15 Ben Smith
Not much more that can be said, really. This was a third season in the Highlanders for "Bender", who was about to get a decent run at fullback after spending two years on the wing. He finished in 2019 with 153 games and 39 tries for the Highlanders, on top of his 84 tests for the All Blacks, and is now with the club as an assistant coach. The only question is whether B Smith or A Smith (see the reserves) is rated the greatest Highlander.
14 James Paterson
The quick winger played 21 games for the Highlanders in two years. Represented the United States at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Lives in the US, where he works for the family business and does some Major League Rugby commentary.
13 Kendrick Lynn
Had four seasons with the Highlanders before spending a long period as a player and coach in France. Briefly returned to the Landers as assistant coach before being scooped up by the Pumas.
12 Shaun Treeby
Dependable presence in 50 games for the Highlanders. Played some good NPC rugby for Wellington before heading off for stints in South Africa and Japan, where he stayed on as a coach. Social media suggests he has just trained as a firefighter.
11 Kade Poki
Just a wee fella but could light it up on the wing. As most seem to do, ended his career with some time in France and Japan. Poki was also reported to be the "mystery man" to whom a Bachelor NZ contestant was still married. So, there’s that.
10 Lima Sopoaga
Eight seasons, 92 games and a record 863 points for the Highlanders. Added 16 tests for the All Blacks, spells with English club Wasps and French powerhouse Lyon, and went to Japan before playing for Samoa at the 2023 World Cup.
9 Jimmy Cowan
Had a stint as Landers captain and finished with 108 games for the club. The Southland larrikin also played 51 tests and had spells in England and with the Blues. Back in Invercargill working in the oyster industry and coaching his daughter’s rugby team.
8 Nasi Manu
This was just the second year with the Highlanders for the former Crusader. He went on to play 65 games and was co-captain with Ben Smith of the title-winning 2015 team. Manu played a handful of tests for Tonga and spent time in Scotland, France and Italy. Battled cancer and is back with the Highlanders as assistant manager and general inspiration.
7 Alando Soakai
Finished in 2011 after 58 games for the Highlanders. Had a long playing and coaching career in Japan before coming home. Led Wellington in the NPC and is now helping Tana Umaga at Moana Pasifika.
6 Adam Thomson
Still one of the heart-warming Highlanders stories as it took some people a long time to realise how good he was. Played 67 games for the Highlanders and 29 tests for the All Blacks. Later played in Japan and had a couple of seasons in Australia. Battled a brutal spinal infection. Now helping coach the Chiefs in Super Rugby Aupiki.
5 Josh Bekhuis
One of rugby’s great warriors. Went to France and Japan before returning to his beloved Stags — he is now Southland’s most-capped player — and unbelievably making a brief Highlanders comeback in 2023.
4 Jarrad Hoeata
Played 53 games for the Highlanders and three tests. Had a successful stint in Wales with Cardiff Blues before getting into coaching with Taranaki and the New Zealand under-20 team.
3 David Te Moana
The former Reds prop had just one season with the Highlanders but had a solid NPC career with Manawatu. Raising a family in Feilding.
2 Jason Rutledge
"Cabbage" was the epitome of the Highlanders man. Battled away for 59 Super Rugby caps over a decade and kept charging for the Stags. Remarkably, played a club rugby game last year at the age of 46 alongside his highly promising flanker son, Gregor.
1 Jamie Mackintosh
"Whoppa" - say this for Southland: they produce good nicknames - was one of the most-hyped youngsters to emerge from Highlanders country, and he forged an impressive career. Played 66 games for the Highlanders, including a stint as captain, before joining the Chiefs then playing in France. Now works as an assistant coach at the Hurricanes.
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Aaron Smith, Robbie Robinson, Siale Piutau.
