The moon on the 27th day: Otane: Central Hawkes Bay. The one line description: Wikipedia: "A small village with a school, general store, cafe, and pub." Otane: Place of man: fewer and fewer it would seem. Otane: OT to the kids: not much happening here.
Former All Blacks midfielder Francis Saili is out of the Auckland 22 ahead of the annual ITM Cup crossover grudge match with his old North Harbour union tomorrow at Eden Park.
Whether blowing away the opposition, edging nail-biters or grinding out patchy victories - Taranaki just keep on winning.
Tasman continue to impress during their maiden season in the ITM Cup’s Premiership division.
Hawkes Bay banished the bad memories of last year's brief Ranfurly Shield reign by blowing away Otago today to retain the Log o' Wood
Auckland coach Paul Feeney must be a master of the halftime team talk, though he probably wishes his oratory skills were less essential.
Auckland need more of the second-half commitment which saw them steal victory from Wellington when they face Bay of Plenty in today's crossover clash in Rotorua.
At the start of the ITM Cup many would have predicted the week five match between Canterbury and Wellington to be a clash of two unbeaten teams.
Northland have put in an impressive performance in the first game of their southern road-trip, defeating Otago and putting themselves clear in second place in the ITM Cup championship
Bay of Plenty broke a 12-match losing drought and North Harbour spirits with a rugged Championship win in Rotorua.
Manawatu confirmed their lofty position at the top of the ITM Cup Championship table with a decisive victory in Palmerston North
Hawke’s Bay’s Ranfurly Shield celebrations have officially ended after they were upset 23-21 by Northland.
Taranaki stormed into second spot in the ITM Cup premiership as their impressive season continued with a win over Southland today.
Auckland coach Paul Feeney is not entering the debate about why his three fringe All Blacks have not been released for today's ITM Cup Premiership match against Wellington at Eden Park.
Tasman prop Siua Halanukonuka’s first try in the ITM Cup has proven to be a valuable one.
It was less convincing on the scoreboard but Canterbury's narrow victory over Otago tonight was almost as impressive as their early-round routs.
There's obviously a lot of debate about the ITM Cup and its place in New Zealand rugby after the changes that mean there are games on almost every day of the week.
Waikato won an ugly, but priceless victory just three days after Taranaki wiped the mat with them.
Counties Manukau enjoyed their six-game, 12-month tenure, but had to cede to a superior, hungry Hawke's Bay outfit before a crowd of around 6500 in Pukekohe.
It's not just rugby fans who have to pay to get close to the All Blacks - these days their own provincial sides are forking out to have them in the team.
Revenge is in the air. So says Counties Manukau wing Sherwin Stowers as he contemplates how Hawkes Bay might approach their work in this afternoon's Ranfurly Shield clash at Pukekohe.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for Wellington, it has.
There won't be many more lopsided affairs on paper in this year's ITM Cup than Canterbury hosting Northland and for the opening quarter of last night's contest, the Taniwha held their own.