Rugby: Otago needs miracle to reach quarterfinals
Rugby: Otago needs miracle to reach quarterfinals
Otago can still make the Air New Zealand Cup quarterfinals - but then again they reckoned the Titanic could not sink.
Steve Hepburn
Rugby: Reality fails to bite as pair granted reprieve
Rugby: Reality fails to bite as pair granted reprieve
Watching a game during the weekend, a television commentator - one forgets who it was, there are so many - said reality had prevailed in the decision to retain Northland and Tasman in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Rugby: Time for team to look at itself
Rugby: Time for team to look at itself
The Otago side has to have a close look at itself after a disappointing performance against Waikato, coach Steve Martin says.
Rugby: Vainikolo's sights set on highest honour
Rugby: Vainikolo's sights set on highest honour
First it was Wellsford. Then Northland, followed by the Highlanders. Now Fetu'u Vainikolo wants to go the whole way and crack the All Blacks.
Rugby: Volunteer efforts rewarded
Rugby: Volunteer efforts rewarded
Otago volunteer coach of the year Ryan Martin. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Ryan Martin barely had time to slow down to win the Otago Volunteer Coach of the Year award yesterday.
Such is his dedication to sport, both playing and coaching, the Outram School teacher has little time free.
Rugby: Visiting teams no longer feeling the pain at 'Brook
Rugby: Visiting teams no longer feeling the pain at 'Brook
A trip to the dentist was preferable to a visit to Carisbrook for many northern rugby players in past years. But, as rugby writer Steve Hepburn finds, the ground no longer holds great fears for visiting teams.
Rugby: ORFU on road to recovery, says Reid
Rugby: ORFU on road to recovery, says Reid
Rome was not built in a day and neither was getting the Otago Rugby Football Union ticking all the right boxes a simple job. Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid tells rugby writer Steve Hepburn the union is on the right track.
Rugby: The plan is to win, Otago prop says
Rugby: The plan is to win, Otago prop says
Keith Cameron says there is only one plan for the Otago side this week.
Rugby: Graham slams rugby decision-makers
Rugby: Graham slams rugby decision-makers
Former All Black Wayne Graham has blasted those in charge of Otago rugby.
Rugby: Waikato's woes echo Otago's
Rugby: Waikato's woes echo Otago's
The quarterfinals of the Air New Zealand Cup may be a couple of weeks away but knockout rugby will start this week, Waikato coach Tony Hanks says.
Rugby: Rise in playing numbers
Rugby: Rise in playing numbers
Otago playing numbers are mirroring a national trend, with an increase of 3% from last year across Otago, meaning 7000 participating in the sport.
Rugby: Fighting Spirit outgunned at home
Rugby: Fighting Spirit outgunned at home
The Otago Spirit showed plenty of fight but was outclassed by top-of-the-table Auckland at Carisbrook on Saturday.
Rugby: Otago calls on rookies
Rugby: Otago calls on rookies
Otago's backline ranks have been decimated and reinforcements called in for a virtual knockout match against Waikato this Friday.
Rugby: Painful Otago loss figures in memorable Wellington win
Rugby: Painful Otago loss figures in memorable Wellington win
Otago's painful Ranfurly Shield loss to Canterbury 14 years ago played its part in the successful challenge by Wellington against Auckland on Saturday night.
Rugby: Elvs are no silver bullet
Rugby: Elvs are no silver bullet
The new experimental law variations (Elvs) have been with us for most of the year. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the new rules and why a game which stemmed from someone picking up a ball is now being dominated by the kicking of a ball.
Rugby: Otago sunk by second-half Taranaki blitz
Rugby: Otago sunk by second-half Taranaki blitz
In a classic game of two halves at Carisbrook, Taranaki came storming home in the second stanza to grab a win which might have dealt a fatal blow to Otago's season hopes.
Rugby: Must-win game for Spirit
Rugby: Must-win game for Spirit
The Otago Spirit simply has to win today against the all-conquering Auckland line-up to stay in this year's competition.
Rugby: Cowan a 'better person'
Rugby: Cowan a 'better person'
All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan has moved on from incidents earlier in the year and become a better person, one of his employers said yesterday.
Rugby: Jury still out on new laws, Bray says
Rugby: Jury still out on new laws, Bray says
The jury is still out on whether awarding free kicks is the appropriate way to police the breakdown, says the country's refereeing boss.
Rugby: ORFU seventh on union table
Rugby: ORFU seventh on union table
Otago, supposedly a top five union, came in seventh in the rankings of unions in the review of the Air New Zealand Cup released yesterday.