Steve Hepburn

Otago captain Paul Grant should be right for this weekend's match against North Harbour while long-time absentee Tony Ensor is also a chance to get back on the field.

The Otago boxers who won national titles at the national amateur championships in Auckland are (from left) Bridgette Sefton, Matt Crawford and Cherine Henry, at the New Zealand Fight and Fitness Academy yesterday.

The Highlanders have not discussed Andrew Hore's future but suggestions he has fallen out with coach Jamie Joseph have been labelled ''ridiculous''.

Oh well, what a nine days it was. Otago relinquished the Ranfurly Shield yesterday, losing to Hawkes Bay 20-19 in a titanic battle at Forsyth Barr Stadium in front of a crowd of 18,185.

That was massive. All those years of hurt, that pain caused by those close losses. Well, those wounds have healed. They have been cleared.

Heart. That is what won the Ranfurly Shield for Otago last night, coach Tony Brown said.

This is when the serious stuff starts. With the ITM Cup just around the corner, Otago has just 80 minutes to get the wheels turning - and in the right direction - before it really matters.

The Highlanders have not shut the door on Ma'a Nonu but have not heard from the midfield back or his agent since April.

The Highlanders are seeking to play all their home games in Dunedin next year and scratch Invercargill from their playing itinerary.

Otago has retained the core of its side from last season, adding six new faces, in its squad to contest the ITM Cup this season.

Otago timed its run to perfection to win its opening ITM Cup match, beating Bay of Plenty 32-29 at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.

The Otago Rugby Football Union admits it still has dozens of requests to take the Ranfurly Shield out among the community, but hopes holding the shield for nine days will give the Otago side a shot in the arm.

The next Dan Carter or Richie McCaw could have been on display at Logan Park over the past couple of days.

Otago faces three games in nine days, which will decide the fate of its season, and coach Tony Brown says his team must recover quickly from Saturday's disappointment.

Otago has a foot in the door of the Champions League semifinals, although coach Vaughn Johnson was not handing out the plaudits after its latest win.

Andrew Hore is gone and Tony Woodcock is all but out the exit door as the Highlanders continue to cull players.

Otago will be without captain Paul Grant in its crunch derby match against Southland at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.

It took seven years but Ezra Taylor played his blazer game for Otago last Friday night.

The ride home to success - or oblivion - starts tonight.

Otago is heading into the home straight and knows a win over Southland this afternoon will have the winning post - well, the playoffs - within reach.