It was a massive weekend across Aotearoa sport, with rugby, netball, basketball and football all delivering major talking points.
The Crusaders produced the statement performance of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, demolishing the Blues 66-12 in Christchurch to storm into the semi-finals and end the defending champions’ season.
In netball, the Go Media Mystics showed their extra-time grit once again, edging the Tactix 53-51 in Christchurch to stay top of the ANZ Premiership ladder. The Mystics came from five goals down in the final quarter before closing out the thriller in extra time.
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic also delivered a memorable result, celebrating co-captain Erena Mikaere’s 150th national league match with a 50-39 win over Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Hamilton. The Magic overturned a halftime deficit with a dominant 30-13 second-half surge, led by a standout shooting performance from Saviour Tui.
In football, the All Whites were left frustrated after falling 1-0 to England in their World Cup warm-up match in Tampa, Florida. New Zealand defended strongly for long periods, but a late first-half goal proved decisive.
Off the court, the BNZ Breakers strengthened their coaching team by appointing Quinn Clinton as an assistant coach on a one-year deal ahead of the NBL27 season. Clinton joins new head coach Gordon Herbert and returning assistant Matt Lacey as the club looks to build a high-powered coaching group.
From Christchurch to Hamilton and across to the United States, the weekend delivered drama, milestones and major momentum shifts as New Zealand teams continue their push toward finals, tournaments and new seasons.
#RadioWaatea #Hakinakina #NZSport #Crusaders #Blues #SuperRugbyPacific #Mystics #Tactix #ANZPremiership #MagicNetball #ErenaMikaere #AllWhites #FIFAWorldCup2026 #BNZBreakers #QuinnClinton #MāoriSport #PasifikaSport #AotearoaSport
