Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said he would give his side 10 out of 10 for what they have achieved this season, but he admits some X-factor players would be a real help to his side.
The Highlanders will get to Auckland today after all, taking a charter flight north for their Super 15 clash with the Blues tomorrow night.
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has named an unchanged lineup to face the Crusaders in their Super 15 match in Wellington on Saturday night.
Crusaders' second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams will not face his All Black rival Ma'a Nonu after a hip injury ruled him out of the Super 15 match in Wellington on Saturday night.
Watching the Hurricanes capitulate is like a car crash you can't look away from.
Former All Black Caleb Ralph is poised to make a shock return to Super rugby as an emergency outside back replacement for the depleted competition-leading Queensland Reds.
The Highlanders have served up a much improved dish this season.
The Highlanders effectively dropped out of the Super rugby title race as the NSW Waratahs kept their play-off hopes alive with an emphatic 33-7 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight.
Tony Brown is back in the hot seat. He will play in his pivot first five-eighth spot against the Waratahs on Saturday.
John Hardie is rewarded for some excellent play over the past few weeks with a start in the Highlanders' crucial match against the Force at Carisbrook tomorrow night.
Dynamic wing Kade Poki wants to stay with the Highlanders and is negotiating a two-year contract to remain with Jamie Joseph's team.
The Blues team has been named to play the Highlanders in a Super 15 match at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday night.
Carisbrook could be in line to host the Super 15 final but it is going to have to rely on a few results falling the right way and fighting off the competition of other cities.
Queensland substitute Dom Shipperley's 78th-minute try guided the Reds to a come-from-behind 24-21 Super 15 victory over the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night.
The battle to avoid the New Zealand conference wooden spoon became no clearer after the Chiefs and Hurricanes drew 18-18 in a Super rugby match at Hamilton tonight.
Loose forward Adam Thomson insists the Highlanders must overcome their fear of losing and attack the Waratahs in a Super 15 rugby match in Sydney on Saturday night.
Chiefs first five-eighth Stephen Donald has been linked with a move to English rugby club Bath.
The Blues team has been named to play the Crusaders in a Super 15 match in Timaru on Saturday night.
All Black hooker Andrew Hore is keen to return to the Highlanders next year.
The rugged approach on the paddock of former Manawatu flanker Nick Crosswell has been worth its weight in gold to the Highlanders this year.
