Steve Hepburn

It will be the battle of the patched up against the limping and worn out when the Highlanders take on the Blues at Eden Park on Friday night.

Four does not go into three. So who is going to make the cut to travel to England to wear the No10 black jersey for the World Cup. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the four contenders and decides who is going to be earning some air miles come early September.

The words unheralded and the Highlanders forward pack have followed each other a lot in the past few weeks. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the men in the Highlanders front five and what they have achieved this year.

Money Banks. That is his nickname and it was never truer than on Saturday night when Marty Banks slotted a drop goal with two minutes to go to seal the deal in the Super rugby final.

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith has been in dynamic form and is coming off a career-best performance in the playoff win over the Chiefs. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn considers the case of the little man with the big talent.

The Highlanders, with two new All Blacks squad members, are two games from glory and could host the final under their own roof.

Otago and Highlanders loose forward Lee Allan is hoping to be back on the field next year after a 2015 season he will want to forget.

Moves are afoot to change the Otago Sports Awards as the rules prevent the all-conquering Highlanders from even qualifying for - let alone winning - the team award.

Dunedin endurance runner Glenn Sutton is a tiger for punishment - and it will be the real deal this year.

The Highlanders have reached the peak, winning the big prize. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back at the season and ponders the next.

It will be business as usual for the Highlanders in the foreseeable future.

There were plenty of heroes on the field for the Highlanders this season but kudos must go to the men upstairs - the coaches who have built the path to Super rugby glory.

Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith said right from the start of the season, he knew this team was something special.

This is a final and strange things can happen - teams can freeze and go into their shell.

So this is it.

Sentiment, nostalgia - Nasi Manu is not big on them.

The plans have been prepared. The players are primed. The fans are pumped. Now it's GAME ON.