Wellington - A power shift from north to south and the absence of two veteran flankers are the talking points after New Zealand franchises unveiled their Super Rugby squads for 2013.
Roles were reversed as a squad laden with Super Rugby rookies were listed for the three-time champion Blues to work under new coach John Kirwan in Auckland.
Hours later the unfashionable Highlanders based in Dunedin announced a mix featuring 11 past or present All Blacks, including two Blues converts in prop Tony Woodcock and centre Ma'a Nonu.
That pair and evergreen lock Brad Thorn inject 214 Test caps into a squad who will be favoured to reach the playoffs.