Busting through the centre with the ABs' middlemen
Busting through the centre with the ABs' middlemen
They are big and bruising and make the breaks that often lead to tries. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the midfield backs for the All Blacks.
Steve Hepburn
Inside backs no strangers to pressure
Inside backs no strangers to pressure
They are the linchpin of any team - the ones who can win or lose a game. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn continues our series on the All Black squad by looking at the halfbacks and first five-eighths.
Rugby: Thorn relives bygone times
Rugby: Thorn relives bygone times
Brad Thorn walked down memory lane yesterday, meeting his first rugby coach, and rumbling around the fields of Cromwell, the town where it all started.
Greatest moments in Otago sport - Number 63
Greatest moments in Otago sport - Number 63
The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport. No 63: Rugby's first extra time (1992)
Time for Italy to step up
Time for Italy to step up
Italy is like that screaming teenager who sits at the kids' table at a wedding.
Rugby: Full advantage to be made of stadium
Rugby: Full advantage to be made of stadium
The Highlanders will be based at Forsyth Barr Stadium next year with the chances of games being played in Invercargill described as remote.
Rugby: Question mark over loose forwards
Rugby: Question mark over loose forwards
Since an oval ball was first passed in this country ,New Zealand has always had good loose forwards. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn views the five men tasked with helping the All Blacks get the ball, score some points and tackle the opposition.
Rugby: Affordability key to 14-team competition, Reid says
Rugby: Affordability key to 14-team competition, Reid says
Going back to a full 14-team domestic competition firstly has to be affordable, Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Reid says.
Rugby: Donnelly heading to Crusaders
Rugby: Donnelly heading to Crusaders
Former All Black lock Tom Donnelly will play for the Crusaders next season as the Highlanders look to free up cash to sign some gamebreakers.
Rugby: Waikato times run-in nicely
Rugby: Waikato times run-in nicely
The rapid-fire ITM Cup comes to a conclusion this weekend with first the Premiership final followed by the Championship shoot-out. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the two matches.
Rugby: Mix of youth, experience
Rugby: Mix of youth, experience
They are the engine room of the forward pack and win the ball in the lineout so without them a team is almost impotent. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the locks in the All Blacks.
Rugby: Otago's thoughts turn to next year
Rugby: Otago's thoughts turn to next year
The bulk of Otago's squad will be back next year but the future of the coaches is less clear-cut.
Rugby: Otago collects its reward
Rugby: Otago collects its reward
Otago blew the candles out on its season with some bang, dispatching top-of-the-table Manawatu at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.
Rugby: Doubts surround inconsistent England
Rugby: Doubts surround inconsistent England
Steve Hepburn profiles England in our series looking at the six teams visiting Dunedin during the Rugby World Cup.
Rugby: The front row: the men at the coal face
Rugby: The front row: the men at the coal face
In the first in a series breaking down the All Black squad, position by position, ahead of the World Cup, Steve Hepburn looks at the front row.
Average season but glimmer of improvement
Average season but glimmer of improvement
Average. In a way, that word sums up Otago's season.
Rugby: ABs must pile on pressure - Bunce
Rugby: ABs must pile on pressure - Bunce
Former All Black Frank Bunce believes the All Blacks are still the favourites for the World Cup and the side just has to use the pressure it is under to its advantage.
Rugby: Evans and Giddens return for Otago's stadium debut
Rugby: Evans and Giddens return for Otago's stadium debut
Gareth Evans and Sam Giddens are back in the Otago team to take on Canterbury tomorrow as the side finally gets to play at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Rugby: Otago must beat Tasman to remain in contention
Rugby: Otago must beat Tasman to remain in contention
The equation is quite simple for Otago tomorrow. In a season where it has been trying to regain some respect and credibility, it just has to beat a fast-improving Tasman team.
Rugby: Otago fails to make most of chances
Rugby: Otago fails to make most of chances
Otago huffed and puffed but was just not accurate enough to beat Waikato in Hamilton yesterday.