Steve Hepburn

Regan Tamihere has had a setback this season, but it is a minor one compared with a kick in the guts he got early in his career.

Otago Boys' will have it all to play for when it takes on Southland Boys' in the final of the Highlanders First XV competition at Tahuna Park today.

It is halfway through the international season, and that big tournament is less than a month away. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at where the All Blacks are at, what - if anything - has to be done, what the stumbling blocks are and who is still in contention.

Otago is making the most of a rare week off and believes it is not out of the reckoning to make the Championship final.

Dimitar Trifunovski has stared them all down - Federer, Nadal, Williams and Djokovic - and they have never got the better of him.

Otago Boys' High School has won the right to host the Highlanders First XV final - now it just needs to find a ground to play the game.

John Kyle has just stepped into some shoes which carry big expectations.

North Otago grabbed the first win at the first major game at the Forsyth Barr Stadium but it did it the hard way.

As far as goodbyes go, it was a very ugly parting of the ways.

Amid all the ceremony and occasion of the last game at Carisbrook there is actually a rather important rugby match today.

Otago spent more than $1.4 million on players last year but was the union which spent the least, considering what it could have.

Laurie Mains has probably coached and played at Carisbrook more times than any other person.

David Latta says they may get rid of Carisbrook but it will still live on in Otago.

Jacqui Frood remembers the first time she went to Carisbrook, as it would have a lasting effect on four decades of watching.

North Otago coach Barry Matthews says his side is not looking too far ahead of itself in defending the Heartland Championship, and the quality of opposition is a complete mystery.