It took a while to warm to its task but the Otago trial yesterday at a University Oval ground threw up plenty of promise and showed enterprise is alive and well in the province.
All Blacks and Otago flanker Adam Thomson is out for six weeks after it was revealed he played most of Saturday night's test against France at Carisbrook with a broken bone in his hand.
Otago rugby is undergoing another period of upheaval following the resignations of its marketing manager, its academy manager and a long-serving board member.
All Black Keith Murdoch will not return to New Zealand to receive an All Black cap, his brother says, but the honour will be gratefully accepted by his former Dunedin club.
All of the South should get an economic benefit from the hosting of the world junior cycling championships in Invercargill in 2012 but the timing of the event means the velodrome at Mosgiel is unlikely to be used for preparation.
The French have left with a win and a loss, and that invites a few questions after the opening two tests of the All Black season.
Player behaviour has improved in North Otago despite a player being sent off in a match last Saturday, the union says.
High-flying Waitaki Boys was brought back to earth on Saturday, crashing to its first loss in the Highlanders First XV competition.
Otago Rugby Football Union chairman Ron Palenski says Otago should have no problems qualifying for a new 10-team premier domestic competition.
Two players from Lawrence, a halfback from Christchurch and a South African prop are features of the Otago squad named yesterday to prepare for the season.
Steve Thompson
Outgoing Otago Rugby Football Union board member Steve Thompson says the biggest issue facing rugby in the south is professionalism.
Megan Dehn says she will not have any problem hitting the ground running for the Southern Steel.
Otago United is committed to staying in the New Zealand Football Championship but admits it will be cutting its budget by a third.
Was it stage fright? Was it the unusually balmy Dunedin June night? Or was it just a bit more of a reality check?
Today's trial is a chance for players to put their hands up and say they want to play for Otago.
The Otago Rugby Football Union has confirmed it wants to host a Welsh test next year, which would mean all major international teams had played at Carisbrook.
Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson said it was frustrating to play every Super 14 game and then break a bone in his hand in the early stages of Saturday's test.
Halfback Jimmy Cowan said there was no panic in the All Blacks when they were 14 points down late in the first half of Saturday night's test.
It was a swift and punishing introduction to test rugby for All Black lock Isaac Ross on Saturday night.
France: the land of snails and frogs' legs.
