HALFBACK MAGIC
Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava and Kayne Hammington might just make up the deepest halfback stocks in the country. Smith, now 32, continues to show his class and ability year after year and shows no signs of slowing down. It's somewhat of a win-loss situation for the likes of Fakatava and Hammington who, while get the opportunity to learn from one of the best halfbacks New Zealand rugby has every seen, it doesn't lend its hand to many opportunities for the younger guys. But for the Highlanders as a team, you couldn't ask for much better in the depth department. Fakatava exploded during the Mitre 10 Cup season as a player to watch for the future, while Hammington has been a serviceable halfback in Super Rugby for the past few years. Should Smith get injured or be unavailable, the team can be supremely confident in any of the two to deputise for him. Both play with speed to their game and offer plenty in the kicking and running departments.