Ahead of this morning's namig of the Highlanders, rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at a possible squad and finds, not surprisingly, there may be more Southland than Otago players.
Otago has always held sway in the make-up of the Highlanders.
In 2002, the last time the side made the semifinals, the Highlanders had one sole Southland representative, lock Brendon Timmins, in the squad.
But this year Southland, for the first time, may have more representatives in the side than Otago, and it will be hard to argue against that.
It will also provide the captain in big prop Jamie Mackintosh, as Otago captain Craig Newby heads to the northern hemisphere.
Southland finished in the top four of the Air New Zealand Cup while Otago had a disappointing season, finishing 10th, with a number of its players failing to fire.
There may be up to 10 Southlanders in the squad while Otago may provide nine, at the most.
What always makes the selection of a Super 14 team a bit of a lottery is the draft.
Coach Glenn Moore can choose to protect 24 players within the franchise so no other team can pick them up.
Whether he went to 24 is questionable.
He may have just locked up the players he wanted from the two southern provinces, and then looked to the draft to secure the others.
If he does not get the players from north of the Waitaki River he wants via the draft, he knows he can go back to the southern provinces and get them here.
He will have protected his four players who have been signed for the Highlanders and then loaned back to their home provinces.
They are midfield backs Johnny Leota and Jayden Hayward, lock Hayden Triggs and prop Clint Newland.
As for the Otago players who should make the squad, there is lock Tom Donnelly, No 8 Steven Setephano, All Black loose forward Adam Thomson and first five-eighth Daniel Bowden.
New Otago signing winger Fetu'u Vainikolo will also make the squad. After that, as far as Otago goes, the selection gets a bit more clouded.
Fullback may bring a draft player, with Hawkes Bay's Israel Dagg the obvious candidate.
Southland youngster Robbie Robinson may be seen as too young but could be a long-term investment.
Otago fullback Glen Horton did little wrong this season but his injury record may count against him.
James Wilson, back from a broken leg which ended his 2008 year, should make it as a back-up.
Winger Karne Hesketh scored seven tries for Otago this season and had a top year. But doubts remain about his defence and whether he has the speed to be a top-class Super 14 winger.
Southland winger Pehi Te Whare shone in the last two games for Southland and could get a look-in. But a draft player such as Taranaki winger Paul Perez is a possibility.
Utility back Ben Smith may get a place as he has undoubted potential, and plenty of skills.
In the midfield, if someone like Hawkes Bay centre Jason Shoemark becomes available, he will be snapped up.
The Otago and Southland midfielders are all much the same. Bowden should make the cut - he has skill, and lots of potential. Backing him up could be Blair Stewart, though his running game needs some work.
All Black Jimmy Cowan will be one halfback and his back-up could be Sean Romans, while Canterbury back-up pivot Tyson Keats is a possibility.
Moore should pick six loose forwards with Setephano, Thomson, Southland's Tim Boys, and Alando Soakai, back from a shoulder injury, picking themselves.
After that, perhaps Dion Bates from Southland and a draft player, maybe George Naoupu from Hawkes Bay.
Donnelly will be joined in the second row by Southland's Josh Bekhuis, along with Triggs, and maybe Ross Kennedy, from Otago.
Up front, Newland and Mackintosh will team up, with their back-ups likely to be the same as last year - Chris King and Keith Cameron.
Hooker Hika Elliot, of Hawkes Bay, may head south, as he will be stuck on the bench if he stays in Hurricanes country.
His likely back-up will be David Hall, of Southland.
Possible team
• Backs
Israel Dagg, James Wilson, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Paul Perez, Ben Smith, Johnny Leota, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark, Daniel Bowden, Blair Stewart, Jimmy Cowan, Tyson Keats.
• Forwards
Steven Setephano, George Naoupu, Tim Boys, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Dion Bates, Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Hayden Triggs, Ross Kennedy, Clint Newland, Chris King, Jamie Mackintosh (captain), Keith Cameron, Hika Elliot, David Hall.
• Gone from last year
Craig Newby (England), Hoani MacDonald (Wales), Niva Ta'auso (Ireland), Paul Williams (Blues), Ezra Taylor (Reds), Aaron Bancroft, Mike Delany, Jason Macdonald, Brett Mather, Toby Morland, Lucky Mulipola, Isaac Ross.
• Bolter
Ben Smith should back up his impressive national championship form with selection.
• Achilles heel
Fullback Dagg does not kick goals while Bowden is not the most reliable of goal kickers. And missed kicks last year cost the side dearly.
