Rnz: Extra Time

In the programme this week, Sonny Bill Williams is heading to the Blues after signing on with New Zealand Rugby for a crack at another world cup, can he help restore Auckland rugby to its former glory. One of Williams former All Blacks team-mates says more needs to be done to combat homophobia in the game. The first All Blacks squad of the year spend their first week training as they prepare for the test series against Wales. New Zealand's Steven Adams and the Oklahoma City Thunder's push for the NBA finals comes up agonisingly short. And BMX star Sarah Walker has no intention of laying down the bike despite having her Olympic dreams dashed.

In Extra Time this week we hear from All Blacks coach Steve Hansen as he prepares to announce his first squad since the World Cup also RNZ's rugby reporter takes a look at the possible side to take on Wales next month. We also find out how New Zealand Rugby is trying to gain a stronger footing in Auckland. Black Caps coach Mike Hesson has decided to stay on for another 3 years, while one of New Zealand's most successful netball coaches hits a milestone. And where to now for Joseph Parker.

In the programme this week: We analyse the trans-Tasman netball championship split and discuss the ramifications for New Zealand netball. New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker prepares for the biggest fight of his boxing career, he's one win away from a shot at a world title. We catch up with the New Zealand Sevens team as the players get their last chance to impress before the Rio Olympics. The International Olympic Committee find dozens of failed tests after re-analysing Beijing 2008 samples and High Performance Sport New Zealand are unhappy at their recent government funding allocation, they believe it's not enough to keep pace with the rest of the world.

In Extra Time this week the Highlanders still believe they're chasing respect despite being the Super rugby champions. Netball's trans tasman competition is set for a shakeup. A disruptive Tommy Smith is left out of the All Whites Two more sailors are added to the New Zealand team for Rio and we hear what gymnast Courtney McGregor did to celebrate her Rio selection.

In this episode, it's been a tumultuous week in Rugby League - players stood down for using prescription drugs and one of them now on medical leave, Parramatta stripped of NRL points for breaching the salary cap, and the Kiwis and Kangaroos preparing to do battle for the number one world ranking. Also, one of our most experienced equestrians pulls out of a major event, and some of our top Olympians prepare for their final lead-in to Rio.

In Extra Time this week, more woes for the Warriors as coach Andrew McFadden stands almost half of his side down for misconduct. New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew talks Olympics. Kane Williamson's finally been confirmed as captain of the Black Caps, but why did it take so long? We meet the man "beside" Hayden Paddon's success on the World Rally stage and Equestrian Blyth Tait returns to Kentucky in the hope of reaching the Rio Olympics.

This week in Extra Time - Valerie Adams and Nick Willis headline the athletics team named for Rio, while Dylan Schmidt is set to be the first New Zealand trampolinist to compete at an Olympics. The All Blacks win big at the Laureus Sports Awards, while the Black Caps are taken by surprise by India's plans for a pink ball Test. Plus, calls continue for some of the New Zealand teams to be culled from netball's trans-Tasman competition - and Auckland City and Team Wellington square off in the Oceania Champions League football final.

In Extra Time this week, we celebrate as a couple of New Zealand cricketers are named as the best in the World.... New Zealand Rugby continues to do its best to keep our top players here.... the Breakers have gone a long way to finalising their playing roster for the next NBL basketball season, we get an insight into match fixing and we here from a couple of athletes named to compete in this year's Rio Olympics.

In Extra Time this week Lydia Ko continues to rewrite golf's record books; we hear from New Zealand's latest Olympians, Kiwi athletes are undergoing more drugs tests in the wake of the Maria Sharapova Meldonium scandal, the New Zealand men's 7s team hits Hong Kong, we look back at the careers of Wellington Phoenix defenders Ben Sigmund and Manny Muscat. Plus we celebrate the Hurricanes winger Cory Jane's 100th Super Rugby appearance.

In the programme this week the Black Caps and White Ferns are bundled out of the World T20 but the tournament's still been a success for the New Zealand cricketers, we preview the start of the trans-Tasman netball competition and there's plenty of pressure on the New Zealand sides, Lisa Carrington heads the New Zealand canoe lineup for this year's Rio Olympics and the men's and women's New Zealand Sevens sides gear up for the next rounds of the World Series on their road to Rio.

In Extra Time this week…former Silver Fern's shooter Jodi Brown calls time on her netball career after another serious knee injury. The Black Caps and the Whites Ferns remain unbeaten at the Twenty20 world cup - can they go all the way? The Warriors' Shaun Johnson wants to know where the magic's gone? The All Blacks winger Julian Savea gets the hard word from Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd and mountain bikers Sam Gaze and Anton Cooper battle it out for the sole Rio Olympics spot.

In Extra Time - Wayne Smith signs on for another coaching stint with All Blacks - he tells us what brought him round. Rene Ranger is back with the Blues and eyeing an All Black spot. We head to Rio as NZ Olympic team chef de mission Rob Waddell carries out a final inspection of facilities ahead of August's Games. Sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke discuss their Rio selection. And a five strong New Zealand team is contesting the World Indoor athletic champs in Portland, Oregon we hear from shot putter Tom Walsh.

In Extra Time this week we hear from one of the Black Caps key players ahead of the World T20 in India while a cricketing legend remembers Martin Crowe. The fallout from the Maria Sharapova failed drugs test is discussed and Team Wellington celebrates its first ever Premiership football title. And Mahe Drysdale talks about selection for his fourth Olympic Games and Ironman Cameron Brown celebrates another win.

In Extra Time this week we remember New Zealand's greatest batsman Martin Crowe. The Warriors kick off the National Rugby League season full of hope, but can they deliver? Changes are in store for netball's ANZ championship - just how much longer will it truly be a trans-Tasman competition? New Zealand Football boss Andy Martin defends the credibility of the organisation after a troubled 12 months. What have the Olympic hammer throw and economics at Princeton University got in common? Julia Ratcliffe explains. And we hear from golfer Ryan Fox, another athlete who hopes to tee off in Rio.

In Extra Time this week, we preview the re-jigged Super Rugby competition. Outgoing Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum reflects on his career. The sky's the limit for New Zealand pole vaulter Eliza McCarthy and Tennis player Michael Venus talks about his burgeoning doubles career. And Team New Zealand's back on the water in Oman - we hear from skipper Glenn Ashby.

In Extra Time this week we celebrate the career of New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum.... we find out how Super Rugby preparations are going for the Blues…. it was a big week for Richie McCaw who was named New Zealander of the Year and then accepted the Halberg Supreme Award for the World Cup winning All Blacks.... the Phoenix get an A-League licence extension… we found out what it takes to be an elite rowing coxswain… sailor Peter Burling looks ahead to the Rio Olympics and what about 3 point shooting in netball?

On Extra Time this week... retiring Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum reflects on his career as he becomes the first player in history to play 100 consecutive Test matches since debuting, world golf No.1 Lydia Ko returns to defend her New Zealand Open title, shot putter Jacko Gill looks set to compete at the Rio Olympics, some more administrative problems in football - this time it's the Wellington Phoenix hit by poor paperwork, Wellington tennis player Finn Tearney prepares to make his Davis Cup debut,. and Richard Ussher on the Coast to Coast's longevity and popularity as another edition of the gruelling multi-sport event gets underway.

On Extra Time this week, we catch up with a tired but thrilled Sonny Bill Williams to talk about his sevens debut, Jerome Kaino talks to us about the challenges he faces in helping lift the Blues out of the Super Rugby doldrums. Fellow World Cup winner and Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito tells us why he's decided to quit New Zealand rugby. Phoenix captain Andrew Durante maintains his struggling side can still make the playoffs despite going winless in their last eight games. Black Caps paceman Mitchell McClenaghan shares the gory details of his horrific eye injury and we speak to the Buller cricket captain after the province made history by claming the presitgious Hawke Cup for the very first time.

This week on Extra Time, with the recent allegations of match fixing in tennis we ask the question "is any sport clean anymore?"; WADA's director general gives us his verdict. The Football Ferns have qualified for the Rio Olympics but it's a tougher road for New Zealand's basketballers. Shaun Johnson will make his long awaited return to the NRL at the Auckland Nines, and from one short form of code to another, the World Sevens series hits Wellington, but what are New Zealand's chances of claiming a three-peat in the capital?

In Extra Time for January 22... top tennis players are alleged to have thrown matches, as the sport joins athletics and football with a corruption scandal. We hear from everyone from Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to former NZ No.1 Brett Steven, and one of the BBC reporters who worked on the story for six years, Simon Cox - who says the problem's only getting worse, and the authorities are trying to downplay the seriousness of the issue. Also, big changes at the New Zealand Breakers as the Australian basketball champions look to the future - but are they admitting this season's title defence is already a write-off as they change the coach and the big boss? Plus Auckland heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker fights in Samoa... Geraldine rally star Hayden Paddon and why he's driving the old Hyundai at the current World Rally Championship race in Monte Carlo... and cycling finds out its somewhat meagre allocation for the Rio Olympics.