Steve Hepburn

Club rugby starts in just over a month and Otago University will be out to defend its premier title. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn discovers the club, for all its success, has been battling to stay afloat and thrive in an ever-changing world.

John Leslie says he will return to coaching, but after six years he wants to have a spell this year.

Kade Poki has had a sore hamstring and a sore knee but it is someone else's bad back that has given him a chance to reignite his rugby career.

Tall Black Craig Bradshaw saw an opportunity where others saw only risk.

The Highlanders will go into their first home game buoyed by victory but fully aware of the task ahead of them.

Brent McEwan made it a hat trick of titles in the Dunedin strokeplay championships yesterday, riding on the back of some superb golf in his first two rounds on his home course.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph admitted last night's win was a big victory for the franchise but was keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

After a couple of years on the wing, and a flirtation with centre, Ben Smith now appears ensconced at fullback.

The Crusaders will be contenders this season - there is no doubt about that - but the Highlanders showed a hint of pretender in their performance in Oamaru last night.

The script is not going to plan for the Highlanders.

Meet David Te Moana. Has boots, will travel. And although he may weigh in at a strapping 130kg, he has been bigger - a lot bigger.

Two seasons may not seem like a long time, but in terms of success in the Super rugby competition it is a very long barren run for New Zealand teams. The Crusaders were the last New Zealand side to win the competition in 2008 and look the team to beat this year. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn, who assesses the Highlanders' chances tomorrow, looks at the four other New Zealand teams.

It was an email asking for more than $1500 but Pete Thomson did not have to wait a second to say yes.