Hi-tech glasses boost Cup info

BMW Oracle Racing helmsman James Spithill has revealed what goes on when he dons his game face for the US-challenger ahead of the rescheduled first race for the 33rd America's Cup tonight (NZT).

Williams sees positives

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz

8:56pm Ali Williams believes his latest Achilles tendon injury can extend his career rather than end it and he has vowed to fight his way back, hoping to fulfil his World Cup dream.

Rugby has to change - ref

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz

Top New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence warns not to expect instant miracles from the new law interpretations for this week's Super 14 kickoff.

Flynn pays selection price

Daniel Flynn paid the penalty when the New Zealand cricket selectors shuffled their batting cards for the one-off test against Bangladesh next week.

Brett, Mathewson named for Blues

8:18pm Blues coach Pat Lam expressed excitement about his team, their preparation and their desire as he named the side to host the Hurricanes in the Super 14 season-opener in Albany on Friday night.

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Willie Ripia to start for Hurricanes

Australia dominate Rose Bowl series opener

America's Cup racing delayed

Wide-eyed Kiwi skater poised to make an impact

Andy Roddick's wife on SI swimsuit edition cover

Ronaldson's farewell factor to boost Breakers

Lauaki expected to line up despite infection

Sanzar, SKY decide it's time to titillate the fans

'Very white' Australian rugby cops criticism

New blood introduced to All Whites

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Photos: Sports Illustrated models

Willis will defend Games gold

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Opinion

Terry hits a skanky low

It's the great thing about the Premier League innit? You get your dose of sports and celebrity gossip at the same time.

Bok block to free-flowing rugby?

At the risk of being cynical, don't bet your house on South Africa joining the party when it comes to the Super 14 being instantly transformed into a free-flowing spectacle.

When does sport stop being sport?

All Blacks tossed in

Crusader's coach Todd Blackadder has hinted that his All Blacks would be pitched straight into battle and told to cop it sweet.

Willie Ripia to start for Hurricanes

Willie Ripia will start at 10 for the Hurricanes with rising star Aaron Cruden on the bench for Friday night's Super 14 opener against the Blues at Albany.

Williams sees positives

Ali Williams believes his latest Achilles tendon injury can extend his career rather than end it and he has vowed to fight his way back, hoping to fulfil his World Cup dream.

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Football

New blood for All Whites

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is taking a fearless selection policy into the World Cup campaign, insisting young players will be picked with an eye to future tilts.

Ferdinand drops appeal over appeal

New England captain Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal against a one-match ban handed down after what the FA termed a "frivolous" appeal against a violent conduct charge, Manchester United said.

Suspended player claims assault

Cory Chettleburgh has admitted he should have kept his mouth shut during a bizarre, heated incident in YoungHeart Manawatu's NZFC loss to Canterbury United.

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Cricket

Australia dominate Rose Bowl series opener

Australia completely dominated New Zealand in the opening match of the women's one-day cricket Rose Bowl series at Adelaide Oval today.

Black Caps test changes inevitable

Cricket attention switches back to test cricket today when New Zealand selectors name a team likely to contain at least one new cap for the one-off test against Bangladesh.

Clinical South Africa thrash top-ranked India

Stags squander prime position

The Stags looked decidedly doe-faced as they trudged off New Plymouth's Pukekura Park yesterday.

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Basketball

Breakers keen to handle business

Point guard Paul Henare has few doubts the in-form New Zealand Breakers can fulfil their side of the bargain in their late bid to make the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) playoffs.

Globetrotters play on ice

The Harlem Globetrotters have a new way to beat the Washington Generals - on ice.

Sharks score coup in Iti signing

Farewell factor to boost Breakers

Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis is counting on the Tony Ronaldson farewell factor helping his team keep its slim Australian NBL playoff hopes alive at the NSEC tomorrow night.

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Winter Olympics

Kiwi out to make an impact

Kiwi short-track speed skater Blake Skjellerup admits to being a little over-awed at his first Winter Olympics.

Snow dumped on Cypress Mountain

A clattering helicopter and a rumbling truck dumped more snow on Cypress Mountain, the warm weather-plagued venue where the first Winter Olympic event is just four days away.

Kiwis ready for Vancouver action

Parents Vancouver-bound

The mother of a Winter Olympics competitor thinks her nerves will be worse.

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Tennis

Sacha exits in first round

New Zealand qualifier Sacha Jones went down in three sets in the first round of the Pattaya Open in Thailand overnight.

Safina still hurting

World number two Dinara Safina has pulled out of next week's Dubai tennis championships because of continuing problems with a back injury.

Roddick's wife on SI cover

Model Brooklyn Decker, the wife of tennis star Andy Roddick, has landed the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover this year.

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Golf

Swinging wrinklies defy the years

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Tom Watson, boasting a combined age of 106, silenced golf's young guns in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

Stricker pushes to No 2 in world

Steve Stricker's fourth win in his last 15 starts has moved him up to No. 2 in the world for the second time in his career.

Pro-Am seeks the pros

Any golfer expecting to win the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links should probably have committed to playing this week's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

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League

Sailor show almost over

The Wendell Sailor show is over, no more comebacks says the flamboyant showman who entertained fans almost as much off the field as he did on it for 15 years.

Woe-po axed by Sky TV

Sky Tv has dropped league commentator Peter Ropati, known as Ropo, after 15 seasons fronting its NRL coverage.

Big USA money chasing Stacey Jones

New Warriors signings Brett Seymour and Jeremy Latimore.

Warriors new faces to get run

The Warriors will unveil their new stars in Saturday's opening pre-season trial against the Sydney Roosters in Rotorua.

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Motorsport

Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen embarks on a new career in the World Rally Championship this weekend but the Finn is under no illusions about how difficult the season-opening event in Sweden might be.

New F1 teams permitted to miss early races

Formula One's new entrants will be allowed to miss the first three races of the season and avoid punishment, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt said on Tuesday.

Perth V8 event scrapped

Patrick to make Nascar debut at Daytona

Danica Patrick finishes 6th in stock car debut

Danica 6th in stock car debut

Bobby Gerhart's record-setting sixth victory at Daytona International Speedway was overshadowed by the successful stock car debut of IndyCar star Danica Patrick.

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Netball

Steel show their mettle to Tactix

The Southern Steel got their preseason preparations off to the best possible start at the weekend, winning all four of their matches in Christchurch.

Steel down Tactix in pre-season

The Southern Steel proved unbeatable in their first pre-season netball hit-out in Christchurch at the weekend, giving coach Robyn Broughton the perfect chance to test some new combinations.

Steel get back on court

Player levies to pay off Pulse debt

Steel rookie steps up

It's a gigantic leap from NPC netball to the toughest club competition in the world, but Southern Steel rookie Hayley Saunders isn't fazed – in fact, she's enjoying the ride.

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Racing