After a trip around the world, the Highlanders are back home but training resumes today and the scary thing is the side could be back in the air again as early as Sunday.
The team returned to Dunedin yesterday morning following an itinerary in which it covered more than 36,500km and was in the air for more than 50 hours.
The side flew from Dunedin to South Africa, via Australia. It then flew to Argentina via Brazil before heading home.
But it was worth it, bagging the maximum 10 points from the side's two games against the Kings in Port Elizabeth in South Africa, and the Jaguares in Buenos Aires in Argentina.
The squad had a 13½-hour flight from Argentina to Auckland and landed in Auckland about 4.30am yesterday before transferring to the red-eye connection flight to Dunedin
Family were there to meet the players yesterday and help them cart luggage as many of the them looked a tad weary after the long flight home.
Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon said it was good to be home and see family.
He said the side did seem to be away for a fair while but that was behind the players now and it was time to recover and get ready for the next game.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said it was good to be home and see familiar faces.
The side had yesterday off to recover from the travel but would be back into training today.
It would train tomorrow and the team is due to be named tomorrow afternoon.
The Highlanders will take on the Chiefs on Saturday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium, in what is shaping as the decider for the New Zealand conference.
The top four teams in the New Zealand conference - the Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders - are all still in with a chance of topping the conference and it will come down to the results of two games on Saturday night.
Preceding the match at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Crusaders will take on the Hurricanes in Christchurch.
Only one of the New Zealand teams will host a playoff game next week.
The remaining three teams will have to travel, and it could be all offshore.
All will be decided in the final game of the final round on Sunday when the Lions - the side which sits at the top of the table at present - take on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
The Lions have already won the Africa group one section while the Stormers have won the group two section, so will host games in the first round of the playoffs. Either the Brumbies or the Waratahs will host a playoff game - both sides are tied on 39 points going into the final round of games.
New Zealand referee Glen Jackson will officiate the game at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.
