Wellington, Dec 11 NZPA - The threat of legal action was a real factor in the New Zealand Rugby Union's decision to stick with the status quo in its Air NZ Cup and Heartland Championship competitions for 2010, NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs said today.

Wellington, Dec 11 NZPA - Wellington Phoenix can claim the A-League record for unbeaten matches at home on Saturday with a win or a draw over Sydney at Palmerston North.

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Napier, Dec 11 NZPA - As Shane Bond's test cricket career hangs in the balance and Iain O'Brien becomes the first confirmed departure from an aging pace attack, New Zealand's selection panel probably view Pakistan's pace battery with a degree of envy.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston has played his last A-League soccer match for the year.

The All Whites custodian will be sidelined for four to six weeks because of a knee injury, a Phoenix club spokesman confirmed today.

Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced today a grant of $500,000 from the Lottery Environment and Heritage committee to help develop Palmerston North's Te Manawa Museum and incorporate the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Oceania club champions Auckland City stunned hosts Al Ahli 2-0 in Abu Dhabi today to become the first New Zealand soccer side to win a game at the Club World Cup.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Auckland City supplied the surprise result at soccer's Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi today with a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates champions Al Alhi.

Christchurch will be hosting two groups and the finals of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in January.

The top 16 youth cricket teams from around the globe will gather in Christchurch on 9 January 2010 for the start of the eighth edition of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.

Wellington, Dec 8 NZPA - Auckland City coach Paul Posa is confident his side will make an impression at the Club World Cup soccer tournament on Thursday morning (NZ time) when they face an injury-plagued Al Ahli FC in the tournament opener in the United Arab Emirates.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA Tokyo, Dec 7 NZPA - The All Blacks' brains trust will meet the five Super 14 rugby coaches on Friday in the hope of agreeing on periodic breaks for leading players to avert burnout amid a crippling schedule.