From Warriors to All Blacks: Herald readers decide which is the biggest sporting event this weekend

It could be the last chance for home fans to watch the team at Go Media Stadium, with reports suggesting a win may prompt future home finals games to be played at Eden Park.

James Fisher-Harris will lead the team as he has all season, while other top players such as Wayde Egan and Erin Clark could be the difference in helping them secure an automatic place in the preliminary finals.

Other NRL fixtures this weekend include the Rabbitohs v Knights, Sharks v Cowboys and Panthers v Roosters.

James Fisher-Harris will hope to lead the Warriors to victory over the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium. Photo / Photosport

2. All Blacks v South Africa, Baltimore – Sunday, 9am

The All Blacks will play second fiddle to the Warriors this weekend, picking up 31% of the vote, despite the final match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour finally being on at a good time for New Zealanders, with the game being taken to the United States.

The All Blacks have suffered consecutive losses to the Springboks, making this game a must-win if they want to come away with half the trophy and level the series at 2-2.

Richie Mo’unga is back in the No 10 jersey, while Codie Taylor has been named captain after his exclusion from the matchday 23 last week in Soweto.

Richie Mo’unga returns to the All Blacks starting line-up against the Springboks. Photo / Photosport

3. Spanish Grand Prix, Madrid – Monday 1am

Liam Lawson’s continued return to racing with Red Bull after being demoted from them to Racing Bulls more than a year ago is considered by Herald readers to be the third biggest event of the weekend.

Since returning to the team as a replacement for the injured Isack Hadjar, Lawson finished seventh at the Dutch Grand Prix, but dropped to 14th in Italy.

All the racers will be taking on the new Madring track for the first time this weekend, with Formula Three drivers who tested it last month describing it as “Jeddah on steroids”.

Liam Lawson will drive for Red Bull again in Madrid. Photo / Photosport

4. Ranfurly Shield: Northland v Waikato – Saturday, 5.05pm

Northland won their first Ranfurly Shield in 48 years against Canterbury three weeks ago and held off Tasman in their first title defence two weeks ago.

This week they’ll face a Waikato side who have lost two on the trot but will be hungry to hold the Log o’ Wood for the first time since August 2025.

Northland have put in strong performances at home this year, but come into this fixture after a 57-42 loss to North Harbour.

Northland will defend the Ranfurly Shield against Waikato on Saturday. Photo / Photosport

5. NFL: San Francisco 49ers v LA Rams, Melbourne – Friday, 12.35pm

The first major event of the weekend is already over and readers placed it as the fifth biggest as the NFL made its way to Australia for the first time and 100,000 fans packed out the MCG.

The 49ers were in Melbourne for a week, while the Rams arrived late and were in the city for about 24 hours by kickoff.

A rematch between last year’s Super Bowl opponents officially started the NFL season, with the Seahawks beating the Patriots 13-10, but this California classic delivered more points as the 49ers won 27-7.

Matthew Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams against the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG. Photo / Photosport

6. Black Ferns v France, Lyon – Sunday, 3.45am

The Black Ferns kick off their 2026 WXV Global Series campaign against France in what will be a preview for their three-test series against them back in New Zealand next month.

This is the first time the sides have clashed since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, where the Black Ferns produced a 42-26 victory.

However, they have struggled against their opponents in France, having won once in the four games played in the country, with their only victory a 14-0 win in Toulon eight years ago.

Front-rower Georgia Ponsonby will lead New Zealand against France after co-captain Ruahei Demant was ruled out for the remainder of their fixtures in Europe because of a calf injury sustained against South Africa.

The Black Ferns go into their game with France after a strong win against South Africa in Soweto. Photo / Photosport

7. US Open, New York – Across the weekend

The US Open will come to a conclusion this weekend with the women’s singles final starting at 11am on Sunday and the men’s singles on Monday at 8am.

For the men, Ben Shelton could help to produce a home winner, with an American guaranteed to be in the final as he faces compatriot Frances Tiafoe in his semi-final, while No 1 seed Alexander Zverev faces Russian Karen Khachanov in his.

For the women, it could be an all-American final if Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula can battle their way through their semi-final matches.

Ben Shelton hopes to be celebrating title success on Monday in front of a home crowd at the US Open. Photo / AFP