Former All Black winger Rico Gear will come out of retirement, in Invercargill of all places, to play for the New Zealand Barbarians on Friday night.
The Barbarians are playing the Highlanders in a match in Invercargill as the franchise looks to get back into playing mode as a crucial game against the Chiefs looms on the horizon.
The Barbarians side for Friday night is a mix of past players and promising juniors, and also features a South Korean lock.
Gear (36) finished up playing in Japan in February this year and is now the Poverty Bay union's rugby development officer, based in his home town of Gisborne.
He said with wider family in Invercargill it was a great chance to come south and play a game for the Barbarians.
Gear, who played 20 tests for the All Blacks, last played in New Zealand in 2007, before leaving to play in England.
Gear's younger brother, Hosea, has signed a contract with Honda in Japan and is then looking at a return to a Super 15 team next season.
The Barbarians side will be coached by Southland's new coach, Brad Mooar. It includes players from the Panasonic club in Japan in South Korean lock You Youngnam.
Mid Canterbury loose forward Jon Dampney will front up and will play alongside Highlander Gareth Evans.
Former Highlanders and Chiefs halfback Toby Morland, who is now based in Palmerston North, is playing along with Harbour halfback Nick Ealey.
Promising Southern midfield back Tei Walden will play, as will Southland midfielder Willis Halahalo.
Barbarians president Bryan Williams said he believed the club had not played a game in the South Island.
It was set up to support rugby at different levels and Williams and past chairman Mike Mills will be in Invercargill on Friday to spread the message.
The Highlanders will field two sides, playing a half each, and lock Josh Bekhuis (ankle) and flanker John Hardie (knee) are both over injuries and will take the field.
Flanker Shane Christie will not play as he has had a heavy workload this season and is recovering from a pulled hamstring picked up in the last game against the Reds on May 30.
Highlanders v New Zealand Barbarians
Invercargill, Friday, 6.30pm
Highlanders:
First half - Trent Renata, Richard Buckman, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Jayden Spence, Lima Sopoaga, Frae Wilson, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma;afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames.
Second half - Trent Renata, Gavin Stark, Winston Stanley, Shaun Treeby, Jayden Spence, Hayden Parker, Scott Eade, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, TJ Ioane, Joe Wheeler, Josh Bekhuis, Scott Manson, Ged Robinson, Chris King.
Barbarians squad (from): Bryan Milne, Jamie Verran, Keanu Kuhukura, Yastaka Sasakura, Willis Halohalo, Tei Walden, Rico Gear, Broc Hooper, Willie Ripia, Nick Ealey, Toby Morland, Bill Fukofuka, Jon Dampney, Gareth Evans, Craig Smith, You Youngnam, Michael Fatialofa, Alex Ainley,Alex Hodgman, JP Keon, Morgan Mitchell, Ross Geldenhuys, Brayden Mitchell (loose forward to be added).