Steve Hepburn

Otago rugby captain Craig Newby says the team is trying hard and has not quit, but he feels there is too much training in modern rugby.

Wellington appears to have done Otago a favour in naming a less than full-strength side for the clash between the two sides at Carisbrook tomorrow night.

Otago has finally landed its big catch, signing Northland winger Fetu'u Vainikolo until the end of 2010.

In past years this would have been a battle between two top-of-the-table sides.

When it all mattered, Otago put on a shocker.

As an Otago season best left forgotten comes to an end, the thoughts are with the future. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn talks to loose forward Paul Grant, who has been talked of by coach Steve Martin as a player for the future.

The dropping of the New Zealand Golf Open from the European Tour was not a disappointment but more of a help, organisers of the Wakatipu-based event said yesterday.

Four players have been signed by the Otago Rugby Football Union to turn out for the Highlanders next year, but they will be loaned back to their provinces for the 2009 national provincial competition.

Winger Carla Hohepa and prop Beth Mallard have been selected for the Black Ferns squad to play Australia in two tests in Canberra this month.

Otago coach Steve Martin always knew his side had a good performance in it, and said there was plenty of determination in the players this week after they came in for some criticism.

Good things come to those who wait. Well, it was worth the wait for Otago supporters.

Sport is like life: unfair at times, even cruel. But for every low, there is usually a high. Unfortunately for Otago supporters, and the team, there have been far more lows than highs this season.

Craig Newby will be all over Carisbrook tomorrow night.

Jamie Joseph says his Wellington side has plenty to play for when it takes on Otago at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

It was not the way Craig Newby wanted his rugby career in New Zealand to end. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn talks to the Otago skipper about the past, present and future.

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.