Articles by Ben Francis
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Sport
'Words can't describe it': All Blacks duo react to making test debuts
Sunday, 6 July 2025, 10:16amFabian Holland and Du’Plessis Kirifi were both full of emotion after making their test debuts for the All Blacks in their...
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Sport
'The Lord's team': Savea hopes Moana Pasifika survives financial struggles
Tuesday, 1 July 2025, 3:17pmAll Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea is hoping to see Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific, calling them “the people’s team”...
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Sport
Taranaki teen handed 36-game ban after shoulder-charging referee
Monday, 30 June 2025, 2:10pmA teen Taranaki club rugby player has been slapped with a 36-match ban after shoulder-charging a referee in a premier match. The...
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Sport
'You deserve it Liam': High praise for Lawson after career-best F1 finish
Monday, 30 June 2025, 10:12amAfter plenty of setbacks and struggles in his debut fulltime Formula One season, hard work has finally paid off for Liam...
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Sport
Details emerge over referee abuse leading to rugby postponement
Friday, 27 June 2025, 3:17pmAbusive sideline behaviour towards a referee in a first XV rugby match between Kāpiti College and Mana College was the main...
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Sport
'We beat ourselves': Webster rues Warriors defeat to depleted Panthers
Sunday, 22 June 2025, 8:24amWarriors coach Andrew Webster admits his side were second best on the night as they slumped to a 28-18 defeat to an understrength...
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Sport
Crusaders playmaker confirms departure after Super Rugby Pacific final
Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 4:29pmJames O’Connor is aiming to bow out of the Crusaders as a Super Rugby Pacific champion, after confirming Saturday’s final...
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Sport
'Earned his opportunity': Warrior Capewell recalled for Queensland
Monday, 9 June 2025, 3:01pmWarriors forward Kurt Capewell has been recalled into Queensland’s State of Origin side for their must-win clash against...
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Sport
'World-class': Tributes flow for All Blacks captain Stu Wilson
Monday, 9 June 2025, 1:31pmFormer All Blacks captain Stu Wilson has died, aged 70. Wilson, who could play centre or wing, made 85 appearances for the...
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Sport
Stu Wilson: Former All Blacks captain dies, aged 70
Monday, 9 June 2025, 1:29pmFormer All Blacks captain Stu Wilson has died, aged 70. Wilson, who could play centre or wing, made 85 appearances for the...
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Sport
Warning to cancel club rugby games after referee stabbing threat
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 1:51pmThe Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union has taken the unprecedented step of threatening to cancel senior club rugby matches in...
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Sport
Second 'run it straight' event cancelled in 24hrs, organiser cites backlash from other events
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 1:54pmA second “run it straight” contest has been cancelled just a day after a similar event was pulled. The organiser of Up the...
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National
'Outrageous': Concussion charity urging ban of Auckland 'run it straight' comp
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 1:24pmThere are mounting calls of concern over the controversial Runit Championship League, which made its City of Sails debut...
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Sport
'Chiefy' to stay as Wellington Phoenix coach
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 3:12pmGiancarlo Italiano will remain as head coach of the Wellington Phoenix after signing a new contract with the A-League club. Italiano...
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Sport
Nicoll-Klokstad rejects overseas offers to remain with Warriors
Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 1:52pmFullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has snubbed offers from overseas to re-sign with the Warriors until the end of the 2027...
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Sport
Why Woodman-Wickliffe backflipped on Black Ferns retirement
Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 4:23pmPortia Woodman-Wickliffe says learning to play a new position was a factor in her decision to backflip on her international...
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Sport
Woodman-Wickliffe to end retirement for Black Ferns World Cup bid
Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 11:41amPortia Woodman-Wickliffe has announced she’s coming out of international retirement in a bid to help the Black Ferns defend...
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Audio
‘A great challenge’: Jordie Barrett on life in Ireland, Ioane move, and contact with ABs
Saturday, 19 April 2025, 1:32pmAll Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett has revealed his partner in crime Rieko Ioane reached out for some advice before signing...
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Sport
'Special': Pompey to join Warriors' centurion club
Friday, 18 April 2025, 4:34pmNew Zealand Warriors stalwart Adam Pompey has been the ultimate quiet achiever during his NRL career. The 26-year-old will...
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Sport
'Still holding out hope': Nweke on potential Silver Ferns comeback
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 8:37amStar shooter Grace Nweke remains hopeful she will feature in some capacity for the Silver Ferns this year, despite playing...
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Sport
Barrett says criticism ‘not far off the mark’
Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 3:48pmAll Blacks captain Scott Barrett concedes that criticism about his form for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific have been...
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Sport
Stead to step down as white ball coach, to consider test future
Tuesday, 8 April 2025, 9:43amBlack Caps coach Gary Stead confirmed today he will step down from coaching the white ball formats while he considers his...
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Audio
‘Didn’t want to live’: Ex-All White’s battle after medical ordeal
Saturday, 5 April 2025, 1:06pmFormer All Whites goalkeeper Jake Gleeson says he contemplated taking his life after prolonged surgeries turned into a battle...
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Sport
‘Long way to go’: Blues confident of Super Rugby playoff push
Friday, 4 April 2025, 2:47pmIf the Blues want to defend their Super Rugby Pacific title, they know victory against the Hurricanes in Auckland on Saturday...
