After the end of a a brutal Super 15 campaign, Adam Thomson is not heading to the beach. He is off to the gym to get his body ready for the rest of the season, although he is far from counting his chickens about All Black selection.
The Highlanders board will meet tomorrow but is not saying whether there will be any discussion over ditching the controversial green jersey.
Tom Donnelly has been returned to the starting line-up, along with Jimmy Cowan, as the Highlanders seek to finish their season with a sparkle against the Blues tomorrow night.
As the Super 15 moves into its final round, rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back on who and what has stood out in the past 112 games.
Gutsy but ultimately outgunned and outmuscled. The Highlanders fell to the Blues 33-16 in Auckland last night, putting on a determined effort but lacking the firepower to keep them in the game.
Hayden Meikle counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport. No 122: First rugby test at Carisbrook (1908)
In a World Cup year, the trickle of New Zealand rugby players leaving has become a flood. Steve Hepburn names a XV of players heading to new pastures.
Carisbrook's first test was a one-sided affair, with the All Blacks beating a team that would never tour the country again.
It was a season which started so well, peaked at Easter, then fell away somewhat at the end. But it was still a season of real progress for the Highlanders, under new coach Jamie Joseph. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back on the season.
Highlanders centre Kendrick Lynn believes the franchise has been revitalised and has put in some sound building blocks for next season.
Tickets for the first game to be played at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium will go on sale tomorrow with stadium boss David Davies saying the selling of the tickets is a major step forward.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said he would give his side 10 out of 10 for what they have achieved this season, but he admits some X-factor players would be a real help to his side.
The clash of the desperates takes place in Auckland tonight, and one must hope pride is just as powerful motivation as points.
Alando Soakai will don a Highlanders jersey for the last time tomorrow night, saying it is time to do something different.
The Highlanders have served up a much improved dish this season.
The Highlanders cannot afford to pick and choose their matches and it is starting to have an impact on their results, coach Jamie Joseph says.
The Southern Region made no race of winning the Topp Cup in Balclutha yesterday, running out an easy 34-5 victor over Central Otago.
Halfback Aaron Smith could be an option to move one place further out for the Highlanders in their must-win match against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night.
Finance appears to be the biggest obstacle in getting the likes of Andrew Hore at the Highlanders next season.
Green in more ways than one. The lack of basic rugby brains came back to haunt the Highlanders last night as they lost 21-14 to the Force at Carisbrook
