The New Zealand Universities crews continued their dominance of transtasman rowing with their third successive win over Australia in Sydney this month.
Former Dunedin mountain biker Kashi Leuchs will contest his third Olympic Games in the gruelling cross-country event in Beijing.
The All Blacks will have some inside knowledge of the Wallaby camp because players from the Crusaders understand the tactics and strategies that coach Robbie Deans is expected to use in the Tri-Nations tests, All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter says.
Mils Muliaina's record-breaking game ended in disappointment when the All Blacks were beaten by the Springboks at Carisbrook on Saturday night.
Anthony Boric was thrust into a leadership role when senior lock Ali Williams left the field late in the first half.
The lack of a reliable openside flanker is the big problem facing the Otago selectors and it was not solved during the warm-up game between Otago and Southland at Tahuna Park on Saturday.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is an optimist. He believes South Africa can break the hoodoo of the "House of Pain" and win its first test against the All Blacks at Carisbrook today.
What began as a dream 14 years ago will turn into reality for lock at Carisbrook tonight when he has his first run-on test for the All Blacks.
All Blacks attack coach Wayne Smith believes there is a case to extend the application of video technology to help referees get decisions correct in the heat of a tough rugby test.
Rudi Wulf's fairytale return to rugby reached its climax when he made his test debut for the All Blacks against England last month.
All Black great Jeff Wilson went to the same secondary school and was the hero for Mils Muliaina when he was growing up in Invercargill.
Homing pigeon racing is a minority sport, but Thomas Bishop never feels lonely because he is always surrounded by his birds.
The selectors' gamble has paid dividends with Ma'a Nonu becoming the All Blacks' midfield dynamo this year.
It will be a special time for All Black flanker Adam Thomson when he plays his first test on his home ground at Carisbrook against the world champions on Saturday.
The strong turnout of supporters at the public day in Dunedin this morning indicates that the 2008 All Blacks have won back the fans.
The All Blacks passed the test. They muscled up in the forwards and beat South Africa at what is traditionally the Springbok strength in the tight forwards.
Andrew Hore still keeps in touch with his mates in the Maniototo Rugby Football Club when he is on All Black duty.
The win at the Cake Tin was a bit of a cake walk for the All Blacks, but coach Graham Henry believes that the Springboks will come out firing at Carisbrook on Saturday.
Dunedin nurse Shireen Crumpton (Hill City) will be seeking a personal-best time when she races in her 14th marathon on the Gold Coast tomorrow.
Jessica Todd (Combat Sports) was in dominant form and won three gold medals at the South Island wrestling championships at Mosgiel at the weekend.