McCaw knighthood 'awkward' while still playing

It would be "awkward" for Richie McCaw to be knighted while he was still playing, former All Blacks captain Sir Brian Lochore says.

Since lifting the William Webb Ellis Trophy on October 23

Stress on family a factor in Henry calling it quits

Graham Henry announces he's stepping down as All Blacks coach. Photo / Getty Images

The stress Graham Henry's family has gone through over a coaching career spanning 140 tests was one of the biggest factors in

Dunaden wins Melbourne Cup

Dunaden has given France its second successive winner in the Melbourne Cup, beating England's Red Cadeaux by the barest margin in the $6.2 million race.

After the closest finish in the 151-year history

Photo finish in Melbourne Cup

Jockey Christophe Lemaire riding Dunaden celebrates after winning the Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington. Photo / Getty Images

French-trained stayer Dunaden won the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup from England's Red Cadeaux in one of the closest

Wanaka skier soars over London

[1]

Wanaka freeskier Jossi Wells performs during the Freeze Festival at London's Battersea Power Station at the weekend.

The three-day FIS-sanctioned event featured some of the world's best snowboarders and

Golf: Influx of stars boost for Australia

[1] World No 1 Luke Donald, of England, one of many of the world's top golfers who will be playing in Australia this summer. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Not since the heady days of regular appearances

Squash: Knight lives to fight another day

There were mixed results for the New Zealand players at the World Open squash tournament in Rotterdam this morning.

Kiwi No 1 Martin Knight (Wellington) came back from two sets down to beat

Rugby: Stress on family factor in Henry calling it quits

The stress Graham Henry's family has gone through over a coaching career spanning 140 tests was one of the biggest factors in him stepping down from the All Blacks.

Henry, 65, today confirmed

Twaddle switches from rowing to triathlon

Nathan Twaddle. Photo / Janna Dixon

Former Olympic and world championship medal-winning rower Nathan Twaddle is turning his attentions to triathlon and will compete in the first Contact Tri Series event in Rotorua on Saturday.

Twaddle

Rugby: Fans turning away from disrespectful SBW - Kingsley Jones

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Ron Burgin

Fans think Sonny Bill Williams is disrespecting the All Blacks' jersey by taking his rugby commitments too lightly, says a sports manager.

The All Blacks' player has re-signed with

Young gun for hire

WHILE most clubs bend over backwards to hold on to their best players, Pirates president Pat Makiri is doing his utmost to help top players leave the club.
Makiri has posted clips of Pirates player of

Rugby: Henry steps down as All Blacks coach

[1] Graham Henry. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings
Graham Henry has stepped down as All Black coach following the team's successful Rugby World Cup campaign.

Henry (65) took over as All Black coach in 2004 and has

Multisport: Twaddle ditches oars to take up triathlons

Former Olympic and world championship medal-winning rower Nathan Twaddle is turning his attentions to triathlon and will compete in the first Contact Tri Series event in Rotorua on Saturday.

Twaddle said he wasn't

Racing: Excitement builds at Melbourne Cup

Entertainers perform for the crowd during the 2011 Melbourne Cup Parade. Photo / Getty Images

The crowd and excitement are building at Flemington ahead of the running of the 151st Melbourne Cup.

More than 100,000 people

All Blacks: Henry steps down

Graham Henry. Photo / Christine Cornege

Graham Henry has stepped down as All Black coach following the team's successful Rugby World Cup campaign.

Henry took over as All Black coach in 2004 and has been in

Racing: Late scratching for Melbourne Cup

Jockey Hugh Bowman riding Mourayan. Photo / Getty Images

Irish import Mourayan has been scratched from this afternoon's running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

Mourayan (number 10), who finished second in last weekend's Mackinnon

Football: Ba hat trick lifts Newcastle to third

[1] Newcastle United's Demba Ba (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Stoke City in their Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent. Photo" REUTERS/Darren Staples
Demba Ba scored a hat trick as

Dana Johannsen: Choke after choke steals milestone year

Captain Laura Langman says there is no mental block. Photo / Getty Images

Were it not for their frustrating inability to master the big moments, it could have been a historic year for the Silver Ferns.

Soccer: Ba hat-trick sets up Newcastle win

Newcastle's Demba Ba, third left, celebrates with team mate Gabriel Obertan, second right, after scoring a goal against Stoke City. Photo / AP

Demba Ba fired Newcastle into third place in the Premier League as the

Golf: Seven ex champions tipped to play at golf Open

Golfer Michael Campbell. Photo / Martin Sykes

Seven former champions are expected at the BMW New Zealand Open at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch from December 1-4.

New Zealanders Michael Campbell (who won in 2000)

Got it by this much

The All Blacks had a frighteningly close finish, but the final score is the final word.

David Rogers/Getty Images

We know that nothing worth having comes easy, but did it have to be quite that hard? Of course

Cricket: Aldridge, Bracewell in line for test debuts

[1] Graeme Aldridge bowls for the Black Caps against Zimbabwe during their One Day International in Harare last month. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Graeme Aldridge and Doug Bracewell are in line to make their Black Caps

All Blacks: Devil in detail of hiring process

Steve Hansen is the most likely contender to replace Graham Henry. Photo / AP

Steve Hansen is highly likely to be the next All Blacks coach but will have to go through the formalities of several

League: Kangaroos have moved on says Gallen

Paul Gallen of the Kangaroos. Photo / Getty Images

Paul Gallen insists Australia have moved on from their bruising Four Nations win over New Zealand and are fully focusing on Saturday's clash with England at Wembley.

Soccer: van Persie dismisses Nazi salute claims

Few can get past Arsenal's Robin van Persie when when he's fit. Photo / AP

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has dismissed claims he used a Nazi salute to celebrate one of his hat-trick of goals

Cricket: West Indies in control over Bangladesh

[1] West Indies batsman Darren Bravo scores a run to make his first international century during the third day of the second test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. (AP Photo/Pavel Rahman)
Darren Bravo hit his first

Rugby: McCaw among targets as French forward lets fly

[1] Imanol Harinordoquy. Photo Reuters
Standout French No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy has let fly at the team's World Cup coach, at the same time  having a crack at All Black captain Richie McCaw and Cup

Rugby: Concern over 'flaw' in coach selection process

[1] Steve Hansen. Photo Reuters
Steve Hansen is highly likely to be the next All Black coach but will have to go through the formalities of several interviews before he gets there.

His likely

Rugby: French forward slams McCaw, coach

Imanol Harinordoquy reacts after losing the Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Greg Bowker

French number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has lashed out at All Black skipper Richie McCaw claiming he was constantly infringing throughout the Rugby

Rugby: Henry to announce plans for future

Graham Henry will announce his plans for the future in Auckland tomorrow.

The All Blacks coach is widely tipped to step down after New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win and has been linked

Cricket: Aldridge, Bracewell set to debut

Graeme Aldridge. Photo / Joel Ford

Graeme Aldridge and Doug Bracewell are in line to their Black Caps test debuts in Bulawayo tonight.

The duo have been included in the New Zealand 12 for the one-off

All Blacks: Henry to announce future today

Graham Henry. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Graham Henry will announce his plans for the future in Auckland today.

The All Blacks coach is widely tipped to step down after New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win and

Baseball: Cliffhangers rekindle love affair

St Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina celebrates after game seven of baseball's World Series against the Texas Rangers in St Louis on Friday. The Cardinals won 6-2 to win the series. Photo / AP

The grand

Cricket: McKay returns to frame for test

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Just when New Zealand's test selection options were thin, for a time they looked like taking another haircut before their test against Zimbabwe starting tonight (NZ time).

With the 15-man

Motorsport: Webber struggling to stay with Vettel

Mark Webber (left) and Sebastian Vettel. Photo / AP

While his teammate cruised to yet another victory, Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber's Indian Grand Prix did nothing but point to a potentially murky future.

Vettel,

Soccer: Liverpool's Suarez best diver on the planet, says Scharner

Liverpool's Luis Suarez. Photo / AP

Any hope Kenny Dalglish harboured about quelling the diving debate surrounding Luis Suarez seemed doomed after Albion's Paul Scharner offered his thoughts on the Uruguayan's knack of winning penalties.

Television

Triathlon: Comeback kid Carter full of confidence in NZ triathletes

Hamish Carter. File photo / Supplied

Hamish Carterby Andrea Hewitt might turn out to be the best thing that's happened to Bevan Docherty.

Anyway, that's the belief of Hamish Carter, who spoke to the Herald after

Racing: French now hot favourites

Americain is one of two French runners above all the others. Photo / Getty Images

Twelve days ago "Go the Frogs" was a form of swearing.

Now, it will be the catch-cry for thousands of punters

Racing: Jukebox Jury's rider faces stern judgment on his horsemanship

Photo / Thinkstock

Mark Johnston marches to the beat of his own drum. And does not take prisoners.

If Jukebox Jury is not among the first eight horses at the winning post with a lap to

Rugby: O'Brien says TMO to get wider authority next year

IRB referee manager Paddy O'Brien. Photo / Getty Images

The jurisdiction of the Television Match Official will be extended over the entire field in selected Northern and Southern Hemisphere rugby matches next year and, if successful,

Racing: Americain heads for double

Americain showed his readiness for the Melbourne Cup today by dashing clear to an easy win in the Drake International Cup at Moonee Valley. Photo / Getty Images

He's the Brad Pitt of the equine world.

Rugby: Why SBW chose the Chiefs

Sonny Bill Williams will play in the backline for the Super rugby season alongside All Black teammates Aaron Cruden and Richard Kahui. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Sonny Bill Williams will fill his mentor's place in the

Cricket: McKay gives Black Caps a scare

Just when New Zealand's test selection options were thin, for a time they looked like taking another haircut before the Black Caps' test against Zimbabwe starting tonight (NZ time).

With the 15-man squad

Greatest moments in Otago sport - number 11

[1] Greg Henderson celebrates after winning the scratch final at the 2004 world championships in Melbourne. Photot by Reuters.
Organised cycling has a unique tradition that ensures its world champions are never forgotten.

Any

Megan leaping into Cup mode

[1]
After once donning silks for race meets, Megan Brick will be wearing something slightly more ladylike for today's Melbourne Cup.

For 12 years, Ms Brick was a jockey.

Now she is

Kickboxing: Rapid weight loss proves too much on fight night

A 12kg body cut proved to be too much for Girish Rae when he contested Elite Thai Kickboxing's king of the ring in Auckland.

The 30-year-old Dunedin man had to shed the weight

Henry to announce plans for future

Graham Henry will announce his plans for the future in Auckland tomorrow.

The All Blacks coach is widely tipped to step down after New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win and has been linked

Henry to announce plans for future

Graham Henry will announce his plans for the future in Auckland tomorrow.

The All Blacks coach is widely tipped to step down after New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win and has been linked

Golf: Seven former champions expected at NZ Open

Seven former champions are expected at the BMW New Zealand Open at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch from December 1-4.

New Zealanders Michael Campbell (who won in 2000) and Mahal Pearce (2003)

Rugby: Sonny Bill Williams to continue boxing

After months of feverish speculation, the brief New Zealand Rugby Union release confirming Sonny Bill Williams' signing was almost an anti-climax but its final paragraph was especially revealing.

The first seven paragraphs of

Rugby: Sonny Bill hints he'll sign for Chiefs

[1] Headed for Hamilton? Sonny Bill Williams. Photo by AP
As the rugby nation waits with bated breath, Sonny Bill Williams has taken time out of his holiday to give a possible clue as to

Netball: Youth the key for Australia's Diamonds

Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander says her team's youth and ruthless attitude have given them the edge over arch-rivals New Zealand.

And she predicts they're only going to get better.

The

Rugby: Wales winger Williams to retire

[1] Shane Williams. AP photo
Wales wing Shane Williams says he plans to retire from international rugby after his country's match against Australia in December.

Williams had floated the idea of quitting after the

Cricket: Ryder out with injury on eve of test

[1] Jesse Ryder
New Zealand are down to a bare bones 13 for their one-off test against Zimbabwe, starting in Bulawayo tomorrow night.

Having lost seamer Kyle Mills to a groin injury last week,

League: Full squad available for Kearney

[1] Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney will be able to consider all 23 players for the first time on tour when his side face Wales in the first match of Saturday's Four

Cricket: McKay illness adds to Black Caps' woes

Veteran seamer Graeme Aldridge could be in line for a test debut at the age of 33 after Black Caps' left-armer Andy McKay has come down with an illness ahead of the test against Zimbabwe

Rugby: SBW signs with Chiefs

[1] Sonny Bill Williams
All Blacks midfield back Sonny Bill Williams has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for one year, and he will play Super Rugby with the Chiefs franchise in 2012.

Rugby: Moody describes disastrous World Cup campaign

Lewis Moody. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The England rugby captain has slammed his Rugby World Cup players and said he should have banned them all from boozy nights out during the campaign.

Lewis Moody retired

Netball: We'll only get better - Aussie coach

Julie Corletto of the Diamonds receives a pass during a match against the Silver Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander says her team's youth and ruthless attitude have given them the edge

Cricket: McKay in doubt with illness

Andy McKay. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran seamer Graeme Aldridge could be in line for a test debut at the age of 33 after Black Caps' left-armer Andy McKay has come down with an illness ahead

Basketball: Breakers rule out fulltime move

Cedric Jackson of the Breakers collects the ball during the round three NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings at Vector Arena. Photo / Getty Images

The Breakers have all but ruled

Cycling: McCauley still making a splash in favourite race

Gordon McCauley. Photo / Northern Advocate

When it comes to the PowerNet Tour of Southland, Gordon McCauley is almost as legendary as the race itself. At least, that's what he'll tell you.

Notoriously quick-witted, the two-time

Golf: Lee earns PGA Tour card

Danny Lee. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has finished tied for eighth at the Nationwide Tour Championship in South Carolina.

The former US Amateur champion has carded an even-par 72 in his

Cool Chris’s rise hits new heights

GISBORNE teenager Chris Dawson was cool on the outside but doing cartwheels on the inside after earning a place in the New Zealand team for the German Cup international pool championships later this month.
“I’m pretty