Wellington, Nov 25 NZPA - Canterbury rugby have retained the winning coaching combination of Rob Penney and Tabai Matson for next season.

Penney snared a second straight Air NZ Cup championship this season with Matson as his assistant.

The nominees for this year's Steinlager Rugby Awards, New Zealand's premier rugby awards, have been announced.

Wellington, Nov 8 NZPA - As Canterbury celebrated their first back-to-back successes in the national provincial competition in Christchurch on Saturday night, beaten Air New Zealand Cup rugby finalists Wellington were left cursing the hoodoo hovering over them at finals time.

Christchurch, Nov 5 NZPA - Canterbury intend exploiting Wellington's miserable finals record in their Air NZ Cup rugby finale in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Wellington, Nov 5 NZPA - Canterbury and Wellington have stuck with winning formulas, naming unchanged sides for Saturday's Air NZ Cup rugby final at Christchurch.

Wellington, Oct 28 NZPA - Canterbury are without lock James Broadhurst for the Air NZ Cup rugby semifinal against Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Friday night.

Wellington, Oct 27 NZPA - Canterbury has swept the honours in a poll of Air New Zealand Cup rugby players, with Dan Carter rated best player, Rob Penney top coach and hooker Corey Flynn an outstanding referee.

Wellington, Oct 21 NZPA - All eyes will be on Air NZ Cup rugby championship leaders Canterbury when they line up against Southland for their fifth and final Ranfurly Shield defence of the year.

Wellington, Oct 29 NZPA - Stephen Brett returns from a back injury to the Canterbury starting line-up for the Air NZ Cup and Ranfurly Shield rugby match against Southland at Christchurch on Thursday.

Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - All Blacks stars Dan Carter and Richie McCaw return to the Canterbury starting side for their Air NZ Cup table-topping rugby match against Hawke's Bay in Napier on Thursday.