Tongan-born Shannon Frizell (24) moved to Nelson after signing a development contract with the Tasman Rugby Union back in 2015.
Frizell represented New Zealand Marist at Under 19 level and also played for the Tasman sevens team before making his provincial debut for Tasman in 2016 with a blockbuster 2017 Mako season.
But it wasn't until Frizell, who stands tall at 1.95m, earned a contract with the Highlanders that his name cropped up on the Super Rugby circuit.
Blessed with dynamic rugby skills, which were on full display this year when he scored three tries in the Highlanders win over the Blues in round ten of Super Rugby, the promising loose forward has gone from strength to strength.
Since making his debut for the Highlanders in 2015 during their championship-winning season, Jackson Hemopo has impressed selectors with his outstanding form.
Hemopo was a member of the 2013 New Zealand Under 20 side and played for Otago between 2013-2015 before signing a deal to return to Manawatu in 2016 where he has continued to develop ever since.
The 24-year-old lock/loose forward was selected for the Maori All Blacks for their Northern Tour last year on the back of a very impressive provincial season with Manawatu, showing his ability to step up to international rugby.
Standing at 1.93m, Hemopo has since continued to prove his skill with the Highlanders playing a key role in their historic victory against the British and Irish Lions.
Jack Goodhue
Jack Goodhue. Photo / Getty
Jack Goodhue, 23-year-old center, made his first appearance in 2014 after joining the Canterbury squad for the ITM Cup.
Goodhue made five appearances and scored two tries but a concussion ended his season prematurely. And after starting the first two games of the following season, ACL and MCL knee injuries ruled him out for almost a year.
After extensive rehabilitation, Goodhue was back on the field in 2016 before being promoted to the full Crusaders squad for 2017.
Impressing selectors, Goodhue almost made his All Blacks debut last year when he was included as an injury cover for Ryan Crotty in the All Blacks' 33-man squad for the Pasifika Challenge against Samoa and three-test series against the British and Irish Lions.
The dynamic Crusaders and Canterbury first five-eighth, Richie Mo'unga, first made his Super Rugby debut playing for the Crusaders in 2016.
Starting all 16 matches and starring in their Super Rugby-winning campaign in 2017, Mo'unga was the leading points scorer, scoring 160 in just 10 games for Canterbury.
Catching the eye of All Blacks selectors, Mo'unga was called to join the squad as injury cover for the third Bledisloe Cup Test last year.
The 24-year-old then played for the UK Barbarians team that faced the All Blacks during the Northern Tour, scoring the game's opening try, before joining the All Blacks squad and making his debut off the bench against the French XV.
