• Rugby: The Highlanders in 2014
The side will arrive back in Dunedin today from a long trip to South Africa and will then have a few days of debriefs and medicals before breaking up by the weekend.
The side had a 2014 season to remember, making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years and going down narrowly to the Sharks at the weekend in Durban.
As there was only one immediate flight out of South Africa after Sunday morning [NZ time], the winning team, the Sharks, were on it, flying to Christchurch.
The Highlanders had to wait a day and get back to Dunedin this morning.
The players and coaching staff will have had time to look back on an immensely satisfying season, way better than last year, when the team finished a disappointing 14th.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the organisation was reviewing the season. Players and management would have a break, then planning for 2015 would begin.
That planning would begin by the end of next month.
Clark said he was not going to name the 22 players the Highlanders had already tied in for next season but they represented a good core of this year's side.
The franchise was looking to sign another three or four from this year's squad and more than half a dozen from the ITM Cup.
''We look at guys playing in the ITM Cup and, typically, we might sign about seven guys from there. So there is a chance to impress,'' he said.
''When you look at last year, the 32nd guy we signed was Malakai Fekitoa.
''Richard Buckman was in the group from 33 to 37 and was in the wider training group but got his chance when Buxton [Popoali'i] dropped out and he ended up playing every game.''
Clark said the franchise was close to making some announcements on signings but he wanted to get the season fully out of the way and talk to the coaches before confirming players returning for next year.
All Black halfback Aaron Smith has all but signed a new deal and will be at the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has signed on for another two years and his assistants - Tony Brown, Scott McLeod and Jon Preston - are expected to follow suit.
The national union is involved in the contracting of coaches, which is drawing out the process.
No approach has been made to veteran lock Brad Thorn, as he concentrates on getting his body right. Thorn, who turns 40 in February, still has designs on playing next year.
An arm injury cut short this year's season.
Clark said Thorn and Joseph needed to have a conversation on the big lock's future.
Next season will start earlier and the first games are set for February 13.
With no incoming tours in the June window, because of the World Cup, there will be no three-week break.
The competition, including playoffs, will be finished by the end of June.
Clark said it made for a tight season and the draw and the placing of byes would be vital to teams.
Highlandersin 2015
Possible destinations for this year's Highlanders squad.-
Coming back: Ben Smith, Patrick Osborne, Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Jason Emery, Shaun Treeby, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Shane Christie, John Hardie, Gareth Evans, TJ Ioane, Joe Wheeler, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Franklin, Kane Hames, Liam Coltman.
Unsure: Ma'afu Fia, Elliot Dixon, Brayden Mitchell, Frae Wilson.
Sayonara: Jarrad Hoeata, Phil Burleigh, Chris King, Willie Ripia, Fumiaki Tanaka, Kurt Baker, Matias Diaz, Brad Thorn, Winston Stanley.