Former All Black Clarke Dermody is back with the Highlanders, working as the scrum coach for the franchise.
Dermody, who played 44 games for the franchise from 2004 to 2007, has been appointed the side's scrum coach, taking over from Kees Meeuws, who resigned last year.
Dermody (33) is an experienced player who was part of a strong Highlanders scrum along with the likes of Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver in the mid 2000s.
He also played three tests for the All Blacks in 2006.
Dermody, who played 90 games for Southland and also captained the team, left New Zealand at the end of 2007 and played four seasons in England playing for London Irish. A back injury curtailed his career in 2012 and he returned home to Invercargill.
He had helped out with the Southland ITM Cup side last year and Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said Dermody was keen to get involved and the franchise wanted to use his experience.
His part-time appointment was only temporary and would be reviewed in a month or two.
Meeuws had resigned last year to pursue other business opportunities, although he will still be involved in the Otago ITM Cup side.
Statistically, the Highlanders had the best scrum last season, but it has been shorn of some experience this year with the departure of props Tony Woodcock (Blues) and Jamie Mackintosh (Chiefs) and hooker Andrew Hore heading for retirement in the Maniototo hills.
The experienced Chris King and ageless lock Brad Thorn are still around.
One interesting sight on the training paddock is Spanish interpreter Lina Lastra.
Lastra, who hails from Colombia, is helping rookie Argentinian prop Matias Diaz with language issues.
Diaz, who is only 20, speaks very limited English so an interpreter - Lastra - has been called in to help him with the instructions on the park and game plans, which has raised no issues.
The prop played in the Highlanders opening pre-season game last week against the Brumbies and will line up again when the side takes on the Crusaders this Friday in Motueka.
All Blacks Ben and Aaron Smith will not play in the match on Friday night for the Highlanders as they are gently brought back into training.
Meanwhile, two former Highlanders may lock the scrum for the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium when they meet the Highlanders in the opening round on February 22.
The Blues announced they have signed Hayden Triggs from Japan, as the side has lost two locks - Culum Retallick and Tom Murday - to knee injuries.
Triggs has been playing for the Honda side in Japan and he may lock the Blues scrum with former All Black and Otago's Tom Donnelly, though he has yet to join the team.
Triggs played three seasons for the Highlanders in 2008-10, while Donnelly played from 2004 to 2011.
