Steve Hepburn

Zingari-Richmond has turned to a woman to help revive its fortunes next year.

The Highlanders are playing a pre-season game in Alexandra.

A club sevens series has been organised as the spotlight starts to fall on the shorter version of the game.

Chelsea Whittaker is making up for lost time.

The Highlanders have tied up the services of utility back Josh McKay for two more years.

Former John McGlashan College First XV captain Rory Ferguson has been named in a Junior Kiwis squad.

The women's game continues to climb in recognition - and not just with bigger crowds turning up and the games being played at better venues.

It took an hour, but the Otago Spirit ran away from North Harbour in the end to win its opening Farah Palmer Cup match 27-13 in Dunedin on Saturday.

The benchmark has been set — now it is time to reach it consistently and push it even higher.

Otago has chalked up its first win of the Mitre 10 Cup with a convincing 50-17 win over Manawatu in Palmerston North this afternoon.

Otago Boys' High School has lost the South Island top four rugby final to Christchurch Boys’ High School.

The broom has swept through the Spirit and it is a new side that will open its account in the Farah Palmer Cup today.

It was somehow apt that Hawke’s Bay winger Mason Emerson got off a high tackle charge from last week’s game against Otago.

Naulia Dawai is back and doing what he loves to do — scoring tries.

Otago coach Ben Herring said he had no hesitation in giving the captaincy to the returning Michael Collins for tomorrow's game against Manawatu.

The changes and new structure of the Super Rugby competition may be decided by November.

Hooker  Liam Coltman will be available to play for Otago this week but halfback Josh Renton is set for a significant stint on the sideline.

Michael Cheika's biggest issue has to do with geography.

New Zealand Rugby is spending up to $7million more than it earns every year and with player costs rising, the pressure on the national union's balance sheet is increasing all the time.