Rnz: Extra Time

In the final Extra Time of 2020 - RNZ Sports Editor Stephen Hewson and the team look back on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2020. Joining us on Extra Time are All Blacks captain Sam Cane, Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua and Black Caps coach Gary Stead who offer their thoughts on the year past. And we look forward to 2021 and ponder just what it might entail - glass half full or half empty? Take a Listen!

After months of battles off the water, the four teams taking part in the looming America's Cup have finally begun their on water duels. While Ineos Team UK was dealing with technical issues on day one of official practice earlier this week, Cup holders Team New Zealand, Italian Challengers of Record Luna Rossa and American Magic all got their first chances to test themselves against one another. It comes ahead of four days racing later next week - the first three in a World Series event, followed by a final day "Christmas Cup" regatta. That's followed by the month-long Prada Cup from January 15, with the winner earning the right to challenge Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug across two weeks in March. So, with practice underway, and real racing less than a week away, who's flying highest on their foils in the fight for international sport's oldest trophy. Joining Clay Wilson to discuss are Sail-World.com New Zealand editor Richard Gladwell, longtime America's Cup journalist Suzanne McFadden of LockerRoom, and

Is Super Rugby in fact the best way forward for Pasifika rugby? Saturday's match between the Maori All Blacks and Moana Pasifika in Hamilton essentially heralds Moana Pasifika's emergence as a Super Rugby side. They along with a Fiji based team are set to join the Super Rugby competition from 2022. Join Joe Porter on RNZ's Extra Time as he talks to Pacific Rugby Players boss Aayden Clarke, Samoa women's coach Ramsey Tomokino and RNZ sports writer Hamish Bidwell. Clarke believes two Super Rugby teams means more opportunity for Pacific Island players, which the world owes them. But Bidwell isn't convinced it will translate to improved performances by Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji and wants those unions to do a better job of organising their sport. We also hear from New Zealand squash star Joelle King, who's staying put in the UK in the hope she gets some tournament play. And she talks about undergoing a barrage of Covid testing.

Who would have thought so much could ride on an All Blacks Test against Argentina. But this weekend's game has taken on much more significance given the side's first ever loss to the Pumas two weeks ago and the fact they've lost two tests on the trot - something they haven't done since 2011.

The All Blacks appear to be a team in crisis following their historic defeat to Argentina last week, but do the public really care? Join Brenton Vannisselroy on Extra Time as journalist Hamish Bidwell, Wellington Pride rugby player Alice Soper and RNZ sport reporter Barry Guy discuss the fall-out from the All Blacks' first back-to-back defeats in nine years, which has seen the spotlight fall on new coach Ian Foster and his rookie captain Sam Cane. You'll also hear from Black Ferns loose forward Charmaine McMenamin following the draw for next year's women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and Team New Zealand's head designer Dan Bernasconi talks about their new-look hydrofoiling monohull for their America's Cup defence.

Red cards and sending offs are they ruining rugby? Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains thinks so and tells us why and how things need to change if rugby is to remain an attractive and entertaining sport. We hear from Kiwi Ferns legend Honey Hireme-Smiler on why a seventh World Cup was a bridge too far and it's now time to hang up her footy boots. And Sir Bryan Williams from Super Rugby side in waiting Moana Pasifika tells us how they're building towards Super Rugby in 2022. Listen into Extra Time with Stephen Hewson - brought you by RNZ, in association with Stuff and LockerRoom.

Former New Zealand Netball and Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has been appointed as chief executive of Sport New Zealand, but what direction does she want to take the organisation?

The Bledisloe Cup is yet to be decided, there have been a few changes to both the All Blacks and Wallabies sides and Australia is set to host their first test of the year, but for RNZ's Extra Time panel they're struggling to get excited for Saturday's showdown between the All Blacks and Wallabies in Sydney.

The Silver Ferns are finally back on court adjusting to life without Laura Langman - but how are the world champions shaping up for their three test series against Commonwealth Games champions England? In Extra Time We talk with Kiri Wills from the Silver Ferns coaching staff on the challenges ahead and we're also joined by Suzanne McFadden from LockerRoom and RNZ's Bridget Tunnicliffe. he two Scott's - New Zealanders Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin are front and centre in the final round of the Indycar Champs in the United States with Dixon chasing his sixth title and McLauglin set to make his debut in Florida. And Dame Valerie Adams shakes things up on the shot put scene ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics.

The second Bledisloe Cup test is almost upon us and - after last week's drawn opener - there's plenty to play for and plenty of pressure on the All Blacks to maintain their colossal Eden Park record.

Has NZR been arrogant in how it's handled itself in 2020 and can its relationships be repaired?

Israel Adesanya retained his UFC world middleweight title last week and is set to become one of the biggest names in the sport. Mixed Martial Arts continues to grow as a global sport and has a strong following. But because it's a violent sport, should it get the promotion that it does? Medical professionals are against it. Rugby continues to battle off the field more than it does on, with the Rugby Championship yet to be confirmed because of conflicts with the scheduling. Is New Zealand Rugby to blame for the situation it now finds itself in? Join Barry Guy on RNZ's Extra Time as he, Hamish Bidwell, Ashley Stanley and Joe Porter discuss the pros and cons of MMA fighting and the saga that is the Rugby Championship.

Mixed martials arts has undoubtedly been on the up and up as a sport in New Zealand in recent years, but that rise reaches a new high point this weekend. No less than four fighters from Auckland's City Kickboxing gym will compete at UFC 253, headlined by middleweight world champion Israel Adesanya defending his belt against highly-touted Brazilian Paulo Costa. Join Clay Wilson on RNZ's Extra Time as we hear from Israel Adesanya and another member of the City Kickboxing UFC stable, Dan Hooker - and we're joined by up-and-coming CKB fighter Genah Fabian, Marvin France from Stuff and RNZ's Joe Porter.. And we hear from White Ferns cricketer Amy Satterthwaite about touring with a baby on board and Commonwealth Games mountain bike champion Sam Gaze talks about his battle with depression as he gets back on his bike for international competition. Extra Time brought to you by RNZ, Stuff and LockerRoom

The All Blacks will play test match rugby this year afterall. Two Bledisloe Cup tests against Wallabies have been confirmed for Wellington and Auckland and the side will then head to Australia for the rugby championship...although that seems to be up in the air with doubts over whether South Africa and Argentina will play. Doubts too over whether some key All Blacks will make the trip too suggestions some may opt out of the tour. We discuss the ramifications with New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief Rob Nichol, RNZ rugby reporter Joe Porter and commentator Hamish Bidwell. And White Ferns cricketer Suzie Bates discusses the trials and tribulations of quarantine in Brisbane ahead of their series against Australia.

The news that former Silver Fern Anna Harrison is returning to top level netball ....got us thinking here at Extra Time about the 'Senior Citizens' of elite sport?

With yet another sport coming under scrutiny over high performance coaching practices Extra Time asks are our coaches too tough or are our athletes becoming too soft? Two-thirds of Canoe Racing New Zealand's women's high-performance squad have left the programme in the past 18 months labelling the environment as toxic and manipulative. It comes comes less than a month after a slew of allegations involving gymnastics in this country - while cycling, hockey, football and rowing have all come under scrutiny in the past couple of years for the way some athletes have been treated. And to spit or not to spit? Gobbing off has quite literally cost former Olympic runner Robbie Johnston a cross country title.

Former Olympic rowing champion Rob Waddell has found himself in a battle with with secondary school principals and other groups over an initiative aimed at broadcasting more school sport. Does Waddell's Sports Collective, which gives Sky TV exclusive rights to stream or broadcast school tournaments, events and matches, have the interests of the students at heart? Or is it just about making money? Are all secondary schools keen to take part? Will it pour extra pressure on teenage athletes to succeed, at the detriment of their mental health? Or will it help keep kids in sport, grow participation numbers and help fund youth sports events trhoughout the country? RNZ, Stuff and Locker Room present Extra Time - joining RNZ's Joe Porter on the podcast this week are Stuff sport's journalist Jackson Thomas, Roger Mortimer from the NZ Athletes Federation, the Auckland Grammar School principal Tim O'Connor. We hear their concerns and questions and put those to Rob Waddell in a one on one interview.

At the start of the ANZ Netball Premiership season, the title appeared to be the Pulse's to lose. The defending champs dominated the competition and recorded ten wins in a row, while their opponents in this weekend's grand final, the Mainland Tactix, were one of many teams trying to catch them. However the Pulse have since suffered a couple of losses, including one to the Tactix, who in recent weeks have gained all the momentum. In Extra Time this week, RNZ reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe, LockerRoom writer Suzanne McFadden, Brendon Egan from Stuff, and former Silver Fern Belinda Colling discuss Sunday's Grand Final and run the rule over this year's revamped competition.

In Extra Time this week...the Crusaders have wrapped up the Super Rugby Aotearoa title with a round to spare but the real question is what happens in 2021? How many head knocks is too many and where to now for All Blacks skipper Sam Cane? Paddler Alicia Hoskins tells us about the life threatening heart condition which threatened to derail her Olympic hopes. And we look at how Netball is leading the way when it comes to the influence of Maori and Pasifika on the culture of ANZ premiership teams. Listen to Extra Time with Stephen Hewson.

After significant investigations into high performance environments in cycling, football and hockey - yet another New Zealand sport is in the spotlight concerning the topic of athlete welfare. Gymnastics NZ has come under fire over the past week - with athletes, parents and coaches coming forward with allegations of emotional and physical abuse, and a lack of action over complaints. The concerns are emerging as serious issues with the sport and its treatment of elite athletes continue to be exposed around the world. So just how bad is the problem in New Zealand, and are complaints being dealt with in a manner that will bring lasting change for gymnastics in this country? Joining Clay Wilson on the show this week are Roger Mortimer from the NZ Athletes Federation and journalists Felicity Reid and Zoe George, who have been covering this story for RNZ and Stuff, respectively.