Today's sports news: What you need to know

Latest - Hawke's Bay have easily retained the Ranfurly Shield in their first defence of the 2021 season.

The Magpies produced an impressive second half to pull away for a 34-10 win over Otago in Napier on Saturday.

It was their sixth successful defence since claiming the Log o' Wood for a sixth time when they lifted off Otago last year.

The visitors started well and scored the opening try of the match.

But by halftime, Hawke's Bay had edged ahead 14-7, before the dominated the second stanza for a comfortable bonus-point win.

Meanwhile defending Premiership champions Tasman have started their pursuit of three straight titles with two wins.

In a rematch of last year's final, the Mako held on to edge Auckland 16 to 11 in Nelson.

Canterbury, who were beaten in round one last week, survived a late surge from Manawatu to record a 25-22 win in Christchurch.

In the Farah Palmer Cup, Canterbury continued their unbeaten run with a 26-7 win over Bay of Plenty.

Saturday's other matches saw Hawke's Bay thump Tasman 80 to 5 in Napier, and Manawatu collect a 34-0 win over North Harbour in Palmerston North.

Fox on the move

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has jumped up the leaderboard on day two of this week's European Tour tournament in Kent.

Fox has carded a five-under 67 in the second round to rise 43 places to a share of eighth place at six-under par.

He is four shots behind the outright leader, England's Dale Whitnell.

Fellow countrymen Josh Geary and Daniel Hillier have missed the cut.

Meanwhile, Tokyo bronze medallist Lydia Ko is tied for 20th place after two rounds of the LPGA Tour's Scottish Open.

She has carded an even par 72 in her second round to remain two-under par for the tournament, seven shots behind the runaway leader, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn.

Anderson leads England fightback at Lord's

England seamer James Anderson claimed his 31st five-wicket haul in tests as the resurgent hosts restricted India to 364 in their first innings before reaching 119-3 after the second day of the second test at Lord's.

The 39-year-old finished with figures of 5-62 while Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson took two wickets each as England fought back with early strikes to ensure India did not bat them out of the game after resuming the day on 276-3.

India pegged England back early in the final session as fast bowler Mohammed Siraj had Dom Sibley caught at short mid-wicket for 11 before bowling Haseeb Hameed for a first-ball duck, but the hosts got out of a tight spot.

Joe Root was on 49 -- with India burning two reviews after Siraj hit the skipper on the pads -- with Jonny Bairstow on six at the close after opener Rory Burns fell late in the day for 49, trapped lbw by Mohammed Shami.

Earlier, India overcame the departures of their overnight batsmen to ensure a strong total as Rishabh Pant scored a breezy 37 while Ravindra Jadeja made 40 before both fell to Wood.

- Reuters

Twin home defeats for Counties-Manukau

North Harbour have posted their first win of the national provincial rugby championship.

Harbour have beaten Counties-Manukau 14-6 in Pukekohe in the opening match of the second round.

The visitors led 9-0 at halftime courtesy of three Bryn Gatland penalties, with a Shaun Stevenson try in the 70th minute sealing the result.

Earlier, the Auckland Storm edged the Counties-Manukau Heat 13-10 in their Farah Palmer Cup match in Pukekohe.

The Storm came back from 7-3 down at halftime and 10-6 behind with 15 minutes remaining.

Sylvia Brunt scored the match-winning try for Auckland in the 70th minute.

Former Warriors utility kicks Roosters to vital win

The Roosters have leapfrogged Parramatta into the NRL's top four.

They have beaten the Broncos 21-20 in Brisbane coutesy of a late penalty goal from former Warriors utility Adam Keighran.

The Roosters are now fourth on the ladder, two points clear of the Eels, who face the Manly Sea Eagles tonight.

Earlier the Penrith Panthers secured a top four finish with a 34-16 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons, also in Brisbane.

Nathan Cleary returned from injury to lead the Panthers to a convincing win.

Dutch defender recommits to Liverpool

Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk has signed a new long-term deal, with the Netherlands international to remain at Anfield until 2025.

Van Dijk recently returned to action during pre-season after spending nine months on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in the Merseyside derby in October.

The defender subsequently chose not to play in the European Championship this summer to focus on his rehabilitation.

"Since day one when I joined the club, I felt so much appreciation from the fans and from my teammates and the staff, that I could be a very important member of this football club," Van Dijk told Liverpool's website.

"It has been going well; unfortunately last season for me personally has been a season to forget, to learn from and take with me, but I have enjoyed my time here and will keep enjoying it in the next couple of years."

Since joining Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, Van Dijk has made 130 appearances for the club in all competitions and led them to both Champions League and Premier League glory.

- Reuters

French centre back unavailable for Manchester United's season opener

Defender Raphael Varane's move to Manchester United from Real Madrid is "not 100% done" and the Frenchman will not be available for the opening league game against Leeds United.

The France international was expected to be unveiled as a United player this week after a deal in principle was agreed between the two clubs last month.

"He hasn't trained with us... things take time. Not 100% yet. He won't be involved because he has not trained with us," , manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

However, winger Jadon Sancho, signed from Borussia Dortmund, will be involved at Old Trafford on Saturday night.

"We've had a good pre-season, the last couple of weeks have been really good with everyone back in. Even though we're still missing a few players through injury and through COVID, we're still feeling confident ahead of the game," said Solskjaer.

- Reuters

Boagni leads Wildcats to overtime win

Overtime has been needed to separate the Canterbury Wildcats and Harbour Breeze their women's NBL game in Auckland.

The Wildcats have eventually prevailed 75-70, after the two sides finished level at 62-62 after regulation.

Canterbury centre Tessa Boagni starred for the Wildcats scoring 34 points and pulling down 21 rebounds.

Earlier, the Capital Swish recorded a dominant 83-51 win over the Otago Gold Rush in their opening game of the season.

Jacinta Beckley led the Swish with 26 points and nine rebounds.