Sydney, July 20 NZPA - New Zealand suffered a six-wicket defeat off the penultimate delivery against South Africa in their emerging players quadrangular cricket tournament opener in Brisbane today.

Wellington, July 20 NZPA - Flowery speaking Springboks rugby coach Peter de Villiers has been told to stop making embarrassing statements to the media.

New Zealand's Emerging Players team starts its Australian campaign today [Monday 20 July] with a Twenty20 match against South Africa.

Wellington, July 20 NZPA - A relatively inexperienced Auckland rugby squad has been named to challenge for this year's national provincial title.

Coach Mark Anscombe said despite their inexperience, he felt the squad had the potential to perform well in the Air New Zealand Cup.

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

We are halfway through the New Zealand Ice Hockey League schedule. If you have not seen an Ice Hockey game (in New Zealand) yet then there are plenty of chances to see a local game over the next 6 weeks.

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Auckland, July 19 NZPA - Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo's return to international rugby contributed mightily to New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup victory at Eden Park last night, though the All Blacks' third loose forward was also conspicuous by his actions.

Auckland, July 19 NZPA - The All Blacks emerged unscathed from last night's Bledisloe Cup battle on Eden Park but two squad members have been denied the opportunity to travel to South Africa for the Tri-Nations rugby double header.

Wellington, July 19 NZPA - Samoa convincingly cemented their berth in next year's rugby World Cup in New Zealand with a 73-12 victory over Oceania Cup winners Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby yesterday.

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Auckland, July 19 NZPA - Stephen Donald has existed in Dan Carter's shadow long enough to realise resistance is sometimes futile -- he has to run the gauntlet either walking the streets or out on a rugby arena.