HIGHLANDERS

LOCATION: Dunedin, New Zealand

COACH: Jamie Joseph

2011 RESULT: 8th

TEAM RUNDOWN: The perennial poor cousins of NZ rugby, the Highlanders can expect to build on an eye-catching 2011 when they produced a host of early upsets. The recruitment of All Blacks Andrew Hore and Hosea Gearand English flanker James Haskell, and fit-again playmaker Colin Slade makes them legitimate contenders in a quality Kiwi conference.

SQUAD: Aaron Smith, Adam Thomson, Andrew Hore, Ben Smith, Bronson Murray, Calum Retallick, Chris King, Chris Noakes, Colin Slade, Doug Tietjens, Elliot Dixon, Hosea Gear, James Haskell, Jamie Mackintosh (c), Jared Hoeata, Jason Rutledge, Jimmy Cowan, John Hardie, Josh Bekhuis, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Kurt Baker, Lima Sopoaga, Ma’afau Fia Smith, Nasi Manu, Nick Crosswell, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Tamati Ellison, Telusa Veainu