Steve Hepburn

Colin Slade's availability for the start of the season is still up in the air.

If you can't go to Europe for expertise then let the expertise come to you.

Coast to Coast organiser Robin Judkins says he will consider suggested changes to the event but it is a business and has to make money.

It has been a hallmark of their play in the past two seasons but it was strangely amiss at Taupo on Saturday.

Brad Thorn will not get a chance to ease himself back into New Zealand rugby.

Otago outside back Matt Faddes is on the sevens payroll.

There has been a long list of talents who have been on the openside flank for the All Blacks. He is the flier, the fetcher, the link man. Steve Hepburn looks at 10 of the best.

They are the men who pilot teams around the field. New Zealand has had plenty of quality servants at first five-eighth. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn ranks the top 10 of the pivots.

Otago has gone to the top of the table after a heart-stopping win over Auckland at Eden Park in their HRV Cup clash last night.

When the Gooches from Gisborne head away, they pack more than toothbrushes and spare pairs of undies.

As 2013 looms in front of us, Steve Hepburn looks into the crystal ball and predicts who is going to grab the glory.

Otago gets its chance under the bright lights at the big ground tonight but for coach Vaughn Johnson, it is the same old story - play the basics and play as a team.

Steve Hepburn identifies the top five stories in New Zealand sport in 2012.

Steve Hepburn identifies the top five stories in world sport in 2012.

Crime fiction can be a mixed bag but Connelly is always good and this yarn, one of his earliest, is the best I have read.

He is our captain, and already an All Blacks great. When he retires, he may be considered the greatest of all. But Richie McCaw is not getting any younger. He is in the middle of a long break, and it is impossible to say whether his motivation to continue will be as strong when he returns. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn ponders the McCaw issue.

New Zealand rugby has produced plenty of champions in three positions - fullback, first five-eighth and openside flanker. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at a possible top 10 in each position in a brief series, starting with the men at the back.

The Otago Sparks timed their run to perfection yesterday, getting home by seven wickets against the Northern Spirit at the University Oval.