Steve Hepburn

Dave Barnett laughs when people say he has the best seat in the house.

The Highlanders will head off to South Africa today with some confidence but a couple of areas to improve in their game.

Add yet another big, strong, athletic loose forward to the ranks.

Clutha Valley has plenty of motivation to succeed this season and has made a great start.

The colts grade in the Dunedin competition has shrunk by more than a third in seven years as player numbers continue to take a hit.

This should be a walk in the park for the Highlanders.

Do not take your boots up to the top half of the North Island this week - chances are you could get a a call to play Super Rugby.

Highlanders winger Tevita Li is going home to catch up with family and friends, but his new home is proving hard to leave.

Otago has retained a couple of front rowers and a couple of backs for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season.

Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown has never played a full 80 minutes of rugby for the side but after a neck injury last year he is glad to get even one minute.

The Blues are up next and any talk of easybeats has been dismissed by the Highlanders.

Palmerston's Courtney Duncan has hit the front in the women's motocross world championship series after two comfortable race wins in Portugal.

The Highlanders hit the road for a month but coach Aaron Mauger is eyeing the trip as time to bond and get the team closer.

Highlanders midfielder Rob Thompson is a team man.

The Highlanders have come home strong in the second half to record a convincing victory over the Brumbies at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

A date to return to the field — if at all — is still unclear for felled Highlanders prop Brendon Edmonds.

He roams around — both on and off the field.

A veteran and a big, bashing newcomer are back in the Highlanders to meet what is expected to be a physical challenge from the Brumbies.

The Highlanders have presented offers to loose forwards Luke Whitelock and Elliot Dixon and the franchise is also talking to former fan favourite Marty Banks.

The Highlanders do not play the Sunwolves this year but a Japanese side will take on the franchise this season.