Steve Hepburn

The Highlanders have their 2010 season awards evening next week. It would be fair to say it will be a short affair.

Southland coaches David Henderson and Simon Culhane are keeping their cards close to their chests on whether they want to coach the Highlanders next year, while Jamie Joseph looks a long shot to move south.

The Highlanders' season has drawn to a close on the field and now the off-field investigation begins, with coach Glenn Moore saying he is keen to continue in a job about which he cares passionately.

The Highlanders are about to finish their sixth straight year as the bottom-placed New Zealand team in the Super 14. But hope is on the horizon as the New Zealand Rugby Union moves to allow franchises to directly contract players.

The southern invasion is taking shape with a sold-out train set to journey to Invercargill on the day of Otago's Ranfurly Shield challenge.

Otago prop Keith Cameron dislocated his shoulder in a game on Sunday but should be right for the representative season.

A South Island competition has been set up this year for sides below first-class level.

The Highlanders would be interested in luring Sonny Bill Williams to the franchise, but it appears to be a long shot that the former Canterbury Bulldog would venture south.

Jamie Joseph knows nothing about coaching the Highlanders next year but says like any coach he would be interested in moving up to the next level.

All Black lock Tom Donnelly will take his first tentative step back to serious rugby when he lines up for Central Otago against South Otago in a Topp Cup match in Cromwell next month.

It is the big clash of the Highlanders First XV rugby competition.

A poor first half was followed by an inspired second, but the Highlanders still came up short against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Otago has signed two backs as it continues to build a side for the most crucial of seasons.

Highlanders chairman Ross Laidlaw admits the side is heading for a financial loss, but feels the franchise has a future in the south and an extensive review will begin as soon as the season ends.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has stepped in again to help stabilise and improve the position of the Highlanders franchise.

Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan has rejected suggestions the side is splintered and says the players want to end the season on a high.