You know times are tough when a professional rugby side has to practise catching and passing at training; when the side's two best players cannot do even a simple draw and pass in one game, butchering a golden try-scoring opportunity.
Otago deputy chairman Laurie Mains cannot name any new players yet but says it is looking very promising that the union will have new talent next year.
The All Black side to tour the northern hemisphere, and to stop in Hong Kong on the way to play the Australians, will be named tomorrow night. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at a possible squad and who, if anyone, will receive a new cap.
Otago coach Phil Mooney says he has every intention of seeing his contract through and he has lost none of his enthusiasm for the job.
The Highlanders are due to be named next month, under new coach Jamie Joseph for the first time. But how many of the 32 players will come from Otago? Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the chances of those in blue and gold of making the side.
Waikato took its chances, the visitors butchered theirs, and Otago came up a distant second in Hamilton last night.
All Black lock Tom Donnelly will be back in the blue and gold this week in his only appearance for Otago this season.
It was nail-biting stuff but the home side did enough to triumph at Littlebourne yesterday.
Chris Noakes is feeling like most of those watching Otago this season - frustrated and disappointed.
It was gutsy, it was brave but, in the end, the bigger, stronger and faster boys came out on top.
The wildlife in the paddocks around John McGlashan College pupil Grant Ramsay's residence must have a short lifespan in the holiday
Otago Country won the twenty/20 inter-districts competition at Tonga Park yesterday, getting home on the back of a whirlwind innings from Neil Broom.
The Otago board will not be sitting on its hands in the off-season and has already begun working to make sure this horror season is never repeated.
Otago captain Alando Soakai says the 2011 season has started already and player recruitment must be the priority for the union.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph continues to assemble his squad and has brought some exciting young talent into the team, though there is an injury cloud over one of his new signings.
Southland manager Leicester Rutledge has been appointed the new manager of the Highlanders.
It is a long way from the playing fields of Clinton Primary School but it is still about sport for Kereyn Smith.
Departing Academy of Sport South Island chief executive Kereyn Smith says the organisation will go from strength to strength.
Otago will give a run-on debut to centre Paula Kinikinilau tomorrow in its match against Manawatu to decide the wooden spoon.
Otago has two representatives in a new-look national side to contest the fastnet series in the United Kingdom next month.
