Steve Hepburn

Every team has a shocker in it and hopefully this was the Highlanders’ one and only for the season.

The hope is Highlanders utility back Richard Buckman will  be back on the field sooner rather than later.

The Highlanders have faith in their defence and say superior fitness is getting them home at the back end of games.

As the Highlanders head into the second match of their South African tour, the side is going to be without some key troops in the coming weeks.

The Highlanders are not deliberately handing the ball over and are looking to improve their ball possession.

Ash Dixon is not one for sentiment.

Sky Television is not going to televise any live first XV matches in the South this year.

A lack of front rowers led to two defaults in country rugby over the weekend as playing numbers continue to drop.

The New Zealand Masters Games has made money from the World Masters Games which took place in Auckland last year.

It is touch and go whether Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga will leave the franchise as its highest individual points-scorer.

The theme of the season continued for the Highlanders - not much ball, little territory but still doing enough to win the game - just.

Highlanders openside flanker James Lentjes has taken a step nearer the action by being picked in the side’s travelling squad that left for South Africa over the weekend.

Alhambra Union gained its first win of the season when it beat Kaikorai at Bishopscourt this afternoon.

Cromwell pharmacist Jackie Hamilton has had a eye-opening start to the year. Sports editor Steve Hepburn catches up with the squash referee.

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.