WHY?
Too much class gone from the forward pack combined with the loss of their backline playmaker Nick Evans leaves the Highlanders underpowered and struggling for direction...much the same as me entering the A1 Grand Prix in a Datsun SSS...

Combine those factors with an inexperienced coach and an old stadium that has had dwindling crowds for the last few years and this could be a horrible season for the southerners

WHO'S GONE?:
Backs
Star Players: Vili Waqaseduadua, Callum Bruce, and Nick Evans
Journeymen: Matt Saunders, Craig Clare and Jason Kawau .. all of whom tried hard but weren't difference makers at S14 level. Glen Horton, Greg Zampach and Charlie Hore are also gone.
Forwards
Star Players: Josh Blackie, James Ryan, Anton Oliver, Clarke Dermody and All Black #1000
Journeymen: Hale T-Pole, Filipo Levi & Kane Thompson.

WHO'S NEW
Outside Backs: James Wilson, Paul Williams, Fetu'u Vainikolo,
Centers: Brett Mather, Johnny Leota, Niva  Ta'auso,
Halves: Mike Delany, Daniel Bowden,
Loosies: Stephen Setephano, Adam Thompson,
Locks: Isaac Ross, Hayden Triggs,
Prop: Clinton 'One Punch' Newland
Of the new arrivals Daniel Bowden and Isaac Ross appeal as the 2 best acquisitions from a talent point of view. But both are young and may have had a better time in a team where their efforts weren't so key to the success of their side.

WHO IS IN THE SQUAD FOR 2008?
Outside Backs: C+
James Wilson (Southland), Paul Williams (Canterbury), Lucky Mulipola (Otago), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Northland)
To be fair the outside backs look okay on paper but may not see enough ball to do anything cool. Williams & Wilson should fight it out for the 15 jersey and the sensational Lucky Mulipola and Vainikolo are a pair of hard running and fast wingers.

Centers: D
Brett Mather (Otago), Johnny Leota (Manawatu), Niva Ta'auso (Counties), Aaron Bancroft (Otago)
If Niva can stay fit he is a line breaker and good distributor. Mather improved as the ANZC went on last year, but to me his improvement came about more through the efforts of Chris Noakes who ran the Otago backline well during the 2nd half of the ANZC. Bancroft lead the Otago stats in assists in 2007 and Johnny Leota was part of a very very good Manawatu midfield. However when you compare these guys to the riches possessed by the Hurricanes, Crusaders etc they aren't in the same class.

Halves: C+
Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty), Daniel Bowden (Otago Taniwhas), Toby Morland (Otago), Jimmy Cowan (Southland)
Owen Delany ahead of Noakes?  WTF?  X-AB Cowan may have a star outside him in Bowden but Jimmy will have to shoulder the burden of tactical direction and leadership until Bowden gets used to the speed of S14. I'm not sure if that's Jimmy's strong suit as it's more his abrasiveness and defence that he is famous for. Cowan is probably the best player on the team though so he needs to stand up and show them that he is The Man.

Loose Forwards: C+
Ezra Taylor (Otago), Stephen Setephano (Waitago), Tim Boys (Southland), Alando Soakai (Otago), Adam Thompson (Otago), Craig Newby (Otago), Hoani MacDonald (Southland)
The Highlanders have been strong in the loose forward department since the Super 12 was first born. This year they are solid but don't have any world beaters. #8 looks to be a weak area with Taylor and Setephano players who have promised a lot but not delivered. Setephano has found himself stuck behind his high school teammate Liam Messam in the Chief's rotation and was lured south. Perhaps some steady game time could see him deliver on potential?
Captain Newby is injured and out for the next 6 weeks leaving me with the suspicion that Hoani could find himself at 6 with Thompson at 8 for the first part of the series. Thompson is highly rated down south but I personally don't get it. Would it scare Schalk Burger or George Smith to see Thompson marking him? Soakai and Boys are very mobile flankers and hopefully they will shine under the newer faster rules

Lock: C
Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Hayden Triggs (Manawatu), Tom Donnelly (Otago)
They could have got a B or B- if Triggs and Ross had more experience.  Tom Donnelly was outstanding during the ANZC last year and could play the tight lock to Ross's Ali Williams act.. or form an abrasive partnership with big Hayden Triggs who receives a well deserved S14 spot.
In any case the Highlander lineout will have good targets, the hookers just have to find them. I wouldn't be surprised if Isaac Ross turns out to be an All Black in the not too distant future.

Prop:C
Clint Newland (Hawke's Bay), Chris King (Southland), Keith Cameron (Otago), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland)
King and Cameron are okay but not difference makers, they also lack the quality ball carrying that the ELV's may require to become part of a prop's tools this year. Hawke's Bay Tighthead Clint Newland (1.96 - 130kg) will get the chance to show that he's more than the thug he was labelled as last year. He's a fine mauler, lifter and is immensely strong. His speed about the park can let him down a little but his hands are safe and he has a surprisingly good pass. Rumours were about that Jamie Mackintosh was carrying an injury be he and Newland could combine as the most effective pair of lifters ever.

Hooker:C-
David Hall (Southland), Jason Macdonald (Otago?)
No other franchise would want to swap their back-ups for either of these two.  MacDonald has been a serviceable backup to Anton the last few years and is a physical, mobile hooker. He missed a decent amount of last year with injury but should get the #2 jersey.