Halfback Kyle Preston is poised for a test debut off the bench for the All Blacks against South Africa on Saturday at Eden Park in the Rugby Championship.

The Crusader's backing up Finlay Christie, who's been named to start with Cortez Ratima ruled out due to an injury.

All Blacks assistant coach Scotty Hansen says experts confirmed Ratima wasn't fit to play this time round.

"It wasn't an option this week to play him." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Halfback Kyle Preston is poised for a test debut off the bench for the All Blacks against South Africa on Saturday at Eden Park in the Rugby Championship.
The Crusader's backing up Finlay Christie, who's been named to start with Cortez Ratima ruled out due to an injury.
All Blacks assistant coach Scotty Hansen says experts confirmed Ratima wasn't fit to play this time round.
"It wasn't an option this week to play him."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Scotty Hansen: All Blacks assistant coach on the team named to face off against the Springboks at Eden Park

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/261e1618-e082-4771-af8e-b34e006742f9/transcript

There's confidence from some that the hantavirus outbreak won't turn into another worldwide pandemic.

Passengers are being evacuated and returning to home countries, including one New Zealander.

Authorities say one of five French passengers developed symptoms flying to Paris, and will isolate until further notice. 

Otago University epidemiologist, Michael Baker, says person to person transmission is very unusual for this virus.

"And when they're investigated, these are often people who are living in the same house or the same bedroom or are spending a lot of time together - it's not from casual contact." 

LISTEN ABOVE

There's confidence from some that the hantavirus outbreak won't turn into another worldwide pandemic.
Passengers are being evacuated and returning to home countries, including one New Zealander.
Authorities say one of five French passengers developed symptoms flying to Paris, and will isolate until further notice.&nbsp;
Otago University epidemiologist, Michael Baker, says person to person transmission is very unusual for this virus.
"And when they're investigated, these are often people who are living in the same house or the same bedroom or are spending a lot of time together - it's not from casual contact."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Michael Baker: Otago University epidemiologist on whether the hantavirus outbreak could become a global pandemic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6edcb225-5585-4b7d-ae21-b4470066645c/transcript

A political science lecturer says party affiliation isn't everything in Māori seats, as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi breaks away.

She's cut ties with Te Pati Māori to create the Te Tai Tokerau Party and run in the seat of the same name.

Te Pati Māori's wished her well - but is promising to put up another candidate to take her on. 

Victoria University's Lara Greaves says it's an open race for all seven seats. 

"They're hyper-local, so local issues are really important - but also, sometimes, strategy is important. Again, really hard to tell." 

LISTEN ABOVE

A political science lecturer says party affiliation isn't everything in Māori seats, as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi breaks away.
She's cut ties with Te Pati Māori to create the Te Tai Tokerau Party and run in the seat of the same name.
Te Pati Māori's wished her well - but is promising to put up another candidate to take her on.&nbsp;
Victoria University's Lara Greaves says it's an open race for all seven seats.&nbsp;
"They're hyper-local, so local issues are really important - but also, sometimes, strategy is important. Again, really hard to tell."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Dr Lara Greaves: Victoria University associate professor in politics on what Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's departure means for Te Pati Māori

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4fa229b6-636e-4ff2-b1bb-b4470063785d/transcript

The coalition appears to have good odds of winning the next election, largely thanks to New Zealand First. 

The NZ Herald - Motu Research Poll of Polls suggests there is an 88.3 percent probability the coalition will win a second term. 

The model shows it's extended its lead over the opposition by two points in the last 12 months.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained how this data is calculated - and whether voters can take it seriously.

LISTEN ABOVE

The coalition appears to have good odds of winning the next election, largely thanks to New Zealand First.&nbsp;
The NZ Herald - Motu Research Poll of Polls suggests there is an 88.3 percent probability the coalition will win a second term.&nbsp;
The model shows it's extended its lead over the opposition by two points in the last 12 months.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained how this data is calculated - and whether voters can take it seriously.
LISTEN ABOVE

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Poll of Polls predicting the next election winners

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bdfb1b8b-9ae8-40f4-aee0-b447005e0e30/transcript

Scotty Hansen: All Blacks assistant coach on the team named to face off against the Springboks at Eden Park

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