Hayden Meikle

It has been a tough season but the Highlanders, hoping to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat against the Chiefs tonight, have not lacked success stories.

Ian Foster is not being patronising when he says he knows just how the winless Highlanders are feeling.

Matt Dallow's nickname is Cougar, but to the Highlanders he can often seem more like a raging bull. Dallow is the member of Highlanders management the players most love to hate.

Tom Harding is the quintessential rugby nomad.

Aaron Bancroft, Hoani MacDonald and Chris King will make their first starts of the season when the Highlanders attempt to break a four-game losing streak against the Force in Queenstown on Saturday.

After losing three All Blacks, the Highlanders' front row was expected to struggle this year. But, while the side has struggled to score tries and slipped to four straight losses, the boys in the tight have stood tall. Rugby writer Hayden Meikle reports.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew is excited Dunedin is to build a new roofed stadium, but has again emphasised the national body can give neither money nor guarantees to the project.

Ezra Taylor has not played a game for the Highlanders this season, and now he won't get a chance.

When a game needs four discs, you just know you won't finish it  over a rainy weekend.

Highlanders 6 Hurricances 10 Deja vu. Another close loss and another bonus point, but the Highlanders are still frustratingly winless after four rounds of the Super 14.

James Wilson knows he can kick, wants to kick, and is backing himself to kick the Highlanders to a much-needed victory against the Hurricanes at Carisbrook tonight.

Highlanders captain Craig Newby is ready to play but is unsure whether his fitness will allow him to start against the Hurricanes on Friday night.