Steve Hepburn

New Zealand Open organisers say Danny Lee's Johnnie Walker Classic triumph in Perth yesterday was great news for the Arrowtown-based tournament next month.

David Hall says the Highlanders have to learn how to close down games if they want to have a successful season.

Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid denies the franchise has a drinking culture, but said he was "bloody disappointed" on hearing of an incident involving winger Fetu'u Vainikolo.

The number of ground member ticket holders have plummeted at Carisbrook, with the drop blamed on the credit crunch, night rugby and team performance.

He was part of the Highlanders most successful era, and now Matt Carrington is again involved in the southern franchise, as the team's kicking coach.

A heart-breaking drop goal with a minute left on the clock saw the Highlanders go down to the Brumbies in a thriller at Carisbrook last night.

Injured Highlanders Jimmy Cowan and Jamie Mackintosh did not train yesterday but coach Glenn Moore says it is still too early to rule them out for Friday night's game against the Hurricanes.

Twenty minutes of Super 14 rugby brilliance subsided into a hugely frustrating opening night for the Highlanders who crashed to a 31-33 loss to the ACT Brumbies in Dunedin tonight.

It may sound a touch desperate but tonight's match really is a must-win for the Highlanders.

Daniel Bowden has been handed the goal-kicking duties for the Highlanders tomorrow night and believes he is a wiser player for this year's Super 14.

He has played 96 tests and 107 Super rugby games but George Smith feels like he can go on forever.

In years gone by, the best team won the Super 14.

Why only one South African side has won the Super 14 title is a bit of a mystery.

There is plenty of potential but also lots of question marks hanging over the four Australian Super 14 sides.

Kendrick Lynn admits he is one of a dying breed among outside backs - he is still very much a middleweight, and does not come from the the Pacific Islands.

A nightmare five minutes which saw Otago United concede three goals led to the home side falling to a 4-2 loss to Wellington at Sunnyvale yesterday.

The Otago Rugby Football Union has achieved a million dollar turnaround, with chief executive Richard Reid calling it a "fantastic achievement", but warning there is plenty of hard work ahead.