Today's sports news: What you need to know

Latest - Olympian Gustav Legnavsky has won the freeski halfpipe Junior World Championships title in Switzerland.

The 16 year old from Wanaka asserted his dominance from run one of the three run final, with technical skiing and huge amplitude.

Although he was sitting in the top spot dropping in run two, Legnavsky didn't hold back. He laced together a fantastic run, including three different double corks, a switch left double 1080, a left double cork 1260 and a left alley oop double 900 on his final hit.

This was the first time Legnavsky has landed the left alley oop double 900 in competition. He was rewarded a huge 96.00 by the judges for his second run, a score which remained untouchable for the remainder of the competition.

15 year old Fin Melville, also of Wanaka finished seventh.

Rogers staying at pack

Aaron Rodgers has taken to Twitter to confirm that he will be returning to the Green Bay Packers for the 2022 NFL season but clarified that nothing is signed yet.

"Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up; YES I will be playing with the @packers next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I "signed". I'm very excited to be back," Rodgers tweeted.

Reports earlier said Rodgers agreed to a four-year, $293 million contract with the Packers to become the highest-paid player in NFL history.

NFL Network reported Rodgers would receive a record $225 million guaranteed on a new deal.

Rodgers, 38, was named MVP in February, claiming the honor for the second consecutive season.

Among teams that were reportedly waiting on a Rodgers decision with trade offers were the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

-Reuters

Murray to donate in support of Ukraine

British tennis player Andy Murray has pledged to donate his prize-money earnings for the rest of the year to help children affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The former world number one is working with Unicef to provide medical supplies and development kits.

Russia's attack on Ukraine has so far seen more than two million people flee the country.

The three-time Grand Slam winner, who is an ambassador for Unicef UK, said: "It's vital education continues, so Unicef is working to enable access to learning for displaced children, as well as supporting the rehabilitation of damaged schools, together with replacement equipment and furniture."

Tennis' governing bodies have announced a donation of $1 million to help humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and support the Ukraine Tennis Federation.

-BBC

Australia continue to impress in World Cup

Australia are unbeaten at the top of the World Cup standings after beating Pakistan by seven wickets in Mt Maunganui.

Pakistan made 190 for six, recovering from 44 for 4, thanks to a 99-run stand from Aliya Riaz and Bismah Maroof.

With her seven month old daughter watching from the stands Maroof struck an unbeaten 78.

However Australia had no trouble chasing down their target with Alyssa Healy making 72... they had 15 overs to spare.

Australia's next assignment is against hosts New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday.

Pakistan will stay in the Bay as they hunt for their first win of the tournament against South Africa on Friday.

Today the West Indies play England.

Kiwi Ferns player banned

Kiwi Ferns player Madison Bartlett has been handed a one match suspension from the NRLW for biting.

The Dragons winger became the first women's NRL player to face the judiciary this season.

Bartlett pleaded guilty to the charge claiming her actions were a reflex clench and not a voluntary action after Parramatta's Sereana Naitokatoka wrapped her arm across her face.

Bartlett will miss the Dragons' clash with three-time premiers Brisbane at the Western Sydney Stadium on Sunday.

The Broncos and Dragons are the only two unbeaten teams following two rounds of the minor premiership.

-ABC

Hay happy with squad he'll have

All Whites coach Danny Hay believes he still has enough quality to win this month's Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament despite being under-strenght.

The eight-team tournament will be staged in Qatar on March 17-30 to decide which team advances to a playoff against the fourth-placed side from the CONCACAF region, which features nations from North and Central America, and the Caribbean.

World governing body FIFA have given the Oceania nations a one-day extension to the March 21-29 international window but Hay will be missing a number of Europe-based players for New Zealand's first match against Papua New Guinea on March 18.

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood, Denmark-based midfielder Joe Bell and Italy-based defender Liberato Cacace are among those expected to miss out.

Hay will have about 30 players landing in Qatar at different times, including a core group of 12 who will arrive before the tournament and stay throughout.

"There's enough quality there. The vast majority are in good professional environments, so there's really no excuse," the All Whites coach said.

"We should have enough quality on the pitch, and as long as we get the balance right, in terms of how we approach the games, we should be good to go.

New Zealand were the last Oceania team to qualify for the World Cup when they made the 2010 finals in South Africa.

New Zealand beat Solomon Islands to finish top of Oceania qualifying for Russia in 2018 but their hopes of appearing at a third World Cup were dashed by Peru in a continental playoff.

-Reuters

Woods to be presented by daughter

Tiger Woods has chosen his daughter Sam to present him for enshrinement into the World Golf Hall of Fame at this week's induction ceremony in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The eldest of Woods' two children, 14-year-old Sam will deliver a speech at PGA Tour headquarters tomorrow during a ceremony that was postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Woods' storied career -- which is currently on hold as he continues to recover from serious leg injuries suffered in a February 2021 car crash -- has played out in the public eye, his children have largely remained out of the spotlight.

Last December Woods competed with his son Charlie, who was 12 at the time, and finished in second place at a laid-back team event in Orlando, Florida, where Sam was also on hand to take in the action.

Born a day after Woods finished second at the U.S. Open on Father's Day in 2007, Sam was at Augusta National for one of the most memorable moments of her father's career as she watched him win the 2019 Masters for his 15th career major title.

The victory, which left Woods three major wins shy of the all-time mark held by Jack Nicklaus, followed years of surgeries and personal problems that convinced many the best golfer of his generation was done.

The ceremony will take place on the eve of the Players Championship.

-Reuters

Sexton to play fourth World Cup

Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton will retire after next year's World Cup, saying he wants "to go out at the top" after signing one last contract to lead his country to the global showpiece in France.

The former world player of the year, who will be 38 by the time the competition comes around, is aiming to play in his fourth World Cup and his first as captain having been handed the role after the 2019 tournament in Japan.

"Yeah, finished, 2023 World Cup. I'm delighted to be able to say it," Sexton said.

Ireland have become increasingly reliant on the three-time Six Nations winner in recent years with the Leinster flyhalf's form showing little sign of dipping and few younger players emerging to really challenge him for the number 10 jersey.

Sexton became the seventh Irish player to reach 100 caps last November and is also closing in on Ronan O'Gara's Irish points scoring record with 963 points compared to his one-time rival's 1,083.

The contract extension will also give Sexton two more cracks to add to the five European Cups he has won with Leinster.

-Reuters

First Test ends in a draw

The opening test between Australia and Pakistan ended in a draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Replying to Pakistan's first innings total of 476-4 declared, Australia were all out for 459 on the final day of the contest.

Pakistan were 252 for no loss in the second innings when the teams shook hands and left.

Opener Abdullah Shafique made 136 not out, his maiden test century, while Imam-ul-Haq's 111 not out was his second hundred of the match.

The second match of the three-test series begins in Karachi on Saturday.

Australia's first tour of Pakistan in 24 years also includes three one-dayers and a Twenty20 International -- all in Rawalpindi.

-Reuters