The Last Word

Reaction has been mixed to our columns earlier this week debating whether or not it was worth New Zealand sending a team to the Winter Olympics.

Sports reporters cop plenty of flak for (allegedly) being negative, critical, unbalanced and occasionally nasty.

Halbergs got it wrong It's become very fashionable to bag the Halberg Trust, which hands out New Zealand's premier sporting awards and never finds favour with everyone.

An Open and shut case There are so many questions swirling around the New Zealand Open and its future at The Hills.

Sign up for Alison Are you angry? I am.

• One shot for glory I honestly can't recall getting this excited about a football game not involving Liverpool since I played in goal for the Oamaru Under-11s 21 years ago.

A new approach I don't know Greg Glendining of Glenross (try saying that five times quickly) but I do know he's made one of the most interesting suggestions in recent times.

On the Otago Daily Times letters page last week, Glendining wrote of his scepticism of the worth of New Zealand hosting a Rugby World Cup expected to lose as much as $40 million.

The mighty Stags This is their special moment, not ours, but Otago rugby fans must shelve any feelings of jealousy and embrace Southland's excitement at winning the Ranfurly Shield.