylor was suspended for three and a half years for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code. The 39 year old is just 62 runs away from becoming the third Zimbabwean to scored 10,000 international runs. New Zealand won the first Test by nine wickets.
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Surely Duffy has earned test cap
Surely Otago right-armer Jacob Duffy will make his test debut tonight. Surely? Right? The Black Caps have called in two uncapped seamers for the second test against Zimbabwe beginning in Bulawayo tonight. Auckland left-armer Ben Lister and Canterbury all-rounder Zak Foulkes have been called into the side to replace the injured Will O'Rourke (stiff back) and Nathan Smith (abdominal injury). You would think Duffy and Northern Districts quick Matt Fisher — who are both uncapped at test level as well — would have dibs given they have been with the squad longer. But has Michael Bracewell's absence complicated the selection? The all-rounder has left the squad and returned to England to fill his commitments with the Southern Brave in The Hundred. Foulkes shapes as the most like-for-like replacement for Bracewell. But he is a right-arm medium pacer, and his inclusion would leave the Black Caps with another key decision to make about whether to go into the game with a second specialist spinner. Tweaker Ajaz Patel is waiting in the wings for that gig. If he gets the nod, it would come down to a straight shootout among Duffy, Fisher and Lister as to who joins Matt Henry in the seam attack. There is a lot of justified hype around Fisher and the extra pace he has. In many ways, he is more of a like-for-like replacement for O'Rourke. But Duffy has earned his opportunity. He has been on two tours of England and a tour of India and has yet to play a test. The 31-year-old Southlander has fashioned an impressive T20 international record. In 27 games, he has grabbed 38 wickets at an average of 16.34 and an economy rate of seven. His ODI record is not too shabby either. He has 26 wickets at 24.88 in 14 games. It is time he got a red ball in his hand for New Zealand. If he does get the nod, he will be the first Southlander to play test cricket in 47 years. Robert "Jumbo" Anderson was the last Southlander to play test cricket for New Zealand. He played the last of his nine tests in 1978. Black Caps bowling coach Jacob Oram said they were being cautious with O'Rourke, who had been sent home for further medical tests. "We are hopeful it's nothing too serious," Oram said. "He's so important to our side for the next six to eight months [and also the] next year with all the test cricket we have got. "We need to make sure we look after that big guy." Oram was not giving too much away on who might get the call-up for the second test. "It's nice to see the fresh faces and, from my perspective as the bowling coach, I know these guys have got the skills. "I see it in the nets, I see their development and improvement and I can't wait to see whoever it is that gets that first cap, get out there and do their thing." Opener Tom Latham missed the first test with a shoulder injury. It is unclear whether he has won the battle to be fit or not. But if he does play, Henry Nicholls shapes as the most likely top-order batter to drop out of the XI. The Black Caps won the first test by nine wickets. Henry starred with nine wickets in the match. But if there is an area that needs improvement, it is the batting, Oram said. "I'm sure if you spoke to the top order, they'd want to convert some of those starts into hundreds." He felt the Black Caps should have pushed on to 400-ish, but they were bowled out for 307 instead. That left the door ajar for Zimbabwe.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Another Black Ferns player signs with English club
Georgia Ponsonby (R) of New Zealand celebrates her try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Hooker Georgia Ponsonby has become the second Black Ferns forward to sign with English Premiership team Trailfinders Women from after this year's Rugby World Cup. She joins fellow Black Ferns squad member and fellow World Cup winner Alana Borland in signing with the London based club for the 2025/2026 Premiership season. "We are delighted to announce the signing of Black Fern, Georgia Ponsonby," Trailfinders women said in a statement. "A Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand and a standout performer across both domestic and international competition, Ponsonby arrives in West London as one of the most complete forwards in the global game - a relentless ball carrier, defensive rock, and razor-sharp operator in the breakdown. "Her athleticism makes her a nightmare for opposition defences and a dream for the coaching staff. Named in World Rugby's Women's XV Dream Team in 2023, Ponsonby's impact speaks for itself - a player whose work rate and physicality set the tone, and whose presence lifts those around her. Alana Borland. Photo: Photosport / Paul Yates "With big-game pedigree and a clear hunger to keep evolving, she joins fellow Black Fern Alana Borland in making the switch to Trailfinders and will add a real edge to an already ambitious group," the statement said. Ponsonby said she's looking forward to playing and living in the UK. "I'm stoked to be joining Trailfinders. It's an evolving team with exciting talent and a great culture. "Being based in London adds to the excitement, and I'm looking forward to enjoying everything the club and city has to offer." Georgia Ponsonby in the Black Ferns v Australia Walloroos match at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, in May 2024. Photo: Photosport Trailfinders head coach Barney Maddison said the two Black Ferns will strengthen his squad. "Georgia is a world-class rugby player, and we're thrilled to bring her into the environment. "She's a proven high performer whose experience with the Black Ferns will add some real value to the group. "Georgia also has a fantastic connection with Alana [Borland], and I'm excited to see that relationship brought over here to Trailfinders."
