The squad is made up of six players who train the same time as the main squad. They have, essentially, been treated by the franchise in the past couple of years as full squad members.
Included in the wider squad from Otago are: hooker Sam Anderson-Heather, lock Joe Latta, loose forward Lee Allan, halfback Josh Renton and midfield back Tei Walden.
Hawkes Bay winger Ryan Tongia is the other member.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the franchise picked local players if it could and some players had put their hands up. If players were of similar ability, the local player would be selected.
He was pleased with the make-up of the group and there were players of potential in the side.
Anderson-Heather actually played for the Highlanders last season, coming off the bench in the match against the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Latta had an impressive debut season for Otago in the ITM Cup, while Allan was in the wider squad last season and made two appearances off the bench. His season with Otago was blighted by a couple of head knocks.
Renton played with the New Zealand Colts this year and Walden showed some nice touches for Otago this season.
Tongia has impressed for Hawkes Bay this season. He is a former Papua New Guinea league international and played league for the Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans.
Clark said injuries to Highlanders forward Joe Wheeler (knee) and Shane Christie (foot) might delay their start to pre-season training. The duo were injured playing for Tasman in the ITM Cup final and have dropped out of the New Zealand Maori tour to Japan.
