Steve Hepburn

Sometimes, you just know what you are going to get.

The Highlanders are in a hole. And, as far as Hosea Gear can see, there is only one direction to go. Up.

A week from hell ended in a garden of roses for the Wellington Phoenix last night.

The Highlanders have named a new inside-back combination, dumping Aaron Smith and Colin Slade, as the side looks to rejuvenate its attack.

This one went exactly to form.

Sitting back and taking a good look at his game appears to have done halfback Aaron Smith plenty of good.

As he lay in a hospital bed with a massive leg infection, Matt Faddes' chances of playing for a national side in front of more than 100,000 fans seemed a distant dream.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has shaken up his forward pack, as both Joe Wheeler and Jamie Mackintosh come back into the starting side.

The Highlanders are fully aware they will be facing a side seeking to save face when they take on the Kings in South Africa on Sunday morning (NZ time).

John Hardie is just appreciating getting on the paddock.

The Highlanders are back in the dog box.

All roads lead increasingly to the Land of the Rising Sun for rugby players. All Black and Highlanders centre Tamati Ellison is the latest top player to head to Japan, as he rejoins Ricoh at the end of the Super 15. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at Japanese rugby and its attractions.

Kavanagh College believes any combined Dunedin co-educational team should be considered in the future but said a proposal along those lines did not gain traction this season.

Otago opening batsman Hamish Rutherford has signed for English county side Essex.

Kavanagh College has pulled out of the Highlanders First XV competition.

There has been an average of two referrals per Super 15 game under the new third-match-official laws, with most of those rulings relating to tries.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has blasted referee Jason Jaftha, saying his performance was a reflection of the inconsistent officiating seen in the Super 15 this season.

Tamati Ellison has invoked a clause in his contract and is heading overseas at the end of the Super 15.

Brice Ritani-Coe has come a long way from the front row of a scrum.

Otago Boys' High School is hunting for a hat trick of titles when the revamped Highlanders First XV competition starts tomorrow.