UK agri-tech bags Kiwi investment boost Investing The UK government has welcomed a strategic investment push from New Zealand into Britain’s agri-tech sector. AgriZero NZ, a public-private fund backed by the Kiwi government and major agri-businesses, joins Innovate UK’s investor partnership programme. The scheme helps scale cutting-edge British agri-tech startups linking them with global investors. Science minister Patrick Vallance told CityAM: “New [...]
America’s Cup: Government reject New Zealand attempt to host on home soil Sport America’s Cup winners New Zealand will not defend their title at home in Auckland after the nation’s government refused to back plans for the 2027 regatta. New Zealand are double defending champions having won the 36th America’s Cup in 2021 in Auckland before successfully winning a second consecutive title in Barcelona. The Government of Catalonia, [...]
Ukraine peacekeeping plans entering ‘operational phase’, Starmer says Politics Planning for a peacekeeping force for Ukraine will move to an “operational phase”, the Prime Minister has said after a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” on Saturday. Sir Keir Starmer said military chiefs would meet in London on Thursday to “put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace [...]
Sponsors All Blacks could chase after falling out with Man United part-owners Ineos February 15, 2025 Last week it was revealed that rugby giants New Zealand, including the famous All Blacks, were suing sponsors and Manchester United part-owners Ineos. The chemicals firm, co-owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, stands accused of breaching its sponsorship agreement by failing to pay an installment of a £27m, six-year deal, that was signed in [...]
Joe Root set for 150th Test as England face New Zealand November 27, 2024 Joe Root will compete in his 150th international Test today as England open their series against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The 35-time centurion will remain on the England all-time list but inch closer to James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook ahead of him. The feat comes as former Australia coach [...]
New Zealand holds 4-0 lead over Ineos Britannia in America’s Cup October 14, 2024 Great Britain’s chances of winning their first ever America’s Cup slipped further from reality on Monday after Ineos Britannia fell to a 4-0 deficit to holders New Zealand. The British challenger – headed up by British Olympic legend Ben Ainslie and backed by Ineos billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe – lost the only race on Monday [...]
Argentina can humiliate establishment with Rugby Championship win September 28, 2024 As the Rugby Championship reaches its climax, can Argentina upset the apple cart and topple the Springboks? What constitutes a world class rugby team? Is it World Cup wins alone or is in an era of dominance year in, year out? How about a team with fewer resources than the others going into the final [...]
Are the All Blacks feeling the pressure ahead of Eden Park showdown? July 12, 2024 There has been a lot of talk this week about the history of playing the All Blacks at Eden Park being a heavy burden for Steve Borthwick’s England team to shoulder. But I actually believe that the weight of being unbeaten at one ground for 30 years, as the All Blacks are at the Auckland [...]
England showed promise against All Blacks ahead of Eden Park finale July 7, 2024 Weirdly for England, Saturday’s 16-15 loss to New Zealand in Dunedin was their first match in three against the All Blacks that ended in defeat. In their last trio of games against the three-time world champions – in Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, at Twickenham in 2022 and down in New Zealand at [...]
Cunningham-South, Baxter and Freeman: England players to watch in New Zealand July 5, 2024 The next fortnight will be one which could end up defining Steve Borthwick’s tenure as England manager. For their two-Test series against New Zealand could be the difference between establishing a winning side to take through to the next World Cup – in Australia in 2027 – or the realisation that England are not up [...]