It was another huge weekend across the sporting landscape, with rugby league grand final heartbreak, major rugby moves, injury concerns and Ranfurly Shield action providing plenty to unpack.
Ken Laban joins Dale Husband on Ata Tū to break down the weekend, including the aftermath of Newcastle’s NRL grand final defeat and the pride surrounding the Knights despite falling short on the biggest stage.
Closer to home, All Blacks captain Ardie Savea is heading to the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, bringing his experience and leadership to Tāmaki Makaurau for the next chapter of his career.
The BNZ Breakers are also navigating a difficult early stretch of their NBL campaign, with Preston Le Gassick and Josiah-Jordan James sidelined as the club heads into a demanding run of five consecutive road games.
There was plenty happening in rugby too, with Counties Manukau defending the Ranfurly Shield, while the retirement of Blues and All Blacks hooker Kurt Eklund because of a neck injury has again highlighted the physical demands of the professional game.
Across the Tasman, rugby league also has a new international storyline developing, with Dane Gagai switching his international eligibility to New Zealand, adding another talking point as attention begins moving beyond the NRL season.
From grand final disappointment to career-changing decisions and the battles still being fought on courts and rugby fields, Ken Laban joins Dale to make sense of another packed weekend in hākinakina.
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