Steve Hepburn

Growing your own is best in the long run

Overseas players may paper over the cracks but in the end the player stocks have to be from within NZ's borders - no matter how good or how bad they are, writes Steve Hepburn.

Emotions ran high as Southland stood its ground

Rugby Park Stadium was sold out for the game. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Emotions ran high as Southland stood its ground

The last time Otago and Southland clashed in a Ranfurly Shield match was in 2010. A train headed south to Invercargill, a crowd of 17,500 rocked up, and 80 minutes of high drama played out.

Plenty to sort out before return test - or is it too late?

TJ Perenara clears the ball from a ruck during the All Blacks loss to Australia. Photo: Getty Images

Plenty to sort out before return test - or is it too late?

The record defeat against the Wallabies was a shock to most All Black fans. But is it the end of an era of All Black dominance or just a forgettable night where it all went against them?

Shield should ensure decent crowd

Shield should ensure decent crowd

Neither side going into this Saturday's Ranfurly Shield challenge will bring much form into the match but the trophy should ensure a decent crowd.

Policy to select local players: Kinley

Policy to select local players: Kinley

Otago and Southland are not alone in bringing in overseas talent to plug gaps as most sides look to bolster line-ups in the provincial competition.

Otago endures 'one of those weekends'

Otago midfield back Sio Tomkinson is tackled by Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Dan Hollinshead...

Otago endures 'one of those weekends'

Every team has a stinker in them. Otago found it early this season.

King's recovers to beat Southland Boys' for place in final

King's High School got over a poor start to rack up its first win over Southland Boys' High School in more than 20 years on Saturday to make the final of the Otago premier schools competition.

Otago thumped in Cup opener

Otago has been beaten heavily in its opening Mitre 10 Cup match of the season.

OBHS to meet King's in final

King's High School will play Otago Boys High School in the final of the Otago premier schools final next week.

New names in outside backs due to injuries

Otago assistant coach Ben Herring at Otago training at Logan Park earlier this week. Photo by...

New names in outside backs due to injuries

Injuries to Otago's outside backs have led to new names taking spots for the side's first game of the Mitre 10 Cup tomorrow.

Nothing new about losing staff to ABs

Nothing new about losing staff to ABs

The All Blacks need the best to succeed although it may be coming at the cost of the Highlanders.

Martin confirms application for Otago job

Otago attack coach Ryan Martin (right) casts his eye at training at the Edgar Centre earlier this...

Martin confirms application for Otago job

Ryan Martin first started coaching with the West Taieri under-10 side.

SBW - should he stay or go?

SBW - should he stay or should he go?

There's a squeeze on and someone is going to have to miss out. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at who is going to make the All Blacks for the World Cup. Today, he considers the midfield.

Otago under-19 well prepared for season ahead

Otago under-19 well prepared for season ahead

Otago under-19 will not lack for preparation when the side gets into its work tonight and when the serious stuff begins next week.

Hawke's Bay, Tasman backed for titles

Mitchell Hunt tries to break a tackle for Tasman against the Sassenachs in their preseason game...

Hawke's Bay, Tasman backed for titles

The Mitre 10 Cup kicks off this week and, as usual, there are some contenders and a few pretenders. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the 14 teams that will try to get to the big dance.

Invercargill host deal terminated

Highlanders boss Roger Clark says Invercargill has not been ruled out as a future host of Super Rugby games, but the franchise wanted flexibility in staging games.