Wellington sets gaze on Log O' Wood.

September 22, 2005

Big game this weekend looks to be Canterbury defending the Ranfurly Shield against the Wellington Lions. Suspended All Black Jerry Collins returns to action with the Lions, but odds favour the shield holders.

This Saturday also sees the long-awaited return after ankle-injury of All Black hooker Anton Oliver as Otago hosts Taranaki. There's also other NPC action in New Zealand, the Currie Cup in South Africa and the Zurich Premiership in England. We'll try to get up to speed on all the big stories over the course of the next week and prepare for the international end-o-year tours in Europe.

Final note: it was damn fine to see 30,000 fans turn up to watch Madagascar beat Ivory Coast 30-10 in World Cup pool play last weekend, it's a shame we can't see crowds half that big for international test matches in Canada and the United States. Must be patient ...