Wellington, June 23 NZPA - Counties-Manukau Rugby Union has received strong local backing in the fight for its national championship survival.

The Americans have a saying, “You can’t fight city hall!” and as Ian Poulter should’ve known, “You can’t fight the USGA.”

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - The New Zealand Emerging Tall Ferns started their campaign at the Oceania women's basketball tournament with a monster win today in Saipan, in the western Pacific Ocean.

NZPA correspondent

Sydney, June 22 NZPA - France assistant coach Emile Ntamack rates the current Wallabies as better than the All Blacks and thinks they will provide the toughest challenge of their rugby tour on Saturday.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Two players and two spectators will appear before the Waikato Rugby Union's judicial committee on Wednesday following a brawl during a premier club game in Cambridge last Saturday.

By Martin Davidson of NZPA

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - While not quite a ranter and raver Nelson basketball coach Chris Tupu does thrive on the emotion of battle.

He is not one to hide his true feelings, but knows he must zip the lip at times if he is to fully benefit his team.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - New Zealand's winning junior rugby World Cup campaign has ended on a tragic note with winger Zac Guildford's father Robert dying in Tokyo.

The New Zealand Rugby Union wishes to express its condolences to Zac Guildford and his family following the sudden death of Zac's father, Robert, at the final of the IRB Junior World Championships in Tokyo yesterday.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - New Zealand's winning junior rugby World Cup campaign has ended on a sad note with the death of winger Zac Guildford's father Robert in Tokyo.

22 June 2009 - Christchurch professional Justin Leov has finished fourth in the latest round of the UCI Mountainbike World Cup downhill in Slovenia.

This follows his solid fifth in the last round to elevate the Trek World Racing team rider to sixth overall on the World Cup standings.