In just under three weeks coach Glenn Moore will name his 28-man squad for the 2009 Highlanders season. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn runs his eye over the positions and wonders who is likely to make the cut.
Otago - 10th. Southland - fifth, with a poor finish to the season.
Looking at those placings in the Air New Zealand Cup, Highlanders coach Glenn Moore may have to go to the draft when he picks his Highlanders side.
The only problem with that? The cupboard is bare. And plenty will have got to that cupboard before him.
The player exodus, which has more New Zealanders playing professional rugby overseas than at home, has left unions lacking in depth and scrambling to find talent.
But here may be the Highlanders' blessing. There may not be hordes to pick from down here, but other franchises are going to be in the same predicament.
The Highlanders' biggest concerns are at fullback and hooker, but if everyone stays fit, and they enjoy a slice of luck, which is long overdue, the Highlanders are a legitimate chance.
A breakdown by position. -
Fullback: The Highlanders were chasing Northland's Jared Payne but he has gone to the Crusaders. Glen Horton is injured, as is James Wilson, and both are doubtful. They may need to go to the draft and pick up someone like Hawkes Bay's Israel Dagg or Bay of Plenty's Zar Lawrence. Southland newcomer Robbie Robinson is too young.
Wing: Fetu'u Vainikolo and Karne Hesketh are certainties, but Lucky Mulipola will be lucky to make the squad. Taranaki speedsters such as Paul Perez and Shayne Austin could be of interest.
Midfield: Here is where it gets cluttered. Imports Jayden Hayward and Johnny Leota will make it, while the rest, such as Brett Mather, Aaron Bancroft, Jason Kawau, Kenny Lynn and Matt Saunders, are all the same sort of player. Mather and Bancroft made it last year and may do so again. Hawkes Bay centre Jason Shoemark could be in the mix.
First five-eighth: Daniel Bowden, then either Chris Noakes or Blair Stewart. Both are good goalkickers, which is one thing the Highlanders desperately missed last season.
Halfback: Jimmy Cowan is one, while Sean Romans has moved ahead of Toby Morland, who had a disappointing season with Otago. Scott Cowan a chance? Unlikely.
Loose forwards: Steven Setephano, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai and Tim Boys all pick themselves. After that, young Southland tearaway John Hardie has the basic ingredients, while a player from the draft such as Wellington flanker Scott Fuglistaller or Counties-Manukau loose forward Fritz Lee could come into the mix.
Lock: Should be Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Ross Kennedy and import Hayden Triggs. Hoani MacDonald is off overseas.
Prop: Clint Newland, who had missed the entire provincial season because of a shoulder injury, is back, along with Jamie Mackintosh, who should captain the side. They should be backed up by Keith Cameron and Chris King.
Hooker: Jason Macdonald has been off the pace for Otago, while David Hall has been playing No 8 for Southland. Perhaps energetic Wellington rake Dane Coles could be looked at, with one of the former two as a back-up. Macdonald was all aggression two years ago. He needs to capture that form again.
