Whanganui had one hand on the trophy when the unthinkable happened.
Papatoetoe High School student Ricshay Lemanu will represent her country at age-grade international sevens later this year.
The pair are quickly making a name for themselves at Taranaki premier club level with their impressive start for Clifton rugby club in 2018.
The 19-year-old represented Samoa last year at the World Rugby Championship U20s tournament - now he'll pull on the black jersey.
Akau'ola is the younger brother of former Wests Tigers and Panthers player Sitaleki, but is determined to make his mark in the 15-man game.
The Black Sticks women defeated Australia 4-1 in the women’s hockey final.
Pascoe won two golds, the women's SB9 100m breaststroke final and the women's SM10 200m individual medley final at the Gold Coast Games.
Dame Valerie won silver in her shot put event at the Gold Coast with her daughter Kimioana watching on in the crowd.
The weightlifting champ won gold at the Comm Games and was awarded a special sportsmanship award at the closing ceremony.
Leilua said he still remembers Samoa's heart-breaking 14-12 loss to the Kiwis in 2014.
Leilua said he has a close bond with Rapana but come Saturday at Mt Smart it's all business.
Jensen Taumoepeau has left his family in New Plymouth as he tries to crack the big time.
Standing at 192cm tall, the Taranaki native has not let success go to her head.
Just how long will the All Black and Blues game-changer be sidelined?
The ABs' injury woes in the midfield has opened up a window of opportunity for Tamanivalu.
Francis Douglas Memorial College has four former students in the All Blacks' Northern hemisphere squad.
The 28-year-old ABs flanker had a stand out performance in his side's 37- 10 win at Eden Park in Auckland last night.
Expect one-way traffic coming from Joseph Parker, as he prepares for his bout against giant Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko.
Parker's raw emotion shown at yesterday's press conference could be a sign of growing expectation.
Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock agree the forwards have a lot of improving to do ahead of their match against South Africa.
OPINION: Last week officials missed a clear knock-on by Greig Laidlaw in the lead up to his game-winning try against Manu Samoa.
