The back three
The Highlanders have, by and large, had two home grounds over their existence.
From an outside back's point of view, one was a dream to play on.
The other, not exactly a nightmare but more of an uncomfortable sleep.
Forsyth Barr Stadium - the side's current home - is great for outside backs.
The conditions are always ideal, the track is always dry and the ball is in play much more often than at other places.
In contrast, Carisbrook, where the Highlanders played until 2011, was not the greatest location if you were an outside back.
It was often windy, often chilly and, sometimes cramped, outside backs did not always have everything in their favour.
But the good thing with Super rugby in those days was it was played early in the season.
The structure of the year meant most of the games were played in March and April and, if Dunedin was having a late summer, then the conditions were often conducive to running rugby.
In those early days, Jeff Wilson set the benchmark in the outside backs.
He quit for a couple of years to sort out his head but helped the team become a top-four contender.
He had it all and seemed to rise to the occasion.
Brendan Laney was also floating around at the same time and he had the ability to make something happen whenever he got the ball.
Jeremy Stanley was also another.
He wanted to be a centre but his best play for the Highlanders was on the left wing.
Brian Lima had two good years in 1996 and 1999.
Romi Ropati also had flashes of brilliance.
In the mid-2000s, there was not a lot of quality play at the back by the Highlanders.
Hayden Pedersen, Ben Blair and Roy Kinikinilau were all a bit hitandmiss.
Fetu'u Vainikolo was good in 2008 but let's not mention the following couple of years.
However, Israel Dagg came along in 2009, together with a young Ben Smith, and things out the back took a turn for the better.
When Dagg left at the end of the 2010 season, after two years, Smith went to fullback and has never looked back.
Hosea Gear was all right for the Highlanders but the arrival last year of Waisake Naholo was a real coup.
He came from the back of the queue to become an All Black in six months.
Patrick Osborne is also handy and the Highlanders now have one of the most, if not the most, dangerous back threes in the competition.
Contenders
Jeff Wilson: Class act
Brendan Laney: Always had time and a knack for scoring tries
Romi Ropati: 50 games for the Highlanders.
Israel Dagg: All Black fullback with a massive boot
Ben Smith: 100 games for franchise and keeps getting better
Waisake Naholo: Broke season try-scoring record in first season
