Steve Hepburn

Otago has made just one change to its side to take on Waikato in Hamilton tomorrow.

Kicking a goal to clinch the match for his side all comes back to practice, New Zealand Schools captain T. J. Perenara says.

The New Zealand Secondary Schools side has talent to burn but it will be the mental side of the game which may decide the outcome of its encounter with Australian Secondary Schools at Littlebourne today.

Thomas (TJ) Perenara has the genes and seems destined for a career in international rugby.

Glen Jackson is making more progress in his refereeing career than he dreamed possible.

Australian schools coach Pat Langtry is expecting a close game against the New Zealand Schools side in Dunedin tomorrow, and he should know.

The Sonny Bill Williams show rolled into town on Saturday and the big man did not disappoint.

The door may have been opened for foreign players to line up in Super rugby but the Highlanders are not rushing to put the welcome mat out.

Otago halfback Sean Romans admits it has been a tough year but says accusations the team was not playing with pride were hurtful.

Big No 8 Nasi Manu is coming back to the Highlanders and will be hoping to make a bigger impact than during his first season for the franchise.

Dunedin cyclist Greg Henderson's parents must have known something, while the man himself said in the end it was an easy decision not to go to the Commonwealth Games.

Otago showed character to get back into its game against Canterbury on Saturday but again made mistakes which proved extremely costly, coach Phil Mooney said.

Shorn of its best two players, lacking any form or fluency in its game, and facing a side jam-packed with talent, Otago really is walking into the lion's den this afternoon.

This girl stands out from the crowd.

Otago has made four changes to its starting side to take on Canterbury tomorrow but it will not have to face one of the red and blacks' bruising centres.

Otago lock Josh Townsend is heading north, having signed for Auckland for two years.

Rugby is the most popular sport in Otago player-wise and coaching numbers are also on the rise.

Jessica Hamill is like a lot of New Zealand athletes going to the Commonwealth Games next month.