The Farah Palmer Cup is back.

It kicks off today, with the first round taking place over the weekend.

Auckland is looking for redemption after bowing out at the semi-final stage last year, but are faced with a challenging first round match up – Canterbury.

Captain Eloise Blackwell joined D'Arcy to preview the tournament.

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History was made last week, the Northland Taniwha claiming the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1978.

They defeated Canterbury 36-12 at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium and have brought the famed Log of Wood up north.

Tomorrow evening is their first defence, clashing with the Tasman Mako.

Taniwha prop Marcel Renata joined D'Arcy to discuss.

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The Warriors are well and truly rolling, now sitting on top the NRL ladder with a minor premiership in sight. It comes after their comprehensive victory over the Rabbitohs, 45-26, last Saturday.

They have just two games to go, and winning both is of utmost importance if they're to secure a top spot on the ladder after the Panther's claimed victory over the Bulldogs last night.

First up is their clash with the Knights tomorrow afternoon at Mt Smart Stadium.

Warriors Assistant Coach David Tangata-Toa joined D'Arcy to discuss the season and their upcoming match.

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Standing at the base of El Capitan. A sheer granite face in Yosemite National Park in the US. 2300 meters of near-death experience.

The film Free Solo documented the outrageous ascent of that overwhelming rock face by free climber Alex Hannold. Watch it, it’ll bend your mind. Alex scales the monster unaided. A free climb. No ropes, no fear. No second chance. Climbing shoes and chalk – that’s it.

The All Blacks won’t fall to their deaths if they slip on the face during their ascent of their El Capitan, the scaling of South African rugby.

Every step, every foothold, every crimp, pinch, pocket, or sloper negotiated without fail. One wrong move for a free climber; the game is over.

So far the All Blacks have negotiated their treacherous climb with only the odd misstep or slip. Some loose grips and sketchy holds have left them hanging by chalk coated fingertips, but they have not lost their grip on the face.

Whether this team can continue their climb to the tour’s summit is unknown, but we’ll all be watching, craning our necks to get a good view of what will be a stupendous achievement.

Let us not forget the mass pessimism expressed by the rugby public when this Greatest Rivalry Tour was announced, the fear of inevitable defeat, the remote hope of at least taking one win from the many exchanges. The All Blacks had been faltering, showing an almost expected vulnerability at every turn, with the halcyon days of global domination a dearly held but distant memory of what the All Blacks meant to us. A colossus. An unflinching, merciless and relentless group of men hell bent on conquering all.

Under Dave Rennie, for those who dare to dream, the All Blacks may scale those dizzying heights again.

Unlike free climbing, mistakes aren't punishable with a fatal fall into the yawning emptiness, and although a successful climb in this instance looks as unlikely as a free climb of El Capitan, this seemingly impossible task is looking more likely with every carefully taken step and cautious hold.

Fortune favours the brave.

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The All Blacks are braced for a South Africa backlash in the second test of four in Cape Town tomorrow morning.

They'll be aiming for a repeat of last weekend's dominant victory and to keep their winning streak alive.

Dave Rennie has made three changes to his side, including bringing Simon Parker on to the blindside flank due to the injury to Josh Lord.

Former All Black Reuben Thorne joined D'Arcy to preview the clash.

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The Black Ferns are back in action this afternoon.

They're going head-to-head to the Wallaroos at GoMedia Stadium this afternoon – their first international match since they last clashed in April.

Mererangi Paul is starting on the wing for the side and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash.

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A dominant victory over the Broncos last week has put the Warriors in a good position in their quest to claim a top two spot.

However, a win against the Rabbitohs tonight is of utmost importance to keep that dream alive.

Joe Vagana, former Warriors prop, joined D'Arcy to discuss the season and the upcoming clash.

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The New Zealand Rally Championship is rolling on.

The Hawke's Bay Rally is returning to the region for the first time since 2022, when it was cancelled due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Hayden Paddon is taking part in today's race, and joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss.

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