Despite a season-ending loss to the Lions at the weekend, the Highlanders are celebrating success, having 7 players selected in the latest All Blacks squad.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen named his side for the upcoming rugby championship, with the now expected contingent of Highlanders making the cut.

He says he and his fellow selectors are very happy with the squad and combinations they had come up with.

The newly named side will assemble later this week for a two-day camp on Auckland's North Shore minus the five Hurricanes who will play in this weekend's Super Rugby Final.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will retain his position through to the next Rugby World Cup in 2019.

His previous contract was set to expire next year following the British and Irish Lions three test tour.

The 57 year old has been involved in the side's two back-to-back World Cup successes in the past eight years.

And he's lost just three of 57 All Blacks tests as head coach.

More than 100 children are participating in a football school holiday programme at the Edgar Centre.

The importance of growing the sport at a grass-roots level is one of the main drivers behind the four day event.

And although the football season's winding down, there's no let-up in local interest.

Dunedin born rower Alistair Bond is the latest call-up for the New Zealand rowing team heading to Rio.

The 26 year old is the younger brother of Olympic gold medallist Hamish Bond, who is also part of the 36 strong team.

Hamish will compete in the men's coxless pairs, while Alistair will be in the lightweight men's coxless fours.

It's the first time a New Zealand lightweight four has qualified in the Olympic event.

The younger Bond has been rowing for more than 10 years, and says he would probably not have taken up the sport if it wasn't for his brother.

The Highlanders have had one last training session on home soil ahead of travelling to Canberra to face the Brumbies.

The side is coming off a win against the Chiefs last weekend, a result they want to recreate in Canberra.

But first they have recovery on their minds.

The Highlanders have avoided another long-haul trip to South Africa, thanks to a hard-fought victory over the Chiefs.

They'll instead head to Canberra to face the Brumbies on Friday night for a sudden death quarter-final.

The team has already beaten the Australian side this season, winning 23 to 10 in Dunedin.

Currently the reigning Super Rugby side is in the fifth spot on the overall standings, just behind the fourth-placed Brumbies.

The future of basketball in Otago is in the hands of its youngest players.

Basketball Otago is continuing its bounce back from financial issues, with an increasing focus on getting more kids involved.

And with its school holiday programme drawing large numbers, things are looking good.