Steve Hepburn

Otago centre Matt Faddes has been floating around the Otago team for five years.

The Highlanders are all set to play in Hong Kong in February in a mouthwatering clash against Toulon.

The All Blacks will arrive in England this weekend, with one mission, and one mission only - to win the World Cup. It will take a total team effort but some of the players are more important than the others. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn picks three players who are vitally important for the World Cup cause.

Japan's upset win over the Springboks was not a total surprise, those with connections to the game in that country say.

Otago coach Cory Brown paid tribute to his players after his side's record win over Southland on Saturday night, but he is not getting ahead of himself.

Otago Rugby Football Union chairman Andrew Rooney is moving on, and is gaining his wings again.

Seek and destroy.

Southland prop and captain Jamie Mackintosh says he was embarrassed to get a red card but believes it should have been reviewed before he was dismissed.

Southland skipper Jamie Mackintosh was the hero for Southland five years ago when his side and Otago met in a Ranfurly Shield classic in Invercargill. 

Comment: Well that was a waste of a good 80 - actually make that 113 - minutes.

It will be an uplifting experience for many in Dunedin over the weekend, although they will be lying down on the job.

Fletcher Smith is partway through his education - both on and off the field.

The Otago under-19 side heads into tomorrow's opening match of the national tournament with plenty of incentive to do well.

Otago welcomes back two of its key forwards for the derby match against Southland at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.

The Taieri Hockey Club is celebrating its 100th birthday this weekend, although it is a combined birthday of sorts.

Tim Boys is something of a rare creature these days.

COMMENT: As far as starts go, this one was good enough.