Latest from NZ Herald
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
British and Irish Lions v Western Force live updates
Live updates of the opening British and Irish Lions tour match against the Force in Perth. Lions side to face the Force Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan said Thursday he will be his 'chill' self after being named captain for the British and Irish Lions' opening Australian tour game against Western Force in Perth. The 26-year-old Leinster star was a surprise choice to lead the side on his Lions debut, having skippered his country just once. 'It's obviously a massive privilege and honour,' said Sheehan, who will pack down between countryman Tadhg Furlong and Scotland's Pierre Schoeman in the front row on Saturday. 'I just need to be myself, do what I usually do. I'm quite a chill person. I feel like I've got an understanding on who I am and what sort of excites me. 'With the added role of being captain I don't think it changes that much. I'll just bring the boys with me. I'll just let it happen.' Head coach Andy Farrell retained just two players from the side that started the 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week -- flanker Tadhg Beirne and centre Sione Tuipulotu. Among those rested is tour captain Maro Itoje, who led the side against the Pumas. Farrell has opted to make full use of his squad in the first of nine tour matches, including Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. He was without the bulk of his Leinster players against Argentina and they feature heavily against Simon Cron's Force, with nine in the matchday 23. Five starters will be making their Lions debut, as will four on the bench. 'We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time-zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go,' said Farrell. On Sheehan, Farrell said being captain 'will make him a better player because that's the type of character he is, and he's a calming-type influence who understands what pressured situations really look like'. The Lions back row consists of Beirne, former World Rugby player-of-the-year Josh van der Flier and young star Henry Pollock. Scotland ace Finn Russell starts at flyhalf, partnering Welshman Tomos Williams. English veteran Elliot Daly takes on the fullback duties with Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings, and Garry Ringrose and Tuipulotu in the centre. 'We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best,' added Farrell. On their 2013 Tour, the Lions ran out 69-17 winners against the Force. British and Irish Lions (15-1): Elliot Daly; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Pierre Schoeman
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Pakistani Taliban suicide attack kills 16 soldiers, injures dozens in North Waziristan
A suicide attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban killed 13 soldiers and wounded 29 people, including civilians, local government officials and police officers told AFP. 'A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy,' said a local government official in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Māori All Blacks v Japan XV live updates
Follow the action as the Māori All Blacks take on the Japan XV in Tokyo. Māori All Blacks side to take on the Japan XV: 1. Jared Proffit 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere 5. Laghlan McWhannell 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Cullen Grace 9. Sam Nock 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Jonah Lowe 12. Gideon Wrampling 13. Bailyn Sullivan 14. Cole Forbes 15. Zarn Sullivan. Bench: 16. Jacob Devery 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones 18. Benet Kumeroa 19. Zach Gallagher 20. Caleb Delany 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara 22. Kaleb Trask 23. Xavi Taele. It's the first of two matches the Māori All Blacks will play, as they also host Scotland in Whangārei next weekend. Head coach Ross Filipo said he had been thoroughly impressed with the players returning to the team environment and those new to the group, remarking on how well they have come together, and focused on the campaign ahead. 'It's a tight turnaround for us with plenty of our players in the Super Rugby Pacific final [last] Saturday night and then coming straight into this environment. Selections were tough, and our coaching group spent quite some time together to make sure we had the right mix to take the field in Tokyo. We are determined to right a wrong from our last game in Aichi in 2024.'
NZ Herald
6 hours ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Powerball jackpot hits $5m, Strike Four at $400k for tonight's draw
Are you the lucky winner of tonight's mouth-watering Powerball jackpot? The numbers from tonight's draw were: 10, 31, 34, 21, 2, 22. The Powerball was 10 and the Bonus Ball 20. Powerball was not struck on Wednesday so rolled over to tonight, where the jackpot is $5 million. Meanwhile,
NZ Herald
7 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Auckland Airport park-and-ride heist: Recidivist offender returned to jail after wild ride
A recidivist robber has been jailed again after terrorising staff at a park-and-ride business – damaging seven cars as he rammed a gate and raced a stolen $82,000 Audi on the wrong side of the main road to Auckland Airport in a wild bid to shake police. It was
