Hayden Meikle

Otago Country officials are worried the appointment of Australian coach Phil Mooney will create further cracks in a divided rugby province.

Otago could find itself in danger of dropping to a second tier of domestic rugby following confirmation last night of changes to the national championship.

New coach Phil Mooney has offered olive branches to David Latta, unhappy country clubs and any disgruntled supporters who are still wondering why Otago has appointed an Australian.

Mahal Pearce will not be looking back on 2009 with a great deal of fondness. A health scare and a family bereavement overshadowed anything the former New Zealand Open champion could produce on the golf course. He tells sports editor Hayden Meikle why he is hoping for better next year.

Former Otago professional Greg Turner does not believe the absence of Michael Campbell will be too big a blow to the New Zealand Open.

Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid thinks Phil Mooney is the ideal man to develop more coaches from within the province.

  Like a lopsided lolly bag, he year in gaming tossed out a few goodies for the first nine months before spewing out the really tasty stuff in the final quarter. Hayden Meikle looks back on the good and the bad in gaming in 2009.

Otago cyclists Alison Shanks and Greg Henderson, rower Hamish Bond and disabled skier Adam Hall are among the early nominations for the Halberg Awards.

What a year it has been for Jimmy Cowan. He captained the Highlanders for the first time and cemented his status as the No 1 All Black halfback. Sports editor Hayden Meikle collars Cowan for some reflections ahead of a well-earned holiday.

There might be a distinct absence of star players from the New Zealand Open next month but that does not mean the tournament's importance should be understated. Sports editor Hayden Meikle explains how those who tread the tussocks of The Hills have their eyes on a bigger prize.

It was golf, but not as they know it, for members of the Dunedin Metropolitan development squad yesterday.

Just like books, games must not be judged by their covers.

Their performances were separated by 19,000km and about 15 hours but both Daniel Vettori and Richie McCaw were toasted by New Zealand sports fans at the weekend.