Highlanders 2026
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The chat seems to have firmly switched to 2026, so figured the new thread was in order. Below is the contract status of the current squad:
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2027)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Off-contract)
Josh Bartlett (2026?)
Saula Ma’u (2026?)
Sefo Kautai (2026?)
Rohan Wingham (2026?)Hookers:
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)
Henry Bell (Off-contract - am hearing he has had his contract extended for 2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2028)
Mitch Dunshea (Off-contract - rumour is he is staying)
Tai Cribb (Injury Cover)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
TK Howden (2026)
Lui Naeta (GONE)
Sean Withy (2027?)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Michael Loft (Injury Cover)
Tom Sanders (GONE)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Will Stodart (2026)
Nikora Broughton (Off-contract?)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026 - LEAVING)
James Arscott (GONE)
Adam Lennox (Injury Cover - SIGNED)First Fives:
Taine Robinson (2026?)
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (JAPAN)Midfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2027)
Tanielu Tele’a (2026?)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (2025/26?)
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Josh Whaanga (2027)Outside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2028)
Sam Gilbert (CONNACHT)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Jona Nareki (Off-contract)
Caleb Tangitau (2028)
Jonah Lowe (Off-contract)
Michael Manson (Off-contract)
Taniela Filimone (Injury Cover)@frugby Where is Hastie off to? Is that fact or just speculation?
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@frugby Where is Hastie off to? Is that fact or just speculation?
@Tackle-and-Drive said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby Where is Hastie off to? Is that fact or just speculation?
No likely landing spot flagged. Seems it is quite solid info. Few people have said and heard it.
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TUJ potentially on the move to the blues ..
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TUJ potentially on the move to the blues ..
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
TUJ potentially on the move to the blues ..
For better hospitals?
Good player but injuries are a concern -
anyone know off the top of their heads how many games we got out of TUJ this year?
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anyone know off the top of their heads how many games we got out of TUJ this year?
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
anyone know off the top of their heads how many games we got out of TUJ this year?
Just did a quick check. 11 games. Pretty reasonable for an inside back these days with rotations etc. Probably the most Highlanders games he’s played in a season since he joined
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
anyone know off the top of their heads how many games we got out of TUJ this year?
Just did a quick check. 11 games. Pretty reasonable for an inside back these days with rotations etc. Probably the most Highlanders games he’s played in a season since he joined
@Landers92 thats kind of what i felt.....but im wrong more times than im right so wanted to check, definitely one of his better season injury wise
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TUJ potentially on the move to the blues ..
@CtownCowboy Definitely the Blues? Just reading between the lines, MP have 30 players locked in for next year, of which only 24 (I think?) are actually publicly known. TUJ to link up with his uncle?
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They just got Laumape so I’m guessing no
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The faster we get confirmation from the club around departures, the wasier it will be to throw around potential new guys. Even as it stands it is looking likely several under contract guys will be leaving. Having that surety will make the picture clearer
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The faster we get confirmation from the club around departures, the wasier it will be to throw around potential new guys. Even as it stands it is looking likely several under contract guys will be leaving. Having that surety will make the picture clearer
@SouthernMann several under contract? so we buy out their contracts or their new clubs do?
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Probably more 'a few' than several. Faleafaga already gone, Hastie strongly rumoured to be, can't see Muchaels being kept around...
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Probably more 'a few' than several. Faleafaga already gone, Hastie strongly rumoured to be, can't see Muchaels being kept around...
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Probably more 'a few' than several. Faleafaga already gone, Hastie strongly rumoured to be, can't see Muchaels being kept around...
Faleafaga has signed for a team in Japan, so I would assume that is a release with no payoff. No idea where Hastie going, but every time I ask, am told he is gone. I'd suggest that means he has signed overseas, but no idea on that.
Michaels and Wingham are curious ones. The former the definitely signed, the latter probably signed, but clearly are not rated by the coaches. Will be interesting to see what occurs.
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if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
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if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2026:
if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
Ok C4L, time to read the thread title
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2026:
if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
Ok C4L, time to read the thread title
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2026:
if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
Ok C4L, time to read the thread title
Hey, leave me out of this.
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if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2026:
if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
No Rieko next year so presumably Lam to 13?
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2026:
if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
No Rieko next year so presumably Lam to 13?
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2026:
@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2026:
if TUJ comes to the Blues does that mean Lam stays, leaves, goes to 13 or wing or just rotates with TUJ?
No Rieko next year so presumably Lam to 13?
Yeah, um my fault but this really goes in the Blues thread.
Don't want to upset those fine Highlanders fans and the ex-Canes bandwagon fans... -
Lasaqa and Howden re-signing until 2027. Which is a further year on their current deals.
A subscribers ODT article from the ODT featuring an interview with Joseph. Says several players are leaving. Out of the guys leaving they only wanted to keep Gilbert.
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/positives-despite-difficult-season
