It was a massive weekend across hākinakina, with history made in netball, heartbreak in the NRL, World Cup dreams ending for New Zealand football, and Māori rugby pride roaring back in Japan.
The Northern Mystics delivered the standout moment of the weekend, defeating the Southern Steel 56-46 to claim a record fourth ANZ Premiership title. The Auckland-based side capped off a dominant season in front of their home crowd, becoming the most successful team in ANZ Premiership history and reinforcing their place as the benchmark franchise in Aotearoa netball.
The win was built on defensive pressure, clinical shooting and championship composure. After finishing as minor premiers, the Mystics showed why they were the team to beat, holding off a Steel side that had fought its way into the grand final after knocking out the defending champion Mainland Tactix.
There was heartbreak for Warriors fans, with the Dolphins stealing a dramatic 20-18 win in the final moments of their NRL clash. The Warriors looked set to hold on after fighting their way into the lead, but the Dolphins turned down a late penalty shot at goal and backed themselves to chase the win. Jamayne Isaako crossed on the final tackle to break Warriors hearts and secure one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
The result is a tough one for the Warriors to absorb, particularly as the race for finals places tightens. Andrew Webster’s side showed plenty of grit, but the late lapse proved costly in a competition where small moments can decide everything.
On football’s biggest stage, the All Whites’ FIFA World Cup campaign came to an end with a 5-1 defeat to Belgium. New Zealand had entered the final Group G match with hopes of reaching the knockout rounds, but Belgium’s class proved too much. The All Whites finished the tournament with one point after a draw with Iran and losses to Egypt and Belgium.
Despite the heavy final defeat, the campaign gave New Zealand valuable experience at the expanded World Cup and showed the next generation what it takes to compete against football’s global powers. Elijah Just’s late goal against Belgium offered one bright moment in a difficult final match.
There was better news for Māori rugby, with the Māori All Blacks completing a powerful comeback win over Japan XV in Nagoya. After being put under serious pressure in the first half, including a period when they were reduced to 13 players, the Māori All Blacks surged home with four tries in the final quarter to seal a hard-fought victory. The result underlined the mana, resilience and attacking ambition of the side.
In international rugby news, the All Blacks and Wallabies are set to create a new trans-Tasman tradition, with Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup tests confirmed for 2027, 2029 and 2031 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. The move marks the first time in the long history of the Bledisloe Cup that matches will be played on Anzac Day, adding another major chapter to one of world rugby’s fiercest rivalries.
In cricket, the White Ferns’ Twenty20 World Cup defence is over after a dominant nine-wicket win by England. The defending champions needed a strong result to keep their semi-final hopes alive, but England chased down New Zealand’s total with authority to remain unbeaten in the group stage. The loss also marked an emotional farewell tournament for senior White Ferns stars Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu.
At the FIFA World Cup, England, Croatia and Ghana all advanced from Group L. England topped the group, Croatia progressed after defeating Ghana, while Ghana also moved through to the Round of 32 after earlier results gave them enough to qualify. The result keeps the knockout picture wide open as the tournament moves into its next stage.
From the Mystics’ record-breaking triumph to the Warriors’ last-minute pain, the All Whites’ World Cup exit and the Māori All Blacks’ comeback spirit, the weekend delivered everything sport can offer: history, heartbreak, pride and promise.
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