Laney: I hope it's not the last

Otago fans will pay tribute to one of their favourite sons, Brendan Laney, at Carisbrook tomorrow.

But the versatile "Chainsaw" Laney hopes Otago's match against Taranaki will not be his final appearance there. He is due to take up a contract with the Edinburgh Reivers on November 10.

"It would be nice to play at least another two games here for sure," he said yesterday at the ground where he has become something of a cult hero.

Otago still have a good chance of making and possibly hosting one of the semifinals.

"I would like to have another game or two here before I say goodbye," Laney said.

Cardboard chainsaw cut-outs will be handed out to fans at the match and a "Laney-A-Thon" at halftime is planned, including a chainsaw sculpted from wood.

Greg O'Brien, the union's marketing manager, said judges would select some members from the crowd to perform set tasks.

"They will be asked to score a try 'Boof' style, kick a goal like Brendan would, and then to make a noise like a chainsaw - simple really."

The crowd would then be asked to vote for the winner who would receive - what else - a chainsaw.

O'Brien acknowledged that tomorrow's tribute was one of the largest promotions for some time and recognised the tremendous contribution Laney had made to Otago rugby since his debut in 1995.

He described him as a player who led by example and one of Otago's most colourful players.

Officials are expecting a crowd of between 8000 and 9000 for the vital match.

Taranaki last won at Carisbrook in 1986. Such a result tomorrow would have disastrous consequences for Otago's top-four aspirations.

The match will be Taranaki's final of the season. Otago have one remaining, away to Wellington next weekend.

- NZPA