Steve Hepburn

It was the Smith mutual admiration show yesterday.

The Rebels, in fact any Australian side, should not lack for drive this weekend.

It has been a hectic sporting week for Ben Patston, mixing the small round balls and clubs with the oval ball and the rucks and mauls.

It is the last day of March today and that means sporting minds should switch to the Otago Sports Awards.

The Otago Rugby Football Union is to have a close look at player numbers at the end of the season.

Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman is sticking around for the next couple of seasons.

Neck exercises may be overlooked by club players which is leading to more impacts and possible concussions on the field.

Time is a great healer and it has helped Aaron Smith get over what he describes as a huge mistake.

Five years on from nearly going under, the Otago Rugby Football Union now has assets of $1.5 million and equity of just under $1 million.

When Aaron Smith first arrived in Dunedin he admits it was part of an adventure.

North East Valley 132 for four beat Carisbrook-Dn 130 by six wickets

Canberra is not the most exciting of places.

It will take a good couple of months to find out whether this was the start of something special or a false dawn.

How desperate is the Highlanders injury situation?

A trip to Borneo has not ended well for Otago players Gavin Stark and Jonathan Ruru.

Badminton can be used as a foundation for many different sports and offers plenty for those both young and old.

New Zealand Rugby is making progress in policing concussion and says there has been a major increase in detecting concussion on the field.

Highlanders halfback Kayne Hammington plays for Manawatu and wants to learn from the best - his provincial team-mate Aaron Smith. So he moved to Dunedin.

It was a day which probably summed up Otago's season.

There is zero chance the Highlanders are going to relax now their derby run is over.