Two final weeks of auditioning for the most contestable jersey in the Highlanders will begin with the preseason game against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.
The strongest Highlanders XV is starting to become reasonably clear.
Ethan de Groot and Jermaine Ainsley are an excellent propping combination, Pari Pari Parkinson and Fabian Holland will anchor the second row, and captain Billy Harmon will be joined by Sean Withy and Hugh Renton in the loose forward trio.
Folau Fakatava and Rhys Patchell will be the starting 9-10, Sam Gilbert will get a full season at second five alongside a rotating cast of centres, and the best back three will be Jona Nareki alongside newcomers Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
That leaves hooker — and it appears to be wide open.
Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody made the bold decision to wipe the slate clean, and experienced but moderately performing rakes Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall and Leni Apisai have all departed.
There is no clear-cut leader in the race for the No 2 jersey, and the trio will all be watched closely over the next couple of weeks to see who wants it most.
"They all have been challenging each other, right from day one of preseason," Dermody said.
"They’ve been pushing really hard.
"It’s nice to see them working on their game together. They throw every day together, and I think they understand that spot is going to be hotly contested.
Bell, whose younger brother George has turned heads at the Crusaders, has moved quickly up the ranks since impressing for Otago in 2022.
He followed an NPC campaign with an unexpected season in Major League Rugby, and is now living the dream — he grew up in East Otago
and attended John McGlashan College, so wearing a Highlanders jersey has long been a goal.
"I remember Carisbrook, as a nipper, going there with the old man to plenty of games," Bell said.
"I loved the Highlanders. I had the Highlanders kit. I’ve been a fan my whole life, and my family are from the region as well.
"I’m loving it. It’s been a cool preseason, my first one in the Super Rugby environment, so it’s been awesome.
"The coaching staff have got a pretty good vibe going on."
Bell is up for the challenge of competing with the two other newbies to play hooker for the Highlanders.
"I think we’ve got a pretty cool opportunity.
"We’re all quite young, and get along quite well, and we’ve actually played a bit of footy together.
"We’re all vying for that No 1 spot but I think we’ve got a good relationship where we can push each other . . . and be constructive with it."
Bell has beefed up to about 108kg while staying keenly aware of the need to retain his mobility around the field.
"Me and the bro have got a bit of a set-up at home.
"It’s a big net hung up off the side of the house, and we’ve got an electric fence standard poking out and then a bit of binding twine attached to a dog bowl.
"The bowl has sort of been flattened, so it makes a ‘ting’ when you hit it.
"Normally, whoever wins doesn’t do the dishes, so there’s a bit on it."
American rugby is enduring some growing pains — two Major League teams have just folded — but Bell does not regret his spell with the Utah Warriors.
"I got out of my comfort zone after doing high school and University in Dunedin, and I was able to just throw and scrum under pressure and develop a lot with time in the saddle."
