Donna Wilkins has been there, done that. When you are 34 years old and have played 64 tests and represented your country in two sports and given birth to three children, nothing much can shake you.
Dunedin will be overrun with the next generation of New Zealand stars next week.
An Otago Daily Times panel will reveal its Best XI at the end of the European Championship, and readers have an opportunity to do the same.
There is always plenty of interest in the derby but this weekend's clash in Queenstown between the Dunedin Thunder and the Southern Stampede is set to be a ripper.
Has there been a worse song or song title than I Wanna Sex You Up?
Hayden Meikle's Last Word.
University Oval in Dunedin remains a warm favourite to be allocated a plum English test in the summer.
Shannon Francois can tell you all about the demands of studying for a pharmacy degree.
Hayden Meikle's Last Word.
An utter waste of time. A betrayal of a special part of New Zealand's rugby heritage. Well, boo-sucks to all those who turned minor scepticism over the hastily revived interisland game into near-hysterical condemnation.
Highlanders fullback Kurt Baker led the South Island to a 32-24 win over the North Island at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium today.
Demelza McCloud estimates she has played about 175 games at the top domestic level and has never suffered a losing streak like this.
The Guardian called Jonathan Franzen "a literary genius for our time". Having devoured Franzen's last two books, I won't be rushing to disagree.
It has been some sort of journey for Nicky Samuels, who has finally confirmed her place at the London Olympics after various health and selection issues. As our Olympic countdown continues, the Wanaka triathlete looks forward to London.
The "Harrison Hoist" followed by the "Harrison Honeymoon".
A handful of former and likely future All Blacks feature in the teams named for the North-South match in Dunedin on Sunday.
Good mates, supportive crew, a top bike, interesting new places to visit, and lots of tough racing. James Williamson is loving life on the road.
Hayden Meikle's The Last Word.
Ticket sales have been slow for the North-South game to be played in Dunedin next weekend but organisers hope interest will build after the teams are named.
First things first - Stewart Downing might be a Liverpool player, but how on earth did he make the England squad?
