Steve Hepburn

The New Zealand Masters Games has made money from the World Masters Games which took place in Auckland last year.

It is touch and go whether Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga will leave the franchise as its highest individual points-scorer.

The theme of the season continued for the Highlanders - not much ball, little territory but still doing enough to win the game - just.

Highlanders openside flanker James Lentjes has taken a step nearer the action by being picked in the side’s travelling squad that left for South Africa over the weekend.

Alhambra Union gained its first win of the season when it beat Kaikorai at Bishopscourt this afternoon.

Cromwell pharmacist Jackie Hamilton has had a eye-opening start to the year. Sports editor Steve Hepburn catches up with the squash referee.

Dave Barnett laughs when people say he has the best seat in the house.

The Highlanders will head off to South Africa today with some confidence but a couple of areas to improve in their game.

Add yet another big, strong, athletic loose forward to the ranks.

Clutha Valley has plenty of motivation to succeed this season and has made a great start.

The colts grade in the Dunedin competition has shrunk by more than a third in seven years as player numbers continue to take a hit.

This should be a walk in the park for the Highlanders.

Do not take your boots up to the top half of the North Island this week - chances are you could get a a call to play Super Rugby.

Highlanders winger Tevita Li is going home to catch up with family and friends, but his new home is proving hard to leave.

Otago has retained a couple of front rowers and a couple of backs for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season.

Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown has never played a full 80 minutes of rugby for the side but after a neck injury last year he is glad to get even one minute.

The Blues are up next and any talk of easybeats has been dismissed by the Highlanders.

Palmerston's Courtney Duncan has hit the front in the women's motocross world championship series after two comfortable race wins in Portugal.

The Highlanders hit the road for a month but coach Aaron Mauger is eyeing the trip as time to bond and get the team closer.

Highlanders midfielder Rob Thompson is a team man.