State of rugby: what ODT readers think
Ref’s card for the rolling maul?
Plenty of ODT readers have shared their views about the way rugby has been led down a path far away from what used to be played.
Steve Hepburn
New workers at golf club offer sweet deal
New workers at golf club offer sweet deal
Every golf club has got plenty of land. And plenty of trees. And what usually comes with land and trees?
Harmon relishing time on field with Highlanders
Harmon relishing time on field with Highlanders
Billy Harmon has journeyed down the road but his first assignment was to go up against some old mates.
Draw has some coaches ready to give up
Draw has some coaches ready to give up
Some club coaches have hit out at the premier club draw, saying the draw is illogical and they may walk away.
Decision to stay an easy one
Decision to stay an easy one
He's older and wiser. Stronger and fitter.
Dramatic erosion of player base major concern
Dramatic erosion of player base major concern
It is a game which has given Earle Kirton so much. But he says it is being stolen off us and we need to do something about it.
The sad state of rugby
The sad state of rugby
There have been plenty of murmurings sideline. Highlanders coach Tony Brown said last week the game was in a sad place. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn takes a glass-half-empty approach and looks at what is wrong with the game at the moment.
Highlanders move on to Chiefs
Highlanders move on to Chiefs
The Highlanders have played a game this season, and last year played a game in front of no-one which is going to help them as they face off against the Chiefs this Friday night.
Plenty of elite sport on but spectators barred
Plenty of elite sport on but spectators barred
This may be one of the busiest periods of sport in New Zealand this year but the only way to see it will be the comfort of your lounge.
Haka reflects ‘strength, intelligence’ of Kai Tahu peoples
Haka reflects ‘strength, intelligence’ of Kai Tahu peoples
The new Highlanders haka, performed by the side last Friday night in its opening game of the season, represents the strength and intelligence of the people of the region.
Greens at 12 clubs being used for national mixed pairs
Greens at 12 clubs being used for national mixed pairs
Withdrawals have been few and far between for the national mixed pairs tournament which started in Central Otago yesterday.
Second innings collapse hands Hawke Cup to Hawke’s Bay
Second innings collapse hands Hawke Cup to Hawke’s Bay
North Otago lost 10 wickets for 41 runs to once again lose the Hawke Cup in its first defence.
Close but not quite for Kernaghan
Close but not quite for Kernaghan
Dunedin's Mike Kernaghan fell at the final hurdle in the men’s fours final at the national fours championships in Alexandra yesterday.
Events off or delayed in Level 2
Events off or delayed in Level 2
The sports calendar was turned upside down yesterday and events across the country were either pulled or put on hold as Covid-19 restrictions come into play.
Debut a dream for Garden-Bachop
Debut a dream for Garden-Bachop
Connor Garden-Bachop fulfilled a childhood dream when he starred for the Highlanders last Friday night.
North Otago battling in defence of cup
North Otago battling in defence of cup
North Otago is well and truly on the back foot of the first day of its opening Hawke Cup defence in Oamaru.
Highlanders try but Crusaders too strong
Highlanders try but Crusaders too strong
Same old ruthless Crusaders.
Lung-busting return for nervous Squire
Lung-busting return for nervous Squire
Back after two years away and Liam Squire admitted it was great to get out on the field.
Decisions yet to be made on trotting venue, Forbury land
Decisions yet to be made on trotting venue, Forbury land
Central and local government are in discussions about the land where the Forbury Park Trotting Club sits and announcements about its fate will be made in the next few weeks.
Strong start for Crusaders
Strong start for Crusaders
The Crusaders have made an emphatic start to the Super Rugby Aotearoa season, with a 26-13 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin.