Steve Hepburn

Three games in four days and international games at that.

The team is coming together, the players have started training and the coach has been confirmed.

There are some quality sides which will come to try to get the silverware at the Spartans 10s tournament at Miller Park tomorrow — and that is just in the over 35 years grade.

It may not decide the destiny of the season or cement spots in starting line-ups but there is some meaning in today’s pre-season match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders in Temuka.

One player will come under more examination than most as the Highlanders start their season in Temuka tonight.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown has given the thumbs up to rule changes.

Some big names are missing, but the Highlanders will give new boys a run in the first game of the season.

Japanese loose forward Kazuki Himeno has made it to New Zealand but it may be a wait to see him in action.

Otago Harbour is not for the faint-hearted when it comes to rowing.

The Otago Volts did not have much to cheer about in their twenty20 campaign.

He got his first bike when he was 8 and has been trading up ever since.

The Smiths - a four-piece band from Manchester in the 1980s. Or a family of cricketers who lined up for the first time on Saturday for the Clutha Comets.

The Steel is positive about getting the side’s star shooter into the country for the season but is still waiting for the all-clear.

Bruce Taylor set amazing records overseas but he ended his playing days rolling his arm over in third grade in Dunedin.

Queenstown golfer James Anstiss has come oh so close to his first win on the Australasian Tour.

Spark Sport believes it has delivered a very high standard of cricket coverage, but is unable to say how many people are watching.

The grass is green, the gates are all open and a new team is running the show at Wingatui.

It has been a hell of a week for Nico Porteous, and he is hoping it is just as good in a year’s time.