How quickly things change in rugby.
Five years ago, the Highlanders came out with the intention of not wanting to draft any talent from outside their borders.
The franchise wanted to look within and entice players to play for Otago or Southland.
But that policy has bitten the dust.
It did not work then and it will not work now.
Next year, up to half of the team could come from north of the Waitaki River.
That is an indication of how far Otago has fallen in recent years, and a reflection on the bulk of the population living further north.
New coach Jamie Joseph is going to have to mesh some new faces into the squad, and the first day at training will resemble a United Nations congress as players greet each other.
With franchise direct contracting there will be relatively few surprises.
Most players know where they are heading and it is only the bench-warmers who would have come into consideration during discussions among the five coaches in Auckland yesterday.
With most teams carrying 32 players and eight wider training squad members, 200 players will be needed.
Are there 200 players of Super rugby quality in New Zealand?
Probably not, but with a 16-game season, depth will be tested among all sides.
With Israel Dagg moving to the Crusaders, Ben Smith should get an uninterrupted run at fullback, and Robbie Robinson should be his backup.
Robinson could even start there and Smith move to the wing.
Kurt Baker is in the mix but has a back injury, which places his future in doubt.
Baker almost came to Otago last year but disagreement over money meant he went to Taranaki.
He now lands in the South but there must be big questions over whether he will get on the field.
Young Canterbury winger Telusa Veainu has looked good for Canterbury, and he could be joined by Sherwin Stowers, who was in Joseph's sights but was also being wooed by other franchises.
Southland winger James Paterson has had a season plagued by injury and has a few holes in his game.
Counties-Manukau centre Siale Piutau had a solid domestic season and, as there is plenty of talent in the Chiefs franchise, he may head south.
Kendrick Lynn will get a start in the midfield and may have provincial team-mate Matt Saunders beside him.
Saunders is steady, and although he will never leave anyone dying of excitement, he makes few mistakes.
Shaun Treeby should round out the midfield.
Jayden Hayward seems to have slipped off the radar.
Colin Slade was the first player signed by the Highlanders and looms as a key man for the franchise.
He will be backed up by Wellington youngster Lima Sopoaga, with Robinson also in the mix for the No 10 jersey.
Third halfback choice behind Jimmy Cowan and Aaron Smith is a bit of a lottery.
Sean Romans has slipped off the pace, and someone like former Highlander Toby Morland, who is now playing for Auckland, may come into the mix.
Southlander Tim Boys is probably the unlucky loose forward to miss out.
His game has not been helped by the new law interpretations, which have mostly eliminated the fetching role from the game.
Three locks pick themselves but it's anyone's guess who the fourth will be.
New signing Jarrad Hoeata can also play lock, while James King has done little wrong for North Harbour.
Southland's Alex Ryan and Otago's Hoani Matenga are also possible candidates.
In the front row, Jamie Mackintosh and Chris King will make the cut, while Halani Aulika's form for Otago should get him a start.
Bronson Murray was the fourth prop last year, and though he hardly set tongues wagging, he did little wrong and may be back again.
There will be three hookers chosen, and only Jason Rutledge can be seen as a certainty.
Behind him in the queue are the likes of Jason Macdonald, Brayden Mitchell, Tim Dow and Mahroni Schwalger.
Coming back from injury, David Hall has signed with the Crusaders.
Highlanders
Possible 2011 squad Backs: Ben Smith, Kurt Baker, Telusa Veainu, Sherwin Stowers, Siale Piutau, Kendrick Lynn, Matt Saunders, Shaun Treeby, Robbie Robinson, Lima Sopoaga, Colin Slade Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Smith, Toby Morland.
Forwards: Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, Jarrad Hoeata, Nick Crosswell, John Hardie, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Joe Tuineau, James King, Jamie McIntosh, Chris King, Halani Aulika, Bronson Murray, Jason Rutledge, Tim Dow, Mahroni Schwalger.
