The Highlanders squad for next season, named today, has 22 players back from last season, and will have players from 13 different provinces.
The side features five players from Otago - Liam Coltman, Tom Franklin, Hayden Parker, Trent Renata and Ben Smith - while Southland supplies three players in first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga and loose forwards Elliot Dixon and John Hardie.
There are 10 newcomers this year, all signings which have previously been announced by the franchise.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is coaching in Japan, along with assistant coach Tony Brown, and was not available for comment yesterday.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the continuity gained by bringing back players was a huge asset for the side.
''Character is an important asset for us. What came through last year was the side were a good bunch of guys who got along well and all played for each other.
''That is something we want to repeat and we think we have added to that in strengthening in some areas.''
Of the 10 newcomers, big seasons loom for front rowers Brendon Edmonds and Ash Dixon while loose forward Dan Pryor will want to make an impact after a false start at this level for the Blues.
Nasi Manu and Ben Smith were co-captains last season but, with Smith looking at a big season next year, Clark said the captaincy for 2015 had yet to be decided upon.
''Both of them will want to do it and will do a good job but we have to have a serious talk with them about that. It is not something we have decided on yet.''
Ben and halfback Aaron Smith loom as key players for not only the Highlanders but the All Blacks next year, and Clark said they would have a lengthy break of up to six weeks before the season started.
The duo will not play any part in the team's pre-season and, with the team having a bye in the first round, should be available for the first game of the season against the Crusaders on February 21.
The duo's playing load had been discussed with All Black management and agreed they would not be involved with pre-season until the middle of February at the earliest.
''They will be doing their own training and will freshen them up to come back just before that first game. That is actually a wee bit longer than they have had previously.''
Clark said the Highlanders were picked on form at Super rugby level and the ITM Cup and he felt the representation from Otago and Southland was about the right number.
Otago finished 13th in the ITM Cup and Southland 11th.
''The players have been picked on form and, if you look at the performance of the local teams, then it is something [picking eight locals] that is hard to argue against.''
He confirmed the franchise was looking to announce a forwards coach who would be appointed for the duration of the season. He declined to say who the franchise had its eye on but something was likely to be announced in the next couple of weeks. It would be a person within New Zealand.
Possibilities could be Taranaki coach Colin Cooper or Southland's Hoani Macdonald.
The team will start training on November 27, and then break for two weeks on December 19. The first pre-season game is against the Crusaders on January 24.
Highlanders
Squad for 2015
Forwards: Kane Hames, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Ma'afu Fia, Ross Geldenhuys, Josh Hohneck, Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Gareth Evans, John Hardie, Shane Christie, Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon.
Backs: Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Trent Renata, Shaun Treeby, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Ben Smith, Kurt Baker.
New boys: Tala'apitaga, Geldenhuys, Hohneck, Edmonds, Dixon, Ainley, Reddish, Pryor, Banks, Naholo.
Gone from 2013: Josh Bekhuis (Blues), Phil Burleigh (Edinburgh), Matias Diaz (released), Jarrad Hoeata (Cardiff), TJ Ioane (released), Chris King (Montpellier), Brayden Mitchell (released), Willie Ripia (released), Winston Stanley (released), Brad Thorn (Leicester), Frae Wilson (Hurricanes)
Wider training group: Sam Anderson-Heather, Joe Latta, Lee Allan, Josh Renton, Tei Walden, Ryan Tongia.
