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Auckland Braces For Epic Weekend Of Rugby, League, Cricket And Football
New Zealand's favourite sports will be on offer this weekend in Auckland, with both rugby codes, cricket and a potential football blockbuster laying the platform for four days of thrills.
Tāmaki Makaurau will first host an international cricket double-header at Eden Park, with the White Ferns kicking off proceedings at 2.45pm on Friday.
New Zealand will host tourists Australia in their T20 series-opener, in the first match of three, fresh off of a 1-1 result with Sri Lanka.
The Black Caps will then look to wrap up their T20 series against Pakistan, after two comfortable wins in their previous two outings. The match gets underway at 7.15pm.
Further south, Moana Pasifika will host their first game of the season in Pukekohe], when they tackle Super Rugby Pacific's top-of-the-table Chiefs at 7.05pm.
Their task made even harder without talismanic captain Ardie Savea, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in his side's win over the Hurricanes two weeks ago.
Just up the road, the Warriors will host NRL's round two surprise package - the Sydney Roosters - at Go Media Stadium at 8pm.
Coach Andrew Webster has named an unchanged side, as the Warriors look to extend their winning streak at home against a team that is coming off a stunning victory over the Penrith Panthers.
Moving to Saturday, Super Rugby's greatest showdown kicks off at Eden Park at 7.05pm, as the Blues take on rivals, the Crusaders.
The reigning champion Blues have made a horror start to defending their crown, with just one win from their opening five matches.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have enjoyed a much better 2025 season, having notched three wins from a possible four - just one fewer than they won all of last year.
Switching to football, the All Whites could potentially wrap up four days of sporting festivities in Auckland.
New Zealand need to beat Fiji in their FIFA World Cup Oceania playoff semi-final tonight to book their spot in Monday night's showdown at Eden Park.
Should they do so, they will play the winners of the other semi-final between New Caledonia and Tahiti.
The victor will gain an automatic spot at the finals in North America next year, which would be New Zealand's first appearance at the tournament since 2010.
If it couldn't get any better, the weekend's weather looks to be playing ball as well, with mostly sun expected to shine on Tāmaki Makaurau.
MetService has forecast clear skies for both Friday and Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach a warm 25C.
Monday should provide for a bit more cloud cover, but with only a chance of a shower, it isn't expected to rain on the All Whites' parade.
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