Highlanders coach Glenn Moore had not pressed the panic button, though his options were limited when he named his side to take on the Hurricanes in the Super 14 match in Dunedin tomorrow night.
Otago coach Phil Mooney is settling into his work as Otago rugby coach. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn talks to the Australian about what he has been up to so far and the team he left behind.
Highlanders midfield back Jason Shoemark says the coaches can not take the blame for the side's disappointing performance this year.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore says the biggest pressure comes from within, and he is not listening to those calling for his head.
The injury toll is continuing to mount for the Highlanders, with hooker Jason Macdonald out for the rest of the season, after rupturing his Achilles tendon, and halfback Sean Romans on crutches after a nasty hamstring injury.
More than a quarter of the tickets for the test between the All Blacks and Wales have been snapped up, with Carisbrook set to be sold out for the third year in a row.
Highlanders prop Chris King will chalk up his 50th appearance for the side this afternoon, and says it has all gone in a blur.
As the Highlanders reflect on their seventh loss of the year, coach Glenn Moore will have to face his bosses in the next 10 days to review what is shaping up to be a forgettable season.
All Black and Highlanders loose forward Adam Thomson admits he will be looking at his options when his Otago contract comes up for renewal at the end of the season, although any move north could be scuttled by a change in the way contracts are handled.
The Highlanders have made just one change to the starting team to play the Force in Queenstown tomorrow, as the side looks forward to a rare day game.
The Highlanders are starting to come apart in a season which promised much and has delivered very little.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore lamented his side's dismal finish on Saturday but remains confident a victory is just around the corner.
Force captain Nathan Sharpe admits his side was slow out of the blocks this season but is starting to show a bit of consistency.
There will be more than one clash between international sides in Dunedin this year, as the city hosts the match between New Zealand and Australian schools in October.
It is out with the blue and in with the pink.
Erin Greene has had her share of ups and downs over the last year.
The Highlanders will be hoping it is third time lucky when they run out at the Queenstown Events Centre tomorrow.
Taking a risk paid off for Ben MacKinnon when he won his third national body boarding title near Gisborne over Easter.
In the end, it all came down to one pass.
Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan has leapt to the defence of his side's coaching staff, saying the players had to take responsibility for poor performances.
