26 Feb 2019

Today's sport news: what you need to know

10:44 am on 26 February 2019

The Hockey Players Association say they want to read the full version of Hockey New Zealand's review rather than the condensed version to ensure trust between the organisation and players.

The review was initiated after allegations of a negative culture under former coach Mark Hager.

Sixty-five confidential interviews were conducted, including 33 past and present players.

A final draft of the review received in December and finalised in January was reduced to a three and a half page summary for distribution.

The Black Sticks celebrate their Commonwealth Games win over England

The Black Sticks celebrate their Commonwealth Games gold medal win. Photo: Photosport

Players Association representative Heath Mills said grievances would be hard to resolve the way it was.

Hockey New Zealand said their decision was to ensure confidentiality for all those who took part.

Black Caps on the rise

The Black Caps have risen to their highest ever test cricket ranking.

New Zealand now sit second on the latest ICC rankings, after South Africa's series loss to Sri Lanka caused the Proteas to slip to third.

India sit at the top of the rankings, followed by New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England.

Trent Boult leaves the field after destroying England with 6/32.

Trent Boult. Photo: PhotoSport

Batsman Henry Nicholls has also achieved a career-high batting ranking of fifth-equal, tied with England's Joe Root, while skipper Kane Williamson remains at number two.

Trent Boult is the highest ranked New Zealander on the test bowling rankings - the paceman is sixth with Australian Pat Cummins in top spot.

For more on this story click here.

In case you missed it

Kearney re-signs with Warriors

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has extended his contract with the National Rugby League club until the end of the 2022 season.

The deal will see Kearney, 46, remain in the role for six seasons, joining Ivan Cleary (2006-2011) as the longest-serving head coach in the club's history.

The Vodafone Warriors' season-opening match against the Bulldogs on 16 March will be Kearney's 50th as the club's head coach and his 92nd overall.

For more on this story click here.

Magic cast spell over Stars

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have beaten the Northern Stars 57-51 in their ANZ Netball Premiership clash in Hamilton.

After a first up loss to the Tactix on Sunday, the Magic found their tempo to overcome a Stars outfit that had upset the defending champion Southern Steel on the opening day.

The WBOP Magic toppled the Northern Stars for their first win of the season.

The WBOP Magic toppled the Northern Stars for their first win of the season. Photo: Photosport

Serena cartoon ruled not racist

Australia's media watchdog has decided a cartoon published in an Australian newspaper that depicted tennis star Serena Williams having a temper tantrum at the US Open last year was not racist.

The caricature of an angry Williams - with exaggerated lips and tongue and a wild plume of curly hair stomping her tennis racket - was condemned as racist by civil rights leaders, celebrities and fans.

For more on this story click here.

Critics of Mark Knight's original cartoon say it is racist and sexist.

Critics of Mark Knight's original cartoon say it is racist and sexist. Photo: Twitter / Mark Knight

ICC expects India-Pakistan World Cup game to go ahead

The International Cricket Council says there is "no indication" the World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Manchester will not go ahead.

The match on 16 June is in doubt after a Pakistan-based militant group took responsibility for a suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir this month.

There have been calls from some Indians for India to boycott the game at Old Trafford.

The group game attracted half a million requests for 25,000 tickets.

At least 46 Indian paramilitary police were killed in an attack which has sparked anger and anti-Pakistan protests across India, although Pakistan has denied any involvement.

-BBC

'Nobody' immortalised in bronze

Former Wallabies captain John Eales has become the first non-rugby league player to have a statue erected in his honour outside the Brisbane landmark, Suncorp Stadium.

The bronze statue shows Eales being lifted by an anonymous teammate, a team-oriented design that sat well with the Rugby Australia board member.

Eales admitted he knocked back the idea several times when it was first pitched to him.

But having relented, he concedes the monument is great for the code and sends a timely message to the Wallabies and their supporters.

John Eales in front of the statue in his honour at Suncorp Stadium.

John Eales in front of the statue in his honour at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Supplied

"I don't think anyone in this situation actually feels worthy," he said in front of a crowd that included Wally Lewis, who has his own statue on the opposite end of the stadium.

Queensland coach Brad Thorn described Eales as an "absolute gentleman".

"He had a nickname 'Nobody', because nobody is perfect," Thorn said.

For more on this story click here.

- AAP