You might have heard of them.
Jamie Joseph — the man who led the Highlanders to their only Super Rugby title in 2015 — is on the coaching staff.
Highlanders assistant coach Riki Flutey has been drafted in to help out as well.
That is a lot of rugby nous.
Joseph, whose daughter Lula is listed to start at second five in the National Secondary First XV Championship regional final against Central Southland College at Forsyth Barr Stadium today, spent seven years turning the Japanese national team into a competitive international side and is now back in charge of the Highlanders.
The former loose forward also clocked 20 games for the All Black, nine for Japan and he played 86 games for Otago.
Flutey has been on the Highlanders coaching staff since 2019. He enjoyed a varied professional career which peaked with 14 tests for England.
He played a lot of his rugby at first five and his daughter Madison has followed in his footsteps. She will steer Columba around from the No 10 jersey.
Columba centre Pip Eason said the training sessions were not too tough.
"We have three key focuses. Speed, fun and bravery", she said.
Highlanders and Otago midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen has been helping out as well, so they will be very well coached.
"It has been really cool."
Columba will lean on loose forwards Ciara Paterson and Molly Hansen to generate some momentum up front.
Madison Flutey is expected to be influential and winger Lyla Bowering is another player to watch.
Central Southland College have a relatively young team but the captain Olivia Gill is a hard-working No 8. She’s fit, strong and a good leader.
Second five Dakota Wilton is the leader in the backs. She is reliable on defence and attack and sets the tone out wide.
Schools First XV Championship
Regional final, Dunedin, 2pm
Columba College: Livi Arnold, Payton Downs, Pip Eason, Lula Joseph, Lyla Bowering, Madison Flutey, Charli Sinclair, Ciara Paterson, Jendi Minty, Molly Hansen, Ashley Malone, Sarah Stephens, Emy Rouvi, Baylee Rapata-Fish, Taylor Anderson. Reserves: Georgia Drummond, Taylor Skevington, Nova Whitson, Ava Andersen, Fenella Millen, Molly Nichol, Zara Wills.
Central Southland College: Sophie Dahlenburg, Stephanie Rae, Mikayla Colvin, Dakota Wilton, Meg Howard, Fiona Van der Poel, Tayla Munro, Olivia Gill (captain), Marissa Adendorff, Nikita Middleton, Tahlee Symons, Arnika Crawford, Sienna Hunter, Chevy Purvis, Macey Hubber. Reserves: Ashlee Taylor, Olivia Wilson, Rylee Claridge, Lily Ropiha-Watkinson, Livy Montgomery, Tiana Gilliland, Chelsea Taylor.
