Steve Hepburn

Otago may have lost some talent from last year but it has named an experienced side to compete in the Mitre 10 Cup this season.

Dillon Hunt is fast turning into a tackling machine.

Otago captain Sam Anderson-Heather should be right to get back into the blue and gold jersey this year.

Former Otago midfielder Jayden Spence has been forced to give up rugby because of concussion.

The stand is going up and ticket are going out, with predictions next month's test will be a sell-out.

Good things come to those who wait.

As a defence coach, Glenn Delaney is looking positively about the new proposals around the tackle.

Dunstan High School won a seesawing battle over Otago Boys High School second XV at Alexandra on Saturday and with it kept control of its destiny.

This was a grind — a dogged battle in which little could split the sides.

The Highlanders will only have one full training run before one of their biggest games of the season — but the opposition is in the same boat.

It was a light round of action in the Otago Premier School competition today.

Former Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is talking to other associations and may have played his last game for the Volts.

Tevita Nabura’s Highlanders season looks as good as over.

This weekend is the time to be on your best behaviour on the sideline.

It has been a disrupted week for the Highlanders but now it becomes just about the men on the paddock.

Sheree Hume will bring up 100 games for the Pirates women’s team this afternoon and that in itself is a mighty effort.

If anyone needed an example of the haves and the have-nots in the Central Otago club competition then one only had to look at last Saturday's games.

The Highlanders will have their All Black commitments done and dusted after this week but will be without a few key men when they take on the Reds in Brisbane tomorrow night.

Mark Hammett will take charge of the Highlanders this weekend but he has experienced heads around him.