Steve Hepburn

Highlanders flanker and Otago captain Alando Soakai did not put his feet up during his week off - he got married last Saturday.

There was an extra stride in the step of the Highlanders' players yesterday and with good reason.

Former national cricket coach Warren Lees says all the pressure will be on Sri Lanka tonight as New Zealand tries, for the sixth time, to make a World Cup final.

The Highlanders have returned to base and will be looking to relaunch their season with victory against the Brumbies in Invercargill on Friday night.

Zingari-Richmond, the friendly club up on the hill, has had a year to forget and will fight for its premier existence on Saturday, when it plays University B in a promotion-relegation game.

A note of caution has been sounded by Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph over expecting big things from returning first five-eighth Colin Slade.

Opportunity knocked on the Highlanders' door on Saturday night. But they could not get it open.

The All Blacks could christen the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin this July. Fiji could play the All Blacks in what would be the first game in the new covered stadium.

It was a long trip home for the Highlanders but captain Jamie Mackintosh will not be using that as an excuse this week.

Not having a World Cup quarterfinal in the South Island would create sadness, and money should not be the sole reason to play the games in Auckland, the manager of Forsyth Barr Stadium says.

Tony Brown will make his first start for the Highlanders in seven years as the side takes on the Crusaders on Saturday.

Tony Brown will make his first start for the Highlanders for nearly seven years as he looks to steer the side to a win over a formidable Crusaders line-up.

This really is the litmus test for the new-look Highlanders. As far as examinations go, they probably do not get much harder.

Highlanders first five-eighth Robbie Robinson faces disciplinary action from the franchise after he spent time in a police cell yesterday morning.

Stand-in captain Jimmy Cowan says the Highlanders should not be blinded by the firepower of the Crusaders.

Carisbrook could have the biggest crowd for a non-test match in more than five years tomorrow night, with officials urging spectators to get to the ground early.

Centre Kendrick Lynn says the Highlanders have grown in belief over the past month and are benefiting from the hard work of the coaching staff.

The Highlanders walked up Table Mountain last week.