Rugby: Otago conquers Stags, conditions
Rugby: Otago conquers Stags, conditions
Otago won its final pre-season match last night, overcoming Southland 13-8 in terrible conditions in Invercargill.
ITM Cup
Rugby: Otago's win good work-out - Mooney
Rugby: Otago's win good work-out - Mooney
It is hard to get too excited about pre-season rugby but Otago co-coach Phil Mooney was certainly satisfied with his side's 45-19 against Tasman in Nelson yesterday.
Rugby: Delight for new boy in win over Auckland
Rugby: Delight for new boy in win over Auckland
He may be only a new boy in the Otago team but Gareth Evans derived just as much pleasure as anyone when Otago ended its long losing drought against Auckland last week.
Rugby: Woodcock beginning comeback with match for Harbour
Rugby: Woodcock beginning comeback with match for Harbour
The All Blacks premier loosehead prop Tony Woodcock is being set for a rugby comeback.
If the 74-test veteran gets a clearance he is expected to kit up again for ITM Cup action in Palmerston North next Tuesday when North Harbour plays Manawatu.
Woodcock has not played for three months since damaging ligaments in his foot during the Super 15.
Rugby: Hawkes Bay end Otago's unbeaten run
Rugby: Hawkes Bay end Otago's unbeaten run
A strong forward effort in the second half paved the way for Hawke's Bay to end Otago's unbeaten start to the national provincial rugby championship and emerge with a 27-13 victory at McLean Park in Napier today.
Rugby: Trouble builds for winless Tasman
Rugby: Trouble builds for winless Tasman
The hole is getting deeper for Tasman after a third successive national provincial championship loss tonight.
Rugby: Bonus-point win for Bay of Plenty
Rugby: Bonus-point win for Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty picked up their second win from as many starts with a bonus-point 38-17 win over North Harbour in their national provincial championship rugby match in Mt Maunganui today.
Rugby: Manawatu too strong for Northland
Rugby: Manawatu too strong for Northland
Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith was a pivotal factor as Northland were repulsed in a national provincial championship rugby match at Palmerston North today.
Rugby: Auckland team to play Wellington
Rugby: Auckland team to play Wellington
The Auckland team has been named for an ITM Cup match against Wellington in Wellington tomorrow night.
Rugby: Taranaki power to second-half win
Rugby: Taranaki power to second-half win
Taranaki turned around a nine-point halftime deficit to down Waikato 30-23 in an ITM Cup match in Hamilton tonight.
Rugby: McAlister in from the cold for North Harbour
Rugby: McAlister in from the cold for North Harbour
Luke McAlister will appear in the ITM Cup for the first time this season when his North Harbour rugby team play Bay of Plenty on Saturday.
Rugby: In a sea of rugby, there is plenty of intrigue in ITM Cup
Rugby: In a sea of rugby, there is plenty of intrigue in ITM Cup
How weird is it watching provincial rugby live almost every night of the week?
Rugby: Eden Park hoodoo banished
Rugby: Eden Park hoodoo banished
We've learned with Auckland rugby teams over the years that it is never over till the Fat Lady sings. Last night she finally sang and all of Otago sang with her.
Rugby: 'Record had to be broken'
Rugby: 'Record had to be broken'
Phil Mooney might still have the Australian accent but he knows all about the significance of an Otago win at Eden Park.
Rugby: Auckland team to play Otago named
Rugby: Auckland team to play Otago named
The Auckland team has been named today to play Otago in a national provincial championship rugby match in Auckland on Wednesday.
Rugby: Woodward treble sinks Taranaki
Rugby: Woodward treble sinks Taranaki
Winger Jason Woodward outshone his more illustrious teammates to grab three tries in Wellington's 23-5 over Taranaki in a national provincial rugby championship match in New Plymouth.
Rugby: Manawatu see-saw to opening win
Rugby: Manawatu see-saw to opening win
Manawatu see-sawed their way to a 32-23 win over Hawke's Bay in their national provincial championship rugby match in Palmerston North today.
Rugby: Auckland, Canterbury teams
Rugby: Auckland, Canterbury teams
The Auckland and Canterbury teams have been named for their ITM Cup match at Eden Park on Sunday.
Rugby: A frenzy of rugby about to be unleashed
Rugby: A frenzy of rugby about to be unleashed
There have been some monumental achievements in New Zealand rugby.
Rugby: Step into unknown for provincial competition
Rugby: Step into unknown for provincial competition
Canterbury's hopes of collecting a record-equalling fourth successive national provincial rugby title will rely as much on their playing prowess as their mental toughness when a revamped ITM Cup competition crammed into an eight-week window kicks off this week.