An air of intrigue hovers over New Zealand teams in this weekend's third round of Super rugby.

Veteran first five-eighth Tony Brown has been drafted into the injury-depleted Highlanders' Super 15 squad

Only the Highlanders remain unbeaten of the New Zealand teams in rugby's revamped Super 15 after the Blues faded in Durban today.

A second-half momentum shift saw the Highlanders battle back from a seven-point halftime deficit to down the Chiefs tonight.

The Chiefs will field a significantly different starting 15 when they face the Highlanders in a Super rugby match in Dunedin on Friday night.

Photos from the first Super Rugby game of the season at the Westpac Stadium.

The Highlanders team to play the Hurricanes on Friday in the opening match of the Super Rugby competition has been named.

A brief look at the Highlanders squad for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Skipper Jamie Mackintosh sees early momentum as vital for the Highlanders as they seek to turn around their Super rugby struggles of recent years.

All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly will miss the first six rounds of the Highlanders' Super Rugby season.

The Highlanders have injury concerns to two of their most important players - before the season has even begun.

The Highlanders have made four new signings but don't appear any closer to retaining the services of loose forward Adam Thomson.