Steve Hepburn

Former Pakistan cricketer and long-time Dunedin coach Billy Ibadulla was given the honour of handing out the test caps to the Black Caps last night.

Otago coach Vaughn Johnson has blasted the tactics employed by Northern Districts in the match between the two sides which ended in a draw on Monday.

The new stadium is worth two extra players on the field, Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith believes.

Incorrect timekeeping on the big screen led to some knife-edge tension at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.

The Highlanders asked the questions and in the end got the right answers.

It has been a tumultuous week off the field for rugby in Otago.

Chris Martin will be walking down memory lane to prepare for the South Africans this week.

Even today's Oscar-winning script writer would be hard-pressed to come up with this pot-boiler.

Go into liquidation and start again. That emerged yesterday as the probable future for the Otago Rugby Football Union and for Otago rugby.

The Highlanders have again delayed naming their team for tomorrow's derby match against the Crusaders.

Brent Anderson hopes in about six months' time the ordinary club player in Otago will not have felt the impact of the demise of the Otago Rugby Football Union.

James Haskell admits he used to wear an old pair of Highlanders tracksuit pants around.

Players chief Rob Nichol says it is unfair to blame "overpaid" players for the financial mess in which Otago rugby has found itself.

More than 130 years of rugby history is likely to come to a juddering halt on Friday when the Otago Rugby Football Union, saddled with debts of more than $2.2 million, goes into liquidation.

Injured Highlanders first five-eighth Chris Noakes is still a chance to play in the derby match against the Crusaders but Colin Slade is a definite non-starter.

Tamati Ellison thought he would last 40 minutes on Saturday night.

Phil Burleigh has not taken long to become a committed Highlanders man.

The Highlanders started their season in the best way possible with a win over a misfiring Chiefs outfit.

Jimmy Cowan enjoyed a rest but is ready for the hard work to begin.