The famous river will be open to swimmers from early July with three bathing sites
Parisians and tourists will be able to dive into the river from July 5, weather permitting, according to
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1News
18 hours ago
- 1News
All Blacks: Underwhelming or on brink of a breakthrough?
Analysis: 1News rugby writers Patrick McKendry and Scotty Stevenson discuss how the All Blacks can improve for the second Test against Argentina. PM: So Scotty, The All Blacks got the job done 41-24 in Cordoba, and in the end it was a dominant performance thanks to a final-quarter surge. And yet, I felt there was an underwhelming vibe to it all – perhaps due to the slightly bumbling nature of their play at times. Am I being too harsh? Maybe I'm comparing it too closely to the sensational Wallabies' victory over the Boks in Johannesburg but, as we know, the All Blacks hold themselves to a high standard, and in fact leverage off it. ADVERTISEMENT Your thoughts, please. SS: It's been a bit like that this week, hasn't it? A general atmosphere of "meh". There are a couple of threads that could be followed to land on the reasons for the strange sense of ambivalence. First, this season has to date felt a little lacking in flavour. A French team shorn of star power punch was not exactly the hors d'ouevres of a footy fan's dream and the series was overshadowed by the Lions tour across the Tasman. Second, there remains an expectation that the All Blacks should beat Argentina, despite a couple of reversals in recent seasons. That presumption is hard to shake and feeds a narrative that the team got the job done – as you put it in your opener – and not much more needs to be said. Third, I am not sure this team has quite captured the public's imagination in a way that great All Blacks teams of the past have. There are signs they are beginning to coalesce, but into what exactly? It's hard to become a total greater than the sum of all parts when there is still so much conjecture surrounding who the parts should be. I am not sure what it is going to take to convince the public that this team is charting a course to conquer all. Perfection is a fool's quest in such a dynamic code, and I don't think anyone is capable of articulating what the perfect performance looks like anyway. They do look like they have a better idea about what they are trying to create, though. Cortez Ratima dives in for a try against the Pumas in Cordoba. (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT Where do you see the key sticking point for this team when it comes to executing their game plan? PM: Skill execution and decision making. Both are areas of improvement and maybe some of us assumed the three Tests against France last month would have helped prevent the errors that kept cropping up at the weekend. The handling mistakes are understandable in what you rightly stated is such a dynamic game, but even so… some of the stuff in Cordoba was pretty ordinary. Maybe it was a case of some players trying too hard – I'm thinking halfback Cortez Ratima here – but overall the All Blacks should expect better and by all accounts they do. It does pose a couple of questions: Is Razor Robertson's 'fast-thinking, fast-game' strategy the right one, and secondly, do you think everyone is on the same page? SS: I think this team is getting there. I chatted with All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen today who talked at length about the team creating opportunities. I put it to him that, on a couple of occasions, Argentina were able to read the play and make good defensive decisions. His response was that they still need time to ensure the connections and partnerships are in place and working to full potential. The All Blacks are trying to create an attacking shape that affords multiple options at the line but that requires everyone involved in the phase to take the best available option. If 14 guys are expecting the 15th to make a certain decision, and he takes another, it's tough to reload and start from scratch. If the team take the best available option more often, they can then build rhythm, and attack through momentum. That's what they are trying to do. ADVERTISEMENT When you refer to "fast thinking", I believe it could be better referred to as "fast decision making". The team seems to have a good grasp of what they are trying to do and therefore don't have to think too hard about that attacking shape. What they do still have to think about is the call they make in the moment. Is it a pop, a back ball, a hit and hold, a drop off on an unders line? I have seen enough to say that, when this clicks, it will be a nightmare to defend. They just haven't quite built the level of cohesion to pull it off as often as they would like. It's a plan that asks a lot of every player on the field, and a tough one to execute well under fatigue and line speed pressure. Cortez Ratima is one player who would have had a lot on his mind, and who would have felt enormous pressure to perform. Hansen suggested he had been supported well through the week to clear the mind and play his natural game. In his words, "He's a young All Black learning his craft". Given how important that halfback spot is to the team, I thought he acquitted himself very well. Codie Taylor leads the All Blacks haka in Cordoba. (Source: Photosport) To another position, then. The centre debate does not feel settled, but Billy Proctor seems to me a player worth persisting with. The injury to ALB makes his selection a no-brainer again – or does it? PM: Yes, I am almost certain that Razor will persist with Proctor at centre, and, by extension, Rieko Ioane on the left wing. Neither man played to his full potential at the weekend, mainly for the reasons you expressed, and the injury to Anton Lienert-Brown will be another reason for the selectors to give that combination another try. And, to be fair, I would agree with it. Centre is a difficult position to play at any level and Proctor deserves time to establish himself. Ioane also deserves another chance but for him the clock may be ticking a little quicker, as it were. ADVERTISEMENT I believe he needs to get into wing mode again – in other words, get back to what made him a sensation there when he first broke into the team as a 19-year-old: be fast, committed and chase even lost causes. There is a vibe about him at the moment that suggests he is a centre trying to play wing. Just play to your strengths, man! Ioane is quick, powerful and explosive. Show us that and good things will happen. It appears certain that Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi will return to start at loosehead prop and No.8 respectively on Sunday morning – a mouth-watering prospect for those of us who enjoy watching big and skilful ball-carrying forwards. Your thoughts on the return of that pair? And – in a slightly different direction – who do you feel needs to step up a little? Is it Rieko or someone else? SS: All great points on Rieko. You just get a sense he's a Test or two away from doing something sensational but he's likely still shaking midfield habits out of the system or maybe keeping them close should he find himself back there. Tough spot to be in. I'm not sure it's a case of who must step up. There is enough in the individual performances to be genuinely excited about. It was encouraging to see Tupou Vaa'i demonstrate some good old-fashioned mongrel and his lineout work was colossal. It was interesting to see B. Barrett largely eschew the running game, and I dare say he may look for a different opportunity this weekend. J. Barrett has a mortgage on the 12-jersey, and he was a menace in the first Test. Will Jordan is as smooth as a polished stone and plays with complete disregard for his own safety. Give Sevu Reece that many touches in a game and there are going to be some rocks with the diamonds. Again, I believe this team is a split second here and a dodgy line there away from finding that synchronicity they are trying to summon. I like the idea of Sititi returning which will allow Ardie Savea to return to the side of the scrum. That's no slight on Du'Plessis Kirifi, but a Tupou Vaa'i-Sititi-Savea trio feels well balanced. Naturally having another huge front rower – Williams – to call upon is a gift for forwards coach Jason Ryan. Speaking of gifts: One will be handed out after this Test. Codie Taylor will become a 100-Test All Black and receive the silver cap. How would you rate the player and the man, and his impact on and importance to this team? ADVERTISEMENT PM: Excellent point, and it will be Ardie's 99th Test, too. When he finally hangs them up, Taylor will go down as a great All Blacks hooker, a man who kept improving with a work ethic that was second to none, a man proud of his background and who can pull together a damn fine haka. He's a great fella too – for what it's worth and, for many that's worth a lot. I'm not one to judge a man wanting to make an extra buck, but one of my favourite things about Taylor (and Richie McCaw, for that matter) is that the sabbatical he took was a true one – a break from the game – to get his body right and to, in fact, improve it – rather than chase the pound, yen or euro. I'm sure you have thoughts here, and I'll let you have the final word. SS: He's the epitome of leader, isn't he? Listening to his former teammate, Izzy Dagg, talk about him this morning, I could tell he is held in the highest regard by all. One point struck me as spot on: He's got great balance in his life. He is the ultimate professional, sets incredible standards that he is always first to live up to, and is also a brilliant family man and father. There is something very old school about him, something emblematic of a fading nostalgic notion of what an All Black should be. I suspect he will play down the occasion but the men on the field with him will rise to it. And, given that, I fully expect another All Blacks victory, too.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Defending Champion Gael Monfils To Return To ASB Classic In Auckland
French superstar Gael Monfils, who thrilled fans on the way to victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, will defend his title in January. Monfils is the first player announced for the 2026 ASB Classic with tickets on sale from today for the WTA Women's event from January 5 to 11 and the ATP Men's tournament from January 12 to 17 at the Manuka Doctor Arena. The Frenchman is currently competing in his 21st season as a professional, beginning the year with victory at the ASB Classic, where he became the oldest player to win a title on the ATP Tour. The 38-year-old has never finished a season outside the Top 100 since he joined the ATP Tour in 2004. Monfils has won 13 ATP titles, reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 and has won his way to at least one final in 20 consecutive seasons. Monfils, who turns 39 in September, is the only current player to have achieved these accomplishments. Last year he also became the record holder for most major wins by a French player. The Frenchman remains one of the fastest and most flamboyant players on the Tour. 'I love the game. I love to compete. I am very passionate and I love waking up and getting ready for matches so I can be the best that I can. I feel that is what keeps me going,' Monfils said in confirming his entry for the 2026 ASB Classic. 'Of course I still want to win tournaments. Obviously, I want to keep on enjoying it, and keep playing more-and-more great matches against great players. For me I want to keep on enjoying playing.' Following his victory in Auckland this year, he reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open. In doing so, the Frenchman prevailed three tiebreakers in his five-set win over wonderkid Mpetshi Perricard and a four-set win over American World #4 Taylor Fritz including two tiebreaks. Monfils retains positive memories of his title win at the ASB Classic, as well as his time in Auckland. 'I still remember the tournament fondly. It was an amazing week and I played some amazing tennis,' he said in confirming his return to the ASB Classic. 'I got lucky because I was down a set and a break in the first round against Pedro Martinez but somehow, I found a solution. 'This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget. I love the tournament.' Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said the ASB Classic is thrilled to have Monfils return. 'It is good to have a champion back. However at nearly 39, we should not take for granted that he will play forever, and we should enjoy watching him while we can. 'He is a wonderful person and still perhaps the most entertaining player in the world,' said Lamperin. 'We could not have hoped for a better or bigger name to announce as we go on sale. 'I am in negotiations with a range of players for both tournaments, and we expect to confirm several others in the coming weeks.' Lamperin said that the increased court size and new replacement grandstand will also add value to the centre-court experience at the ASB Classic. Tickets are on sale from today at – including tickets and hospitality opportunities for both the WTA and ATP events.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
SailGP Germany: Black Foils finish fourth in Sassnitz, France claim first win of the season
For the Black Foils, it was a case of poor starts costing the team as they started all three fleet races on the second day of racing on the back foot. That saw them fall down the leaderboard after sitting second following the opening day of action. The day saw just 10 teams competing as the United States joined Brazil on the sidelines with a damaged boat. The Americans blew the nose off one of their hulls of their F50 catamaran in a collision with Great Britain in the last race on day one. The crash came as they failed to give room to the Brits, who had the right of way on starboard tack. The collision caused damage to both vessels, however the shore team were able to repair the British boat overnight and get it back onto the starting line. The Americans weren't in such a fortunate position with the damage their boat sustained, and they were also penalised 12 event points and eight season points for causing the incident. It seemed there were no ill effects of the damage caused to the British boat, either, as Dylan Fletcher and his team won two of the three fleet races this morning, finishing second to Switzerland in the third. It was a different day in terms of the conditions, with lighter, more patchy winds making for a testing racecourse with plenty of potential for error. The Black Foils found themselves chasing the fleet in all three races as they were consistently slow off the starting line. While they did find their way through the fleet throughout the day, a ninth and two fifth-placed finishes weren't enough to see them through to the podium race. It's the first time in the last three events that the Black Foils have missed the podium race, and it also saw them lose their spot at the top of the season leaderboard. The event saw things tighten up at the top in that regard, as France beat Australia and Great Britain in the podium race. The French went into the event sitting in sixth, with the Australians in second and the British in third. After the results in Germany, Australia take over the top spot - level on 61 points with the Black Foils - with Great Britain staying in third, three points back, and France moving up to fifth. Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
