Steve Hepburn

D-Day has arrived for Otago and it is going into battle with some new and old reinforcements.

The dream continues for Otago.

The Highlanders salary budget has increased by more than 50% in the past two years but the side is not spending beyond its means, the franchise boss says.

Knockout rugby - it is not for the faint-hearted. Otago got home in a thriller at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin last night, winning 41-34 over Tasman and is now in the final of the ITM Cup championship.

Adam Thomson admitted the lungs were bursting after a rare 80-minute outing last night.

Brad Thorn admits it is "pretty cool" to come back to the place where his rugby career kicked off.

Playing rugby is about having fun with your mates.

The All Blacks and the Wallabies first clashed more than a century ago. If the All Blacks win tomorrow night it will mark 100 wins over the men in green and gold, from 146 matches. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back at five memorable victories over the Wallabies in the past 30 years.

The Highlanders are assembling a pretty good line-up. The acquisitions of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and Brad Thorn give an imposing look to the side. But there are still a few holes which need filling. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the positions under the spotlight.

Otago is hoping for a crowd of 8000 to 10,000 on Friday night for the semifinal between Otago and Tasman, but it will not be a huge financial windfall for the union.

Key Highlanders first five-eighth Colin Slade has started training and is aiming to be ready to take the paddock at the start of next season.

The Highlanders could have a dozen present or past All Blacks in their ranks next season with news that Ma'a Nonu has joined the team and with Brad Thorn expected to follow by the end of the week.

Billy Guyton is going to experience the opposite ends of the rugby world over the next couple of months.

In this year when Otago has gone back to the grass roots, you probably cannot get more of a blue and gold man than Karl Bloxham.

This is the match few, including it seems the Otago Rugby Football Union, expected.

A young cycle racer who slipstreamed behind a truck at the weekend was disqualified and given a firm lecture on the rules of racing.

Life is a series of lessons. Hopefully Otago has learnt one from last Saturday night and uses the knowledge to maximum effect, but it will be tough for the home team when it takes on Auckland at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

The All Blacks in 2012 have swept all before them and that inevitably leads to talk of them being the greatest team to wear the black jersey. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks through the history books to see where they are placed in the pantheon.

Auckland and Otago have put on some classic battles over the years.