Many players still heavily involved in the sport

THE Otago players involved in the 1998 National Provincial Championship final have hung up their boots but many are still heavily involved in the game.

That may be in a business sense, coaching the sport or working for a broadcaster. And many have remained in the South.

Fullback Jeff Wilson is work ing as a rugby analyst for Sky from Auckland while Brendan Laney also works for Sky at times although his main job is with a uniform and apparel business he owns in Christchurch.

Winger Romi Ropati is the coach of the Tahitian team while John Leslie founded his own rugby equipment and apparel business in Dunedin.

Tony Brown launched a successful coaching career and is the assistant coach of the Japanese national side although he still spends some time in Dunedin. Kees Meeuws is a real estate agent in Dunedin and also features occasionally on Sky.

Locks John Blaikie and Brendon Timmins both still live in Dunedin and Timmins is involved with the University club.

Prop Carl Hoeft is coaching in Japan while hooker Anton Oliver got married last year and is still thought to be living in London. Flanker Josh Kronfeld is in Auckland, working for Sky TV and on other projects.

Captain Taine Randell went overseas but has lived for the past 10 years back home in Hawke’s Bay.

Centre Reuben Parkinson spent a considerable time in Japan, playing for the Cherry Blossoms at the 2003 World Cup, and is living in Mount Maunganui.

No 8 Isitola Maka coached Tonga at the 2011 World Cup and is thought to be back in Tonga while halfback Byron Kelleher lives in France.

Replacements Kelvin Middleton and Simon Maling are on the land. Middleton is a farmer in Queenstown while Maling farms in the Upper Clutha region.