February 13 - 1997 Otago finish UK tour

Otago ended their seven match tour of the UK unbeaten in 1997. Their last match on February 13 was against Richmond in Richmond and resulted in a 12 try romp.

It was a strong Otago squad of 29 players sent North for the tour with six All Blacks. Kees Meeuws, Carl Hoeft, Taine Randell, Isitolo Maka, Stu Forster and Simon Culhane.

Mid-tour Otago played an England A XV in Bristol. and won convincingly 42-15. They were most troubled by practiced combinations, London Irish (won 28-14) and Bath (won 31-18).

Only two weeks after returning many of the Otago team were turning out for the Highlanders in the Super 12 competition. Perhaps the elongated season was a reason for the poor Highlanders season. They finished last with just 3 wins from 11 matches.

The Otago team won the Air NZ NPC in 1998.