Adrian Seconi

Otago will put out plenty of new faces when it takes on Wellington at the Basin Reserve today as the first-class season gets under way for another year.

Otago has secured a home venue for the Championship final with a flawless effort in the semifinal against Tasman in Dunedin on Saturday.

One hundred minutes of rugby. One hundred minutes of drama.

The Otago Spirit will host Hawke's Bay in the Championship final after it dispatched Tasman 64-10 at Forsyth Barr Stadium today.

Otago Spirit rookie Bree Thomas is excited but nervous heading into the semifinal against Tasman in Dunedin this afternoon.

Welcome to the future of live sport - you buy your ice cream in one store and the cone in another.

Dunedin Gymnastic Academy head coach Carmel Leslie reckons the region is "punching" above its weight.

The Otago Spirit will be missing Black Ferns midfielder Kilisitina Moata'ane for its Championship semifinal against Tasman in Dunedin tomorrow.

Charles Elton winces a little when you ask him about playing lock. The 26-year-old hates the utility tag even more.

Drug Free Sport New Zealand and Cycling New Zealand have joined forces to launch a new anti-doping initiative at the Oceania Track Championships, which got under way in Invercargill yesterday.

There is one question Otago will have pondered more than any other this winter - how does it score more runs?

Mitchell brothers Morgan and Brayden finished the season on a high.

Olympian Eddie Dawkins is firmly focused on pedalling as fast as he can and upgrading his silver medal to a gold one at the Tokyo Games next year.

Southland had about 20 good minutes.

Get it wide, get it wide, get it - oops.

Otago coach Ben Herring had one overriding emotion following his side's 35-25 lost to Canterbury - pride.

The Ranfurly Shield will take up new residence in Christchurch.

The Ranfurly Shield will take up new residence in Christchurch.

Otago Spirit lock Julia Gorinski is the kind of player you can bank on.