Rugby: Otago denies Mooney given marching orders
Rugby: Otago denies Mooney given marching orders
The future of Otago coach Phil Mooney appears clouded, though officials deny he has already been given his marching orders.
Otago Rugby
Rugby: Rock bottom - the worst Otago team of my lifetime
Rugby: Rock bottom - the worst Otago team of my lifetime
I always thought the worst moment in Otago rugby was in 1979 when it lost to South Canterbury in Timaru to finish bottom of the first division.
Rugby: Otago's darkest hour
Rugby: Otago's darkest hour
Otago coach Phil Mooney says it would be an understatement to call this season extremely disappointing and says the union has to be proactive in recruiting players.
Rugby: Lift needed in skills, energy of Otago players
Rugby: Lift needed in skills, energy of Otago players
How bad was Otago this year? Well, its best game of the season was one it lost. And probably its worst game of the year was one of only two it won. Otago had a horror year - nothing...
Rugby: Injection of talent expected by Mains
Rugby: Injection of talent expected by Mains
Otago deputy chairman Laurie Mains cannot name any new players yet but says it is looking very promising that the union will have new talent next year.
Rugby: Otago loses to finish bottom
Rugby: Otago loses to finish bottom
As if Otago haven't suffered enough, Manawatu rubbed their noses in it as the two teams completed their national provincial rugby championship obligations for the year.
Rugby: Mooney committed to seeing job through
Rugby: Mooney committed to seeing job through
Otago coach Phil Mooney says he has every intention of seeing his contract through and he has lost none of his enthusiasm for the job.
Rugby: Donnelly's return to boost Otago
Rugby: Donnelly's return to boost Otago
All Black lock Tom Donnelly will be back in the blue and gold this week in his only appearance for Otago this season.
Rugby: Poor effort against Counties set tone
Rugby: Poor effort against Counties set tone
Chris Noakes is feeling like most of those watching Otago this season - frustrated and disappointed.
Rugby: Skipper pinpoints priorities after poor year
Rugby: Skipper pinpoints priorities after poor year
Otago captain Alando Soakai says the 2011 season has started already and player recruitment must be the priority for the union.
Cricketing grit
Cricketing grit
Which performance is worse? Otago, a Super rugby base, losing most of its national provincial matches and sitting last of 14 teams, or the New Zealand cricket team crashing to a 4-0 defeat to supposed "minnow" Bangladesh? Both are ignominious.
Rugby: Run-on debut for Kinikinilau
Rugby: Run-on debut for Kinikinilau
Otago will give a run-on debut to centre Paula Kinikinilau tomorrow in its match against Manawatu to decide the wooden spoon.
Rugby: Mistakes prove extremely costly for gutsy Otago
Rugby: Mistakes prove extremely costly for gutsy Otago
Otago showed character to get back into its game against Canterbury on Saturday but again made mistakes which proved extremely costly, coach Phil Mooney said.
Rugby: Odds stacked against Otago
Rugby: Odds stacked against Otago
Shorn of its best two players, lacking any form or fluency in its game, and facing a side jam-packed with talent, Otago really is walking into the lion's den this afternoon.
Rugby: Noakes faces tough evening on comeback
Rugby: Noakes faces tough evening on comeback
Otago has made four changes to its starting side to take on Canterbury tomorrow but it will not have to face one of the red and blacks' bruising centres.
Rugby: Crushing win for Otago B
Rugby: Crushing win for Otago B
Otago B had a resounding 74-10 win over Southland Country at Carisbrook on Saturday.
Rugby: Coach not impressed by victory
Rugby: Coach not impressed by victory
Dedicated defence and a magical four minutes of rugby late in the first half was counterbalanced by an inability to string together three or more phases in the second half which meant North Otago had to struggle to a bonus-point 29-20 victory over Wairarapa-Bush on Saturday.
Rugby: Otago go down 40-30 to BOP
Rugby: Otago go down 40-30 to BOP
Bay of Plenty maintained their challenge for a semifinals spot as they beat Otago 40-30 tonight to chalk up a third straight victory in the national provincial rugby championship.
Rugby: Success up to individuals, captain says
Rugby: Success up to individuals, captain says
Players need to take individual responsibility for their play and when chances are on offer they simply must be taken, Otago captain Alando Soakai says.
Rugby: Bay of Plenty team named to play Otago
Rugby: Bay of Plenty team named to play Otago
The Bay of Plenty team to play Otago in a national provincial championship rugby match at Rotorua tomorrow has been named.