Steve Hepburn

More than 2000 tickets have been snapped up for the test between the All Blacks and Fiji, with tickets to go on general sale for those in the South next week.

When Eben Joubert gets back on the rugby field next month he will have completed a journey to hell and back. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn talks to the Otago flanker about a roller-coaster nine months.

Phil Vickery says the All Blacks are the favourites for the World Cup but form has little to do with winning the silverware.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said the performance of Ben Smith last night had All Black written all over it.

Jordan Donaldson is making every turn a winner on her bike.

Rugby can be a complicated game but there is one simple theme: kick your goals and you will win more than you lose. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn analyses the Super 15 kicking stats.

Young winger Telusa Veainu makes his first start of the season, along with experienced midfielder Matt Saunders, as the Highlanders look to get back on track tomorrow night.

Touch is one of the quickest sports around and Kaikorai Valley College is one of the speediest schools out of the block in making an impact at a national level.

Matt Saunders admits he has had a yo-yo career.

There are some things that just do not go together - oil and water, cats and dogs, Hone and Don. Another? The Highlanders and Hamilton.

The Highlanders face an injury crisis in the outside backs and star loose forward Adam Thomson is out for a month, as the side's lack of depth starts to be exposed.

Lima Sopoaga comes back into the side while Robbie Robinson is slotted into fullback as the Highlanders look to get their season back on track after hitting a speed bump last week.

Carisbrook will be fit and ready for the test between the All Blacks and Fiji in July and a large video screen will be in operation.

Taieri teenager Austen Haig remains positive, despite a serious spinal injury suffered in a club rugby match last month.

Ben Atiga has joined the Highlanders and more reinforcements may be drafted in as the side sifts through its casualty ward.

It was like the Highlanders of a year or two ago. Inaccuracies, handling mistakes, brain explosions and, of course, a loss.

Hooker Jason Rutledge believes the Highlanders each need to start quickly tonight and not wait around for someone else to do something.

Southland Boys' High School saved its best for last when it won the Highlanders First XV competition with a thumping 50-14 win over Otago Boys' High School in Invercargill on Saturday.

Otago Daily Times rugby writer Steve Hepburn runs the rule over the Dunedin teams in the Highlanders First XV competition.