Highlanders 'hate' to be outdoors

With an ultru-modern indoor stadium at their disposal, it was no surprise the Highlanders were fuming when force to train outdoors.

As snow in the region force many Otago highways to close, Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph had hoped his team would be able to use Dunedin's iconic new indoor facility to train ahead of Friday's Super Rugby match against the Chiefs.

The Highlanders prepared on Logan Park in muddy conditions and in temperatures close to zero, while Forsyth Barr Stadium was vacant.

And a fuming Joseph says it is "not good enough".

He added that it hampered their preparation and they train in mud, but play on a pristine surface.

Joseph told local media that they trained at Forsyth Barr at the start of the year and he assumed that would be the case for the rest of the season.

Many highways throughout the Dunedin district were closed down this week after a wintry blast hit the region, cutting power and causing numerous crashes.

Some Dunedin schools even started late because of icy conditions.

It is typical for winter storms to hit the region at this time of year.

Sources: Newstalk ZB & Otago Daily Times