Sports Chat for 10 July 2025
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Formula E, FIA poised for long-term contract extension
New Zealand Formula E drivers Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy. Photo: Paulo Maria / AFP Formula E is poised to extend an exclusive deal with motorsport's world governing body that will ensure it remains the only all-electric racing series sanctioned by the FIA for decades to come. Majority owned since last year by telecoms company Liberty Global, Formula E began in 2014 with a 25-year licence. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem let slip to reporters during last weekend's British Formula One Grand Prix that an extension to the Formula E contract was done and "would come up soon". Before the season's penultimate round in Berlin, Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds told Reuters on Friday there was nothing official, but to expect various announcements at the London season-ender this month. Formula One will start a new engine era next year, with a 50/50 split between combustion and electric, but Ben Sulayem has said the Liberty Media-owned sport could go back to noisy V8 engines by 2029. "If they [F1] choose to keep using it [the 2026 engine], we'll choose to keep talking about the fact that they like the [electric] technology so much, they integrate it into their race cars," Dodds said. "If they choose to go back to V8s, then we would absolutely leverage the fact that we would then be the only electric championship and everything that that means." Formula E will likely be reduced from 11 to 10 teams next season, after the withdrawal of Formula One champions McLaren to focus on endurance racing. McLaren had sought a new owner for the team, but Dodds said the timeframe was too tight for interested parties and it would revert to Formula E, barring a late twist. "As it stand, unless something changes - and I never say never in Formula E or motorsport - their last race would be London," he added. "The team slot would vacate, which means the licence would revert to us, and then we have a lot of other interest in joining the championship. "The chance of somebody joining for one year of Gen3 is unlikely, but the chance of somebody coming in and starting to develop with a future coming in for Gen4 is much more likely." Formula E will be in the last year of its Gen3 era next season, with the more powerful and faster Gen4 car then coming in for 2026/27. Nissan's British driver Oliver Rowland can clinch the 2024/25 championship in the Berlin doubleheader this weekend and would be the series' 10th different champion in 11 seasons. New Zealand's Nick Cassidy is currently eighth in the championship standings, while fellow Kiwi Mitch Evans is 18th. Both drivers are in the Jaguar TCS Racing Team. - Reuters
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Benji Marshall's Wests Tigers silence critics with onfield defiance
Benji Marshall has been under siege since taking the coaching reins of the Tigers last season. Photo: Alan Lee/ Warriors v Tigers Kickoff 4pm Sunday, 13 July Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Depending on who you believe, Wests Tigers are either an NRL club imploding or slowly bringing about a culture change that has shaken a few reluctant passengers to the kerbside. Kiwi legend Benji Marshall has been under siege since the day he took over the coaching reins of the joint-venture club last season, guiding them to just six wins and the wooden spoon in his debut. Mind you, the Tigers also finished bottom of the table the two previous seasons and last reached the playoffs in 2011, when Marshall was still on the playing roster. Ironically, that post-season campaign ended with defeat to NZ Warriors. This week, they arrive to face the Warriors at Go Media Stadium off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Sydney Roosters in a contest devoid of Origin stars. The result has - temporarily at least - muted the critics. With two months remaining in the regular season, Wests already have as many wins as they managed all last season - they're only two points off the bottom of the table, but only four points outside the playoffs on a congested table. Bolstered by several high-profile recruits - particularly former Penrith Panthers half Jarome Luai and controversial prop Terrell May from the Roosters - the Tigers seem to be turning a corner, but their cause hasn't been helped by the loss of talented youngsters Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn da Silva to rival clubs. Last week, Marshall also had to defend himself against media reports that he had fallen out with veteran centre Adam Doueihi at training. "There was a lot of s**t that happened during the week that was just not true and unfair, and starts because we're losing," he said. "Then it gets reported, then every podcast jumps on it and every news article jumps on something that isn't true. Like the thing with me and Adam was crazy, and we had to defend that. "It just puts pressure on the club that we don't need." Outsiders claim Marshall has struggled to establish appropriate boundaries with his players in his new role as coach, and his close bond with some of his roster has fractured the squad. If nothing else, the unwanted attention has motivated those players that remain loyal. "It started with Benji," said stand-in captain and former teammate Alex Twal, after the Roosters result. "We showed today how much he means to us. "Everyone really wanted to win today." Warriors coach Andrew Webster knows the political landscape all too well, after playing through the junior grades at Balmain Tigers and later returning to coach those same teams, guiding their U18s to a national championship. He began the 2017 season as assistant to first-grade coach Jason Taylor, but was temporarily promoted to the top job, when Taylor was sacked just three games in. Webster guided the team to two losses, before Ivan Cleary was installed as his replacement. "I think they're used to that external pressure," Webster said. "If you coach or play or live in Sydney rugby league, you're going to get hammered every day, and I think they're used to that. "They're a resilient bunch at the moment. They're always looking for the weak link - the team that probably hasn't played as well. "They were all saying how good they were when they were winning at the start - they were amazing - but the media are really quick to jump on their backs. I just think they're a resilient group and showed that on the weekend." The Tigers took back-to-back wins into their March meeting with the Warriors, who needed a late penalty from Luke Metcalf to emerge victorious 26-24. Wests subsequently strung together wins against Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons, but their result over the Roosters probably ranks as their best performance of the season. "They looked like a team that was really well bonded and looked, internally, like there were no cracks, while externally, everyone's trying to find them," Webster observed. "That backs-to-the-wall, no-one-likes-us mentality… Queensland use it every year, so someone else may as well use it." Much like their coach in his heyday, the Tigers play an unorthodox, off-the-cuff style that can often be difficult to plan against. "They're a dangerous team with a lot of dangerous ballrunners and ballplayers on attack, so we'll have to be on our game defensively to limit their opportunities down our end," Warriors hooker Wayde Egan said. "Guys like Luai and [fullback Sunia Turuva] bounce around the middle of the field with footwork and stuff, so we have to be honest defensively all game and not take a play off. That's what those guys rely on." Webster echoed that warning. "If your standards hold up, and you play the way you want to and defend the way you want to, then whatever they throw, you'll be ready for it," he said. "Their unpredictability is definitely their strength, but they also play very well off structure. They certainly play what they see and [Turuva] at fullback has added a lot for them last week." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
New Zealand Black Sox keep title hopes alive after securing first Super Round win
The New Zealand Black Sox have kept their title hopes alive at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup, claiming a dramatic 5-4 walk-off win over the United States. The team came back from a 4-1 deficit to claim victory in their opening Super Round clash, thanks to a clutch home run by designated player Jerome Raemaki in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Raemaki sent a no-doubt shot over the left-field fence to end the game, bringing the boys to their feet and celebrating with a classic 'mana wave' . The Black Sox celebrating their win. Photo: WBSC Catcher Te Wera Bishop had earlier got on base with a line drive to right field, followed by number nine batter Rhys Evans, who earned a walk. The Black Sox's first runs came earlier in the game, including a solo home run from outfielder Reilly Makea - son of head coach and WBSC Hall of Famer Thomas Makea - in the second inning. USA's starting pitcher Marco Diaz brought serious heat on the mound, clocking around 133 km/h. The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the fastest men's pitchers in the game and held New Zealand to just one run through six innings. Jerome Raemaki. Photo: WBSC Head coach Thomas Makea said post-match while USA came out strong, the boys stuck to their task of "staying in the fight." "To give ourselves an opportunity, we chipped away, and we got to the 7th and the boys stayed composed. The thing we needed was a couple of base runners. Jerome came up big tonight." Makea said it was a "massive effort" from the entire squad. "Once again we used everyone. So, big team effort." Lefty-slugger Raemaki said while he couldn't remember too much from that last at-bat, he knew he hit it well. "Everything was a bit of a blur, and it was just going back to making sure I touched all the bases from there." With the New Zealand side coming from behind into the seventh, Raemaki said the boys never gave up. "We've always had this never die attitude, all the way to the end," he said. "Some big bats came through, Te Wera and Rhys had good at-bats there, and without them I wouldn't have had the opportunity." The Black Sox will take on Japan on Sunday at 2:30pm NZT. Photo: WBSC Team captain Cole Evans said he was proud of the boys for coming out on top in such a high-pressure game - and gave a massive mihi to Raemaki. "Jerome, that's a hell of an at-bat," he said. "It's a massive at-bat and obviously wins the game for us, so it takes a special hitter to come up in a situation like that and do what he did, so yeah, kudos to Jerome today." Evans said aside from hosts Canada, the Black Sox have been the most supported team at the tournament so far. "We travel thick and it shows out in the diamond. We hear everyone, so appreciate the support we've got here and we do see all the messages from back home too, so appreciate that as well. New Zealand have moved to 1-1 while USA drop to 0-2 Photo: WBSC The Black Sox qualified for the Super Round after finishing second in Group A behind Venezuela. Joining them in the top four are Japan, Venezuela and the USA. The four teams carry over their Opening Round head-to-head results, meaning Venezuela and Japan started the Super Round at 1-0, with New Zealand and the USA at 0-1. With Saturday's impressive win, New Zealand move to 1-1 while USA drop to 0-2. In their next contest, the Black Sox will take on Japan on Sunday at 2:30pm NZT. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
