- Leverkusen's Boniface only 'slightly injured' after car accident
- Green holds off Boutier surge to win LPGA title in South Korea
- Israel escalates Beirut bombing, accused of killing 73 in Gaza strike
- Young, Ravindra guide New Zealand to first win in India for 36 years
- New Zealand record first Test win in India for 36 years
- Harris turns 60, but prefers to talk about Trump's age
- Putin seeks to rival Western power with high-profile summit
- Hurricane set to hit Cuba amid national blackout
- Latham out as New Zealand resume 107 chase to win first India Test
- Bomb hoax threats to Indian airlines spark chaos
- Marquez wins titanic duel with Martin at Australian MotoGP
- Soto homer lifts Yankees over Guardians and into World Series
- Rain delays New Zealand chase of 107 to beat India in first Test
- Murtazaliev punishes Tszyu to retain IBF super welterweight crown
- Prabowo Subianto: ex-general who marched to Indonesia presidency
- Ex-general Prabowo takes office as Indonesia president
- New rules drive Japanese trucking sector to the brink
- Cher, Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne among Rock Hall of Fame inductees
- 'One of the last': handmade bagpipes a dying art in Scotland
- Japan's Higuchi wins Skate America women's gold
- UN biodiversity conference: what's at stake?
- Harris, Trump duel over endurance as celebrities join campaign trail
- Charles expresses 'great joy' at being back in Australia
- Rampant Messi hits another hat-trick as Miami break MLS points record
- Messi's Inter Miami to play in FIFA's Club World Cup in 2025
- Norris delighted after beating Verstappen for US pole
- Messi hits another hattrick as Miami break MLS points record
- Charles makes first public appearance on Australia tour
- Hamilton says his Mercedes a 'nightmare' to drive
- Norris takes US pole after Russell crash, Hamilton 19th
- Swim star McKeown pulls out World Cup citing mental health
- Six-time Olympic champion Chris Hoy says he has terminal cancer
- 'Don't leave tennis', Djokovic tells Nadal after 'amazing rivalry'
- Russian victory would bring 'chaos': French FM
- Miura and Kihara claim Skate America pairs title
- PSG beat Strasbourg to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1
- Mbappe strikes as Madrid claim win at Celta Vigo
- Ex-general Prabowo to take office as Indonesia president
- Juve squeeze past 10-man Lazio to move level with leaders Napoli
- Liam Payne's sister shares touching tribute to late brother
- Morris stuns triple pursuit champion Dygert at track worlds
- French protesters urge calmer roads after cyclist killed
- Arsenal loss was 'accident waiting to happen' says Arteta
- Lizzo brings star power to Detroit for Harris
- 'Killer' Kane breaks drought to send Bayern back top
- Verstappen claims sprint win in Austin, Norris third
- 'Don't leave tennis', Djokovic tells Nadal after Saudi showdown
- Arsenal shocked by Bournemouth, Man Utd ease pressure on Ten Hag
- Ten-man Arsenal stunned by Bournemouth
- Kane hat-trick sends Bayern top past Leipzig
Blues skipper Tuipulotu 'surprised' by fast return for Super Rugby final
All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu said he surprised even himself by how fast he has recovered from a knee injury to captain the Auckland Blues in Saturday's home Super Rugby final.
A sell-out crowd of around 45,000 is expected at Eden Park to see the Blues lock horns with the Waikato Chiefs in the title decider.
Tuipulotu was initially expected to miss the rest of the season and the All Blacks Tests against England next month after hobbling off with a torn medial ligament in a quarter-final win over the Fijian Drua two weeks ago.
"I progressed with the rehab after I turned up on Monday morning and surprised myself with how well I went," the 32-year-old told reporters on Friday.
He got the green light after testing the knee in the gym and on the training field.
"The medical team checked it out and I saw the physio's eyes light up," he said.
"It feels pretty unreal, that all of a sudden I am back in the fold and playing in the final," he said.
A torn medial ligament can take up to six weeks to heal.
"I had a good pre-season and stayed off the alcohol all season, which probably helped speed things up," he said.
The 43-Test veteran All Black said that if he gets through the final, he will be available for selection when the New Zealand squad to play England is announced on Monday.
Tuipulotu captains a powerful Blues side boasting All Blacks loose forwards Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu, as well as Rieko Ioane in midfield and Mark Telea on the wing.
The Blues have won their last 15 home games at Eden Park.
The Chiefs are hoping to pull off another shock away win after beating the Wellington Hurricanes in the semi-finals.
"It would be huge for the fans and us," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson.
"The Blues play a pretty direct game, so we know we are going to have to front up physically.
"We are going to have to get stuck into them early."
The Chiefs were beaten in last year's final by the Canterbury Crusaders.
O.Johnson--AMWN