It's the biggest and most prestigious event on the New Zealand surf lifesaving calendar and this year, the carnival came to a sun and swell-drenched Mount Maunganui. Music: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd (xavierrudd.com) Additional GoPro footage courtesy of Mark Bourneville/Piha SLSC. courtesy Dscribe Journalism.
Highlights from the Final event of the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge.
If New Zealand get to Eden Park this week at 0-0, they'll be exceedingly happy. The cricket nation will be pleasantly surprised too after the grim forebodings of the gulf between themselves and England in test terms. Whether they do draw this test almost certainly depends on events at the Basin Reserve today, when New Zealand, following on 211 runs behind, start the fourth day at 77 for one. They are 134 runs short of making England bat a second time, and, as an old French teacher would have described it, with a job of work to do.
New Zealand know this territory well; they are pushing uphill to stay in a test well before the halfway mark. Matt Prior and Bruce Martin tell each sides tale of a fantastic day of cricket for England.
Amateur MMA fighters Brandon Alexander and Aaron Britt produced a true rarity as they both landed knock-out blows just 14 seconds into their fight. Courtesy: YouTube/Travis Bickle
If New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum wins the toss at the Basin Reserve tomorrow morning he will give his bowlers first use of the ball. McCullum fronted his usual press conference on the eve of the second test against England today and offered a slightly surprising response when asked if he would bat first if he won the coin flip.
[Viewer discretion is advised] In the Montpellier vs Racing Metro game yesterday, referee Mathieu Raynal suffered a double fracture of tibia and fibula, a broken collarbone and sprained left ankle after colliding with a player.
Over 2,000 spectators flocked into Gorge Road Jump Park for the second Red Bull Roast It competition. Forty five riders from around the globe all vied for the top honours, treating the crowd to a BMX dirt-riding spectacle.
The V8 Supercars will be the main curtain-raiser to the F1 cars this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix. For the all-new IRWIN Racing AMG Mercedes outfit the non-championship races in Melbourne will be critical in the development of the all new V8.
Mor Diouf scored a spectacular long-range goal two minutes from time to hand SuperSport United a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Pretoria rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in a South African Premiership clash.
Chief Herald sports writer David Leggat and Andrew Alderson from the Herald on Sunday are covering the England series against the Black Caps and give their expert opinion on what is required for a result at the Basin Reserve.
Top Herald rugby scribes Wynne Gray and Gregor Paul take the early Super rugby form and translate it into International selection as the players look to catch the coaches eye.
The Porsche Carrera Cup series will be on-track this weekend as part of the Grand Prix meeting at Albert Park in Adelaide. Two-time Bathurst winner Steven Richards will be one of the favourites against a host of Porsche and former V8 stars.
Fast bowler Doug Bracewell has not recovered in time from his foot injury to be considered for the second ANZ Test against England starting in Wellington on Thursday. The 22-year-old missed the first test in Dunedin, after initially being named in the squad, and has now been ruled out of this week's Test at the Basin Reserve. The Black Caps squad of 13 named for the Dunedin test is unchanged with Ian Butler remaining in place of Bracewell. Head coach Mike Hesson said he has rewarded the squad that delivered such a strong performance against the second ranked Test side in the world.
Highlanders forward Joe Wheeler, caught in the showers at team headquarters, tells ODT rugby columnist Paul Dwyer about the funniest thing he's seen on the field, his favourite fast food, and what lies under team-mate Liam Coltman's beard.
New Zealand can consider themselves moral victors after the first test draw against England. The world's eighth ranked team exceeded expectations by dominating more than they were dominated against by the second best team. The onus goes on them to sustain that form when the second ANZ test starts in Wellington on Thursday. New Zealand have won only one series in 17 against England at home; further such history can be made.
Blues 21 Bulls 28 Blues Head Coach Sir John Kirwan said 'it was our worst performance so far this season'. But with the competition only in the early stages & with 11 points already things weren't all bad. The Blues look forward to a bye next weekend before facing the Waratahs.
Black Caps century maker Hamish Rutherford talks to the media after his debut 171 runs against England in Dunedin.
Wagner picked up opener Alastair Cook's wicket with what he described as a wide half-tracker. Cook whacked it straight to Hamish Rutherford, though. The next delivery was a beauty and definitely part of the plan. If you are going to get Kevin Pietersen's wicket, then your best chance is to strike early. Wagner speared in a full delivery which swung and trapped the classy right-hander in front for a first-ball duck.
Over 2,000 spectators flocked into Gorge Road Jump Park for the second Red Bull Roast It competition. Forty-five riders from around the globe all vied for the top honours, treating the crowd to a BMX dirt-riding spectacle. Check out the action from the event!
The Blues head coach is expecting the visiting Bulls 'to beat you up at the tackle' and bring a completely new challenge to his young team this Sunday afternoon at Eden Park.
The Rugby Herald travels to the Blues training ground in Auckland as Wynne Gray and Gregor Paul reflect briefly on the success to-date and look ahead to a different challenge from past weeks with the Bulls from South Africa.
Giant Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Irfan crashes into a Kid while trying to save a boundary in their T20 match against South Africa. Video / Youtube: Cricish
Herald cricket scribes David Leggat and Andrew Alderson give their expert opinion on the upcoming first test between the Black Caps and England in Dunedin.
Former Australian pace bowler Merv Hughes took a top catch in the crowd off a David Warner six against India.
English fast bowler Steven Finn and Black Caps Tim Southee give their teams thoughts as they both prepare for the Test match in Dunedin.
New Zealand manager Mike Sandle, who only arrived in Dunedin today ahead of the first test against England starting on Wednesday, said Bracewell would undergo a fitness test tomorrow. Bracewell has a foot injury, apparently from cleaning up cut glass following a party at his home in Napier at the weekend.
Over 2,000 eager spectators flocked to Frew Farm to witness an unbelievable display of two-wheel madness. This year the weather co-operated and the true potential of this unique event was finally brought to life.
Tucked in the lush hills of Southern New Zealand lies the Frew brothers Farm. Normally the scene of aimlessly wandering sheep, Red Bull Farm jam transforms the land into the ultimate freestyle venue complete with FMX track and a jump line for MTB freeride and BMX. Top riders from across the globe flocked to this far flung corner of the Earth to put on an amazing show and the best Farm Jam to date.
The world's best bowl skaters descended on Wellingtons iconic Waitangi Park in New Zealand, competing in one of the most prestigious skate events of the year, Vans Bowl-A-Rama.
Referee Steve Walsh pushes aside Conrad Smith during the Hurricanes 18-12 loss to the Reds on Friday night. Video / Youtube: GorillaRugbyshow
Blues 34 Crusaders 15 The Blues crushed the Crusaders in a solid performance at Eden Park. Head Coach John Kirwan said "it's a very special time for us as Blues people because this was a great football side that came here to Eden Park".
Five of the six division winners at the Whangamata leg of the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge repeated the dose with class performances that saw them match results from the first event held at Mount Maunganui three weeks ago, with the final day being played out in clean 1.0m waves and light onshore winds.
Lionel Messi tries his luck at cricket in a new television advertisement. Video / Youtube: HerbalifeINTL