Wellington, March 12 NZPA - The Highlanders go into Sunday's Super 14 rugby match against the Bulls at Pretoria rated as the massive underdogs.

Backing popular opinion, the TAB figure the southerners are worth $8 for the win compared to the Bulls' $1.05.

Sydney, March 11 NZPA - Off-field dramas blight the preparations of two New Zealand Super 14 rugby sides while referees are evidently on notice to lift their games when round five action opens in Hamilton tomorrow night.

Wellington, March 11 NZPA - The Highlanders have suspended All Blacks loose forward Adam Thomson and Michael Hobbs for breaching the Super 14 rugby team' rules.

Wellington, March 11 NZPA - Highlanders team named today for a Super 14 rugby match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday morning (NZT):-

Wellington, March 8 NZPA - Highlanders Super 14 rugby captain Jimmy Cowan returns to New Zealand today after dislocating a finger during his team's 0-33 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town at the weekend.

Wellington, March 7 NZPA - Results and standings after the fourth round of the Super 14 rugby championship:

FRIDAY

Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - New Zealand teams came within one try of the perfect Super 14 rugby weekend as the top of the leaderboard took on an eerily familiar feel following round three.

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Sydney, Feb 26 NZPA - Tom Donnelly bristled at suggestions the Highlanders are already locked on a familiar Super 14 rugby path of woe as the competition's nearly men hope history repeats itself in Bloemfontein on Sunday (NZT).

Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - Form suggests a successful rounds loom for New Zealand teams in the second round of rugby's Super 14 although much of the limelight falls on two South African-Australian showdowns.

Wellington, Feb 14 NZPA - Stephen Donald kept his cool with two crucial late goals to lead the Chiefs to an upset 19-18 Super 14 rugby defeat of the Sharks in Durban this morning.