TIGHT FIVE
It is not like a good prop can be judged on how many tries they score.
How do you judge the performance of a lock?
Is it solely on the number of lineouts won?
Some games a lock may never get any ball thrown to him.
Statistics in the sport can be taken with a grain of salt.
In the ill-fated 2013 season, the Highlanders had the highest percentage success in their scrum - winning the most ball off their own scrums.
But that was partly to do with the fact they had hardly any put-ins to the scrums, so it was an exceedingly low base to work with.
More to go with gut feeling when picking the top-ranked men in the tight.
At hooker, one name stands out.
Anton Oliver has played the most games for the Highlanders out of any player - 127 - and he was there for more than a decade.
He was as solid as a rock and worked hard all round the field.
Much was written about his ability at throwing in but it was not too bad.
The hooker gets too much flak for what is often the work of up to eight players.
Since Oliver left, there have been a few through the ranks.
Jason Rutledge enjoyed some fine form in what were his twilight years, while Andrew Hore played for two seasons without ever catching the eye, although he played injured for one of those seasons.
Liam Coltman had a forgettable 2014 but bounced back last year to be one of the best.
Some high-calibre propping talent has been through the Highlanders.
Carl Hayman, Carl Hoeft and Kees Meeuws were all top-class for the Highlanders, while Joe McDonnell was also an All Black when in the side.
In later years, Clarke Dermody was consistent and played his way into the All Blacks.
Chris King arrived with little fanfare from Canterbury and just worked away for years, eventually ending up with more than 100 caps for the franchise.
Jamie Mackintosh was a solid performer for the Highlanders and somewhat harshly labelled as a poor scrummager.
In the middle row, Simon Maling stands out. He was one of those players who just kept improving and won his way into the All Blacks.
He commanded the Highlanders lineout.
When he left, James Ryan looked to be the player to take over.
He was a fine player but injuries got in the way and he gave the game away by the time he was 25.
Ryan played club rugby with Tom Donnelly and Donnelly became a mainstay in the Highlanders second row.
He was a fine lineout forward who had great aerial skills.
John Blaikie was a consistent part of the Highlanders in the early years, as was Brendon Timmins.
In later years, Brad Thorn and Josh Bekhuis had solid campaigns in the jersey.
Contenders
Anton Oliver: Strong and solid.
Carl Hayman: Million-dollar man.
Kees Meeuws: Hard to budge and athletic.
Carl Hoeft: Ultra consistent and strong.
Simon Maling: Great in the air.
James Ryan: Gone too soon but great when on park.
Tom Donnelly: Very dependable lineout forward.
Dream Team
The Otago Daily Times is running a competition to name a Highlanders dream team - the best side, 15 players and seven reserves - from all the players who have turned out for the franchise in 20 years. Entries close on February 23 and can be posted to Box 517, Dunedin or emailed to: sport@odt.co.nz.