Latest news with #PHOTOSPORT
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Sonny Bill Williams vs Paul Gallen confirmed for July 16 in Sydney
Photo: PHOTOSPORT After 10 years of talk, the score will be settled in the ring. A long-time fantasy match up, it was confirmed today that dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams will box former league international Paul Gallen in eight, two-minute rounds on July 16 in Sydney. The pair have been exchanging verbal jabs for the better part of a decade, Gallen alleging the William's boxing recorded is inflated by wins over far lesser opponents, while SBW has labelled Gallen a narcissist. And they haven't stopped. "I'm gonna smash his face, simple as that," Williams told media today. "This type of character having a go at mine, I see that as a compliment. This is a bloke that loves to talk, and talk like he's the toughest guy in the world. This is not how I like to be as a person, but he brings it out in me, how he carries himself is everything I dislike." It will be Williams' first walk to the ring since he suffered his first career loss, a knockout at the hands of UFC legend Mark Hunt in 2022. Gallen meanwhile has not fought since beating fellow Australian league star Justin Hodges, also in in 2022. Adding fuel to the feud, Gallen opted to no-show today's press conference because "it's all about Sonny". "Everything is always about Sonny. Sonny gets what Sonny wants. I didn't want to steal his thunder today, so he can go and say whatever he wants to say. I wanted to fight early in the year. Sonny wanted to fight later in the year because it didn't suit him, so we're fighting later in the year." Paul Gallen boxing. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Gallen said he hoped that Williams felt as though his time was wasted at today's press conference. "I feel like you've wasted my time the past 10 years. But finally you built up the courage to jump in the ring with me. While I'm past my best we all know that I've still got enough left in me to beat you. I'll see you soon champion." Both men are expected to pocket $1million for the bout. New Zealand cruiserweight David Nyika will also return to action on the card for the first time since his devastating KO loss at the hands of Jai Opetaia. His opponent is yet to be confirmed. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Sinner happy to return after doping ban but keeping expectations low for Italian Open
By Reuters Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner. Photo: PHOTOSPORT World number one Jannik Sinner said on Monday that he was heading into the Italian Open with low expectations as he makes his comeback after serving a three-month doping ban . Sinner agreed a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February and began an immediate three-month suspension after authorities accepted that the anabolic agent clostebol had entered his system via massages from his physiotherapist. The three-times Grand Slam champion, who has not played since winning the Australian Open in January, will now hope to leave the doping saga behind him and build momentum for the French Open, which runs from May 25 to June 8. The Italian was cleared to return to training from April 13, with his suspension ending on May 4. "It's a very, very low expectation tournament in general for me, it's talking also results wise," Sinner told reporters ahead of the Italian Open. "What's missing is the complete feedback of where my level is. That's going to come then slowly with the time of playing, after the first round match I'm going to have a good picture of myself where I am at." Despite missing out on three month's action, the 23-year-old was assured of retaining the top ranking for his home tournament after his closest challenger Alexander Zverev crashed to an early defeat in Monte-Carlo Masters. "For me personally good news that the Grand Slams were not included... this kind of agreement, I didn't want to do it in the beginning. "It was not easy for me to accept it because I know what really happened, but sometimes we have to choose the best in a very bad moment," Sinner said. "It's all over now, so I'm happy to play tennis again." Sinner said last year was very difficult for him. "I was in a tough situation and in the beginning of the Australian Open I struggled a lot. So, it was nice also to take a small break...," he added. "But I could feel that I'm not playing for quite a long time. The body still has to adjust the times ... the blisters in hands they come again because you're not used to it anymore." - Reuters
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns make strong first impression on new coach
Black Ferns loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Riki Flutey is new to the Black Ferns coaching staff and he likes what he sees as the team prepares for their first test of the year. The former Māori All Blacks and British and Irish Lions international has joined the team as backs and skills coach, replacing former All Black Mike Delany, who quit as an assistant coach at the end of last year. "I'm really excited," Flutey said ahead of the Black Ferns first test of the year against Australia this weekend in Newcastle, which doubles as the opening O'Reilly Cup match and first Pacific Four game of the series. Riki Flutey playing for England. Photo: Olly Greenwood It will mark the start of the World Champions journey towards this year's World Cup in England in August and September, where the Black Ferns will seek to defend their crown against the likes of the World No.1 ranked hosts. Flutey believes the early signs are good for New Zealand. "From my point of view we had a really good week last week in Wellington growing our game, but it was also really important around making connections within the squad," Flutey said. "We've got a number of new and exciting players in the team and also some really strong experienced players, so connection was a really big focus for us and for myself being the first time in the environment." This week the team is in Newcastle and preparations have taken on a sharper focus. "This week is test week, so we're still focusing on growing our game, but also implementing how we want to play on both sides of the ball." Flutey said while there were several proven performers and previous World Cup winners in the squad such as playmaker Ruahei Demant and loose forward Kennedy Tukuafu, no one is guaranteed a place in the side. There are three players that could make their Black Ferns debuts in the Pacific Four series; prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, hooker Vici-Rose Green and fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Braxton Sorensen-McGee Photo: Photosport Sevens stars Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included in the squad but Miller, Waaka and Pouri-Lane will join the squad in Christchurch ahead of the Black Ferns test against Canada. "There's certainly room for people to come in and stamp their mark, 100 percent," Flutey said. "We will name a World Cup squad later on and there are plenty of opportunities for players to push their way into the top team. "There's a number of stars coming through. They're all competing for spots and the players that have been here in this team for a few seasons now, they're not being complacent because they know that they've got lots of competition." Flutey knows the Black Ferns have plenty of work to do to retain the O'Reilly Cup, reclaim the Pacific Four title they lost last season to Canada and get themselves to a level of performance capable of winning the World Cup. "It's a really exciting space for me to come into this environment. What I've observed over the last week-and-a-half and also throughout the Super Rugby Aupiki competition is that we've got some talent. "We've got some talent in New Zealand, got some talent in the squad to play some really, really exciting footy." First up is Australia, who beat Fiji last weekend. Flutey believes they will push the Black Ferns, who are heavy favourites, in Newcastle. "Australia had a had a fantastic win against Fiji. They love to move the ball around. "They attack space really well through a triple threat, meaning they've got kickers in their team that can they can kick the ball to space. They've got hardworking forwards. "It's going to be a really tough challenge." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
New Zealand motorcyclist Shane Richardson killed in race in England
Shane Richardson from Wainuiomata races in the New Zealand Superbike Championships in Taupo, 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT New Zealand rider Shane Richardson has died following a crash at a British Superbikes race in Cheshire. The Wellingtonian died following an 11-bike pileup during a Supersport race at Oulton Park which also claimed the life of English rider Owen Jenner. Another New Zealand rider Morgan McLaren-Wood was also involved in the crash and was treated for minor injuries. Richardson, from Wainuiomata, who was 29, had been based in Britain since 2019. He was a previous New Zealand rider of the year. Richardson competed for the Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki team and finished ninth in last year's British Supersport Championship. A British Superbike statement said: "Exiting turn one, Old Hall corner on the first lap, there was a chain reaction incident involving 11 riders falling. The race was immediately stopped and trackside medical services deployed. "Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled. "This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured, and another sustaining significant injuries." The statement said Richardson was initially treated trackside, then taken to the circuit medical centre before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries. He died prior to arrival. The other rider, Owen Jenner, who was 21, was initially treated trackside and then taken to the circuit medical centre, where despite further resuscitation treatment, he died from a catastrophic head injury. British rider Tom Tunstall suffered back and abdominal injuries and a further five riders, including McLaren-Wood, were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries, which did not require transfer to hospital. Three further riders were also involved but were uninjured. The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Jack Doohan's F1 future looking more uncertain after Miami
Australian driver Jack Doohan of Alpine. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The second driver change of the Formula One season may be about to happen with Alpine Racing mulling over the future of Australian Jack Doohan. ESPN is reporting that Alpine is considering replacing Doohan with Franco Colapinto for the next race at Imola this weekend. Colapinto, 21, signed with Alpine as a reserve driver in January. The Argentine's name routinely has been considered as a replacement for Doohan, who has struggled in six races during his rookie season. Per the report, Horacio Marin, CEO of the Argentina energy company YPF, was caught off-microphone in a recent interview saying Colapinto would be in the car for the May 18 race in Italy. Speculation has been rampant given Doohan's poor start, including a first-lap crash at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16 and four penalty points at the Chinese Grand Prix a week later. The 22-year-old Australian also crashed in the second free practice session ahead of the April 6 Japanese Grand Prix. Racing Bulls New Zealand driver Liam Lawson and Alpine's Australian driver Jack Doohan. Photo: AFP Doohan, however, kept his spirits up after an opening-lap incident with New Zealand's Liam Lawson at the Miami Grand Prix on Monday. "As we all know, nothing would be intentional," Doohan said. "Unfortunately, he got squeezed there. I don't know, maybe he had a car on his outside. We just have to look into it because it didn't end well for me and I don't think it helped him out as well. "We've just got to keep our heads up. Looking forward to Imola now." Colapinto raced nine times for Williams last year as replacement for dropped American Logan Sargeant and scored five points, with a best finish of eighth in Azerbaijan. Alpine's executive advisor Flavio Briatore, a team boss of the team in its former guises of Benetton and Renault, is a fan and known to be keen to get him into the race seat. Alpine are ninth of the 10 teams in the constructors' standings. Lawson was dropped from Red Bull after the second race of the season in Shanghai and he and Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls swapped seats. -Reuters
