Steve Hepburn

The benchmark has been set — now it is time to reach it consistently and push it even higher.

Otago has chalked up its first win of the Mitre 10 Cup with a convincing 50-17 win over Manawatu in Palmerston North this afternoon.

Otago Boys' High School has lost the South Island top four rugby final to Christchurch Boys’ High School.

The broom has swept through the Spirit and it is a new side that will open its account in the Farah Palmer Cup today.

It was somehow apt that Hawke’s Bay winger Mason Emerson got off a high tackle charge from last week’s game against Otago.

Naulia Dawai is back and doing what he loves to do — scoring tries.

Otago coach Ben Herring said he had no hesitation in giving the captaincy to the returning Michael Collins for tomorrow's game against Manawatu.

The changes and new structure of the Super Rugby competition may be decided by November.

Hooker  Liam Coltman will be available to play for Otago this week but halfback Josh Renton is set for a significant stint on the sideline.

Michael Cheika's biggest issue has to do with geography.

New Zealand Rugby is spending up to $7million more than it earns every year and with player costs rising, the pressure on the national union's balance sheet is increasing all the time.

The Spartans are coming out of mothballs - and with a cause like this there is a rush to get involved.

Dunedin Technical has made it to the final of the Kate Sheppard Cup.

Bang, bang - lights out for Otago.

Otago coach Ben Herring has labelled last night's loss to Hawke's Bay hugely disappointing.

It was a profitable afternoon at Oamaru yesterday for Wingatui apprentice Corey Campbell, who won half the contests on the six-race card.

Hawke's Bay has beaten Otago in a Mitre 10 Cup match 31-25 in Dunedin tonight.

Hannah Catchpole is leaving her role as the Otago Racing Club chief executive.

It would be fair to say the Oamaru Jockey Club meeting today will not be crowded with horses.

Otago players may head straight for the television screen after tonight’s game against Hawke’s Bay as the side eyes a crack at the Ranfurly Shield.