Otago Highlanders 2012 Season Preview
Long-suffering Highlanders fans have every reason to feel confident about their 2012 Super 15 chances and with the team taking up residence in New Zealand's newest purpose-built rugby stadium, there's a whole new level of optimism in the region.
Jamie Joseph has put together an impressive squad with many recruits coming from the Wellington region where he had previously coached at NPC level. All Blacks Andrew Hore and Hosea Gear will be donning the Blue and Gold, but arguably the most suprising selection was that of the impressive English test loose forward James Haskell. Capped 39 times for England, the former Wasps and Stade Francais has always dreamed of playing in the Southern Hemisphere competion and his move could pave the way for other European players to follow suit.
With ten Test internationals in the squad, Jamie Mackintosh has plenty of leadership experience around him to call on. One of the better forward packs in the competition, the real test will be how (a hopefully injury-free), Colin Slade marshalls his outsides. Expect "Get The ball to Hosea" to be a recurring theme amongst the scarfies this season.
Provided the Highlanders depth isn't too greatly tested, 2012 could be a good year to be an Otago fan. View's verdict - 15:2.
For all the Otago Highlanders 2012 rugby games, please refer to the event listings below. Please note that these are the match details for the Otago Highlanders New Zealand-based fixtures for 2012.
Wellington Hurricanes 2012 Season Preview
Waikato Chiefs 2012 Season Preview
Canterbury Crusaders 2012 Season Preview
Auckland Blues 2012 Season Preview
Otago Highlanders 2012 Season Preview
Chiefs vs Highlanders, Super 15 Rugby 2012
25 Feb 2012
Chiefs vs Highlanders, Super 15 Rugby 2012
The 2012 Super 15 kicks of for New Zealand fans with the Waikato Chiefs taking on the Otago Highlanders at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.
With the Super 15 Rugby featuring a whole host of All Black players, including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino and Kevin Mealamu, expect a torrid match from some of New Zealand’s best performing rugby team...
Highlanders vs Crusaders, Super 15 Rugby 2012
03 Mar 2012
Highlanders vs Crusaders, Super 15 Rugby 2012
The 2012 Super 15 kicks of for New Zealand fans with the Otago Highlanders taking on the Canterbury Crusaders at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium (Otago Stadium).
With the Super 15 Rugby featuring a whole host of All Black players, including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino and Kevin Mealamu, expect a torrid match from some of New Zealand...
Highlanders vs Waratahs, Super 15 Rugby 2012
10 Mar 2012
Highlanders vs Waratahs, Super 15 Rugby 2012
The 2012 Super 15 kicks off for New Zealand fans with the Otago Highlanders taking on the Australian New South Wales' HSBC Waratahs at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
With the Super 15 Rugby featuring a whole host of All Black players, including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino and Kevin Mealamu, expect a torrid match from some of New Ze...
Hurricanes vs Highlanders, Super 15 Rugby 2012
17 Mar 2012
Hurricanes vs Highlanders, Super 15 Rugby 2012
The 2012 Super 15 kicks of for New Zealand fans with the Wellington Hurricanes taking on the Otago Highlanders at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.
With the Super 15 Rugby featuring a whole host of All Black players, including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino and Kevin Mealamu, expect a torrid match from some of New Zealand’s best performi...
Highlanders vs Rebels, Super 15 Rugby 2012
30 Mar 2012
Highlanders vs Rebels, Super 15 Rugby 2012
The 2012 Super 15 kicks of for New Zealand fans with the Otago Highlanders taking on the Australian Melbourne Rebels at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
With the Super 15 Rugby featuring a whole host of All Black players, including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino and Kevin Mealamu, expect a torrid match from some of New Zealand’s best perf...