The new shape and form of the Super rugby competition is still up in the air but New Zealand franchises are firm in their belief in maintaining eight home games.
Black Fern Kelly Brazier is facing a long stint on the sideline but is confident she will be right for next year's Rugby World Cup in France.
Former Highlanders and Otago captain Josh Blackie is still playing with Kobe Steel in Japan and, off the field, is advocating for players all over the world.
The 2013 rugby season finished two days ago. The 2014 season will start tomorrow.
Ben Smith's great year has been recognised with a nomination for the IRB player of the year award - though a team-mate may trump him for the honour.
Otago captain Paul Grant is off to France and has fired a shot at the Highlanders on his departure.
The Otago men's team is out to defend its title while the women's side wants to make up for a poor effort last year when the South Island regional sevens tournament is played in Timaru today.
Otago coach Vaughn Johnson says Jesse Ryder is nowhere near a return to international action.
Regan King is following in her sister's footsteps, and her sister is right there beside her to help.
It is tough, physical, allows tackling and has plenty of contact.
The new rules brought in to help clean up the scrum appear to have had the opposite effect.
A study done by an Australian rugby statistician has shown the large amount of time lost during a rugby game - more than half the game, in most cases - with shots for goal and scrums being the main culprits.
John Ackland is about building the game of rugby league - and when you look at his resume, he has some pretty good form behind him.
Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at three keys for the All Blacks when they take on England at Twickenham tomorrow morning (NZ time).
Dan Carter will play his 100th test when he runs on to Twickenham in London early on Sunday morning (NZ time) to take on the English. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at 10 ups and downs of Carter's career.
The Warriors are returning to Dunedin and will take on the Broncos again.
The Otago women's sevens team won a tournament in Christchurch yesterday.
Highlanders fullback Ben Smith has been named among some top-quality candidates for next month's New Zealand rugby awards.
The All Whites take on Mexico tomorrow morning in Mexico City in the first leg of their World Cup play-off. Steve Hepburn talks to three Otago football personalities and gets their predictions on what may happen over the next week.
The Highlanders may have finished second last on the ladder this year, but it has not stopped some of their players being nominated for a World XV.
