The curse of the Top Qualifier

Above: Last year's Premiership First XV champions St Pat's Silverstream, with St Pat's Town (2015) and Wellington College (2013) inset. Photos: Andy McArthur/Mike Lewis. By Steven White & Adam Julian Forget the favourites tag - the second-placed or lower qualifier in the Wellington First XV Premiership has won the final eight

Sideline Conversions 4 August (some rugby news and information to start the week)

Kyle Preston tussles for the ball with Canterbury players on Saturday. Preston has been called into the All Blacks as injury cover for Cam Roigard for their upcoming trip to Argentina. Other Wellington players in the squad are Ardie Savea, Du Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Billy Proctor and Ruben Love.