Coach Glenn Moore has got his wish, with 20 players back from last year to run out in that ever-changing Highlanders jersey next season.
He knows it is a big year, not only for the players and the coaching team, but for the good of rugby south of the Waitaki River.
The very existence of the franchise in the region is under threat.
Make no mistake about that.
The New Zealand Rugby Union is underwriting the Highlanders for the next two seasons.
But if, after those two seasons, the Highlanders are still losing on the paddock and drawing low crowds, then it will be "see you later" to the south.
This is professional sport, where it is more about the balance sheet than the team sheet.
Forget about the history and the status of rugby in the south.
If the franchise is not successful, then it is gone, off to Hawkes Bay or the North Shore or maybe even South Africa.
The NZRU says it wants to have a Super rugby team in the lower part of the South Island for geographical reasons, but money talks.
Sound bites and principles do not pay the bills.
The Highlanders have to start winning, and in doing so draw back the crowds.
The new Forsyth Barr stadium is hovering in the background as a way to keep the side here but may come too late for an ailing team.
On the paddock, the Highlanders will have a solid forward pack and some quality on the outside next year, but the key, as always, is the axis around the 8-9-10 position.
It is a big year for prop Jamie Mackintosh.
Tipped as a future All Black star when still at school, the Southland captain must get the better of opponents and start to dominate.
The rest of the forward pack is as good as most packs in the competition, with plenty of ball-winning locks and speedy loose forwards.
No 8 Nasi Manu is important but there are question marks over whether he can last a whole campaign.
It is also vital that Steven Setephano delivers on that potential.
He seems to be forever promising. Jimmy Cowan must go to the next level at halfback.
He has to run and take over games like Justin Marshall used to.
Being calm and level-headed when the chips are down will define Cowan's season as a captain.
Cowan and Mackintosh almost left the Highlanders over the past couple of months.
That they stayed was a win for the franchise and hopefully will re-energise both players.
Outside Cowan, whoever wears the No 10 jersey has to play out of their skin.
Michael Hobbs is a bit of a mystery man, but hopefully a pleasant surprise.
Mathew Berquist is back and he must raise the bar considerably from last year.
It is also time for the likes of Jayden Hayward, who saw limited time last season, to have a break-out year.
The talents of outside backs Israel Dagg and Ben Smith have to be used if the Highlanders have any chance.
If not, and another average year, and another 11th, then it could be bye, bye Highlanders.
And who to support then? The Crusaders?
When author Tom Clancy was protesting the departure of his beloved Colts American football team from Baltimore to Indianapolis, he was told to go support the nearby Washington Redskins.
His response? "I'd rather sell my kids to the gypsies."
