It is surprising more has not been made of the Taranaki rugby union's defection from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs.
While the Super franchises are now separate, in many respects, from the provincial unions they overlook, it is still a huge step for Taranaki. And are the Hurricanes delighted about it?The interesting thing to ponder is whether any other unions will follow suit.
Could, ooh, I don't know, Southland turn a long-held chip on the shoulder over its treatment by the Highlanders into a full-blown threat to secede? To join the Crusaders?
Don't laugh, because there is no reason it won't happen one day. Geographical ties are far looser at Super level.
Maybe, as a pre-emptive strike, the Highlanders could get in touch with Bay of Plenty, which has been left out in the cold by the Chiefs and might fancy a link with a southern franchise.
What about netball? There is a passionate Southern Steel fan I know who is adamant the organisation is alienating its northern fan base by scheduling a minimal number of games, against less than desirable opposition, in Dunedin.
He suggests the Otago netball community should investigate a link with the Christchurch-based Tactix, who sure could use the help.
And Southern United? A link with Auckland City might be just the ticket.
Taylor is made
Who is New Zealand's greatest test cricket batsman?Many have automatically replied ''Martin Crowe''. His 17 test centuries are the most by a New Zealander, and his average (45.36) is excellent.
Others will plump for Glenn Turner, who only got to play 41 tests but scored nearly 3000 runs and averaged 44.64, or Bert Sutcliffe (2727 runs at 40.10). Our leading scorer, Stephen Fleming (7172 runs at 40.06), possibly under-achieved but deserves to be in the debate.
But all will be surpassed, it seems, by Ross Taylor.
He's 29. He should play test cricket for another five years at least. He's passed 4000 runs, is averaging about 46 and has just scored his 10th test ton.
Taylor is well on track to become our greatest test batsman.
Hall of Fame I
Two inducted members of the Dunedin-based New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame will be commemorated next year.
As part of the remembrance of World War I, displays honouring multiple Wimbledon champion Anthony Wilding and All Black Originals captain David Gallaher will be established at the Hall.
The organisation's latest newsletter backgrounds the war service of the two New Zealand sporting greats.
Wilding, a captain in a British armoured car unit, was killed by shellfire in France in 1915, and Gallaher lost his life at Passchendaele in 1917.
Hall of Fame II
The Hall has yet another publication available from its base at the Dunedin Railway Station.
Entitled ''c Tindill b Cowie: The story of Bradman and New Zealand'', the book relates the various interactions between Australian cricket immortal Sir Donald Bradman and his neighbouring country.
On the field, there isn't much to tell - the title hints at how often the Don got to play New Zealand - but author Ron Palenski looks beyond the pitch to find where else the great man mixed with his transtasman cousins.
Madiba and sport
Nelson Mandela understood many things, and one was the potential for sport to have transformative powers.
His appearance at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final dressed in a Springbok jersey remains one of the most powerful and enduring sports images.
On a lighter note, there is the story of him receiving a visit from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and asking, ''Mr Fraser, is Don Bradman still alive?''
While it is more about his place of incarceration, Robben Island, than Mandela, one of the best books written about the positive effects sport can have on the oppressed is More Than Just A Game: Football v Apartheid, by Chuck Korr.
It is a stunning account of the structured, competitive football leagues the prisoners established to both stay active and raise morale. It's my go-to book for those who deride sport's importance.
Come one, come all
There really is no sport like golf for giving people of a wide range of ages the chance to be competitive.
In the space of about 24 hours, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez (49) bettered his own record as the European Tour's oldest winner when he retained the Hong Kong Open title; Denmark's Thomas Bjorn (42) won the Nedbank Challenge; and a 16-year-old New Zealand girl claimed her first tournament victory as a professional.
Celebrating women
Look out next week for a special series from the Otago Daily Times sports department.
The series - ''Women In Sport'' - will shine the spotlight on New Zealand's greatest sportswomen, and look at the progress women have made in sport over the years.
As part of the series, we would welcome your feedback on any issues to do with women's sport.
Mixed emotions
Catching up with family in North Otago and celebrating a brother's 40th birthday?
Really enjoyable.
Being told another rugby player from my old school will be turning out for another First XV that shall remain anonymous next year?
Hmmm, not so much.
Rocky Mountain High (and long)
Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater broke a remarkable record earlier this week.
Playing at home - at altitude - Prater kicked a 64-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans.
The previous record, 63 yards, had stood for more than four decades. It was set by a bloke called Tom Dempsey, who was born without toes on his right foot.
Birthday of the week
Bill Buckner is 64 today.
He was a Major League Baseball player for TWENTY years, representing five different clubs.
But poor old Billy Buck is always going to be remembered for the infamous fielding blooper that cost the Boston Red Sox the 1986 World Series.
