Former New Zealand cricket captain and coach Glenn Turner today questioned Auckland Blues rugby chair and New Zealand cricket board member Don Mackinnon’s appeal for borders to be opened for international sports teams during the covid pandemic.

Last year’s electrifying Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand was destroyed by a manufactured rule which extinguished and dishonoured the whole event, former New Zealand cricket captain and coach Glenn Turner says.

Parramatta loan players Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings return after a one-game absence for the Vodafone Warriors’ 18th-round NRL match against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney on Sunday (6.30pm kick-off local time; 8.30pm NZT).

The weights for the A$5.15 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) have been released by Racing Victoria, with the Kiwi contingent featuring prominently.

Group Two winning mare Aretha has been retired after trailing the field home in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) last Saturday, with a stallion yet to be selected for the daughter of Charm Spirit.

Lance O’Sullivan, who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott, was pleased with the fresh-up run of quality four-year-old Dragon Leap, who finished 8th in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Promising filly La Vernazza will head to the spelling paddock after pulling up injured last week.

The Brendan and Jo Lindsay-owned filly had joined trainer Jamie Richards’ Sydney team ahead of the spring, however, she will now be put on ice until next year.

Almost two years after suffering serious head injuries in a race fall, apprentice jockey Sarah Macnab has made a fine start to the 2020-21 season.

Braydon Ennor update

Scans have confirmed that All Blacks midfielder Braydon Ennor ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Steinlager North v South match on the weekend.

The New Zealand Extreme Off-Road Championship series kicks into life this coming weekend and it's perhaps the perfect challenge for those who like a little extra fizz or spark in their lives.