Steve Hepburn

Players chief Rob Nichol says it is unfair to blame "overpaid" players for the financial mess in which Otago rugby has found itself.

More than 130 years of rugby history is likely to come to a juddering halt on Friday when the Otago Rugby Football Union, saddled with debts of more than $2.2 million, goes into liquidation.

Injured Highlanders first five-eighth Chris Noakes is still a chance to play in the derby match against the Crusaders but Colin Slade is a definite non-starter.

Tamati Ellison thought he would last 40 minutes on Saturday night.

Phil Burleigh has not taken long to become a committed Highlanders man.

The Highlanders started their season in the best way possible with a win over a misfiring Chiefs outfit.

Jimmy Cowan enjoyed a rest but is ready for the hard work to begin.

Call it the confusing case of the mystery million.

The Highlanders will go into their first game of the season with nearly a third of their side unavailable and the side's two Japanese-based players unlikely to fill the gaps.

It was not instant attraction when Hosea Gear first met Jamie Joseph.

Every sportsman goes through it - and looking at the season, the Highlanders are going to experience it this year.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew has given the first hint the Otago board may be asked to step aside in the wake of the union's financial troubles.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew will arrive in Dunedin today but is not making any promises about helping out the cash-strapped Otago union.

The Otago Rugby Football Union is set to post a loss of "several hundred thousand dollars" and admits it cannot pay creditors.

A meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union board tomorrow may play a hand in the future of the Otago union.

It was the sort of start that only the most optimistic of Highlanders fans would have hoped for.

Patrick Jones is small enough to hide, but he is fast winning a reputation which makes him hard to ignore.