October 2
NZ Rugby to confiscate Ranfurly Shield after claims drugs snorted from it
NZ Rugby is investigating claims drugs were snorted off the Ranfurly Shield during Hawke's Bay's celebrations over the weekend.
An image circulating on social media appears to show a white powder on the shield, with the caption "They snorted drugs off the frickin Ranfurly".
A "deeply disappointed" NZ Rugby is investigating the photo and says it will repossess the Shield to assess the damage.
A Hawke's Bay player has also reportedly been charged by police, with the incident being treated as an employment matter.
"New Zealand Rugby is aware of significant damage to the Ranfurly Shield and we are deeply disappointed,'' said community rugby general manager Steve Lancaster.
October 3
Warriors star Watene-Zelezniak won't play for Kiwis, mulls Tonga switch
NZ Kiwis will not have the services of former captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for the upcoming international season, as he weighs up a change in international allegiance to Tonga.
The NZ Warriors winger is coming off a career-best NRL season, when he scored 24 tries in 20 games, as the Auckland club reached the preliminary final.
As the international season approaches, with the Kiwis to face Australia and Samoa, NZ Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters confirms to Newshub that Watene-Zelezniak will play no part.
There are two options on the table for Watene-Zelezniak, who was named as the 2023 Dally M Winger of the Year.
The first would mean minor surgery, ruling him out of action for the Pacific Championship, in the hope of returning to full fitness to participate in the Warriors pre-season training. The second see him on the field, but in the red of Mate Ma'a Tonga, as opposed to the black of New Zealand.
October 6
'Really grumpy with me': Foster makes mischief among All Blacks kickers in pool rout
All Blacks coach Ian Foster admits he may have sparked friction among his players with a late goalkicking change in the 73-0 pool defeat of Uruguay that saw the three-time champions safely into the World Cup quarter-finals.
New Zealand scored 11 tries in the contest, converting nine, as they spread kicking duties among three exponents - first-five Richie Mo'unga slotted five from seven, before he was replaced by fullback Damian McKenzie and then Beauden Barrett.
Foster has been quizzed about the change and concedes his meddling has caused some ructions within the ranks.
"I asked Damian why he gave up the kicking tee, when he kicked two really good ones," he related. "He said Aaron Smith was the water boy and he told Damian I had given instructions that he had to give up the kicking tee.
"He was really grumpy with me, but I had him on and told him I hadn't said a word to 'Nuggy', so he had a fight with Nuggy."
October 7
Watch: Spinechilling haka sets scene for intense Heartland Championship semi-final
You won't find many All Blacks playing Heartland Championship rugby - but look no further for the real passion in our national game.
Neither East Coast and South Canterbury were prepared to take a backward step in their pre-game haka, before their Meads Cup semi-final at Pleasant Point, near Timaru.
As their hosts huddled on their own 10-metre line, the North Island visitors advanced way beyond halfway to perform their traditional challenge, so when their rivals assembled their haka line, they found themselves literally nose to nose with the opposition.
Both teams continued to roar at each other, with two players remaining several seconds after their teammates had dispersed, unwilling to flinch.
That intensity translated into a thrilling encounter that saw East Coast race out to a 17-3 lead, but when they lost two players to overlapping yellow cards in the second half, the hosts took full toll of their numerical advantage to score four unanswered converted tries to prevail 34-17.
Reigning champion van Gisbergen breaks 300km/h barrier in Bathurst qualifying
Defending Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen has largely struggled to come to grips with the new Gen 3 cars this year, but has broken new ground in qualify, as he chases back-to-back victories at the iconic Bathurst 1000.
In a last-ditch bid to make the Top 10 Shootout and contend for pole position, the flying Kiwi became the first Supercars driver to officially break the 300km/h barrier.
Van Gisbergen's effort came in the final seconds of qualifying, as he returned the seventh-fastest lap time to progress to Saturday evening's shootout.
Championship leader Brodie Kostecki was fastest with 2m 04.6644s, while his nearest rival on the standings was more than half a second slower. Data gathered down 1.9km Conrod Straight shows van Gisbergen recorded 300.5km/h, with a little help from a rival.
"Thanks to James Courtney, I just got a tow off him," said the two-time Bathurst winner.
"We didn't really have the pace, but he just pulled me along, so we snuck in.
October 11
Warriors centre Wiliame announces rugby league retirement
NZ Warriors midfielder Brayden Wiliame has announced his retirement from rugby league at 30.
Last year, the Australian signed a two-year deal with the Warriors, but scarcely featured in the club's resurgent finals campaign.
Wiliame played just two first-grade matches for the Auckland-based NRL franchise, spending most of his tenure in New Zealand with the NSW Cup team, as he struggled to crack coach Andrew Webster's centre rotation.
Ongoing injuries then culminated with an ankle issue sustained during an NSW Cup playoffs game that required surgery.
"This journey has been anything but smooth, but I’m grateful for every moment, because it's lead me to exactly where I'm meant to be," posted Wiliame on Instagram.
October 16
'Where's the consistency?' AM host Styris rages at refereeing calls in England's World Cup win over Fiji
Fiji have been knocked out of the Rugby World Cup, as England claimed a 30-24 victory in their quarter-final clash in Paris.
Many - including AM host Nicky Styris - believe one particular call in the dying minutes could have impacted the outcome of the match.
With fulltime expired and trailing by six points, Fiji were in possession and chasing the converted try they needed to pull off a great escape, when England captain Owen Farrell knocked the ball down during an attempted pass.
French Referee Mathieu Raynal referred the incident to the TV official, who agreed it was deliberate, but only penalised England. In their win over Ireland, All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith was shown a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes for the same indiscretion.
Styris pointed out the alleged injustice during a panel discussion with All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan and commentator Tony Johnson.
"Where's the consistency? A deliberate knock down, exactly the same as what Aaron Smith got sent off for on Sunday morning, but no."
October 17
All Blacks midfielder Ioane slammed for 'classless' gesture after World Cup win over Ireland
All Blacks midfielder Rieko Ioane has come under fire for his "classless" post-match antics after the World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland.
After the fulltime whistle had sealed New Zealand's 28-24 win at Paris, Ireland captain Johnny Sexton could be seen directing some terse words towards Ioane.
The reason for Sexton's anger were unclear at the time, but the Irish Times has since reported Ioane was taunting Irish fans in the stands at Stade de France. He was photographed holding a hand to his ear and also allegedly used the universal gesture for 'be quiet'.
"Ioane, in a classless gesture, put his finger to his lips while looking at the Irish crowd and then felt compelled to bid farewell to Sexton," said Irish Times rugby writer Gerry Thornley, who was in attendance.
October 18
'Very emotional time': Kiwi referee O'Keeffe responds to French World Cup criticism
Kiwi referee Ben O'Keeffe has spoken for the first time, since he was criticised by French captain Antoine Dupont after the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
O'Keeffe, 34, took charge of the final quarter-final in France last weekend and oversaw South Africa stunning France 29-28 to eliminate the hosts from their own tournament.
After that loss, France captain and arguably the best player in the world Antoine Dupont took aim at O'Keeffe's performance with the whistle on the biggest stage.
"It's obviously a very emotional time," O'Keeffe told Newshub. "I just try to respect that and give them space.
"Players and coaches are going to say things, whether you win or lose. I know that we're never perfect as referees, you definitely make errors in the game, but comments that players can make, they can do that after the game.
"In the heat of battle, things are said. I'm sure everything's fine, we've done my review and we'll reach out and get things back on track as well, but I understand the sentiment after a big match like that."
October 20
'Go the ABs!' Watch the moment Kieran Read bombs Andrew Gourdie's live cross
Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has bombed a Newshub live cross while sports presenter Andrew Gourdie was telling viewers about the team's World Cup semi-final chances against Argentina.
After hearing a story from Newshub's rugby reporter Ollie Ritchie, the camera turned back to Gourdie, when Read quickly whizzed past the camera.
"Go the ABs!" he yelled, before Gourdie even began talking.
"Absolu… " Gourdie started to say, before realising who it was.
"Kieran Read? That is former All Blacks captain Kieran Read just running past us here on his morning run," he told viewers at home.
"Brilliant stuff. How's the timing of that?
"Incredible."
October 29
'Stand behind him': All Blacks call for Cane support after World Cup final red card
Sam Cane doesn't have to look far for support in his own ranks, with All Blacks teammates urging New Zealand to stand behind their captain in his darkest moment.
As the All Blacks fell to a 12-11 loss in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa, Cane became the first man shown a red card in a tournament decider, when he hit Springboks centre Jesse Kriel high and made contact with the head.
His sending off was one of four dismissals - two on each side - during the final.
In a tournament that's seen Cane largely redeem himself in the eyes of All Blacks faithful, especially with a vital effort against Ireland in the quarter-final, the red card came at the worst possible moment.
In the eyes of his teammates, faith and confidence in Cane as captain, as a leader and as a person has not - and will not - be shaken.
"He'll need a lot [of support]," said hooker Codie Taylor. "I'd never question that man, he's our captain.
'Game's got a few issues': Foster reacts to World Cup final officiating after Cane red card
Coach Ian Foster has questioned the consistency of TV officials, after respective captains Sam Cane and Siya Kolisi both ended up on different sides of vital decisions in the Rugby World Cup final.
All Blacks skipper Cane became the first man red-carded in a World Cup final, when he hit Springboks centre Jesse Kriel high and made contact with the head.
Initially shown a yellow by referee Wayne Barnes, Cane's permanent dismissal was confirmed after further TV review, deemed to meet the threshold for a red card.
While the All Blacks coach wants to avoid bringing officiating integrity into question, the inconsistency was obvious.
"I don't want the game to be about us talking about red cards," said Foster. "It is what it is.
"There'll be plenty of time to analyse that. There was an attempt [from Cane] to wrap, there didn't seem to be a lot of force in the contact.
"The hit on Ardie had a lot of force go into that contact and had contact on the head. The game's got a few issues it's got to sort out - that's not sour grapes."
