Sport

Analysis - High Performance Sport New Zealand's new funding model will put athletes under even more pressure, Holly Thorpe writes.

The Summer Olympics returned to Europe for the first time in 12 years as Paris hosted a sumptuous visual event that hogged the global spotlight for weeks and reinvigorated the brand.

The contest for the Supreme Halberg award, the country's top sport award, appears to be race between Olympic champions Lydia Ko, Ellesse Andrews and Dame Lisa Carrington.

Black Ferns Sevens player Tysha Ikenasio has followed teammate Michaela Blyde in signing with the Warriors for their return to the NRLW next year.

Despite being on enforced leave following the All Blacks Northern Tour, Savea called up coach Tana Umaga this week, and asked if he could spend a day with his new side.

The opening one day cricket international between the New Zealand women's side and Australia has been abandoned without a ball being bowled, due to the weather.

The chief executive and RFU chair also look set to face a vote of no-confidence early next year after a "grass roots revolt".

A setback for the Wellington Phoenix with forward Stefan Colakovski suffering a season-ending injury.

Two-time Grand Slam champion, Simona Halep, who recently returned to the tennis courts after a 15 month doping ban, has been granted a wildcard entry to the ASB Classic in Auckland.