Close, but not close enough. Otago came up short, in familiar fashion, against Northland yesterday, beaten 13-8 in a match which could have gone either way.
Otago loose forward Adam Thomson's playing future - including a trip to the Commonwealth Games - is in doubt after he suffered a knee injury yesterday.
A series of meetings will take place around the province next month to explain proposed changes to the way the Otago union conducts amateur rugby.
Otago will send its biggest team for more than 20 years to the national boxing championships in Christchurch next week as the sport continues to pull itself off the mat.
The Southern Lakes Scholarship scheme - set up to develop rugby talent for Otago - has made a great start with enough funding secured already to bankroll the first year.
Adam Thomson says Delhi could be a dangerous place and he wants to make sure all security promises are met when he arrives in the Indian city for the Commonwealth Games.
It will be roll up your wheels at Carisbrook on Sunday as vehicles tread the turf.
After making the big decision to stay with the Highlanders for the next two years, Adam Thomson has a big month ahead. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn talks to the loose forward about sevens and bringing up a milestone for Otago.
The Highlanders will kick off the expanded Super 15 competition next year with a match against the Hurricanes, and they will not face the Sharks or the Reds at all.
The All Blacks could not have done any better. Won every game in the Tri-Nations. Put South Africa to the sword. Victorious in the close ones that really mattered. It really was a great year...
Otago coach Phil Mooney admits his side has played better and lost, but it will take the win over Tasman yesterday.
The Otago Spirit put it all together in Temuka on Saturday to down Canterbury 22-5.
Otago lock Hoani Matenga takes to the stage every week. The rugby stage, that is, but it could easily have been a music platform.
Beth Mallard will play her 50th game for Otago tomorrow, something she never envisaged when she first picked up a rugby ball.
With the Rugby World Cup due to start one year from today, rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks into the crystal ball to see what may happen in the 365 days before the big event.
Halani Aulika says he used to look up to the man he now finds himself playing beside.
Otago swimmers performed well at the South Island championships in Queenstown over the weekend.
Otago captain Alando Soakai said his side just had to do whatever was needed to win yesterday.
Otago hooker Peter Mirrielees was stood down from yesterday's game because of an incident last week.
Auckland bowler Jamie Hill is not one of those sportsmen who need hours of preparation.