His side may be winless and second last in the competition but coach Glenn Moore insists the Highlanders just need to win a couple of key moments in games to claim a victory.
The income of Otago rugby has reduced by more than $1 million over the past four years and cannot continue to drop, union chief executive Richard Reid says.
It may seem hard to believe after his barnstorming performance on Saturday night, but Michael Hobbs has been not allowed to run for most of the past year.
It may be only the second round of the competition but the importance of tonight's match against the Blues is not lost on Highlanders lock Josh Bekhuis.
The Highlanders start the 2010 season with plenty to prove. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn assesses the chances of the southern franchise.
It may be the first game of the season, and there are undoubtedly going to be cobwebs to get rid of, but the Highlanders will want to make a statement in Christchurch tonight.
Coach Glenn Moore and captain Jimmy Cowan were singing from the same song sheet after a familiar opening-night performance in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Highlanders have never lost to the Cheetahs, and for the sake of their season they had best keep that record intact tomorrow morning.
Though the season is still fresh and there are plenty of games ahead, the Highlanders, who have lost their opening two games, vitally need a win in Bloemfontein.
Justin Leov believes he has effectively been penalised for being a national champion.
The changes continue on the Otago Rugby Football Union board, with only three board members surviving from a year ago.
After nearly seven years as Otago Rugby Football Union chairman, Ron Palenski is stepping down. He talks to rugby writer Steve Hepburn about his role and rugby in the province.
A groin injury has ruled Black Caps all-rounder Ian Butler out of Otago's Plunket Shield match against Central Districts starting in Invercargill tomorrow.
Former All Black coach Laurie Mains was last night elected to the board of the Otago Rugby Football Union.
Fewer than 7000 fans turned up for the Highlanders' first home game of the season, but the news is not all bad for Carisbrook.
New Zealand's less-than-wonderful results at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver will no doubt create debate over the value of sending a team to the event at all.
Southern Steel coach Robyn Broughton says her side has made significant progress and shooter Daneka Wipiiti has slipped right back into the groove.
Coach Glenn Moore believes the Highlanders have the ability to win but it comes down to a few critical moments during the 80 minutes of play which are not going their way.
The Otago Rugby Football Union has recorded an operating loss of more than $750,000 for the past year, with its chief executive blaming the recession and saying players had under-performed.
Former All Black coach Laurie Mains is standing for the Otago Rugby Football Union board, saying he believes he has something to offer Otago rugby.
Match official Josh Noonan will not be on the touchline for tonight's match between the Blues and Highlanders, paying for his error which cost the Highlanders a try last Saturday.
