{"id":788102,"date":"2026-07-09T00:51:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/788102\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T00:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:51:21","slug":"sports-wrap-09-07-rugby-league-and-f1-driver-still-missing-in-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/788102\/","title":{"rendered":"Sports wrap (09.07) – rugby, league and F1 driver still missing in action…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Cameron Roigard scoring one of two tries against France, July 4. Photo NZ Rugby, Joseph Johnson, Action Press<\/p>\n

There goes the hot stepper!<\/p>\n

Counties Manukau Steeler (who also moonlights as an All Black), Cameron Roigard stepped back up to test rugby again in the first match of the Nations Championship in Christchurch at the weekend.<\/p>\n

While fancy footwork helped ensure the Hurricanes\u2019 halfback breezed over the line to claim two tries against France, he was named player of the match for an all-round playmaking performance behind the scrum.<\/p>\n

The All Blacks 34\u201332 win sees them on the right side of the ledger ahead of their round two clash against Italy at the Cake Tin this Saturday \u2013 kick-off 5.10pm.<\/p>\n

As previously reported, Roigard is the only Steeler required by the All Blacks\u2026 so far.<\/p>\n

McNamara Cup \u2013 new champs guaranteed<\/p>\n

Despite topping rugby\u2019s McNamara Cup table, Ardmore Marist could have been forgiven for hitting the speed wobbles last weekend.<\/p>\n

However, a 33\u201314 semi-final win over Patumahoe \u2013 the only team to have beaten them this year \u2013 now sees the minor premiers take on third-placed Pukekohe in this weekend\u2019s final. Pukekohe overcame defending champs, Karaka, 18\u20133 to earn their shot at the title.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a long time between drinks for both finalists \u2013 Ardmore Marist hasn\u2019t claimed the cup since 2018 and Pukekohe\u2019s last victory was in 2011.<\/p>\n

The two teams will bid for the right to raise the cup at Navigation Homes Stadium this Saturday, July 11, from 3pm.<\/p>\n

For more results across all grades, see cmrfu.co.nz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ardmore Marist v Pukekohe, round one, March 27. Photo Richard Spranger Photography<\/p>\n

Where Eagles dare<\/p>\n

Marist Saints may have marched into Prince Edward Park on Saturday for their Fox Memorial fixture against the Papakura Sea Eagles, but it\u2019s fair to say they limped off.<\/p>\n

Up 30\u20130 at halftime, the Sea Eagles soared in the second 40 stacking on the points to finish on the right side of an 82\u20136 final score.<\/p>\n

While the undefeated Otahuhu Leopards have been dominating this year\u2019s Auckland rugby league premier contest, there\u2019s plenty of competition among their fellow contenders with just four points separating the next five teams.<\/p>\n

Although the Sea Eagles are currently in fifth place, their exorcism of the Saints leaves them third in terms of their points differential.<\/p>\n

However, the Papakura-based squad will need to keep the victories coming \u2013 next up, the Ponsonby Ponies this weekend \u2013 to secure a shot at the big dogs (big cats) from Otahuhu.<\/p>\n

Chiefs concerned<\/p>\n

A forgettable season is unfolding for the Chiefs Manawa. Following a 41\u201324 loss to Matat\u016b at Navigation Homes Stadium at the weekend, the home team is poised to claim the Super Rugby Aupiki\u2019s wooden spoon this season.<\/p>\n

Two victories away against the Blues and Hurricanes Poua over the final two rounds will be needed for them to have any hope of avoiding this ignominious honour.<\/p>\n

The competition\u2019s inaugural winners in 2022 and runners-up in 2023 and 2024, the Chiefs Manawa will now be looking ahead to a comeback in 2027.<\/p>\n

And, finally\u2026<\/p>\n

Would the real Liam Lawson please call home? We would love to interview you again before the 2026 Formula 1 season grinds to a halt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cameron Roigard scoring one of two tries against France, July 4. Photo NZ Rugby, Joseph Johnson, Action Press…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":788103,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[10751,371850,64,63,230126,371851,371852,817,835,371853,371854,3352,371855,229246,44,371856,760,159,588,85],"class_list":["post-788102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-all-blacks","tag-ardmore-marist","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cam-roigard","tag-cameron-roigard","tag-chiefs-manawa","tag-f1","tag-formula-one","tag-franklin-times","tag-jon-rawlinson","tag-liam-lawson","tag-mcnamara-cup","tag-nations-championship","tag-news","tag-papakura-sea-eagles","tag-rugby","tag-rugby-league","tag-sport","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=788102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/788103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=788102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=788102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=788102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}