The 2012 domestic rugby season has come to a close. For about three weeks, until sevens tournaments begin and Super 15 teams start assembling. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back on the year and picks the best and the worst of the action he saw live.
The reward for a good season for Otago came for Liam Coltman and Hayden Parker yesterday.
The 2013 Highlanders will boast 11 past or present All Blacks - although star loose-forward Adam Thomson is not among them.
This morning the Highlanders will name their squad for next season and there is no doubt expectation for 2013 will be high. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at a possible squad.
Adam Thomson is heading overseas but he may have some time to twiddle his thumbs before he takes to the paddock next year.
The bulk of next year's Otago squad should be signed up by Christmas, though there will be spots left open for players to make an impact in club rugby.
The future of All Black and Highlanders loose forward Adam Thomson remains unknown.
Otago overachieved this season in making the ITM Cup championship final. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn reviews the season.
Jacob Ellison's rugby year has been pretty much wrecked by injury but it has had a nice finish.
Hard luck, Otago. A great season fell at the last hurdle in Pukekohe last night as Counties-Manukau beat Otago 41-16 to win the ITM Cup championship and promotion to the top echelon of provincial rugby.
Otago coach Tony Brown says his side had its chances and he could not be too downbeat after losing the ITM Cup championship final in Pukekohe last night.
He has been on the field for virtually every minute of Otago's season but Buxton Popoali'i is showing no signs of wanting to put his feet up.
Steve Hepburn identifies three key areas in tonight's final.
Counties-Manukau coach Tana Umaga admits it is not "just another game" when his side faces Otago in the ITM Cup championship final in Pukekohe tonight.
The man who led the Otago Rugby Football Union away from the brink of liquidation says he gets immense satisfaction out of seeing the Otago side in the ITM Cup championship final.
One man from Kaitangata is in charge of the Otago team. Another man from the town is making an impact in the side.
It would be hard to do much better than the All Blacks achieved at home in 2012. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back on the season for the men in black.
Otago is into its first final in seven years and it will have its entire All Black arsenal for the big game.
Otago assistant coach Phil Young just loves being back in the first-class scene.
Former All Black halfback Chris Laidlaw says when he thinks of Sir Wilson Whineray, he thinks of the grace the man possessed.
