OPINION: The first point to make is that it is not necessarily a bad thing that the Highlanders are going through a mass exodus of players on a scale with any period in their history.
When you finish 14th in a 15-team competition, something needs to change. On the field and off.
It was a truly dreadful season for the Highlanders, and the ''galactico'' experiment simply did not work.
So, the fact that SEVEN past or present All Blacks (Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, Colin Slade, Ma'a Nonu, Jamie Mackintosh, Tamati Ellison and Hosea Gear) are - or appear to be - fleeing the franchise is not exactly reason to panic.
Ellison is the odd man out. He wants to be a Highlander again, but the New Zealand Rugby Union has grimly stuck to its obscure rules, handing Ellison on a plate to the Melbourne Rebels. Crazy.
The Highlanders will go back to their familiar role of underdogs, with absolutely zero expectations on them going into next season.
That may work out better for them. But - and here comes a related second point - there are still some big holes to fill.
Prop, for starters. And another first five. And wing.
The ITM Cup has already thrown up plenty of potential candidates. The key for the Highlanders will not necessarily be recruiting ''star power'' and expecting success - we were all guilty of that last year - but getting the most out of every player, and producing a team that performs greater than the sum of its parts.
Protected species
What is Ma'a Nonu thinking?
Is he:(a) Annoyed the blame for the overall failure of the 2013 Highlanders has been principally placed on him? (b) Frustrated that not one of the New Zealand franchises really wants him next season? (c) Oblivious to all the fuss as he focuses on the only rugby team that really means something to him and for which he has performed consistently, the All Blacks?
The answer, of course, is: (d) Who knows what Ma'a Nonu is thinking?
That's because he has been wrapped in a protective cocoon on an almost unprecedented scale.
The Highlanders refused repeated requests from the Otago Daily Times to interview Nonu at the end of the season, and the All Blacks appear to have agreed to keep him away from the national media.
It's all very odd. This is a 31-year-old man, a vastly experienced professional sportsman.
Why does he need to be protected?
Record-breaking Ryan
Former Highlanders centre Ryan Nicholas has set a record in Japan.
Nicholas (34) became the first player to score 1000 points in the Top League as he helped Suntory Sungoliath open the 2013-14 season with a 32-6 victory over the NTT Communications Shining Arcs.
He reached his landmark with a try as the two-time defending champion made it 24 straight wins in the league and All-Japan Championship.
Nicholas joined Suntory in 2005, and played 25 tests for Japan.
Changing tack
No, I'm not QUITE ready to perform one of my famous sporting opinion flip-flops.
I still think the America's Cup is weighed down by too much unpleasant ballast, and I'm extremely dubious about the benefits of New Zealand ever hosting or challenging for it again.
But here's the thing. When the posturing is finished, and the courtroom battles are forgotten, and the financial excesses are ignored, and Martin Tasker is on mute, there is still something great about this event.
On the water, when it's just sailor against sailor, futuristic near-flying machine against futuristic near-flying machine, you are reminded that a sporting contest exists at its heart.
I'm not prepared to scream ''come on, Deano!'' or anything but my interest has certainly been heightened by the opening clashes.
The postponement card
Another America's Cup odd spot emerged on Wednesday, when Oracle exercised its right to postpone one of the races.
It's an interesting concept. Might I suggest the following sports teams could use - or have used - a postponement card:
- The 1995 All Blacks. If the Rugby World Cup final had been delayed a day or three, the crook All Blacks might have won.
- The 1957 Otago rugby team. Postponing that challenge from Taranaki till the following season would have allowed the Ranfurly Shield to stay here over the summer.
- The Black Caps. Their participation in test cricket can be put on hold until Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe can be cloned.
- Australian teams. The cricketers can put off further Ashes humiliation, and the Wallabies can miss the rest of the Rugby Championship.
For love, not glory
The Last Word has the utmost respect for marathon runners, whether they complete one of the long-distance events or 100.
A belated shout-out today to University of Otago student Ella Stansfield and her 22 friends, who took part in the Dunedin Marathon last weekend.
Clad in pink (see the photo), they pounded the pavement to raise money for the Otago branch of the Brain Injury Association.
For Ella, it was personal. Her father, Eric, was in a serious car accident eight years ago and suffered a moderate to severe brain injury.
''A few of the runners and supporters also have family members that have been affected,'' she wrote.
''I did not do this for my family in particular but because of what my family has been through. I know first-hand that the support of this association was a lifeline.''
The group raised over $2000 via donations and selling T-shirts.
Massive, massive respect to you all.
Familiar face
He will stride around the ground formerly known as Centennial Park in that purposeful style.
He will crack no smile, allow himself no time to indulge in pleasantries. In fact, he will show almost no signs of emotion for 80 minutes.
He will offer pre-game and halftime speeches laced with, er, a DIRECT tone.
And after the game, he will remind himself not to go into the home dressing room.
Glenn Moore is a revered figure in North Otago rugby. He inspired a glorious era for the Old Golds.
He will technically be the enemy today when he brings his Heartland Championship-leading Mid Canterbury side to Oamaru. But I am sure my people will give him a warm welcome.
Birthday of the week
American football player Frostee Rucker is 30 today.
He is going STRAIGHT to the Sports Names All-Star Pool Room.
