Steve Hepburn

It has all come very quickly for Cory Jane. When he arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday, he had little idea of how the week would pan out.

Liam Messam has had a year to remember.

The time is right to put Ben Smith into centre, All Black coach Steve Hansen says.

Blue Mountain College head boy Gavin Stark has seen the top levels of rugby and wants to experience some more.

Cory Jane is back in the black jersey and is likely to line up for the All Blacks when they take on the Wallabies at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

Otago coach Tony Brown admits his side owes Hawkes Bay one and he hopes strong-running loose forward TJ Ioane will be back for the semifinal next Sunday.

Paul Grant has been one of Otago's best players this year. But his chances of getting a Super 15 contract look slim. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the No 8 and how, sometimes, selection can often come down to perception, rather than reality.

Jonathon White, who has refereed for more than a decade at first-class level, will control his 116th and final first-class match on Sunday when Otago plays Auckland at Forsyth Barr Sadium.

The Australians are coming next week and it appears the English could be in Dunedin next year.

Rory Ferguson is a fast learner on the rugby league paddock.

The Highlanders will kick off their season against the Blues, meaning Forsyth Barr Stadium is likely to host the competitive rugby debut of Benji Marshall.

Otago has made some predictable changes, handing run-on debuts to two of its young backs for the game against Northland tomorrow night.

Green Island's finest, Ben Smith, will not want this year to end.

Otago has given itself a chance of hosting a semifinal following its win over North Harbour in Auckland on Saturday.

Otago Volts coach Vaughn Johnson is extremely proud of his side but is not about to rest on his laurels.

The Wallabies will be in Dunedin for less than 48 hours for the Bledisloe Cup test, and the All Blacks are also arriving later than usual.

Sometimes you do not know what you've got until it's gone.

It is the biggest test of the year when the All Blacks play the Springboks at Ellis Park on Sunday morning (NZ time). Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at five epic battles between the foes.

Francis Saili will turn out for North Harbour in its match against Otago on the North Shore tomorrow as the side looks to bounce back from a heavy defeat.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is confident new recruits Tom Franklin and Gareth Evans are good enough to play Super 15 and will bring more than just youth and enthusiasm to the team.