Super 15 sides were named yesterday for the 2015 season and there was the usual assortment of new names and departures.
The Blues will bring back 22 players from this year's squad and have added 10 new players, the bulk of those in the forward pack.
A couple of former Highlanders have made their way back into the system from overseas and will seek to make an impact for their new sides.
Daniel Bowden was once the great hope for Otago and the Highlanders when he came to the town in 2008, many viewing him as a player to fill the boots of the departed Nick Evans.
It never really happened. After a couple of seasons for the Highlanders, he moved to the Crusaders for a season before heading overseas.
At one stage, there was talk of the Auckland Grammar old boy making the England side but he is now back to play for the Blues.
Where he fits in that outfit is open to question. Bowden (28) is seen as an option at No 10 but it is hard to see him starting ahead of Ihaia West, and and he rather lacks the size and speed to make an impact in the midfield.
The Blues actually have six former Highlanders on their books, the most of any New Zealand franchise.
Down the road at the Chiefs, Hosea Gear is back.
He has cut short his time in France and is playing in Japan before linking with the Hamilton-based side.
The former Highlander's experience will be invaluable for the Chiefs and he can score tries but it is hard to see him cracking the All Black scene.
There are so many quality wings ahead of the 30-year-old, it will take a serious injury or two to get him back into black jersey contention.
One notable absentee from the Chiefs is Robbie Robinson.
Robinson first played for the Highlanders in 2010, as a 20-year-old, and now finds himself without a team for next year.
He missed all of last season with injury and, at one stage, his entire career looked under threat because of a mysterious hip injury.
Where he ends up is an unknown but, at just 25, his career in New Zealand rugby may be at an end.
Another one heading out the exit door is also a former Highlander, Nick Crosswell.
He is not wanted by the Chiefs and appears headed overseas at just 28.
Others such as discarded Highlanders TJ Ioane and Brayden Mitchell will also be looking for new employers.
Both 25, their time may be up in New Zealand rugby. It seems a bit of a crime but that is rugby these days.
If you are not established by the time you are 25, overseas opportunities beckon.
Every player can be replaced and every year a new crop of potential stars come through.
But a couple of the new crop are unique.
Two Hurricanes wider squad members, hooker Leni Apisai and loose forward Hugh Renton, both 18, were actually born after Super rugby started in 1996.
The competition is now entering its second generation.
