2 May 2019

Today's sports news: What you need to know

7:46 am on 2 May 2019

The New Zealanders will play Japan in early August before two games against Canada in Sydney.

They will then play games against France, Serbia and Italy in a warmup tournament in China.

Head Coach Paul Henare is delighted with the build-up and has no doubt it will deliver his side in great shape physically and mentally to be ready to go for game one at the World Cup.

The Tall Blacks play Brazil, Montenegro and Greece in their group at the World Cup.

Gatland has other offers to coach

Wales boss Warren Gatland says he has received a number of approaches about a possible post-World Cup job but insists England's rugby union bosses have not contacted him.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The New Zealander said that he has not spoken to the England Rugby Union, who have been linked with recruiting him as Eddie Jones' potential long-term successor.

Gatland will step down as Wales head coach after the World Cup in Japan later this year, ending a reign which has included three Six Nations Grand Slams.

Asked about his future, Gatland said: "I've had quite a number of approaches from different places.

"It's a matter of making the right decision at the right time. But my whole focus is about the next six or seven months and Wales and the World Cup.

Gatland is also a firm favourite to coach the 2021 British and Irish Lions in South Africa - it would be his third successive tour as Lions boss if appointed.

-AAP

Tottenham suffer first-leg defeat to Ajax

Ajax's Donny van de Beek grabbed an early goal to secure a precious 1-0 victory at Tottenham in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in London.

The 22-year-old struck in the 15th minute to give the Dutch side a crucial away goal and leave Spurs facing a daunting task in Amsterdam if they are to reach the final for the first time.

Ajax, having already knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus en route to their first semi-final in Europe's elite competition since 1997, were too pacey for a labouring home side, especially in a first half in which they could have put the tie to bed.

Tottenham did improve after the break but Ajax defended their lead to restrict the home attack and almost scored a second goal late on when David Neres hit the post.

Big names back for Warriors

The Warriors welcome back captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Blake Green and David Fusitu'a for their NRL game against the Newcastle Knights at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday.

Warriors playmaker Blake Green at training

Warriors playmaker Blake Green at training Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018

Green has missed the last three games against South Sydney, North Queensland and Melbourne while Tuivasa-Sheck and Fusitu'a were both ruled out of the Anzac Day battle against the Storm.

Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney is hopeful all three will come through training this week to take their places against the Knights.

With Tuivasa-Sheck, Green and Fusitu'a named, Kearney has switched Peta Hiku back to left centre, Tohu Harris returns to the second row and Gerard Beale goes to the bench. Retained at right centre is Patrick Herbert following his impressive debut last week.

Big win for All Blacks Under 20's

The New Zealand under 20 men's rugby side has beaten Japan 87-12 in their second game of the Oceania Championship on the Gold Coast.

New Zealand ran in 13 tries against the Japanese.

Australia beat Fiji 16-0 in the other game.

New Zealand and Australia meet in the final this weekend.

Another increase in Wimbledon prize money

Wimbledon prize money will total $74 million for this year's tennis championships, a rise of 11.8 percent.

All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London.

All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The men's and women's singles champions will receive $4.6 million each - almost $200,000 more than in 2018.

Continuing a theme of recent years, organisers have again significantly raised the prize money for early-round losers.

Prize money for qualifying and rounds one to three in the singles will rise by 10 percent with 88,000 dollars now the compensation for a first-round singles exit.

Wimbledon's total prize money for 2019 surpasses the $66 million at this year's opening Grand Slam in Melbourne but is still lower than the $79 million prize pool at last year's US Open.

Wimbledon's prize money has trebled in the last decade.

This year's Wimbledon Championships will see Court One's new retractable roof in operation for the first time.

-Reuters

Brisbane players bid farewell to Nikorima

Kodi Nikorima's Brisbane teammates bear no grudges as they come to terms with the prospect that their upbeat halfback may've played his last game for the club.

The 25-year-old was made unavailable for Thursday's clash with South Sydney, with coach Anthony Seibold citing a calf niggle and "some decisions to ponder around his future" as grounds for the week off.

Brisbane Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima.

Kodi Nikorima. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand Warriors coach Stephen Kearney confirmed to NZME that Nikorima had been in his sights for 2020 and that "anything before then is in the hands of the Broncos and his agent".

Replaced in Thursday's side by 18-year-old Tom Dearden, Nikorima was all but farewelled by Brisbane teammates Darius Boyd and Alex Glenn yesterday in a sign Kearney might've secured his man early.

Ahead of his 300th game, Daris Boyd insists he and his teammates won't look poorly on Nikorima if he departs mid-season.

"It's a funny business (rugby league). At the end of the day you always look after your family," Boyd said.

"The club will look after their best interests and players have to do the same and whatever Kodi decides to do we'll back him 100 per cent."

-AAP

First up win for Nyika

Hamilton heavyweight boxer David Nyika has won his opening bout at an invitational tournament in Poland, beating a Russian opponent on points.

He'll meet an Indian Boxer in the next round.

Women's lightweight and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Troy Garton of Auckland was beaten by an Italian opponent.