Steve Hepburn

Otago opening batsman Hamish Rutherford has signed for English county side Essex.

Kavanagh College has pulled out of the Highlanders First XV competition.

There has been an average of two referrals per Super 15 game under the new third-match-official laws, with most of those rulings relating to tries.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has blasted referee Jason Jaftha, saying his performance was a reflection of the inconsistent officiating seen in the Super 15 this season.

Tamati Ellison has invoked a clause in his contract and is heading overseas at the end of the Super 15.

Brice Ritani-Coe has come a long way from the front row of a scrum.

Otago Boys' High School is hunting for a hat trick of titles when the revamped Highlanders First XV competition starts tomorrow.

The Highlanders have made just the one change to their starting line-up to take on the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning (NZ time).

The centre well is far from overflowing for the All Blacks at the moment. Richard Kahui has a bung shoulder, Conrad Smith has a sore head and Sonny Bill Williams is a Rooster. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the options for the national side.

They come from all corners of New Zealand to wear the blue and gold and now these youngsters are going the next step and donning the black jersey.

The Otago Rugby Referees Association has given its full support to a premier referee who ordered a spectator from the ground on Saturday afternoon, and says no referee should have to stand for abuse.

He may have won nearly everything going in two sports but for big Brad Thorn, winning on Saturday night was special.

The long-awaited return of Highlanders centre Tamati Ellison has been tempered by the niggly knee of Ma'a Nonu.

The Highlanders are finally victorious.

If ever there was a time to start a new chapter, this is it.

Win No 1, and for those that were there on Saturday night, it was worth waiting for.

It is not only the Highlanders who are having a season which is not going to plan.

The first half of the season has been nothing short of miserable for the Highlanders. Eight games, eight losses. But what lies ahead? Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at what could happen in the next eight games.