The Highlanders confirmed the signings of almost an entire forward pack yesterday, although a couple of the names would have had fans reaching for the Google search button.
Three of the players had been all but unveiled in the Otago Daily Times in recent weeks.
One Hawkes Bay hooker (Ash Dixon, 26) replaces another (Ged Robinson, who has joined the Crusaders), while Josh Hohneck (28) is among no fewer than four new props to join Kane Hames and Ma'afu Fia.
The other well-signalled signing was that of Wellington lock Mark Reddish (29), a veteran of four seasons with the Hurricanes.
Reddish is the first of what will presumably be three reinforcements in the second row, where Brad Thorn, Josh Bekhuis and Jarrad Hoeata have all departed.
Arguably, the most exciting player in the remaining quartet is Dan Pryor (26), the dreadlocked Northland loose forward.
Pryor has looked dynamic for the Taniwha and, after a brief spell with the Blues in 2012, will be eager to prove he has the ability to stand out at Super rugby level.
The other three are all props and are relatively unproven.
Brendon Edmonds (23) was in the Hurricanes squad this year, Ross Geldenhuys (31) has played Currie Cup rugby in South Africa, and Pingi Tala'apitaga (27) is a 120kg slab from Bay of Plenty.
Bucking the trend of investing in youth, only one of the Highlanders' newcomers is under the age of 26.
There is hardly a swag of star power in the group but they add much-needed depth in the pack, and the Highlanders' resurgence this year - and the performances of journeymen like Richard Buckman - point to a policy of finding hidden gems.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said a key for the franchise to address was the pressure it received in the set piece in the final stages of the competition.
''We have selected players with that in mind and who we think can improve our team in that area,' Joseph said.
''All players have a real desire to be part of the Highlanders, which is exciting for them and for us as we welcome them on board.''
General manager Roger Clark was ''really excited'' to see what the new recruits could bring to the Highlanders.
There are still holes to fill - notably halfback - and the Highlanders would be keeping a close eye on the end of the ITM Cup to find more players, Clark said.
