Steve Hepburn

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.

Ella Hou made the most of her start to win the Ness Cup at the Caledonian Ground last night.

Any decision on whether the Otago Rugby Football Union supports or opposes private investment in the game is some way off.

Southland has lost one half of its batch of Super Rugby players.

Most of us do not have a degree from the London School of Economics.