Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman faces significant time on the sideline after being taken out in the game against the Sharks last week.
Early evidence shows the new rules introduced around the breakdown are leading to more tries being scored and a cleaner game, the country's referee boss says.
North Otago club rugby does not have any problems with discipline, despite a coach being stood down for verbally abusing a referee, its chief executive says.
Former Silver Fern Farms chief executive Keith Cooper is the new chairman of the Otago Rugby Football Union.
Highlanders midfield back Jason Emery is gone for three games but the blow may be softened by the impending return of winger Waisake Naholo.
Peter Sellers possessed a sharp mind right to the end.
The Highlanders will play their first game tonight in what is their 21st season. Today, the Otago Daily Times names the winner of its dream team competition and rugby writer Steve Hepburn outlines how it came to settle on its starting XV.
Intense competition for places is making Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph's job difficult but it is not a problem he is complaining about.
What the heck happened across the ditch last night?
The Highlanders have started the process to find a new head coach but the leading candidate has ruled himself out of the job.
As another name bites the dust, another couple have emerged as speculation continues about who will coach the Highlanders next year.
The Highlanders and their fans have had two weeks of stewing.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph admits losing a man for all but 15 minutes of the match had a huge impact on last night's narrow loss to the Sharks.
Dunedin swimmer Caitlin Deans could probably not have got any closer to qualifying for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
Mia O'Keefe (20), of Dunedin, and Jack Hurst (19), of Invercargill, pictured at the Sargood Centre in Dunedin last night, are among a total of 14 parafed athletes from the southern region who will journey to Cambridge for the Junior Disability Games, which start this afternoon.
Athletic Marist will be able to cover the loss of three players who were banned following a hearing in Oamaru on Wednesday night.
Jamie Joseph has shown some nice pieces of timing in his playing and coaching career.
The Highlanders have five games before the break for the international test window. How they do in that run will decide their future in the 2016 season. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at five things they need to achieve.
The Highlanders welcome back Ben Smith and Elliot Dixon to their side after a week off to take on the Sharks in Dunedin tomorrow night.
One player has been banned for a year and others have been also given bans after a hearing last night following an incident in North Otago club rugby last Saturday.
