Good evening. Disruption at several North Island airports this morning. Fog choked out visibility and shut down flights out of Auckland, Hamilton and Taupo, but our sky remains mostly fine, and if you're planning any outdoor R&R, get it done by Sunday ` there's rain in the forecast. Right now, it's 6 o'clock. Due to the live nature of ONE News we apologise for the lack of captions for some items. This is ONE News, with Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie. Tonight ` a deadly bug. What foods you should look out for after three die in hospital from listeria. They shared an affection for Iraena Asher. We talk to the couple now partly blamed for her death. A deadly strike at the very heart of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Is it a turning point in the Syria conflict? And the robbers going for gold at the Olympics. See how easily they'll pick your pocket. Some ready-to-eat meat products are being taken off shelves tonight in the wake of a deadly listeria outbreak. Three of six people hospitalised in Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty have died from the bacteria. The food now being recalled is Mad Butcher 500g salami and pepperoni rolls, best before August the 17th; Ratanui whole, half and champagne cooked-on-the-bone ham, best before September the 12th; and Ezy Carve boneless leg ham pieces, best before September the ninth. Health bosses are also warning more people could've eaten contaminated food. With the latest, Sarah Batley is in Napier. Sarah. HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE THE COMMUNITIES TO TAKE NO RISKS SEE A DOCTOR IF YOU FEEL UNWELL It's a place you go to get well, and authorities are worried two elderly patients could have died after being exposed to contaminated meat served in the hospital. We don't want to speculate as to how these patients contracted listeria. Listeria is very common in the community, but certainly we're taking very seriously the fact we've got positive results from food samples in our kitchen. This Napier company, Bay Cuisine, supplies the hospital with the ready-to-eat meat. It also supplies some Mad Butcher and Preston's meat stores. There is still some product on sale, but we're hoping the recall takes effect immediately, that the public works with us on this and gets the product back in. Bay Cuisine says that, 'While the source of the contamination at the DHB has yet to be determined', it is 'working with the Ministry for Primary Industries' and had initiated the voluntary product recall as a 'precautionary measure.' The company also says 'Ready-to-eat meat products are a small proportion of its overall product range' and other products continue to be safe. For those who pick up listeria, it takes 30 days for symptoms to show. The hospital says it only took its meat off the menu last Tuesday. There's a risk more cases could emerge. It's very sad. You know, this is quite a rare disease to get into the human population and for people to die from, so it's concerning. Given the first case of listeria was detected at the start of May, questions have been raised over whether authorities could have acted sooner, but they say at first it wasn't clear the cases were related. I don't think that's an unreasonable timeline. Two cases have also emerged in Tauranga over the past three weeks. One person has died, the other recovered. Neither contracted listeria in hospital, and no links have been identified with the Hawkes Bay outbreak. So, Sarah, what other action's being taken? THE MINISTER OF HEALTH WOULD BE SURPRISED IF DHBS WEREN'T DIONG THEIR OWN CHECKS THE BOARD MAY CONSIDER TAKING MEAT OFF THE MENU HERE So, Sarah, what other action's being taken? So what do you need to know about listeria? It's a bug found in dust, soil, water, plants, sewage, and animal droppings. Health officials say it's dangerous for pregnant women, their babies, the elderly, and people with a lowered immune system. Those at risk should avoid foods like soft cheeses, processed meat, and poultry. Seek medical advice if you develop flu-like symptoms such as a mild fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains, or a mild cough or cold. A couple who tried to help Iraena Asher on the night she disappeared have been told their lack of action probably contributed to her death. A coroner's found the model and student is likely to have drowned by accident almost eight years ago on a rugged West Auckland beach. This from Donna-Marie Lever. Julia Woodhouse and Bobbie Carroll, still slightly stunned hearing their actions may well have played a part in Iraena Asher's death. Their decision not to contact the police was a contributing factor in Iraena's death. Now, this comment is not a criticism of them or of their actions. It is simply an acknowledgement that there was an opportunity that was missed by people with the best of intentions. Yeah,... not happy with that. I think it basically sits with the police. The couple and one of their sons found the distressed 25-year-old wandering in Piha and took her in. She told them she'd been drugged and kidnapped. But that was after she had tried to call the police for help. IRAENA: Could you please come and get me from Piha Rd? They sent a taxi instead, which never made it. The coroner found Iraena Asher's death was an accident during an emotional crisis, and it's likely the bipolar model drowned in the unforgiving West Coast surf. I don't think we'll ever recover from her disappearance. I mean, she` you know, despite her being a beautiful-looking woman she had a beautiful heart. The police file into Iraena Asher's disappearance is now closed. Police say it will only be reopened if any remains are discovered. And the past eight years have taken a toll on many involved. About an hour ago I was thinking, 'Right, I will never do this again.' But I know that I would, and I hope other people will too, because although you run a risk of criticism, it's more important that you reach out and make people safe. The coroner says the lesson to learn is to always call police for help, and that they too have come a long way since Iraena Asher's tragic end. Donna-Marie Lever, ONE News. A man's been convicted for a second time of murdering a woman after snatching her handbag in an Auckland parking lot. Chistopher Shadrock was again sentenced to at least 12 years' jail for killing Joanne Wang at a Manukau shopping centre in 2008. He ran down the 39-year-old in a stolen car. The defence argued he'd not intended to kill and was trying to escape. The Court of Appeal quashed the original conviction last year. There are signs tonight that a feared leader is losing his grip on power after a rebellion lasting almost a year and a half. Syria's president has lost two of his closest advisers, including his brother-in-law, in a bomb attack right in his power base, the capital, Damascus. Shortly we'll cross to correspondent Zeina Khodr from where media's gathering in neighbouring Lebanon. But first, the latest deadly attack. Government forces under fire in the capital after an unprecedented strike at the heart of the Syrian regime. A bomb detonated during a meeting of the country's highest-ranking security officials, killing at least three of them. Syrian TV announced the attack. 'With deepest regret,' the presenter says, 'a bomber has attacked the headquarters of national security.' It was considered one of Syria's most secure compounds. Among the dead are president Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law, and the defence minister. Both are considered architects of the 16-month crackdown. Rebels battling government forces claimed responsibility, but how the bomb was planted remains unclear. Opposition officials say a bodyguard placed it in the meeting room, before it was detonated by remote control. It's sent a message to the regime that the hands of the Syrian people and the Free Syrian Army can reach anyone inside Damascus and even Bashar Assad itself. He is not safe any more. President Al-Assad has not been seen since the bombing. His information minister warned the world not to underestimate regime forces. This is a decisive battle. It is a decisive battle not only in Damascus, but in Syria as a whole. In America there's concern the bombing represents a major escalation in the violence. This is a situation that is rapidly spinning out of control. Government opponents are openly celebrating the attack. But while this is a serious blow to the regime, there's no sign of it caving in yet, as fighting rages on in Damascus. Joining us now from Beirut, in neighbouring Lebanon, is Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr. Zeina, is there a sense this is a turning point in the Syrian conflict? UNDOUBTEDLY THE KILLINGS OF THESE TOP OFFICIALS THAT THE PRESIDENT RELIED ON WAS A MAJOR BLOW TO THE REGIME TURNING POINT? YES BUT THIS STARTED 5 DAYS BEFORE IT REACHED THE CAPITAL WHEN THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY MADE THEIR PRESENCE CLEAR NOW THE GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING ON A BRAVE FACE VOWING TO WIPE OUT 'CRIMINAL GANGS' THEY ARE MAKING GOOD ONT HAT PROMISE USING WEAPONS, HELICOPTERS TO WIPE THIS OUT RIGHT NOW THE REGIME IS FIGHTING FOR ITS SURVIVAL ITS PRESTIGE, THAT HAS BEEN SHATTERED THE CAPITAL SHOWED THE WORLD THAT THE AUTHORITIES WERE IN CONTROL BUT THE GOVERNMENT CAN STRIKE AT ANY TIME AND ANYWHERE IT'S A TURNING POINT BUT THE FEAR IS THAT WE WILL SEE MORE BLOODSHED THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT - MORE KILLINGS AND CLASHES AND WHAT COMES NEXT? IF THEY DON'T FIND A WAY TO MANAGE A POLITICAL TRANSITION THE COUNTRY COULD FALL INTO POLITICAL CHAOS Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr, thank you. Willie Apiata could still be sent to the world's trouble spots even though the war hero's quit the Defence Force. He'll remain part of the SAS reserve, but as political reporter Michael Parkin reveals, that could be through obligation, rather than choice. Fighting a battle with attrition, the Defence Force is stressing Willie Apiata will still be around as a reserve member of the SAS. But it seems he had no choice, as long-serving soldiers must do a stint in the reserves when they leave full-time service. Most of us, of course, would front up without having a reserve liability, but a reserve liability is that they can call you up and you have some legal obligation. The Defence Minister has confirmed five badged members of the SAS have already left the elite group this year, and this former chief of army expects more to go off in search of excitement in the private sector. These guys are right on the edge. They're highly trained and they want to use the skills that they have, so, you know, it's not appealing to be sitting in Papakura Camp. One former SAS commander says Willie Apiata will bring mana to his new role working for the High Wire Trust with at-risk youth,... I saw Willie in the street. He was down at defence headquarters, and we had a bit of a chat about what he was doing, and he was really looking forward to it. ...despite it being a big departure from the SAS. Completely different. He's been part of often a small team, and they often know each other very well, and they all know how they think, and nobody needs to give orders or anything else. It all happens. The trust employs 16 staff, and a VC won't turn any extra pay for Willie Apiata. This full-time role will be working at a satellite camp up at Awhitu Peninsula, which is working on the great outdoors. So real physical work; working with young people from mountain biking through to abseiling. Unless he's called up for SAS reserve duties. Michael Parkin, ONE News. And what's in store for Willie Apiata? Mark Sainsbury checks out his new workplace on Close Up at 7. The military man in charge of Fiji is brushing off talk of an assassination plot which triggered SIS raids on Fijians living in NZ. But questions remain over the role our government's played, as Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver reports. Rajesh Singh is fighting back. He says he had his home raided and was questioned by intelligence officers over an alleged plot to assassinate Fiji's self-imposed Prime Minister. He's furious at being targeted, and today took action. This is my official complaint to the ombudsman, and from here, the next step will be to the human rights, and then if I have to take the matter to the court, I will go from there. The man at the centre of the alleged assassination says anyone who wants to assassinate him can go right ahead. Whether they can come to Fiji to carry it out is a different matter, because they are cowards. Whether they can come to Fiji to carry it out is a different matter, because they are cowards. SIS officers allegedly told Rajesh Singh they had evidence former Fiji military man Roko Ului Tevita Mara was involved in the assassination plot. He told ONE News he knows nothing about any plot, and is surprised NZ authorities are investigating. What the NZ government should be actually doing is looking at people who are actually NZ citizens, who are in Fiji assisting the regime. Fiji authorities have reacted warmly to the NZ investigation, indicating a thawing in the often fractious relationship. Obviously the NZ authorities, they're taking action, based on presumably information that they have. And I think it's best left to them. John Key says the SIS only acts within the law. They're thoughtful and careful, and they only act if they think it's in the best interests of Nzers. The Prime Minister also hinted that the two governments have already been in close contact. Barbara Dreaver, ONE News. It's been called the greatest pharmaceutical disaster in history. Now NZers born without limbs because of the drug thalidomide are making a last-ditch bid for compensation. As health reporter Lorelei Mason explains, they've been boosted by a landmark decision in Australia. The announcement came from Australia... Today Lynette Rowe, an armless and legless woman from Nunawading in suburban Melbourne, Victoria, has struck a blow for thalidomiders all over the world. A winning blow which will see Lynette Rowe compensated for the rest of her life by Diageo Plc, the UK drug company responsible for distributing thalidomide in the early 1960s. It's a relief for her retired parents. This settlement has come just in time for us too. This result shows you don't need arms and legs to change the world. That landmark win now paves the way for more survivors here to seek compensation. It's a proud moment for us, because we're now being acknowledged as being existing. So far, 15 previously unrecognised NZ thalidomiders have come forward. The Australian lawyers handling the claim want them to remain anonymous, but they believe there may be more than 15. They want to others to come forward before the door to compensation closes. Thalidomide is still used safely today in NZ as a cancer drug. But it was its use in treating pregnant mothers for morning sickness which spelled disaster, causing irreparable harm to the limbs of an estimated 100,000 unborn babies worldwide. Aucklander Barry de Geest is one of nine NZers who have already been awarded compensation by Diageo. But it's believed hundreds worldwide missed out then. Some were told their child's deformities weren't caused by the drug. However while the distributors of thalidomide have admitted liability, the drug's German makers, Grunenthal, are still refusing to settle. They've never paid a cent and never shown any remorse for what they've done to us. Barry de Geest says that's the class action thalidomiders worldwide now want settled. Lorelei Mason, ONE News. Still to come on ONE News ` picking up pickpockets ahead of the London Olympics. We show you how these fast-fingered thieves can rob you blind. Crackdown at the Cross ` growing violence sparks a clean sweep of Australia's most infamous entertainment strip. And rushing to see their idol ` Bieber fever hits Auckland, also infecting a couple of All Black tall timber. Then at 7, Close Up looks at a public primary school accused of putting far too much pressure on its pupils. Furious parents speak out. Senior Maori leaders say there's been a significant step forward over water rights after the Prime Minister pledged not to legislate against Maori interests in water. He gave the undertaking following talks with the Maori Party. But as political editor Corin Dann reports, court action is still a possibility. Prime minister John Key was out playing firefighter today,... This looks pretty easy to drive. ...but last night he was dousing a political fire. We have never been of the view to legislate over rights and interest, and I'm happy to put that in writing, and we are not about legislate over the top of that. But while the pledge may not have seemed like a big deal to John Key, it is being seen as a big deal by some leading Maori. What it does is provide some guarantee to our people that there will not be legislation like the foreshore and seabed. The Maori Party's role in getting the pledge not to legislate is also earning big plaudits, even from adversaries. I applaud the Maori Party. They are walking the talk. However while last night's meeting has eased tensions, the threat of legal action is not been ruled out by Maori or the Crown. John Key conceded it's conceivable government may have to legislate one day to establish that no one owns water. Well, in theory, but I hope it won't come to that. At the end of the day, that's not the preferred option. Meanwhile the Waitangi Tribunal hearing on water is in its final summing up stages. However the debate's been a little distracted by a Maori Council allegation that the justice department has breached an agreement on legal aid. We did have an agreement, and they have broken it, and that means this is a racist institution. Gets us to conform, and that means we will lose. However the justice department says the Maori Council has filed inaccurate and incomplete invoices, and that's causing delays in payments. It says all up the hearing has cost taxpayers $850,000 in legal aid. Corin Dann, ONE News. Israel is blaming Iran for a bomb attack in Bulgaria which killed six people on an Israeli tourist bus. The bus exploded in a fireball outside an airport in the city of Burgas. Another 32 people were injured. The tourists had just arrived from Israel on a charter flight. Israel says all signs point to Iran, and it's promising a strong response. Tourists heading to London for the Olympic Games are being warned about career pickpockets. Police believe gangs from Europe and South America are planning a crime blitz. The BBC's Chris Rogers found some pickpockets in Spain boasting about their plans. Welcome to a pickpocketing mecca. Crime statistics show Barcelona is one of the riskiest places in the world to hold on to your bags and wallets. This gang are part of a network of 50 Romanian pickpockets here. We go to London this year. They agreed to show me how they do it. Hello. Here Johnny is the distracter. Danny, the runner, slips off with whatever Mario, the dipper, gives to him. They've named this tactic after the footballer that dances when he scores ` the Ronaldinho. Cameras, laptops and phones are sold on the Romanian black market. This gang say they'll soon leave Barcelona and head to London. They're doing their research. So, you're looking at the shopping centre near the Olympic village? Look how many people. 8 buses, pfft, you can go upstairs So buses are a good target for you? But police. But the gang spot a potential obstacle. An online article reports on the British police efforts to crack down on foreign pickpockets. This is the early-morning wake-up call many foreign pickpockets could receive. This house is being rented by a gang of suspected Romanian thieves in east London. In the first week of police raids, more than 80 arrests were made. But Scotland Yard say public vigilance is the best weapon against the pickpockets who claim they can steal in just one second. It's a bit more than one second the Olympic opening ceremony's been cut back by ` thirty minutes, in fact. Performers in the $50m extravaganza say they're 'sad' and 'gutted' it's been slashed. A BMX spectacular's been dumped after rehearsal times overran. Officials say they need to ensure people get back to central London before buses and trains stop running. 12 million children across south Africa have wished Nelson Mandela a happy 94th birthday To the day's weather now. And the fog caused problems again? Yep. Airport chaos at Auckland, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Taupo, Rotorua with delayed or cancelled flights till the fog evaporated. For weather, see onenews.co.NZ Finally, a shot we seldom see ` the East Coast's beautiful Lake Waikaremoana early this morning. Back later, with a menacing weather octopus fattening up in the North Tasman. Coming up after the break ` where is Justin Bieber? We check out the Hobbit set, and the hi-tech machines and Kiwk ingenuity behind many of the props. And pool party ` a surprise send-off for a Kiwi Paralympian gunning for Games glory. Tonight on Close Up ` I think they're very unkind, and cold-hearted people. When sending your kid to a primary school becomes a primary headache. It's a very influential time of their life. Is the pressure to succeed too much? You stuff that up. And what is it like living in the most burgled street in the most burgled suburb in the country? 1 Australian police are continuing their crackdown tonight on venues in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross. The sweep of bars and clubs in the red-light district comes after the killing of a teenager, just the latest in a series of violent attacks. Australia correspondent Steve Marshall reports. It's known as 'the Golden Mile' because of the money it spins for club and bar owners, but late-night licensing for many venues often sees Kings Cross descend into drunken anarchy. <BLEEP> You have never been able to buy as much booze, at as many venues, with as much capacity for as long, as you can at the moment. The recent death of Thomas Kelly (18), who was king-hit on a night out on the Cross, was the final straw for authorities, and residents who want the Cross under control. I think out of that terrible tragedy we're beginning to get government to look at what's needed here. Police have embarked on a 60-club blitz, examining their reporting of incidents, private security, and video surveillance systems. What is the problem? I going to cut straight to the chase and not muck around. It's the abuse and availability of alcohol. Restrictions on licensed premises and giving police more powers to curb antisocial behaviour are being discussed. During the day it looks pretty harmless, but every Friday and Saturday night more than 2000 revellers descend on Kings Cross. From now on, all licensed venues along this strip are required to record all incidents in an official register, to be inspected by police. It's the first step in a Cross crackdown that's come too late for the family of Thomas Kelly. Steve Marshall, ONE News, Sydney. Have you ever wondered how those swords, spears and other props you see in The Lord of the Rings and the soon-to-come Hobbit are made? Well, cutting-edge 3D printing and a little bit of Kiwi ingenuity. Weta Workshop is making devices that are changing the way we make movies. Renee Graham has details. SINGING Weta Workshop is a bit like a hobbit's lair ` a twist of hallways festooned with costumes and weapons, many made by a high-tech device ` a 3D printer. We use 3D printing extensively. It allows us to take digital models and turn them into three-dimensional physical objects. Weta Workshop first started using 3D printers for its productions and public sculptures nine years ago. The machine takes a computer image of an object and prints it out in a solid form. These animatronics engineers are building printers that make things out of plasticine, resin, even plastic, like weedeater cable from a hardware store. We've definitely got a bit of DIY flavour going on here. Two advantages: one will be cost, keep the cost down by doing it ourselves. And the other would be saving time. Their devices are still in the early testing phase. They've just started printing larger models on this machine, and soon they hope to create life-size props. Imagine this Middle Earth set made entirely out of 3D prints. The sky's the limit. I don't think we could really talk much bigger scale than this bad boy. One of our staff bolted it on to a robotic milling machine, and now he's able to print a car. Sir Richard says Weta has used 3D printing to make helmets, swords and axes. The Hobbit will have some on-screen when it's released in December. Renee Graham, ONE News. Now to another form of Kiwi ingenuity ` the humble pie. Judges at the Supreme Pie Awards are munching their way through plenty of the crusty creations to find the best in the land. A panel of 18 experts spent the day scrutinising 4500 pies to find the tastiest in the country. The 12 categories range from the traditional to more adventurous flavours like pork belly. They have to judge all the outside appearances, but ultimately the most highest score always goes for flavour, at the end of the day. The winner of this year's trophy will be announced on Tuesday. While many of our Olympians are already in London ahead of the Games, another group of elite athletes is still preparing for their shot at golden glory. One of our best hopes at next month's Paralympics got a surprise send-off in Christchurch today. Reporter Mike Thorpe was there. The 15-year-old three-time Paralympic gold medallist that NZ fell in love with four years ago is going back for more. Sophie Pascoe was a surprise package then. Today the surprise was on her when family, friends and sponsors turned out to wish her well. I thought I was just doing a photo shoot,... (LAUGHS) and it was a little bit intimidating when I walked in and saw a few media people. This is really nice. Now 19, the star of Beijing finds herself on top of the world, and she's got the records to prove it. In fact, she even boasts a better personal best in the 100m butterfly than some who have qualified for the Olympics. So could we see her taking on able-bodied athletes in Rio 2016? At this stage London's the focus, and we'll re-evaluate when I get back. And she know just who she's up against. She talks about monsters and she sees all the other competitors as little monsters, and she's the big monster there to eat them all up, so we look forward to seeing how she does that in the pool in London. And this time, she's taking a secret weapon. I get to go this time. Didn't last time, but I am this, thanks to Sophie. She wanted me there. And I thought, 'Yeah, I've got to be there for her.' And those back here will be supporting her every stroke. Mike Thorpe, ONE News. Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber is right now at the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront for a special showcase for competition winners. But it's a much quieter reception, as Bieber fever dies down to a simmer, which could have something to do with the secrecy surrounding his promotional visit. While security was braced for hordes of screaming girls, they needn't have worried, as fewer than 80 gathered at the venue gates. A surprise turnout too ` two of the All Blacks' tall timber, Ali Williams and Anthony Boric. Bieber and girlfriend, Disney star Selena Gomez, are reported to have spent the afternoon visiting sick children at Starship Hospital. Looking at our top stories ` some meat products are being recalled after a deadly outbreak of listeria. Two elderly women died from the food bug, possibly linked to contaminated food at Hawke's Bay hospital. The food supplier is investigating the source of the contamination. Syria is waking up to an escalating crisis after the killing of three top figures at the heart of Bashar al-Assad's regime. America says the president's losing control and the noose is tightening around his government. Those killed in a bomb attack include his brother-in-law and his defence minister. Andrew's here with sport, and league launches an offensive in rugby's biggest market. We have the Warriors' owners and their grand plans, so should union be worried? Also tonight ` why are the Magic upsetting netball's big wigs as Irene fronts for an emotional challenge? Plus ` home's where the heart is, but is the Crusaders' rugby play-off about to cost them dearly? And horsing around ` we're with the equestrians as medal plans for London come together. At OPSM, we use precision technology for a 3-D view of the retina, helping us better detect eye disease such as macular degeneration. Just one of the ways we look deeper. Talk to OPSM about an eye-health check-up today. The Warriors have today unveiled an ambitious five-year plan that has the potential to revolutionise rugby league. The club has made it clear it has the financial clout and desire to move the game forward. So is there any link between the announcement and the Blues' rugby struggles in Auckland? Craig Stanaway reports. Owen Glenn's been a self-confessed rugby union fan. He wanted to buy a Super 15 franchise, then he was insulted by the terms offered by the NZRU. Now he's the 15-man code's worst nightmare. I believe in charitable institutions, but I don't believe in necessarily supporting them. The Warriors' owners have announced they're taking NZ rugby's nursery head-on, funding a rugby league rival to the Auckland secondary schools First XV competition. I think we'll do whatever it takes. The kids want to play, they're the ultimate customers. League has poached at least five players from the NZ secondary school First XV over the last two years. Then there's Konrad Hurrell. He started in the Auckland Grammar First XV. The teenager was lured to league with the promise of playing live on TV for the Junior Warriors. He's now the rising star of the NRL. It's a great pathway for sport. I'm not sure they're seeing that same opportunity in rugby. I'm not criticising rugby, but I think rugby league has something to offer that these kids want, and we're gonna help them get it. Their announcement is short on detail, as are the ambitious plans they have to revamp Mt Smart Stadium. Mt Smart has had no investment for a long time. It's an embarrassment. It needs to be fixed. Ratepayers are pumping in $16m over 10 years to upgrade facilities. They want more. Owen is not willing and happy to pay for this, but if it's needed, he'll find a way to put it together. Rugby's loss is league's gain. This multi-millionaire's going to make union pay. Craig Stanaway, ONE News. The decision by the Magic to fly late into Melbourne for netball's trans-Tasman grand final has upset Australian officials. The Magic don't get into the city until Saturday afternoon, missing tomorrow's publicity session with the Vixens in a city that largely struggles to generate interest in any sport other than Aussie Rules. ONE News understands the move's upset the tournament's sponsors, ANZ, but the Magic are adamant that's not the case. What had been worked out with our media person and the TTNL media person is for the press conference to be held at a particular time on Sunday. That's their roles in this particular competition and they've done that very amicably, and we're very happy with what's been done. It's believed moves are being put in place to make sure the same thing can't happen in future. It's just one part of a disruptive week for the Magic, who've also been dealing with the death of Irene van Dyk's mother. The star shooter's been training with the team today and spoke to Kimberlee Downs at their session in Te Awamutu. Irene van Dyk's always been quick to smile. It's a tribute to her character and her team that she still is. You don't know how strong you are as a person until you get put into a certain situation, so I'm just really lucky to be around girls who have supported me, and honestly they didn't leave me alone for one second, so they are my comfort zone. One that was needed last Monday. Van Dyk put in a remarkable performance to see her team through to the grand final after finding out her mother had died earlier that day. It was short-term goals. It was, for me, purely just getting through that game without falling apart, so it's just fitting for me to play these games for mum. And after the final whistle in extra time, one emotion prevailed. You fight so hard, and once it's over, I think it's that` it's the relief. It's knowing that we're going to the final. Sunday's match has a lot of implications for the Magic. They've made it this far twice before and failed. Third time lucky! (LAUGHS) Van Dyk's team draw their inspiration from her. She is an incredibly strong woman. She's just a pillar of strength in our team. To see Irene come in, even in trainings, is just remarkable, and there are no words to describe how we feel about her. I'm gonna go, 'Come on, Mum, give us one more.' (LAUGHS) One more win fitting, you'd think, for someone who's already lost so much. Kimberlee Downs, ONE News. Two days out from the Crusaders' Super Rugby play-off match against the Bulls and the big question is their a lack of interest. Ticket sales have stalled for the first play-off in Christchurch in four years. Players today were focusing on lifting for knockout football. At the same time, officials were trying to work out why fans aren't doing the same at the ticket office. They went in with a real rush in the first day or two, but they've slowed down a bit, so we're working hard letting everyone know there's still plenty left. In fact, 8000 tickets are still available for the 20,000-seat venue. The Crusaders need a full house just to break even after paying the Bulls an appearance fee and their travel costs. So are fans over it after six months? Or are they voting with their frozen feet as the city pushes for a new stadium with a roof? We've made it clear that our perspective is a rectangular stadium, 35,000, with a roof, would be our preference. A decision on the new permanent venue will be made in just over a week's time. Nothing's a given, but the fans can also be excused for expecting an automatic victory on Saturday. In 12 play-off games in Christchurch, the Crusaders have never been beaten. A lot of the guys were involved last year. They understand what knockout rugby's about. We almost got there but not quite. We're lucky we'll get another chance to have a go at it again this year. The Crusaders have even more history on their side. South African teams have never won a knock-out match in NZ, stretching back 17 seasons. When you play at home, it spares you all the hassles of travelling, so you have that advantage. But for us being here, again, we have to face that this weekend. They haven't travelled 10,000 miles to let us walk all over them. That's not gonna happen. They're here; it's going to be one hell of a fight. And a fight the Crusaders will be hoping their fans turn up to see. While the Crusaders' season continues, the Hurricanes are now in the off-season, and lock Jason Eaton could be off overseas. The seven-season Hurricane is weighing up his future, and while the 'Canes are keen to have him next season, all options are being considered. Whether it's overseas or somewhere else, you know, gotta make the most of the career while I can. Um, I still don't know what I'm doing afterwards, so make some money while I can. The 15-Test All Black's hoping to make a decision by the start of the ITM cup, where he'll play for Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki. The Olympic equestrian team is about to break camp in the south of England with hopes still high of winning what could be NZ's first medals of the 2012 games. Before they prepared to load the horse trailers for London, they invited Olympics reporter Garth Bray to join them for the day. This is Mark Todd getting ready for what many hope will be another golden ride. Oh, on the line! There's more horseplay than horsemanship on display. And reserve rider Lucy Jackson is copping the brunt. There's a nice feeling of calm about the team going into the competition. They've an air of easy confidence after so much hard work. Yeah, I don't think it's been the last week. It's probably been the last four years. You know, everybody works really well together. It's the confidence of a younger pairing... We could be in the running for an individual medal, and I think as a team, you know, again, if everything goes to plan, we could get a team gold as well. ...and the confidence of years in the saddle. The games that I've done best at, I've gone in there feeling that, you know, the horse was as well as can be and he feels fit, he's working well. So I'm going in there confident that the horse is as well as I can make it. His second horse, Grass Valley, is putting on a show while the first line take a few turns. These are the equine equivalent of crunches to build core strength. They start to get to know when you start stepping the workload up and, you know ` more pressure, more pressure ` that something big's coming along. Newcomer Jonelle Richards isn't riding today, but will compete this weekend, making up for time lost with a recent wrist injury. At the end of the day, you're preparing an athlete to peak at a particular time, so some athletes may require a bit more work, and then backing off in the last stages, or some might require more concentrated work all the way through. A peak they need to hit the weekend after next. < You could be our first medal. Well, it wouldn't be the first time. Hopefully we will be. Though they're showing no sign of feeling any pressure. Garth Bray, ONE News, Shillinglee. Bradley Wiggins remains on track to become the first Briton to win the Tour de France. On a sweltering 35-degree day the Tour hit the gruelling climbs of the Pyrenees. Wiggins and his team-mates controlled the tempo and pulled away from a major threat, defending champion Cadel Evans. Evans is riding today. As the French would say, he's pedalling in squares. He just cannot get those wheels over. He's having a very difficult time. Frenchman Thomas Voeckler won every climb and the stage, but Wiggins is now over two minutes clear overall with just four stages remaining. And one of Europe's other major sporting events, the Open, is underway at Royal Lytham in Lancashire, with lone Kiwi Steve Alker due to tee off in four hours. After the break, will the fine weather hold on for the weekend? Jim's got your forecasts. Tonight ` the school putting pressure on the primmers; I walked out. the most burgled street in the most burgled suburb; Just an invasion of my space. and what are the cops doing? Willie Apiata's new job, and calling all stay-at-home mums ` it's time to fight fires. Close up in just a few minutes. Hello again. We're good to go for the boat or ski trip, but the baddies with the water cannons are forming up out to sea and will launch into the weekend. This is what they pulled the curtains to this morning in the south ` a dazzling Dunedin dawn. For weather, see onenews.co.nz Rain pushing down from the north, Sunday. It ain't just the sunrises that are colourful. And that's ONE News for Thursday.