KEY POINTS:
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Restricted and conservative because they have no great experience in the backline. They are hugely reliant on some spark from Nick Evans and were travelling well last season until the first five-eighths damaged his collarbone in Pretoria. A knee injury which will remove Evans from the start of the series is not a strong omen. The tight five is competent with James Ryan and Clarke Dermody and there is some real fizz about the loosies where Josh Blackie excels. Behind the pack though, there have to be concerns about the attacking edge.
OFF-SEASON RECRUITING
For some time the Highlanders signalled they would be reluctant to pick players from outside their region. They hoped that would encourage players to transfer south but the strategy and reality did not coincide. Even then the Highlanders were reluctant to go to the draft with Lucky Mulipola and Viliame Waqaseduadua the only players chosen from outside the franchise area. Anton Oliver and Carl Hayman are the only two absentees on All Black conditioning work but their exit bites into one of the Highlanders' best weapons - the scrum.
BEST THING GOING FOR THEM
You can't use Carisbrook any more as a talisman as they have lost half of their last 20 matches at the famous ground. Blackie is a superb footballer and with Craig Newby will be two of the best on the ball and in the tackle area. But Evans' injury this week creates another huge hole in the side which lacks midfield power and class.
MAJOR FAILING LAST YEAR AND WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO FIX IT
In ignoring the draft, it appears the Highlanders have done little to address the major weaknesses in their back play, especially with the midfield departures of Neil Brew and Seilala Mapusua. There was little penetration last season and it seems the management has done little to remedy that weakness.
PROSPECTS Bleak.
They have been the bottom New Zealand side for the last two years and without the depth of the others may claim that unwanted title once more.
Any serious injuries will hit the side hard and they will also be mindful of the way they finished poorly in the past two years. An opening win would be great but that may even be tough, away in Perth to the Force.
