Eight events not to miss

(All NZ times)

April 5 Men’s cycling team sprint Bronze rideoff 10.58pm, gold 11.02pm:

The Aussies will be favourites and New Zealand’s trio of Sam Webster, Ethan Mitchell and Eddie Dawkins, former world champions, have some catching up to do after a poor world champs. Silver a decent chance if they hit their straps.

April 9 Men’s shot put final

10.25pm: Tom Walsh is an overwhelming favourite. He was beaten into second by O’Dayne Richards’ massive final heave in Glasgow and took it hard. Since then, he’s become the Olympic bronze medallist and world outdoor and indoor champion. In the form of his life and should be unstoppable.

April 12 Men’s mountain bike

3.30pm: The bump and twists of the mountain bike races should offer a medal chance, in the form of Anton Cooper and Sam Gaze in the cross country event. The pair won gold and silver respectively in Glasgow. Gaze won the opening round of the World Cup circuit in South Africa. Big chances of more success.

April 14 Women’s hockey medal matches

12.30pm (bronze) and 2.45pm (gold): England, New Zealand and Australia are world ranked 2, 4 and 5 respectively. The Black Sticks have won bronze at the last two Games. England will be tough and the Aussies will want to shine on home turf, but New Zealand should be right in the mix to make the gold medal match, at the least.

April 15 Netball medal matches

1pm (bronze) and 3pm (gold): Finals day and will the Silver Ferns be duelling for gold? It’s shaping as the usual four-sided contest with Australia, England and Jamaica. New Zealand were beaten out of sight in the Glasgow final. There were tears. The odds favour the hosts and possiblyJamaica, who have just beaten the Ferns back-to-back in the Taini Jamison Trophy. But New Zealand should be in with a decent shout.