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- By Head-knocked Nick
Who likes sports shorts? For those who like their sports brief – to the point, that is, not unnecessarily revealing! – we have a few short shots to share. If you think we’re not playing fair, and other teams deserve a mention, email editor@franklintimes.co.nz and he’ll look into them… the teams that is, not their shorts.
Auck… short
Level scores with 10 minutes to go may have kept fans (of Auckland and Counties Manukau) in the stands at Eden Park, but 33-all became 43–33 due to a late rally by the home side.
Despite claiming a bonus point, the Steelers have an uphill battle to have any hope of claiming a playoff spot in rugby’s National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Also travelling to Auckland, the Heat were blown over by the Auckland Storm (46–26) in their Farah Palmer Cup encounter.
While the Steelers were set to take on Otago in a Thursday night clash at Navigation Homes Stadium as this issue went to print, the Heat will also play in Pukekohe this Saturday (September 19), when they take on table-toppers Canterbury.
Purple patch
What happened in Vegas won’t stay there – part of it will return to Waiuku.
Earlier this month, Waiuku purple belt Darcy Dunlop claimed a bronze medal at the World Master International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Championship. Last year, he won two golds at the event, also held in Las Vegas.
Representing Southside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Dunlop (aged in his early sixties) is still matching skills with some of the best in the world.
To read more about Dunlop, click here to see our September 26, 2025 article.
In their bootsteps…
From Jonah Lomu and Stephen (leave it to Beaver) Donald to Nepo Laulala and Tupou Vaa’i, Wesley College has produced some talented rugby players. All going well, the college’s Tyson Forbes (Ngāti Awa) is on the right path to follow them.
In the New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura squad, Forbes is one of 78 teenagers selected for the National U18 Pathways Programme in Hamilton.
In addition to the Māori squad, players on the NZ Schools and NZ Barbarians Under 18s will also take part in the programme intended to identify the next generation of men in black.
More information, including full team lists, is accessible via nzrugby.co.nz.
Six for gun racer
A sixth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix at the weekend is one of the best for Formula 1’s Liam Lawson.
The former Pukekohe High School student is more than a step or two behind Drivers’ Championship leader Kimi Antonelli but he is also increasing the gap between himself (in 9th) and the rest of the pack.
However, regardless of where he finishes this season, we know his Franklin fans would love to hear more from him, so… Liam Lawson, please phone home!
Bottom line
The Battle of Baltimore saw the All Blacks attempt to square their tour of South Africa in the USA at the weekend to end on level pegging with two wins each.
Unfortunately, the World Cup champion Springboks had the edge over the All Blacks, winning 43–28.
To say Steelers halfback Cam Roigard and his teammates were caught short is a bit unfair, but the All Blacks were exposed by a tough team as they ran out of time, as Roger Smith’s original illustration (above) suggests.
