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NRL: Warriors center Euan Aitken returns to backline after more than a year of playing out of position

NRL: Warriors center Euan Aitken returns to backline after more than a year of playing out of position

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Euan Aitken will return to his preferred position for the first time since July last year. Photo / Photosport

When Euan Aitken was recruited by the Warriors ahead of the 2021 season, he was brought in as a senior centre, after 121 games for St George-Illawarra.

It was a logical move – as the club lacked depth in that position – but hasn’t worked out as expected, with Aitken spending most of his time in the pack.

On Saturday Aitken, who has only played eight of his 31 Warriors matches at centre, will return to his preferred position for the first time since July last year.

He was initially moved to the second row to cover some injuries, which made sense on a short term basis, before the shift seemed to become permanent this year.

It was a brave call by coach Nathan Brown but also risky, as Adam Pompey (34 NRL games at the start of this season) and Jesse Arthars (29 matches) were the most experienced of the other options available, alongside rookies Rocco Berry and Viliami Okay.

Aitken has mostly performed well in the forwards, with his industrious approach but the opportunity cost of the change has been considerable.

The Warriors have had defensive issues all season – only the Gold Coast Titans have conceded more points – and have been particularly vulnerable on the edge, with center arguably the hardest defensive position in the sport.

When Stacey Jones assumed the interim head coach role, he always planned to restore Aitken to the backs and selected him there for the homecoming match against the West Tigers on July 3.

Some late withdrawals curtailed that plan, but Aitken’s switch will finally happen against South Sydney on Saturday.

“I’ve been wanting to put him back there and just [solidify] our defence,” said Jones, who explained that the return of second rowers Jack Murchie and Bailey Sironen from injury had offered the opportunity.

Euan Aitken celebrates during the Warriors' victory over the Wests Tigers. Photo / Photosport
Euan Aitken celebrates during the Warriors’ victory over the Wests Tigers. Photo / Photosport

For his part Aitken, 27, is looking forward to more space and time, one spot closer to the flank.

“It’s probably the one on one attacking opportunities that you get in the centers,” said Aitken, when asked what he has missed the most about playing out wide. “I’m a pretty strong ball runner and I like to beat my defender so I’m excited to get a few more opportunities.”

Despite spending the entire season in the forwards, Aitken has maintained his pace. He tried to bulk up in pre-season but couldn’t keep the extra weight on: “It’s hard to maintain when you are making over 40 tackles.”

Aitken, who is moving to the Redcliffe Dolphins next season, remains confident the Warriors are on the right track, despite two wins in their last 12 games.

“As a team we are sticking together quite well – there’s a decent culture here,” said Aitken. “I feel like we are heading in the right direction, especially in the last three weeks since that Tigers win. We have shown good glimpses of having a strong team but we just can’t put it together over 80 minutes yet, not through lack of trying just errors in fatigue or a little bit of game smarts.”

With their playoff hopes buried weeks ago, Aitken hopes pride and a sense of fun – “the reason we play football is because we enjoy it” – can keep confidence and motivation levels high, along with the desire to hear their victory song again.

“I’m always trying to win,” said Aitken. “That is the number one achievement. I’d like to finish the year playing some good football and if we can get some wins it definitely makes things a bit more enjoyable.”

The Warriors have a dreadful recent record against the Rabbitohs. They have lost 12 of the last 13 encounters dating back to 2013, with their only win coming on the opening weekend of the 2018 season in Perth.

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Commonwealth Games 2022: A historic day for golden Kiwis – day six wrap

Commonwealth Games 2022: A historic day for golden Kiwis - day six wrap

Hamish Kerr makes history with high jump gold. Video/Sky Sport

All you need to know from yet another successful day at the Commonwealth Games for New Zealand athletes as they claimed historic gold medals.

king of the mountains

Ben Oliver (L) and Sam Gaze celebrate yet another one-two finish for New Zealand in Commonwealth Games mountain biking. Photo / Photosport
Ben Oliver (L) and Sam Gaze celebrate yet another one-two finish for New Zealand in Commonwealth Games mountain biking. Photo / Photosport

Day six began with a bang for New Zealand as Sam Gaze made it back-to-back Commonwealth Games golds in the men’s mountain bike event after a dominant display that also produced silver for fellow Kiwi rider Ben Oliver.

Gaze was in commanding form on Thursday, finishing 31 seconds ahead of Oliver to make it three straight Games that New Zealand has completed a one-two, after Anton Cooper pipped Gaze in Glasgow and before that outcome was acrimoniously reversed on the Gold Coast.

The race was denied the chance of reigniting Gaze and highly-ranked Cooper’s heated rivalry after the latter withdrew from the event due to Covid-19. That left Oliver the opportunity to make his way up the field and he did so well, improving from his fourth place on the Gold Coast in 2018.

Check out or full report from the circuit here.

Paul Coll rallies to new height

Paul Coll with the gold medal he's been dreaming of all week long. Photo / Photosport
Paul Coll with the gold medal he’s been dreaming of all week long. Photo / Photosport

Coll has capped off a huge few years at the top level of men’s squash by winning gold in a tough five-set battle with Wales’ Joel Makin.

After winning silver four years ago on the Gold Coast, Coll briefly ascended to No 1 in the world earlier this year and in 2021 became the first Kiwi man to win the prestigious British Open title, while defending that crown again in April.

History was made again today as Coll became the first Kiwi man to win a gold medal in squash at a Commonwealth Games.

Earlier in the day, Joelle King blew a 2-0 lead in her bronze medal playoff to lose in five sets to world No 6 and hometown favorite Sarah Jane Perry.

Check out Albie Redmore’s full report from the court here.

White men can jump

Hamish Kerr is building an impressive resume amongst the world's best high jumpers. Photo / Photosport
Hamish Kerr is building an impressive resume amongst the world’s best high jumpers. Photo / Photosport

Christchurch’s Hamish Kerr became the first Kiwi man to win a Commonwealth Games high jump medal, claiming a shiny new gold for his cupboard.

Kerr ended up in a head-to-head battle with Australian Brandon Starc, the 2018 gold medal winner and younger brother of cricketer Mitchell Starc.

Both cleared 2.25m and failed at 2.28m, but Starch had earlier failures at lower heights whereas Kerr had been clear.

Kerr joins Tania Murray (nee Dixon) and Tracy Phillips, who claimed gold and bronze respectively in the women’s event at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

Maddi Wesche was a cool customer on the Commonwealth Games days. Photo/Getty
Maddi Wesche was a cool customer on the Commonwealth Games days. Photo/Getty

Kerr’s medal was one of two in athletics for the day, with shot putter Maddi Wesche taking out bronze with a throw of 18.84m, a touch shorter than her throw of 18.98m in the final of the Tokyo Olympics. Canada’s Sarah Mitton won gold with a throw of 19.03m.

In the women’s 100m final, Kiwi sprinter Zoe Hobbs finished sixth with a time of 11.19s. She would’ve needed to better her personal best of 11.08 to challenge for the podium.

Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica took out gold with a time of 10.95, with St Lucian Julien Alfred second in 11.01 and England’s Daryll Neita third in 11.07.

Check out our full report from the athletics here.

Liti salvages silver from tough day

David Liti poses with his silver medal besides coach Tina Ball. Photo / Photosport
David Liti poses with his silver medal besides coach Tina Ball. Photo / Photosport

Popular Kiwi weightlifter David Liti fell short of a second straight Commonwealth Games gold medal but still came away with a silver on a day when he couldn’t find his best form.

Liti set a new Games record in 2018 with a combined weight of 403kg and lifted a total of 417kg at last year’s Olympics. However, he could only muster a total of 394kg on Thursday, leaving the door open for Pakistan’s Nooh Dastgir Butt to claim the gold with a total of 405kg.

The loss to Butt has sparked a desire for revenge in Liti, who says he’s now looking forward to a repeat match up at the world championships.

“He did really good to keep himself ahead, and next time I face off with him it’ll definitely be a good one,” Liti said. “If he comes to worlds, I’ll show him what’s up.”

Check out our full report from the weightlifting here.

Three medal haul for Judo team

Kody Andrews was a proud silver medalist on Thursday. Photo / Photosport
Kody Andrews was a proud silver medalist on Thursday. Photo / Photosport

It was a superb day for the New Zealand judo team with Kody Andrews leading a three medal haul with silver in the men’s 100kg event after being pinned by Canada’s Marc Deschenes early in the gold medal bout to lose by Ippon.

Moira De Villiers claimed bronze in the women’s -78kg after defeating Ayuk Otay Arrey Sophina of Cameroon by Ippon with 28 seconds left. It’s her second medal from her after winning silver in Glasgow eight years ago. She defeated fellow Kiwi Hayley Mackey in the quarter-finals, one of her her students at the judo club she runs with her husband Jason Koster in Christchurch. She was then beaten by England’s Emma Reid in the semifinals who went onto win gold.

The bronze bout was a close thing but de Villiers kept her calm and got the win just at the end.

“[It’s] super special. It wasn’t what I wanted but I’m still glad I was able to represent New Zealand and get another medal. I just knew she would gas after a minute I just had to keep going and be a little bit of a dogfight. I’m ruthless on the ground so I knew I was going to get it,” she told Sky Sport.

Gisborne’s Sydnee Andrews also claimed bronze with the 19-year-old promising gold in four years’ time after defeating Sarah Hawkes of Northern Ireland in their women’s +78kg bronze bout.

Clareburt bags a bronze

Lewis Clareburt has added a bronze to his medal collection. Photo / Photosport
Lewis Clareburt has added a bronze to his medal collection. Photo / Photosport

Lewis Clareburt’s quest for a third gold medal fell just short as he picked up a bronze to end his campaign.

The Kiwi finished third in the 200m individual medley final with Scotland’s Duncan Scott taking the gold ahead of Tom Dean of England.

18-year-old Erika Fairweather qualified fastest for the 400m freestyle final but couldn’t match world record holder Ariarne Titmus and young Canadian star Summer McIntosh in the final.

Fairweather battled Aussie Kiah Melverton for bronze, just missing out on the medals by 0.60 seconds in a time of 4:03.84. Fellow Kiwi Eve Thomas was seventh in 4:09.73.

To view a full list of every result by every Kiwi athlete and team, check out our full schedule and results.

Medals today:

Gold – Paul Coll – Men’s squash
Gold – Hamish Kerr – Men’s high jump
Gold – Sam Gaze – Men’s mountain bike
Silver – Ben Oliver – Men’s mountain bike
Silver – Kody Andrews – Judo – Men’s 100kg+
Silver – David Liti – Weightlifting – Men’s +109kg
Bronze – Sydnee Andrews – Judo – Women’s 78kg+
Bronze – Moira Koster – Judo – Women’s 78kg
Bronze – Lewis Clareburt – Swimming – Men’s 200 IM
Bronze – Maddi Wesche – Athletics – Women’s shot put

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Sam Gaze wins mountain bike gold, Ben Oliver takes silver in New Zealand 1-2

Commonwealth Games 2022: Sam Gaze wins mountain bike gold, Ben Oliver takes silver in New Zealand 1-2

Sam Gaze wins gold and Ben Oliver wins silver in the men’s cross country mountain biking. Video/Sky Sport

By Kris Shannon in Birmingham

Four years after seizing gold with a snarl, Sam Gaze claimed his second with a smile.

The Kiwi mountain biker today blew away the field to win the men’s cross country race at Cannock Chase Forest, with only compatriot Ben Oliver capable of following his commanding lead.

Gaze earned his third Commonwealth Games medal in a time of 1:34:19, finishing 31 seconds ahead of Oliver in a second after dropping his teammate with a blistering attack on the sixth of eight laps.

It was the third straight Games in which New Zealand recorded a 1-2 in the event, after Anton Cooper pipped Gaze in Glasgow before that outcome was acrimoniously reversed on the Gold Coast.

Sam Gaze (right) and Ben Oliver celebrate their 1-2 finish. Photo / Photosport
Sam Gaze (right) and Ben Oliver celebrate their 1-2 finish. Photo / Photosport

The Birmingham edition came with slightly less drama, owing to a combination of Cooper’s absence through Covid and Gaze’s dominance on the bike.

Having been caught out by a Cooper attack near the finish line in 2014, Gaze later said he had “felt a bit robbed” by the result.

Those simmering feelings would boil over in 2018, when Gaze outsprinted Cooper for gold, accused his compatriot of poor sportsmanship and showed him a middle finger.

Gaze would be the one fined for unsportsmanlike behavior and he expressed remorse over his actions, but the only thing better than time to heal those wounds would have been another gold medal.

Particularly one secured with Cooper watching from an isolation hotel, his ill-timed illness denying today’s race some intrigue but doing nothing to lessen the Kiwi stranglehold on the event.

“It’s been very challenging – the last four years have been pretty turbulent,” Gaze said. “I’m very grateful for it, in hindsight. It’s made me who I am today and to come back this year, I like to think as a version of myself I’m proud of, is very special.

“To perform in the way I did and have Ben here with me is very special.”

From LR, Ben Oliver, Sam Gaze and Alex Miller celebrate their medals. Photo / Photosport
From LR, Ben Oliver, Sam Gaze and Alex Miller celebrate their medals. Photo / Photosport

Gaze immediately hit the front as the field started to string out through the picturesque setting outside of Birmingham, with Oliver right on his shoulder in a front group of 11.

That group didn’t last long, although chief podium contenders Charlie Aldridge of Scotland and Cameron Orr of Northern Ireland had at least remained on the Kiwis’ wheel at the first time check.

But by the end of the first of eight laps, with Gaze stopping the clock at 12:26, ​​he and Oliver had already opened a six-second lead, one that would only grow.

A quarter of the way through the race, with their advantage at 23 seconds, Gaze for the first time allowed Oliver to lead the way, having exchanged a word and a glance while crossing the finish line.

Gaze took the opportunity for a long look over his shoulder on one straight, but he needn’t have worried. England’s Joe Blackmore had bridged the gap to make it a chase trio, but they were surely racing only for the minor placings.

Halfway through the race, crossing at 47:23 and having extended their advantage over the British trio to almost a minute, only calamity could prevent another Kiwi 1-2.

The pair exchanged in further discussion as they rode together across the line, no doubt knowing their teamwork had locked up the top two steps of the podium.

Midway through the sixth lap, though, that teamwork came to a sudden end. On the hilly Twin Peaks section of the course, Gaze seized his chance to attack and Oliver could muster no response.

“He’s a hard man to follow on a hill like that,” Oliver said. “I kept the same speed and Sam just got quicker. I kept hard on the pedals all the way to the line to see if Sam was going to fade, which he obviously didn’t.”

Clearly the strongest rider in the field, Gaze was now racing towards a second straight gold medal.

The 26-year-old completed the sixth lap in a time of 1:10:45, with his compatriot 25 seconds back. And with Oliver holding a one-minute edge over the pursuing pair of Orr and Blackmore, silver was still firmly in his grasp of him, eventually coasting in 90 seconds ahead of Namibia’s Alex Miller who mounted a final-lap surge for bronze.

Gaze’s lead at the end of the seventh lap had grown to 42 seconds, leaving his final ride around the circuit little more than a procession, one that soon ended in triumph for both Kiwis.

“It’s special to race with your teammate at this event, especially Ben,” Gaze said. “I’ve known him since he was 14 years old, and he’s a great guy.

“We had a plan going into it that I wasn’t wanting to shake him straight away – we wanted to help each other out and secure the first two medals.”

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