Steve Hepburn

The All Blacks still have a hold over the nation, says author Ron Palenski, and the name of the team did indeed come from this country.

Otago fullback Glen Horton has signed a new contract with Otago and is available for the side this season.

Adjusting to new laws and tightening its defence are two of the goals for Otago when it meets Wellington at Porirua Park this afternoon.

All Black coach Graham Henry says his side put on its best half of rugby so far this year, despite losing to the Springboks at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

After a coaching career which has involved 14 seasons steering premier club rugby sides, eight years as an Otago B coach, and two years as a selector, Shayne Flanagan is finally involved in coaching the Otago team.

A South African left-arm pace bowler who wants to play for New Zealand has signed to play for Otago this season.

It is a case of brotherly love for the Otago under-16 boys side at this week's national tournament in Dunedin.

Buoyed by a successful sell-out test against the Springboks at Carisbrook, Otago rugby officials are keen to repeat the dose next year, eyeing a match against the team that tipped the All Blacks out of the last World Cup.

Otago's loose forward stocks have been further depleted with No 8 Steven Setephano out for four weeks after aggravating a calf injury.

Suspended All Black Brad Thorn could not wear a rugby jersey on Saturday but he still took to the field, although it was a round rather than an oval ball he was chasing.

Springbook hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been suspended for three weeks after he admitted his fist made contact with an eye of All Black and Otago loose forward Adam Thomson at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers says he has nothing to prove and everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Halfback Ricky Januarie may be the lightest player in the side but he turned in a heavyweight effort to lead the Springboks to a first ever win at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen has attacked the consistency of the Sanzar judiciary after lock Brad Thorn was suspended for one week for an incident involving Springbok hooker and captain John Smit in Saturday night's test match.

The All Blacks arrived at Dunedin International Airport yesterday afternoon with a message - or two.

The All Blacks scrummage within the laws, and did nothing different in last Saturday's test, prop Tony Woodcock says.

The Highlanders coaching team faces its annual review today.

The Highlanders' future in the South looks assured after a discussion document urged the franchise be maintained, although it warned previous strengths of the team and region have faded in recent years.