As adidas unveil the New Zealand Super XV sides’ jerseys for the 2013 season, the Highlanders have been reasonably conservative with their design, in contrast to the flamboyant playing roster that coach Jamie Joseph has assembled.
While the other Kiwi franchises have opted for a stylised design on the front of their shirts, the Dunedin-based team have kept things simple, choosing to make mention of the key towns and areas which contribute to their catchment area – Waitaki, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, Dunedin Clutha, Southland, Gore and Invercargill.
The traditional colours remain, with the shirt primarily dark blue, and featuring maroon and gold highlights to represent the Southland and North Otago provinces. The words ‘Pride of the South’ are emblazoned on the collar.
There is great excitement around the Otago region, with the side, which has struggled for much of the last decade, having attracted a host of marquee names and experienced players. Senior All Blacks Tony Woodcock and Ma’a Nonu make the move South, and will be joined by veteran Brad Thorn, who returns to New Zealand following a post-World Cup stint overseas.
Nonu will join a backline already bursting at the seams with talent, including All Blacks Aaron Smith, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Ben Smith and Colin Slade, while 7s star Declan O’Donnell adds further fire-power. The performance of their loose-forwards will be a critical factor, being the only real area of any concern depth-wise following the departure of Highlanders’ stalwart Adam Thompson, but overall Joseph’s side could well provide an entertaining and successful season for rugby fans in the deep South.