Steve Hepburn

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph looms as the next Highlanders coach, and he may get the chance to handpick his deputy.

For a first dip in the pool it was good to feel the water on the back, but there are no doubt more severe tests to come.

Coach Phil Mooney will finally get to do what he gets paid for this afternoon - coaching an Otago team on the playing paddock.

Conrad Smith said he was so nervous it felt as if he was playing his first game in the black jersey.

Coach Warren Gatland knows Wales has not beaten the All Blacks for 57 years and it will be difficult to reverse the trend tomorrow.

Forget the history, remove the sentiment, stop wandering down memory lane - there is actually a rugby match to be played at Carisbrook tonight.

Otago lock Tom Donnelly is likely to get back into test rugby this weekend, as the All Blacks enjoy what coach Graham Henry calls a more balanced game.

Otago loose forward Adam Thomson may get to wear the black jersey after all this season.

It happened to coal miners. Same with blacksmiths, the telegram and LPs. Now it appears to have caught up with Adam Thomson.

A campaign will kick off today to stamp out abuse of rugby referees.

Two secondary school players have been cited after an incident in a first XV match last Saturday, but the Otago Rugby Football Union admits it has received "polar extremes" over what actually occurred.

Highlanders assistant Peter Russell will not reapply for his job, saying ultimately the buck stops with the coaches.

He did not just steal the show. He blindfolded it, battered it and then took it hook, line and sinker.

Dan Carter pulled one out of the top drawer on Saturday night but he is quick to deflect any praise to those around him.

Veteran photographer Peter Bush rates Carisbrook as one of his favourite grounds and would have walked over broken glass to be at the ground tonight.