HIGHLANDERS 2008

Highlanders

The Highlanders are probably going to have a really rough time in is year's Super 14. They have not only lost captain Josh Blackie, but All blacks Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Nick Evans as well. Certainly new skipper Craig Newby injuring himself during the pre-season does not bode well for the men from Dunedin either.

The loss of these and other key players, such as Clarke Dermody and Viliame Waqaseduadua, has left the side with a serious lack of depth and coach Glenn Moore with no option but to turn to inexperienced players to fill the gaps.

And while the new recruits have some potential there is also some serious doubt as to how they will handle the step up from playing Air New Zealand Cup rugby to being in the Super 14. Youngsters such as Clint Newland (brought in to fill the void left by Hayman), Fetu Vainikolo and Isaac Ross could play a vital role for the Highlanders.

Much also depends on how Moore manages his players during the season, while Newby, Jimmy Cowan and other senior players will have their work cut out for them in leading the side on the pitch..

Strengths: Their location is one of their few strengths. It's a long way to travel to the bottom of New Zealand, both Dunedin and Invercargill, where life can be cold. Their unpredictability could also work to their advantage, with very little known about the new faces in the Highlanders' camp.

Weakness: There is no real depth in this side and Moore has had to practically rebuild the team. They will also be without two of the rocks of what was a very solid front row in Anton Oliver and prop Carl Hayman. Hayman has taken up a lucrative overseas contract, while Oliver has moved to France. With players like Callum Bruce and Charlie Hore moving on, it may be rough this year.

Noteworthy signings: Daniel Bowden; Tim Boys; Mike Delany; Tom Donelly; David Hall; Johnny Leota; Brett Mather; Clint Newland; Isaac Ross; Steven Stephano; Niva Ta'auso; Adam Thompson; Hayden Triggs; Fetu Vainikolo; Paul Williams, James Williams.

Noteworthy losses: Josh Blackie (Japan); Callum Bruce (Chiefs); Craig Clare; Clarke Darmody; Nick Evans (Blues); Carl Hayman (Newcastle Falcons); Charlie Hore; Glen Horton; Jason Kawau; Filipo Levi; Hoani MacDonald; Anton Oliver (retired); James Ryan (injured); Matt Saunders; Hale T-Pole; Kane Thompson; Viliame Waqaseduadua (Chiefs).

Coach: Glenn Moore makes his debut as Highlanders coach after assistant roles with both the Highlanders and Otago. Moore was responsible for the rapid development of the North Otago provincial team, taking them from the Third Division into the Second Division, where they were semi-finalists in his last two years.

Captain: Craig Newby. While Newby, who has earned two All Black caps, didn't have the best start to his Super 14 after injuring himself during the pre-season, it is cetain that the versatile loose forward will relish leading the side this year. Newby has captained Otago to a second-place finish in the 2005 Air New Zealand Cup, and was joint top try scorer for the Highlanders in the same year. The number eight, who earned his All Black caps as a flank will have his work cut out for him this year.

Player(s) to watch: Hawke's Bay Magpies star Clint Newland enters the Super 14 with something of a reputation. Newland put out All Black prop Neemia Tialata's lights after a little disagreement during an Air New Zealand Cup clash. Newland was suspended for 10 weeks. The fiery front row forward has some big boots to fill in the Highlanders front row, but Moore believes he's up to the task. All Black scrum-half Jimmy Cowan will also have a vital role to play in helping lead the side.

2007 Position: 9th

Best finish: Beaten finalists in 1999

Worst finish: 12th in Super 12 in 1997

Home Venues: Carisbrook, Dunedin (capacity 29,000), Rugby Park, Invercargill (capacity 17,000) and Queenstown (capacity 12,000)

2008 Prediction: They are an unknown and could do relatively well or really badly in 2008. However, given their lack of depth, they will in all likelyhood be New Zealand's worst team this year. 10th.

Highlanders Squad: Aaron Bancroft (Otago), Daniel Bowden (Otago), Tim Boys (Southland), Keith Cameron (Otago), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty), Tom Donnelly (Otago), David Hall (Southland), Chris King (Southland), Johnny Leota (Manawatu), Jason Macdonald (Otago), Hoani MacDonald (Southland), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), Brett Mather ý (Otago), Toby Morland (Otago), Lucky Mulipola (Otago), Craig Newby (Otago), Clint Newland (Hawke's Bay), Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Steven Setephano (Otago), Alando Soakai (Otago), Niva Ta'auso (Counties Manukau), Ezra Taylor (Otago), Adam Thomson (Otago), Hayden Triggs (Manawatu), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Northland), Paul Williams (Canterbury), James Wilson (Southland).

Schedule:

15 Feb: v Reds, away

23 Feb: v Brumbies, away

1 March: v Waratahs, home

7 March: v Hurricanes, home

14/15 March: Bye

22 March: v Force, home

29 March: v Chiefs, away

4 April: v Lions, home

11 April: v Sharks, home

19 April: v Bulls, away

26 April: v Stormers, away

2 May: v Cheetahs, away

10 May: v Blues, home

17 May: v Crusaders, away