Rugby.....A chance for Richie Mo'unga to stake his claim for the final two tests of the All Blacks season this weekend

Having missed most of the Australian leg of the Rugby Championship, Mo'unga started against the USA and now gets another chance to re-establish himself as the All Blacks number one first five on Sunday morning.



In the NPC....... Waikato have edged Otago in a close battle in Rotorua, to secure a home semi-final in the premiership.

The Mooloos have won 27-25, locking up second spot on the ladder.

Otago finish third in the championship.

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Cricket......New Zealand coach Gary Stead has defended the decision of pace bowler Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme to opt out of the tests in this month's Indian tour.

Bubble fatigue has been cited as a reason behind the move.

Boult has played the Indian Premier League and current Twenty20 World Cup while de Grandhomme had been on the road from May until September.

Stead says it's been tough on the players



New Zealand is yet to reveal a home international summer due to the Covid lockdown.

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Football.....Former New Zealand age-group player Gianni Stensness' decision to switch to Australia has been rewarded.

Stensness has been named in the Socceroos for World Cup qualifiers next week across the Tasman.

Following the Tokyo Games, Stensness confirmed he no longer wished to be selected for New Zealand squads and changed his allegiance to Australia.

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Cycling.....Two times former champion Michael Vink remains on track to win a third Tour of Southland.

The Canterbury rider finished safely in the main peleton on the 151 kilometre stage six from Invercargill to Gore and maintains a nearly two minute lead in the general classification.

Auckland's James Fouche took out the stage he was trying to set up for teammate Luke Mudgway who is second in the GC.



The tour finishes with an individual time trial before a short final stage around Invercargill tomorrow afternoon.