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Benji confirms Blues
New Zealand rugby league star Benji Marshall has announced he has signed a two-year deal with Super Rugby team the Blues.
The former Kiwis and Wests Tigers rugby league playmaker Marshall this morning confirmed the move that has been signposted over the past week.
The 11-year league veteran's switch has been welcomed by Blues coach Sir John Kirwan.
"We’re thrilled to have someone with his professionalism and ability in the organisation. I think it’s going to be a great journey for us all," Kirwan said in a statement.
The new signing's position with the team has not been decided just yet.
"He’s a talented player so perhaps 15, 12 or 10 but we don’t really know yet, we’re leaning towards 15 but we’ll just have to wait until he joins the team for pre-season training and see how it goes," Kirwan says.
Marshall will move to New Zealand in the coming weeks.
-3news.co.nz
Super mayor has super time at bike fest
The inaugural Rotorua Bike Festival concluded at the weekend and was a huge success.
Organisers are now getting ready for next year's event and funding has been secured.
A number of events were so popular, organisers had to close registrations. One of the more popular was The Redwoods Coast event. Amongst the competitors was Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters, who took to his bike wearing a Superman costume.
Mayor Winters said the whole festival was great and helps reinforce Rotorua as the biking capital of the country.
"I was please to be able to participate on one way or another in a number of events. The feedback I've received from people from all over the country and overseas has been overwhelming positive."
Action from the 50th Halberg Awards
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| Photo [Supplied] |
Olympic men's pair rowing champions Hamish Bond and Eric Murray have taken the top prize at the 50th Halberg Awards in Auckland.
The duo, unbeaten in four years, won Olympic gold by boat lengths in London. They were first named the team of the year at the Halberg Awards before going on to claim overall honours.
To win the supreme award, Bond and Murray headed off other Halberg Award contenders - single sculler and sportsman of the year Mahe Drysdale, sportswoman of the year Valerie Adams and disabled sportsperson of the year Sophie Pascoe.
Golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, the first athlete to win the trophy in 1963 after Sir Murray Halberg resurrected the awards, presented Bond and Murray with the award on Thursday night.
It was a big night for rowing, with coach Dick Tonks also claiming the coach of the year trophy ahead of fellow rowing coach Calvin Ferguson, yachting's Nathan Handley and canoeing's Gordon Walker.
Valerie Adams, who went through the year unbeaten in all shot put competitions and defended her gold medal at the London Olympics, won the sportswoman of the year for the seventh time.
She beat home Olympic K1 200m canoeing champion Lisa Carrington, Canadian Women's Golf Open champion Lydia Ko and BMX Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker.
Drysdale, who won Olympic gold in the men's single sculls in London, edged out All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, world No.1 ranked equestrian Andrew Nicolson and Olympic keirin bronze medallist Simon van Velthooven.
Para-swimming sensation and last year's winner Sophie Pascoe again took out the disable sportsperson of the year category, after securing three golds and three silvers at the London Paralympics.
She beat home fellow Paralympic swimming champions Cameron Leslie and Mary Fisher, and para cyclist Phillipa Gray who, with pilot Laura Thompson, won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Paralympics.
Golfing prodigy Lydia Ko claimed the emerging talent award, with a $10,000 sporting scholarship part of the prize.
Also at the award ceremony, Olympic gold medal-winning boardsailor Bruce Kendall and former New Zealand rugby and cricket representative Jeff Wilson were inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
Super Rugby final tickets all sold out
Ahead of this weekends clash between the Chiefs and Sharks all tickets have been sold out to the Hamilton game on Saturday.
Tickets went on sale this morning at 8am and were sold out by 10.30am.
A spokes person for Ticket Direct said this morning it was a huge rush of fans wanting tickets for Saturdays game and one of the busiest days in a long time.
Over 25,000 fans are expected to pack into the Waikato stadium on Saturday. Bay of Plenty and Waikato Police advice to take your time if you are travelling to the game, drive to the speed limit and don't drink and drive.
Warriors night in support of Chace Topperwien charity
Tickets are still on sale for a night of charity, cash for points and the return of the club's heritage kit when the Vodafone Warriors and the table-topping Vodafone Junior Warriors take on Newcastle at Mount Smart Stadium tonight.
The ninth-placed Vodafone Warriors (20 points) line-up against 12th-placed Newcastle (18 points) in a must-win match with just seven games left in the NRL season (kick-off 7.30pm).
And at 5.15pm the 2010-2011 back-to-back NYC premiers (29 points) will seek their fifth straight win when they face the eighth-placed Knights (21 points).
The Vodafone Warriors are hoping for another strong turnout of members and supporters with just four home games left this season.
Since attracting a crowd of 37,502 for the season-opener against Manly at Eden Park, the club has had solid crowds in seven matches at Mount Smart Stadium. The best topped 20,000 for the game against Melbourne while five o the other six games have had crowds ranging from 15,374 (North Queensland) to 19,012 (Brisbane). The only exception has been the Gold Coast match, which was played on Saturday night at a drenched Mount Smart Stadium in front of almost 13,000.
Charity of the Day
A major feature of the night will be the club's support of the Dream Chaser Foundation - A Chace Topperwien Charity established in the name of the three-year-old Whakatane boy who died last month from a rare form of myeloid leukaemia.
Chace's parents Keri and Ryan Topperwien along with other family members will be hosted by Vodafone Warriors owners Eric Watson and Owen Glenn. Watson and Glenn each donated $25,000 to the cost of an expensive drug trial when they learned of Chace's plight.
Watson said he was keen for the Vodafone Warriors to support the foundation, particularly having met and spent time with the family while they were in the United Kingdom.
"As a father it was very hard to see Ryan and Keri with little Chace. My heart really went out to them," he said.
"As a parent you'd do anything if your child was in the same situation and they certainly did for Chace. "I am in awe of their dedication and commitment to help others by setting up this foundation. I know the Vodafone Warriors' community will get behind them and support us in raising a great deal of money for the foundation."
Glenn is looking forward to meeting the Topperwiens and their parents tonight.
"It is good timing that both Eric and I will be in New Zealand and at the game against the Knights," he said.
"Ryan and Keri and their parents will be our guests that night and I'm confident that the Vodafone Warriors will play the game of their lives in memory of Chace.
"We want to give the foundation the best possible launch and we encourage Kiwis to get behind it too."
A number of activities are being organised to raise funds for the charity the Topperwiens have set up.
Match Day Sponsor
Match day sponsor TNT has pledged cash for points in support of the charity of the day. Every try scored by the Vodafone Warriors and the Vodafone Junior Warriors will result in TNT donating $100 to the Dream Chaser Foundation while it will pay $50 for every goal and $25 for every field goal scored by the club's two teams.
Auctions
There'll be an auction in the Club Lounge on game day when Vodafone Warriors members and guests will be able to bid for a signed 2012 Vodafone Warriors home jersey and $500 worth of SKYCITY vouchers. Collectors will also be circulating the venue for a gold coin collection.
Another fundraiser is an online auction the Vodafone Warriors have set up with three packages to bid on. Click http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=4278262 (see details of lots below). The auction closes on Monday, July 23.
Te Toki Pounamu
The Vodafone Warriors will use tomorrow night's special occasion to give their heritage jersey - Te Toki Pounamu - another outing in front of Vodafone Warriors members and fans at Mount Smart Stadium. The last time they played in it at home they beat Gold Coast 26-6 on March 24.
Entertainment
The entertainment package before the main game features performances by the Mini Warriors Cheerleaders and the SKYCITY Cheer Team plus the naming of the Vodafone Superfan on the Match and a live performance by hip hop artist Tyree.
At halftime there'll be a TNT parcel delivery race while the SKYCITY Cheer Team and Tyree will again perform.
Club Lounge
Vodafone Warriors owner Owen Glenn will join Vodafone Warriors gold and platinum members in the lounge about 7.00pm. He'll talk about his just-released book 'Making a Difference', his joint venture shareholding in the club and this week's major announcement about the Vodafone Warriors' future. He'll also sign copies of his book while he's there.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, July 21
5.00pm Gates Open
5.15pm Vodafone Junior Warriors v Knights (NYC)
7.30pm Vodafone Warriors v Knights (NRL)
Save by pre-purchasing tickets for Saturday's match against the Knights at www.ticketek.co.nz and at selected Mad Butcher outlets (Albany, Glen Innes, Mangere East, Manukau and Papakura). Dream Chaser Foundation
For more information about the Dream Chaser Foundation - A Chace Topperwien Charity please contact Keri or Ryan Topperwien at ryan@dreamchaser.co.nz or keri@dreamchaser.co.nz
A website is also being set up: www.dreamchaser.co.nz
Auction Lots
The lots for the Vodafone Warriors' online auction are:
Vodafone Warriors Family Extravaganza
Family pass (two adults and three children) to the Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday, August 5
A child (aged 5-13) to run the match ball on at the start of the NRL fixture Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game on Sunday, August 5
A 2012 signed Vodafone Warriors home jersey (black)
The opportunity for the family to meet their favourite Vodafone Warrior after the Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game in the team gymnasium
A Family Pass for the 2013 Vodafone Warriors season including membership packs
Vodafone Warriors Corporate Extravaganza
A gold table in the Vodafone Warriors' Club Lounge for 10 people to the Vodafone Warriors v Penrith Panthers game at Mount Smart Stadium (August 17-20, date and time to be confirmed)
Framed 2012 signed home (black) and away (white) jerseys
The framed jerseys to be presented by a Vodafone Warrior at your table after the game
Successful bidder will be able to meet their favourite Vodafone Warrior after the Vodafone Warriors v Penrith Panthers game
Vodafone Warriors Backyard League Clinic
A Backyard League clinic for up to 30 children at either a school or rugby league club in Auckland of your choice
Vodafone Warrior gift bags for each child
Match tickets for 30 children and 10 adults to attend the Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game on Sunday, August 5 at Mount Smart Stadium.
Chiefs welcome new company to rugby
The Chiefs exciting season has enticed a highly successful international brand to rugby for the first time.
Premium European automotive brand, Volkswagen have taken their first venture into rugby by becoming the Chiefs official preferred vehicle supplier for the next three years.
The deal in conjunction with Volkswagen New Zealand has been driven by local Chiefs fan and Ebbett Volkswagen Dealer Principal Walter van den Engel.
"With the wide range of rural, commercials and recreational vehicles that Volkswagen offers, we felt that an association with the Chiefs brand was an ideal partnership for Ebbett Volkswagen," said Walter.
"We have dealerships throughout the Chiefs region including Pukekohe, Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo so we are able to serve the franchise area with our sales, service and parts departments."
Chiefs CEO Gary Dawson said "It is exciting for the Chiefs to attract a premier brand, which has traditionally been globally associated with soccer to our national game and I look forward to Chiefs fans supporting Ebbett Volkswagen."
To test drive one of the latest Volkswagen visit www.ebbett.co.nz
The next Chiefs home game at Waikato Stadium will be against the Crusaders on Friday 6 July at 7.35pm. Chiefs' fans know the importance of this match and have already snapped up over 11,000 tickets for the New Zealand conference clash. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or wwww.chiefs.co.nz or from The Warehouses in the Waikato region. Tickets that are purchased before game day start at $5 plus service fee for kids and $10 plus service fee for adults. For more information visit www.chiefs.co.nz
-Fuseworksmedia
Magic soar past Thunderbirds for eighth win running
AARON GOILE | Waikato Times
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| Photo. FIONA GOODALL/Fairfax NZ |
Two months ago the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic's trans-Tasman netball campaign appeared dead and buried as they sat at the bottom of the ladder, winless after four rounds.
How things can change.
The Magic briefly took the lead in the ANZ Championship, after dispatching the previously top-of-the-table Adelaide Thunderbirds 59-42 in Mt Maunganui on Saturday. The Magic now lie second on the table following the Mystics' 64-55 win over the Tactix last night.
In a superb display at TECT Arena, the Magic blew away the visitors, who had come into the match in excellent form themselves.
It was the eighth win on the trot for the Magic, which equals their competition record for consecutive victories, and has all but assured them of a place in the playoffs – something that was such a long shot not so long ago.
The Magic now even have the chance of hosting a minor semifinal, should they finish third, and remarkably, should results be kind to them, could still yet finish first or second and contest the major semifinal. What won't change for them is their ruthless attitude, which was blatantly evident on Saturday, when they rammed home their dominance.
The hosts didn't lead until inside the last three minutes of the first quarter, but from there they powered on, superior in all areas of the court, and a crushing 18-7 winning of the third period had them run away with the victory.
Coach Noeline Taurua said that hardened approach was great to observe, and she wants it to continue for their last round-robin match against the Queensland Firebirds in Hamilton on July 2.
"That's really pleasing for myself to see, and us to feel and experience," she said. "When it comes down to the big games, it's about who can perform under pressure and execute. I think as a team unit we were very proud of that product."
The Magic's defensive end piled the pressure on Thunderbirds shooting weapon Carla Borrego, while the hosts' midcourt was great in getting plenty of ball to Irene van Dyk, who sank a superb 41 from 42.
"I think we're getting a great balance between knowing when to let the ball go and when to just play the easy options or be very clinical," Taurua said.
Her team is thriving on the pressure environment they have been forced into ever since their horror start to the season. Taurua said it took them a while, but that they were now in a great space after becoming less emotionally attached to matches, not worrying about the opposition team or players or the umpires.
"It's a huge turnaround for us," she said. "When we lost those first four games we were forced to actually live the words that we talk about. We valued things more, value regarding our timing together as a team when we train and also when we play the game as well."
A major part of the winning streak has been the fact the Magic have used the same seven players on court consistently, and not used substitutions unless needed because of injury.
"It makes a difference if you are settled because the understanding and the links happen, and people start to know what the other person is going to be doing," Taurua said.
"When you've got stability, it's easy to build on from week to week."
Heading into their final regular season match, Taurua is just looking for the Magic's ball into van Dyk being more accurate and more gains to be picked up defensively.
That would ice an already tasty cake the Magic are whipping up.
Taurua is happy with a lengthy turnaround going into next Monday, with her players able to pull back mentally.
Today Magic physio Fiona Goddard will see Casey Williams to ascertain where she is at, after the Silver Ferns captain suffered an injury to a metatarsal in her left foot when it got stood on in the match.
But there shouldn't be much concern.
"She's all right," Taurua said.
"She came out quite nicely actually out of that game, considering the pain that she was in earlier on."
Craig Clarke to stay on with Chiefs until the end of 2013
Chiefs co-captain Craig Clarke has announced he has re-signed with the Chiefs until the end of 2013.
In his fourth season with the side, the twenty-eight year lock describes his reasons for staying with the Chiefs as pretty simple.
“I am having too much fun to go anywhere. This is a great environment to work and play in, and one that I am thoroughly enjoying - so why move.”
“Craig is incredibly hard working with great values, so his re-signing is good news for us and the fans,” said coach Dave Rennie.
“Craig’s professionalism, leadership and commitment, continue to make him a great asset to the Chiefs family.”
Clarke is a former Hurricane, Crusader, 2002 New Zealand U19s and 2004 U21s (Junior All Blacks) World Cup winner. He is the captain of Taranaki and picked up the Ranfurly Shield with his ITM Cup side last year.
Opotiki teen wins Queensland junior rally
Rising rally driver Michael Young has scored his second FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship Junior Cup category win of the season while competing in the International Rally of Queensland for the first time.
Young, a 19-year-old from Opotiki, Bay of Plenty in his first full season of international rallying, enjoyed a tight tussle with young Japanese driver Akira Bamba throughout the two-day event.
Young and co-driver Tasmanian Daniel Willson went into the Queensland event leading the Junior Cup class following their class win in Whangarei early in April to give them an eleven point lead over Kenneth Koh, from Malaysia. However Koh was out of the Queensland rally with mechanical issues on stage five, leaving Young battling with Bamba. The Japanese driver managed to finish day one with a ten second margin over Young after Young's two-wheel-drive Proton Satria Neo suffered some damage.
"It was a big battle with Akira all day Saturday and we'd had the Junior Cup lead virtually all day until the last couple of stages," says Young. "We went out this morning (Sunday) determined to take the lead back and that's what we did. We won the first 15.35 km stage by 20 seconds, giving us the lead and then we kept the lead all day to make this our second win from two events."
With experience rallying in Malaysia, Japan and New Zealand, Young was competing in Australia for the first time.
"It was great. I really enjoyed the rally which was based Caloundra, about an hour north of Brisbane on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. It started out muddy, but got drier and faster especially on Sunday's stages. We did have a bit of trouble when we hit a big rock yesterday. We went up on two wheels and the control arm got bent, but the team was able to fix at service. Other than that, the car ran brilliantly and it was a really enjoyable event."
The International Rally of Queensland, running 25 to 27 May, was the third round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and, like the opening round, Brother International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand, saw Australian Chris Atkinson take the overall APRC victory.
Young won not only the Junior Cup, but the 1600cc category for APRC competitors, giving the young Kiwi another achievement to note on his barely one-year-old rally career highlights list.
The APRC Junior Cup was first introduced in 2011 with the intention of increasing opportunities for young talented drivers from within the region. It's open to drivers aged 28 years or younger as at 1 January 2012 driving currently homologated two-wheel-drive cars with a maximum engine capacity of 1600cc. The 2012 Junior Cup covers four APRC rounds - New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Japan - with competitors required to enter at least two rounds to qualify for points.
Young joins the APRC competitors at the Malaysian Rally over the weekend of 14 and 15 July before the Junior Cup wraps up at Rally Hokkaido in Japan 15 and 16 September.
Don't Put Your Fishing Gear Away Too Early - Fish & Game
There’s still plenty of productive trout fishing to be had around the country in spite of the onset of winter and the closure of some lakes and rivers to fishing.
Fish & Game NZ is urging anglers not to put away their gear but to broaden their horizons – try the lakes and rivers that remain open over the winter months, different methods of shoreline fishing, and even sampling what other regions have to offer.
Spokesman Grant Dyson says that some anglers tend to call it a day too early, as soon as some of the most popular waters close.
“Some lakes still have areas where you are permitted to fish from the shoreline using a fly rod or spinning set, there are other lakes that remain open for boat fishing, and many rivers remain open all year or have a longer season in certain regions.”
Anglers should consult their Sports Fishing Regulation booklet, or visit the Fish & Game website, where they’ll discover a wealth of fishing opportunities available over the cooler months.
In the Rotorua lakes region, for example, while popular lakes like Tarawera and Rotoiti close at the end of June, Rotorua, Rotoehu, andRotoma, are among those still open to boat fishing. A number of streams and rivers also remain open to angling.
In the South Island, there are plenty of lakes and rivers which are still fishable. In the Central South Island, all eight lakes of the Waitaki catchment open all year, including the popular hydro lakes of Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki.The region’s larger rivers, Ashburton, Rangitata, Opihi and Waitaki all have a winter season for their lower reaches - from June until the end of August.
In Otago the big lakes – Wanaka, Wakatipu, Wanaka and Dunstan – are open throughout the winter. The Clutha River mainstem is open apart of the ‘Deans Bank’ reach downstream from the Wanaka lake outlet and most rivers draining to the sea have winter seasons on their lower reaches including the Shag, Tokomariro, Taieri, and Catlins. The Winter Season on Otago waters runs from May to September inclusive.
Many of the high country lakes in North Canterbury close to fishing at the end of April, but then open again for a winter season. These include Lake Coleridge, Loch Katrine, and lakes Lyndon, Pearson, Selfe, and Taylor – which are open from June 1stuntil September 30th.
“The more days you fish, the better the value you’re getting out of your season fishing licence,” Mr Dyson says. And if it’s a bit cold or wet for other pursuits, it can still be perfect for fishing.
“Of course, the trout spawning season which usually begins in April provides a range of opportunities to target trout, as fish begin to gather at stream mouths before making their way up streams to spawn.
“The fish being caught at this time of year are in prime condition and make for very good eating, smoked or prepared in a variety of other ways. It’s a very satisfying thing to prepare and cook food you’ve gathered yourself and you’ll find some recipes on the Fish & Game website.”
Mr Dyson says it’s also timely to remind people their fishing licence covers the whole of New Zealand (apart from Taupo catchment). If you’re heading from Auckland to the South Island for a holiday, take a fly fishing and spinning rod along – for a different fishing experience.
However, Fish & Game is urging anglers who visit other regions and those moving between different water bodies to remember the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ (CCD) message, to prevent the spread of didymo and invasive aquatic plants.
AROUND NEW ZEALAND:
Eastern Region – Rotorua Lakes
Boat fishing may be coming to an end on lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina, but there other lakes, rivers and streams open all year. Boat fishing ends for the season on these lakes on June 30th, but parts of all three are still open for shoreline fishing.
Lakes including Rotorua, Rotoehu and Rotoma all remain open to boat fishing past the end of June.
The June 30th closure also covers the upper reaches of some of the local Rotorua streams such as the Ngongotaha, Waiteti and Utuhina, as well as the Ohau Channel. But the lower parts of some of these streams can still be fished.
For further information on fishing spots still open refer to your regulation guide, or visit the Fish and Game website at www.fishandgame.org.nz
You can also pick up some brochures at your local Fish & Game office.
Hawkes Bay Region
After June 30th, many smaller rivers and upper reaches of larger rivers will be closed to fishing until the start of the next season. But the majority of Hawke’s Bay’s most popular spots are still fishable through winter. They include the Tukituki River below SH50, the Mohaka River below the Mangatainoka confluence, and Lake Tutira
There are other areas also fishable from 1 July, so be sure to check out the region’s regulations for other spots.
Taranaki Region
The Manganuioteao main stream remains open until June 30th, along with the Tokiahuru/Waitaiki.
Anglers are also reminded that the Mangawhero River downstream of the ‘golf course’ Bridge remains open all year.
Nelson-Marlborough Region
Anglers are reminded that while the fishing season closed April 30, there are still masses of water available for winter fishing, as outlined in the regulation booklet.
Of note are rivers such as the Motueka, open from Ngatimoti all the way to the sea, and the lower Pelorus – from the Rai confluence to the sea. The lower Aorere River is also well worth a look along with the lower Wairau, which is open all the way from the Wash Bridge to the coast.
If all rivers are high and dirty you still have a number of lakes to choose from in this region too.
Central South Island Region
For many CSI anglers there’s no closure of the fishing season, with lakes of the Waitaki catchment open all year. All eight lakes remain open including the popular hydro lakes, Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki. The productive hydro canals linking the alpine lakes Ohau, Pukaki Tekapo to Lake Benmore also stay open.Lake Alexandrina remains open during June and July for a short winter season.
The region’s larger rivers, Ashburton, Rangitata, Opihi and Waitaki all have a winter season for their lower reaches - from June until the end of August.
Saltwater Creek near Timaru is open all year and for child licence holders, Tinwald Domain Pond also remains open.
If you’re fishing rivers during the winter season, note that the bag limit is reduced, and fishing restricted to fly or spin methods. In the lakes there are no regulation changes - unless boat fishing lakes Ohau and Benmore - fishing with natural baits is not permitted.
Otago Region
In Otago, the big lakes – Wanaka, Wakatipu, Wanaka and Dunstan – are open throughout the winter. The Clutha River mainstem is open apart from the ‘Deans Bank’ reach downstream from the Wanaka lake outlet.
Most rivers draining to the sea have winter seasons on their lower reaches including the Shag, Tokomariro, Taieri, and Catlins. The winter fishing season for these and other waters runs from May to the end of September.
North Canterbury Region
Many of the high country lakes close to fishing at the end of April, but then open again for a winter season. These include Lake Coleridge, Loch Katrine, and lakes Lyndon, Pearson, Selfe, and Taylor – which are open from June 1stuntil September 30th Lake Summer is open all year.
On Coleridge, trolling is the most popular winter fishing method on the lake and it is not that uncommon for boaties to go home with their bag limits. Apart from rainbows, there is a good population of landlocked salmon which are mainly caught in August.
Lake Lyndon, open from June 1stto August 31st,has been heavily stocked by Fish & Game and some of the best fishing here occurs from mid to late winter.
The lower reaches of the big rivers remain open throughout the year, even though the upper reaches close earlier on. These include the Rakaia, Selwyn, Waimakariri, Ashley, Hurunui and Waiau rivers.
Anglers are best to find a bit of backwater on the edge of a current - somewhere where the brown trout can come out of the current and rest and feed for a period. In winter feathered lures or veltics on spinning rods are the go.
West Coast Region
Summer season closes for trout fishing on April 30th, but fortunately the West Coast region has many sections of rivers and lake open all year (see your regulation guide for details).
May is a good month to target browns in all open water, as many fish will not spawn until June. If you’re fishing the lakes, try trolling around the mouths of the main spawning tributaries, such as the mouth of the Crooked River on Lake Brunner.
The Hokitika and Whitcombe rivers are open all year for the angler looking for both front and backcountry fishing. The middle and upper reaches hold rainbow trout that average one kilo.
Southland Region
All the big lakes of Fiordland are open throughout the winter. The most obvious exceptions are Lakes Hankinson, Fergus, Gunn and Waituna, but if you’re unsure, check your regulation booklet or ask the staff at Fish & Game. Great opportunities exist, especially for those targeting trout around stream mouths as they congregate prior to their spawning run. The Fiordland lakes can be a magical place over the winter, when misty morning’s clear with the first rays of sun to reveal mirror-calm conditions.
Figures confirm fans love Super Rugby
New Zealanders are continuing their love affair with rugby according to latest broadcast and game attendance figures released by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).
The figures show strong double digit increases after 12 rounds of Investec Super Rugby.
Average crowds are up about 37 per cent on 2011 while a massive 1.9 million more people have tuned in to watch Super Rugby so far this year, compared with the same period 2011.
Just under one million viewers alone watched round 12 fixtures last weekend which was the biggest television audience for any one round since the final round in 2006.
NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen was delighted with the figures which showed both crowd figures and television audiences up across each of the franchises - the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders.
"There's no doubt that New Zealanders are loving rugby at the moment and we believe this is one of the spin-offs of hosting and winning a fantastic Rugby World Cup last year," Sorensen said.
"We also know that the on-field action has been outstanding and unpredictable adding a real edge to the New Zealand conference and the whole competition. The ladder is now starting to heat up with teams jostling to become clear contenders as we approach the business end of the competition.
"The Chiefs under the new coaching team led by former Turbos Coach Dave Rennie has re-ignited the enthusiasm of rugby fans from across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Counties Manukau and they've seen some remarkable increases in crowd numbers.
"In Dunedin, the student community has lapped up the chance to be part of the action and they've made the Zoo fanzone area look like so much fun, it's clear you have to be there to get that experience.
"While poor form has been an issue for the Blues, their gate attendance remains above 2011 levels with the highest average crowd figures across the country to date. The Blues increased season membership gave them an ideal start to the season and television audiences for Blues games are up 50 per cent on last year," he said.
"The franchises have been working hard to change things up to enhance the rugby fan experience - and this is a great message from fans that they are enjoying it and I know the players are loving their fan support."
Hanlen continues hot form in Europe
Whakatane mountainbiker Karen Hanlen has continued her outstanding form in Europe with second place in the BMC Racing Cup in Switzerland.
Hanlen finished second behind Switzerland's Esther Suss in a sprint finish in the third round of the seven-round Swiss-based international cross country mountain bike series.
While the New Zealander is focussing on success in the UCI World Cup circuit in her campaign to secure selection to the London Olympics, the weekend performance was a real boost to her burgeoning international status.
Suss and Hanlen were in a select group riding together over the first half of the race before the pair worked together to drive up the climb and worked their way clear.
While Suss managed to outsprint the kiwi in the sprint finish, Hanlen beat home a number of world class riders including the Beijing gold medallist Sabine Spitz (GER), bronze medallist Irini Kalentieva (RUS) and world junior champion Julie Bresset (FRA).
"Yeah, I'm so pleased, and a really nice confidence boost for next weekend - although I won't get complacent as it'll be all on," Hanlen said.
Suss won in 1:43.18 with Hanlen only two lengths back and more than 30 seconds clear of the next chaser with the rest of the field strung out behind.
Hanlen will compete in the third round of the UCI World Cup in the Czech Republic this weekend where she will again clash with Beijing Olympian Rosara Joseph, as the kiwi pair push for London Olympic selection.
Compatriot Samara Sheppard (Wellington) was 19th while Rotorua's Dirk Peters was 24th in the men's race won by Switzerland's Nini Schurter.
-Sports Media NZ Ltd, Fusework