Firstly, though, Highlanders fans have some other interesting selections to digest.
Returning coach Jamie Joseph has sprung a couple of surprises for the opening game of the season.
Two players will make their Super Rugby debuts and another five will make their first official appearances for the Highlanders when they play the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow night.
Nathan Hastie and Taine Robinson form a surprisingly new-look inside back combination.
Hastie, whose three Highlanders caps have all been earned off the bench, has had some issues with injuries and largely been seen as the third-string halfback but he gets the nod for round one with Folau Fakatava still not quite firing after having clean-up meniscus surgery at the end of the NPC.
The selection of Robinson, who has had a brief taste of Super Rugby with the Crusaders, is a bit of an eye-opener as it was assumed incumbent Cameron Millar would wear the No 10 jersey.
Depleted midfield options mean co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai will stay at second five, where he shone in the preseason win over the Crusaders.
The injury to Jona Nareki leaves a fresh — and fast — combination on the wings.
Caleb Tangitau will play his first Super Rugby game for the Highlanders, while pace merchant Michael Manson gets an eagerly awaited debut at this level.
Nareki (five weeks), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (nine weeks) and Thomas Umaga-Jensen (two weeks) would all have been likely starters had they been fit, so Joseph has effectively had his hand forced.
The interesting selection in the forwards is that of Lui Naeata on the blindside flank.
With TK Howden and Oliver Haig on the injured list, Joseph has gone for a man he knows well from his years in Japan but who is very much an unknown quantity at this level and was only briefly seen for Otago in the NPC.
Naeata also appears to be the main option as a back-up lock.
Former Brumbies prop Sefo Kautai and former Hurricanes loose forward Veveni Lasaqa will make their Highlanders debuts off the bench.
For Withy, tomorrow night is (sort of) a whole new ball game as he prepares for an extended run in the No 7 jersey.
In his first two and a-half years with the Highlanders, he started on his preferred openside flank just three times, as captain Billy Harmon held a mortgage on his position.
But Withy got seven starts in eight games in the second half of last season with Harmon covering No 8, and with the skipper now in Japan, the Withy era can truly begin.
"I’ve been here a few years now, learning off some quality sevens in Jimmy Lentjes and Billy Harmon, two guys I was really close with and two quality leaders as well," Withy
said yesterday.
"Hopefully, I can make the most of this opportunity. I’ve got the first shot this year but there are two quality guys alongside me who want that No 7 jersey in Veveni Lasaqa and Hayden Michaels.
"I need to put my best foot forward every day and every week because there’s three of us competing pretty hard for that jersey."
Naeata might be a mystery man to most but Withy is eager to see how his fellow loosie goes tomorrow night.
"Lui’s a big man. I think he tips at 118kg-119kg, and he’s an athletic guy. You just follow him because he carries hard.
"I’ve been really impressed with him throughout the preseason. He’s just extremely excited to get his first taste of Super Rugby."
There is another, slightly smaller player Withy is keen to see cut loose against the Waratahs.
He played alongside Manson for the Stags last season and feels the flying winger is dedicated to showing he is ready for this level of rugby.
"I’ve been impressed with Michael. He’s always in his book, always taking notes and having conversations with coaches and other players.
"I’ve seen a lot of growth in his game and his understanding. Pair that with his sublime speed, and it’s been awesome to see."
The Waratahs have named star league recruit Joseph-Aukoso Sua’ali’i at fullback, while there are starts for Melbourne Rebels refugees Andrew Kellaway and Taniela Tupou.
Highlanders v Waratahs
The teams
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Michael Manson, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Caleb Tangitau, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie, Hugh Renton (co-captain), Sean Withy, Lui Naeata, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Soane Vikena, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Finn Hurley.
Waratahs: Joseph-Aukoso Sua’ali’i, Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Max Jorgensen, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (captain), Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, Angus Bell. Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster.
