Highlanders 2026
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Taylor probably not on the radar. Likely to do with the fact arguably 6 of the top 8 are involved with the SR final.
It isn't a right now thing. It is looking at whether his skillset and capabilities align to what the management team is looking for. Taylor's progression has been strong, and he is showing constant improvement. Remembering he will only just be turning 22 next week. Is a strong long-term option for them to monitor.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Taylor probably not on the radar. Likely to do with the fact arguably 6 of the top 8 are involved with the SR final.
It isn't a right now thing. It is looking at whether his skillset and capabilities align to what the management team is looking for. Taylor's progression has been strong, and he is showing constant improvement. Remembering he will only just be turning 22 next week. Is a strong long-term option for them to monitor.
There's not really anyone else to call up is there?
Taukei'aho, McAlister, Taylor, Bell, Moananu all involved in the final. Riccitelli heading overseas, Eklund is never getting a shot, Mullan hasn't been sighted this year, Aumua is injured, the other Hurricanes rakes are in a similar boat to Eklund... They have to pick someone to fill in at camp, might as well go for a young guy who could theoretically one day reach ABs heights, even if that change is exceptionally slim.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Taylor probably not on the radar. Likely to do with the fact arguably 6 of the top 8 are involved with the SR final.
It isn't a right now thing. It is looking at whether his skillset and capabilities align to what the management team is looking for. Taylor's progression has been strong, and he is showing constant improvement. Remembering he will only just be turning 22 next week. Is a strong long-term option for them to monitor.
There's not really anyone else to call up is there?
Taukei'aho, McAlister, Taylor, Bell, Moananu all involved in the final. Riccitelli heading overseas, Eklund is never getting a shot, Mullan hasn't been sighted this year, Aumua is injured, the other Hurricanes rakes are in a similar boat to Eklund... They have to pick someone to fill in at camp, might as well go for a young guy who could theoretically one day reach ABs heights, even if that change is exceptionally slim.
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@brodean said in Highlanders 2026:
I thought Tuputupu has played better than Taylor and has a higher up side.
Maybe, I'd describe them both as serviceable and nothing more at this stage. For all we know, both players are in camp - which really just tells us that they're potentially in the top... eight or so hooker in the country?
The only really interesting thing we can gather from the selection is that Fakatava is definitely not in the selection frame. Otherwise, without knowing total numbers etc there's very little you can actually infer.
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At the moment, Taylor is much better than Tuputupu as a lineout thrower, and less error-prone around the field.
Taylor has also been a better lineout thrower than Taukei'aho and Bell this season too.
The Canes have the shortest lineout in the comp which puts a lot of pressure on their hookers. They regularly played Kirifi, Lakai and Iose. None of their top 3 locks are above 197.
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@brodean said in Highlanders 2026:
I thought Tuputupu has played better than Taylor and has a higher up side.
Maybe, I'd describe them both as serviceable and nothing more at this stage. For all we know, both players are in camp - which really just tells us that they're potentially in the top... eight or so hooker in the country?
The only really interesting thing we can gather from the selection is that Fakatava is definitely not in the selection frame. Otherwise, without knowing total numbers etc there's very little you can actually infer.
@Mr-Fish probably other thing that's interesting is that Saula Ma'au isn't the selection frame either. He made All Blacks XV last year. And aside from 2 - 3 miserable games mid season made a good comeback towards the end of the year.
With George Dyer heading overseas my assumption is he's have been first in line due to injury to be called into the squad. However given he's not in the camp you'd have to assume someone else is.
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@Mr-Fish probably other thing that's interesting is that Saula Ma'au isn't the selection frame either. He made All Blacks XV last year. And aside from 2 - 3 miserable games mid season made a good comeback towards the end of the year.
With George Dyer heading overseas my assumption is he's have been first in line due to injury to be called into the squad. However given he's not in the camp you'd have to assume someone else is.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Mr-Fish probably other thing that's interesting is that Saula Ma'au isn't the selection frame either. He made All Blacks XV last year. And aside from 2 - 3 miserable games mid season made a good comeback towards the end of the year.
With George Dyer heading overseas my assumption is he's have been first in line due to injury to be called into the squad. However given he's not in the camp you'd have to assume someone else is.
It’s just a smaller contingent at camp, nothing outrageous in terms on numbers. They will have both Lomax and Tosi there.
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Taylor has also been a better lineout thrower than Taukei'aho and Bell this season too.
The Canes have the shortest lineout in the comp which puts a lot of pressure on their hookers. They regularly played Kirifi, Lakai and Iose. None of their top 3 locks are above 197.
an @brodean said in Highlanders 2026:
Taylor has also been a better lineout thrower than Taukei'aho and Bell this season too.
The Canes have the shortest lineout in the comp which puts a lot of pressure on their hookers. They regularly played Kirifi, Lakai and Iose. None of their top 3 locks are above 197.
https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/squad?team=1
Conversely, none of their locks are below 1.97 and two are more than 2 metres tall. -
James Arscott confirming he is leaving Highlanders/Otago
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Looks like Filimone saying thanks and goodbye as well.
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Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
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Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
interesting I thought he might have been worth a punt by a NZ franchise.
Crusaders for Drummond
Hurricanes for Enari
Chiefs for TTT -
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
interesting I thought he might have been worth a punt by a NZ franchise.
Crusaders for Drummond
Hurricanes for Enari
Chiefs for TTT@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
interesting I thought he might have been worth a punt by a NZ franchise.
Crusaders for Drummond
Hurricanes for Enari
Chiefs for TTTHe's definitely better than Enari.
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@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
interesting I thought he might have been worth a punt by a NZ franchise.
Crusaders for Drummond
Hurricanes for Enari
Chiefs for TTTHe's definitely better than Enari.
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Hearing Hastie is being linked to the Western Force
interesting I thought he might have been worth a punt by a NZ franchise.
Crusaders for Drummond
Hurricanes for Enari
Chiefs for TTTHe's definitely better than Enari.
Yeah at least he is a running threat.
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Force makes sense for Hastie. Grew up there until 2019. Played first XV with Tamati Williams over there. Its first string halfback getting on. Would he have already done the Australian residency?
What I'm frustrated about is that we haven't seen it announced who is leaving the franchise yet
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The way it works, is they will not announce players leaving who have not yet signed elsewhere. Standard practice.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
The way it works, is they will not announce players leaving who have not yet signed elsewhere. Standard practice.
No it isn't. The last two years two to three weeks after the season they have released a list.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
The way it works, is they will not announce players leaving who have not yet signed elsewhere. Standard practice.
No it isn't. The last two years two to three weeks after the season they have released a list.
@SouthernMann all of whoom had signed with other franchises. Last year from memory it was CGB, Harmon, Bodego, Ainsley, Patchell and Pari Pari.
Jackson, Johnstone, Hicks, Plummer, Takafu, Tucke, Sanders, Timu and Whaanga were not announced at that stage.
