CK Updates
Fehi Fineanganofo: Uncertainty over wing’s Newcastle Red Bulls move
New Zealand Rugby has denied any involvement in a reported U-turn by Fehi Fineanganofo over a move to England to join Newcastle Red Bulls for next season.
The prolific wing, who has equalled the single-season Super Rugby record by scoring 16 tries for the Hurricanes this term, was announced as one of Newcastle’s incoming signings in January.
Fineanganofo’s form since has put him firmly on the radar of New Zealand coach Dave Rennie, but a move aboard would make the 23-year-old ineligible for the All Blacks.
A report in New Zealand last week, external claimed that the country’s rugby authorities had found a solution to keep Fineanganofo down under, leaving Newcastle officials “very, very upset”.
In 2015, New Zealand Rugby reached an agreement with Clermont Auvergne to tear up a contract that would have taken wing Waisake Naholo to France and out of Test contention.
However, the union insists there will not be a repeat in Fineanganofo’s case. It says its stance is unchanged since an interview given by chief executive Steve Lancaster a fortnight ago.
“We don’t really do that. These are player choices,” Lancaster said, external of the possibility of buying Fineanganofo out his Red Bulls contract.
“There’s nothing stopping Fehi from doing that, but it’s not a space we get into, looking to buy players out of contracts.
“Things have changed a lot for him since the end of last year. He’s taken every opportunity he’s been given so good on him.
“If he has a change of heart, that’s absolutely up to him.
“The ball is in his court around that. But even if he does honour his contract to Newcastle, he’s still young. He might well be back.”
World Rugby rules prohibit a union inducing a player to break their club contract, just as clubs are banned from offering players extra money to end their international careers.
However, uncapped Fineanganofo, who has spoken of his desire to earn enough money so his parents can retire, will be aware that representing the All Blacks would boost his pay.
The New Zealand Herald estimates, external that, even with international recognition, his two-year Red Bulls contract – at a reported £200,000 a year – would still trump what he would earn by staying at home.
But the rise in profile from playing Test matches, particularly with the Rugby World Cup taking place in Australia in 2027, could lead to a lucrative contract later in his career.
Fineanganofo’s agent Bruce Sharrock, who was also Naholo’s agent when his deal with Clermont was annulled, insists it is up to New Zealand Rugby to negotiate with Newcastle if it wants to make his client available to Rennie.
“NZ Rugby had the opportunity to contract Fehi,” he told the Rugby Direct podcast. , external
“What they put on the table was nowhere near the match of what it was. His performance has then ramped up and they have said they now want to hold him.
“That’s fine. Go and have a commercial conversation with the person with the contract and see if you can do a deal.”
Newcastle Red Bulls declined to comment.
CK Updates
US Open 2026 results: Alfie Hewett wins fifth men’s wheelchair singles title in New York
Britain’s Alfie Hewett beat Tokito Oda to clinch a fifth US Open men’s wheelchair singles title and prevent the Japanese top seed from completing a clean sweep at the Grand Slams in 2026.
A 6-0 7-6 (7-5) victory meant Hewett added to the doubles title he won alongside fellow Briton Gordon Reid on Friday.
Hewett, 28, lost to Oda in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, winning only two games in a 6-1 6-1 defeat at SW19, while the Japanese also triumphed at January’s Australian Open.
Hewett told BBC Sport that his loss to Oda at Wimbledon made him “look in the mirror” and a period of reflection led to him wanting to “be a little bit more like me” as he pursued an 11th Grand Slam singles title.
“I’m known for being just as fearless, brave and courageous in big moments and I felt I was everything but that in Wimbledon,” Hewett said.
“I was quiet, I was timid, I was a shell of myself.
“I think I have had six weeks of champing at the bit to come out and prove to myself that I can be more like that person.”
Hewett described his first-set performance as “possessed” as, after saving a break point in the opening game, he produced a dominant display, clinching the opener with a superb backhand return winner.
The Briton secured victory in a second-set tie-break, having fought back from a double break down and saved three set points for Oda to level the match.
Oda, who had won the past six Grand Slam singles titles, said on court: “Definitely I was trying to get the calendar year [Grand Slam] this year.
“This was the last part of it so it’s really tough for me, but I think Alfie deserved it today.”
CK Updates
England vs Pakistan player ratings: Has Jordan Cox given selectors food for thought?
Emilio Gay – 6 – A gritty Test-best of 60 in tricky batting conditions in the first innings looked to have gone some way towards securing his place on the plane for a winter tour of South Africa, only for a duck next time round to bring back some uncertainty. (Series – 6)
Ben Duckett – 2 – A miserable end to the summer for the opener who will now come under some scrutiny. Made 11 and zero in this match and finishes this three-Test series well down the averages with a disappointing 44 runs at 8.8. (Series – 2)
Jordan Cox – 7 – A cheap dismissal in the first innings but made a nerveless unbeaten 59 to take the sting out of Pakistan after a wobble in the chase. A particularly impressive effort with the gloves – taking five dismissals – after being called upon to keep following Jamie Smith’s injury may have given the selectors food for thought in the role. (Series – 7)
Joe Root – 7 – Question marks over his captaincy during Pakistan’s second innings, but got England over the line with 62 not out. A 10th lbw in 14 innings suggests a technical tweak which still needs to be ironed out by England’s all-time leading run-scorer. (Series – 7)
Harry Brook – 7 – Batted with real discipline and focus at a time when Pakistan had a foothold in the game on day one. His most mature Test knock this year. Ran himself out on 75 when a century beckoned but forgivable given the application he showed earlier. Finishes as leading run-scorer in the series with 215 runs at 53.75. (Series – 8)
Dan Lawrence – 7 – Having been shunted around the order the Surrey all-rounder batted with the kind of confidence to suggest he might deserve a sustained run in the middle during a measured 65. Bowling underused but a not-too-shabby batting average of 46.75 will help his winter touring prospects. (Series – 7)
Jamie Smith – 6 – Not quite back to his fluent best but will be satisfied to notch up useful half-centuries in consecutive Tests. Kept reasonably well in Pakistan’s first innings before a finger injury kept him off the field in the second. (Series – 6)
Gus Atkinson – 6 – Wicketless in the first innings and it initially looked like it was going to be another hard-luck tale. However, he shook off the weariness and a change to the City End allowed him to pocket three wickets to lighten his mood. (Series – 5)
Jofra Archer – 7 – Took a bit of tap in the second innings but bowled with plenty of zip and aggression throughout. A brutal ball to dismiss Saud Shakeel was a reminder of his menace. England will be desperate to keep him fit and firing during a pivotal 12 months. (Series – 8)
Ollie Robinson – 8 – Is their anyone better with a Dukes ball in English conditions? Another masterclass in control. England’s tone-setter finishes the series with 21 wickets at a miserly 8.76. A breezy half-century on day two also entertained the crowd. (Series – 9)
Josh Tongue – 7 – Mopped up the tourists’ lower order in the first innings with 4-42. Healthy returns in all three Tests – 19 wickets in all – and continues to look a vital cog in the machine. (Series – 8)
CK Updates
Garcia vs Benn: WBC welterweight title fight predictions from fighters and pundits
Conor Benn returns to welterweight for the first time since April 2022 to challenge WBC champion Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas.
The 29-year-old Briton is bidding for the crowning moment of his 10-year professional career at T-Mobile Arena.
Benn has won 25 of his 26 fights as a professional and would emulate his father, Nigel, by claiming a WBC title with another victory.
Garcia, 28, is making the first defence of his belt after beating Mario Barrios by decision in February.
The American has picked up 25 victories in his 28-fight career, earning 20 of those wins by knockout, while losing two, with one no-contest.
Live text commentary will begin on Sunday, 13 September at 03:00 BST on the BBC Sport website and app.
BBC Sport spoke to figures from the boxing world to get their predictions for the bout.
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CK Updates10 hours agoEngland vs Pakistan player ratings: Has Jordan Cox given selectors food for thought?
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CK Updates22 hours ago9/11 anniversary: US Open commemorates 25-year anniversary of attacks on New York
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CK Updates16 hours agoGarcia vs Benn: WBC welterweight title fight predictions from fighters and pundits

