August 3
'Calm down, mate': Taurua defends Silver Ferns after draw with South Africa
Dame Noeline Taurua has launched a vigorous defence of her Silver Ferns, after a 48-all Netball World Cup draw against South Africa.
Despite their status as reigning world champions, New Zealand's fate will be decided in their final Group G match, when they face Jamaica, with a semi-finals spot at stake.
The result saw them tumble from what should have been a winning position, outscored 5-2 in the final minutes to fall to a stalemate.
Asked whether her side "cracked under the pressure", Dame Noeline has launched a ferocious defence of her team.
"Calm down, mate," she began. "A draw is a draw, let's put this out there - it's a draw.
"I hate the word 'cracked', I think that's disrespectful to people.
"If you want to put that out on the line, I don't really like that word."
August 4
'Ultimate competitor': Wallabies' respect for departing All Blacks great Smith
As departing All Black Aaron Smith prepares to farewell Aotearoa, Wallabies rival Quade Cooper has paid his respects to arguably the greatest halfback to ever play.
Smith, 34, will make his last home appearance in an All Black jersey, fittingly at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium, where he made his name for the Highlanders.
Named on the bench to cover Finlay Christie, Smith will likely finish the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia, before he moves to Japan in 2024.
First-five Cooper has played his fair share of contests against Smith in his 79-test career and will also come off the bench, covering Carter Gordon, as coach Eddie Jones' first-choice No.10.
After countless clashes against Smith, he makes no bones of his admiration for the outgoing halfback.
"He's a great lad, a phenomenal player," said Cooper. "In my opinion, he's the best halfback to have played."
August 6
'Don't think you ever have them': Wallabies coach Jones admires All Blacks comeback
Even 14 points up at halftime, wily Wallabies coach Eddie Jones admits he never felt safe from an All Blacks comeback.
Outplayed 38-7 seven days earlier at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia seemed to have turned the tables on their trans-Tasman rivals at Dunedin, powering to two early tries and leading 17-3 at the break.
To many, the Aussies seemed well on the way to their first victory in Jones' second tenure at the helm - but the master coach knew better.
"I don't think you ever have them," he admitted, after watching his team fold over the final 40 minutes, eventually losing 23-20, with Richie Mo'unga converting a penalty goal in the dying seconds.
"In one game we've had them in my whole career."
Jones, 63, has probably enjoyed as much success against the All Blacks as any coach over years, which is to say not that much. In charge of Australia twice, Japan and England, he boasts a 6-10 record, with one draw.
August 7
Warriors reportedly to lock up coach Webster with new long-term contract
NZ Warriors will reportedly move to secure the long-term future of coach Andrew Webster, with a new contract to be tabled after the current NRL campaign.
Webster, 41, has been arguably the standout coach so far this season, steering the Warriors to third on the ladder, as they rebound from their worst season ever in 2022.
He's less than 12 months into his contract, but Sydney Morning Herald reports Warriors management want to see Webster's tenure at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart extended even further.
So far, the Warriors have won 13 games from 20 this year, odds-on to return to the NRL playoffs for the first time since 2018 and perhaps secure a top-four spot to open the post-season at home.
Recommended by former coach Ivan Cleary, Webster signed a three-year contract with the Warriors last year, committing to the Auckland club until the end of 2025.
All Blacks announce 33-man squad for 2023 Rugby World Cup in France
Coach Ian Foster has named his 33-man All Blacks squad to contest this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
After retaining both the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup, Foster has largely kept faith with most of the roster used across the first four tests of the year, reducing that group from 37 players to 33.
In a reassuring selection, Brodie Retallick has been named for his third Rugby World Cup, despite suffering a knee injury against the Wallabies at Dunedin. His selection sees no room for Josh Lord, with only four specialist locks included.
David Havili is the big winner, recalled into the midfield, after initially missing out on the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup through injury.
Tears flow as All Blacks rookie Narawa learns World Cup dreams come true
Rookie wing Emoni Narawa has shared details of the "emotional" moment he discovered he'd been selected for the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad.
One of the breakthrough stars of Super Rugby Pacific, Narawa was called up for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup squad.
The Chiefs dynamo impressed during his test debut against Argentina, but suffered a back injury that curtailed the rest of his campaign, putting him in a hotly contested race to earn a place in the outside backs for France.
Touching down from their return flight from Dunedin after the final Bledisloe Cup test, coach Ian Foster approached Narawa and his partner at baggage claim to deliver the news of a lifetime - a moment made more sentimental by sharing it with his beloved.
"We got off the plane and were just walking to grab our bags, when Fozzie pulled me and my partner aside, and pretty much just told us that I've made the squad," Narawa explained to Newshub.
"Me and my partner started tearing up straight away… it was quite emotional. Special times."
August 11
Lord called into All Blacks squad for Twickenham test against Springboks
Lock Josh Lord will join the All Blacks squad for their World Cup warm-up test against South Africa at London.
Lord replaces Crusaders hooker George Bell, who was one of three players added for the one-off test on August 26 (NZ time), which also included Samipeni Finau and Brad Weber.
Bell has since succumbed to injury, with the Chiefs second-rower called in as his replacement.
The test will be the final All Blacks hitout before the World Cup begins against France at Paris on September 9, meaning coach Ian Foster and his fellow selectors will likely opt for a second-string side to keep their starters fresh and injury free.
August 15
Former NFL player claims famous adoption was lie in award-winning film
Michael Oher, the former NFL player whose story was the inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film The Blind Side, is accusing the family who took him in of lying and profiting from his name.
Oher and the Tuohy family rose to global popularity, when the 2009 film, based on a book of the same name by Michael Lewis, told the incredible story of his journey from living on the streets to the National Football League.
In the film, Oher, who is black, grew up in poverty, before being adopted by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. The wealthy white family gave Oher a place to live in their home, helped him through high school and he slowly becomes a full member of their family.
With their help, he also succeeded on the football field and was eventually drafted into the NFL.
However, Oher has filed a 14-page petition in a Tennessee court, claiming the Tuohys never adopted him and instead tricked him into becoming his conservators, when he turned 18 in 2004, according to ESPN.
August 16
Warriors coach's response to young fan's unexpected 'up the Wahs' outburst
With NZ Warriors in the midst of their best season in years, a new sporting catchphrase has swept the nation and even the youngest Kiwi sports fans have been caught up in the craze.
Move over 'Let's Gone Warriors' - in 2023, it's all about 'Up the Wahs'.
AM host William Waiirua got a first-hand taste of its far-reaching effects, while on location with a group of young aspiring female footballers from the 'Angry Blueberries' U8 team at North Shore club Birkenhead United AFC.
After quizzing team members Heidi, Ruby, Avalon, Charlotte and Coco on their new Women's Football World Cup heroes, they declared which remaining teams in the tournament are their favourites.
Following three nods for England - who'll face Australia in Wednesday's second semi-final - Coco broke script with an emphatic 'up the Wahs', much to Waiirua's bemusement.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster watched the video for himself, promptly exploding with laughter.
"Love it," he said. "I just love where their focus is at… on the Wahs, so that's good.
"That's awesome. I'm disappointed in the three before who didn't get the right answer."
'Letdown season': Curran's personal frustration amid Warriors' stellar run
While NZ Warriors are enjoying their best season in years, not all the players are content with their contributions to the cause.
The likes of Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan and Adam Pompey are among those enjoying career-best form, with the Warriors third on the ladder, but interchange forward Josh Curran concedes he's not been up to par.
After proving his immense potential since signing for the Warriors in 2019, this season could be considered a backwards step. His current season tally of 17 appearances is only one shy of his most for a single campaign, set last year, but only four of them have been starts.
"For me personally, it's kind of been a letdown season," Curran admitted. "I've got a new role this year, coming off the bench.
"I've just got to bring the impact. I'm just trying to take everything with both hands and when I come on the field, try to lead the boys and change the game.
"It's kind of been a letdown, but I've just been trying to do what I can on the field."
August 17
Wallabies assistant quits before World Cup departure after clashing with Jones
Australia's World Cup campaign has reportedly suffered a crippling blow just hours before the team's departure for France.
According to Australian sports website The Roar, assistant coach Brad Davis has quit the team for personal reasons.
Davis' resignation is effective immediately, with the squad scheduled to fly out of Sydney to Paris on Thursday afternoon.
Tasked with overseeing the Wallabies gameplan, Davis had reportedly clashed with head coach Eddie Jones, who returned to take charge of the team, after Kiwi predecessor Dave Rennie was fired.
August 20
Watch: NBA star Adams leaves Warriors winger DWZ starstruck
While Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is a star in his own right, the presence of NBA basketballer Steven Adams after NZ Warriors' victory over Manly Sea Eagles has left him starstruck.
Watene-Zelezniak, 28, was the Warriors hero in their 29-22 win, scoring a stunning hattrick of tries, as his team consolidated their place in the NRL top four.
During his post-match interview with Sky Sport, all 2.11m of Adams caught his attention.
"It was awesome, the crowd got us through," said Watene-Zelezniak. "A win's a win, even if we do win ugly... we're just really grateful.
"Oh look, Steven Adams is here. He's the man."
August 21
Spain hero confronted with devastating family news after World Cup triumph
Spain captain and World Cup final hero Olga Carmona found out after the match that her father had died.
Carmona scored a 29th-minute goal to earn Spain a 1-0 win over England, as they secured their first Women's World Cup title.
"The RFEF deeply regrets to announce the death of Olga Carmona's father," the Spanish national body posted on social media. "The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final.
"We send our most sincere embrace to Olga and her family in a moment of deep sorrow. We love you, Olga, you are Spanish soccer history."
An Spanish association spokesperson has told Reuters that Carmona's father had been fighting a long illness and passed away on Friday.
August 22
'Shag, what are you up to?' All Blacks stunned by Hansen's Wallabies defection
All Blacks have reacted with disbelief over former coach Sir Steve Hansen's apparent defection to the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup build-up.
The 2015 World Cup winner has stunned the rugby world by joining old rival Eddie Jones in the Australian camp, as they build towards the upcoming tournament in France and a final hitout against the host nation at Paris this weekend.
None is more shocked than veteran All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, who began his international career under Hansen in 2012 and attended two World Cups under his management.
"Shag, what are you up to? That hurts a little bit, to be fair."
August 23
England captain Farrell cops World Cup ban after red card upheld
England captain Owen Farrell will miss the first two matches of the Rugby World Cup, after an independent disciplinary hearing upheld his red card, handing him a four-match suspension that will include pool fixtures against Argentina and Japan.
England's 29-10 loss to Ireland served as the first match of his suspension and the first-five will also sit out the final warm-up fixture against Fiji this coming weekend.
Farrell faced a second disciplinary panel in a week, after World Rugby appealed against the decision to downgrade his red card to yellow for a dangerous tackle on Wales loose forward Taine Basham during England's 19-17 warm-up win on August 13.
Last week, the judicial committee ruled there were mitigating circumstances in the collision, in which his shoulder struck the head of Basham, but its decision caused an uproar on social media and among pundits, as well as player welfare advocates.
August 26
Lomax 'not in great way', says Foster, after prop goes down injured against 'Boks
Coach Ian Foster hopes Tyrel Lomax will be fit for the Rugby World Cup in France, despite being helped from the field in the All Blacks' record defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.
Throughout the build-up to this year's tournament, warm-up matches have been marred by key players going down injured.
Hosts France have been hit by the loss of playmaker Romain Ntamack, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Scotland, while England have lost winger Anthony Watson to a calf injury suffered against Ireland.
The All Blacks have already been hit before the World Cup kicks off, with Brodie Retallick (knee) and Shannon Frizell (hamstring) missing the early stages of the tournament. Coaches and fans alike are now sweating over Lomax, who went down with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Despite worries of an ACL injury - and a recovery time of about nine months - Foster has assured that the prop's fate is far from sealed.
"Tyrel's pretty bad, actually," he said. "He's got quite a big cut, it's right through into the muscle of the thigh."
August 29
All Blacks' record defeat to South Africa strengthens McKenzie selection case
New Zealand's record defeat to South Africa in their final World Cup warm-up hitout may have pushed the selection case for livewire utility Damian McKenzie on the bench.
With the tournament opener against France just two weeks away, the All Blacks fielded a near-full strength line-up against the Springboks, with a chance to nail down the world No.1 ranking with a comfortable win.
Instead, they were handed their heads by the world champions, who led 21-0 just after halftime, before bringing on their feared 'Bomb Squad' - a mass influx of seven fresh forwards off the bench against the undermanned NZ pack, with lock Scott Barrett sent off.
For the first time, All Blacks coach Ian Foster went with a six-two forwards split among his reserves, but lacked an x-factor player capable of turning the match from broken play, once his team fell behind.
McKenzie fits that bill.
"He's the sort of guy we need on the field, because we needed to make something change," Newshub's Paddy Gower told Sky Sport's Breakdown. "We needed to make a difference out there... broken play, something different."
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