Highlanders 2026
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
Xavier Tito-Harris was impressive tonight aswell.
That Canterbury 13 is a great player too, Jone Rova. Imagine a midfield of him and big Jim…
Apparently Rova has signed for the Canes.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Seems an odd move for him.
Blues left him with not much choice, got squeezed out.
Landers have sounded out Xavier Tito Harris as well about a shift south.
Pretty much straight on the phone to him after his first round hat trick performanceAnd is he interested?
Yea hes very keen to get a SR gig. Not fussed where it is.
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Update on the Jacomb situation. Negotiations still ongoing - would seem Jacomb is keen, but there are some complexities to work through in relation to him still being contracted to the Chiefs for next year.
I would be surprised if that deal did not get completed.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Update on the Jacomb situation. Negotiations still ongoing - would seem Jacomb is keen, but there are some complexities to work through in relation to him still being contracted to the Chiefs for next year.
I would be surprised if that deal did not get completed.
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs? Not sure the Hurricanes need all of Love Harkin, Godrey and Cashmore.
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Jacomb is an interesting one. Liam Napier makes the argument in the Herald that the only thing stopping him from developing is game time at the next level, but I’m not sure I agree. He’s largely built his reputation as a first five from his performances for Taranaki in the NPC, when they won the comp in 2023 with their effective double pod attacking shape. But he hasn’t really been able to transfer these performances to other levels, whether it’s at the Chiefs or All Blacks XV.
Add to this the fact that teams are being increasingly successful at shutting the Taranaki attack down – only 5 line breaks from 149 carries and 61% of possession in last year’s semi-final against Waikato, for a total of 14 points scored in 80 minutes; 16 dominant tackles for the North Harbour defence this Saturday versus only 5 in last year’s match-up – and you’re starting to get the sense that Jacomb is, at his core, a systems player. Someone who is excellent at putting effective attacking structures into place but who can struggle when those shapes are being foiled by opposition defence.
Just to be clear, that’s not necessarily a critique of Jacomb or, at least, not a judgment that he can’t be successful at the Highlanders. Being able to execute attacking game plans is a crucial skill of any first five. But Jacomb doesn’t strike me as a player who will be a success in whatever environment he’s put in (unlike, say, a player of Ruben Love’s calibre who can still impose his athleticism and game-breaking ability, if the attack plan is failing).
Any successful potential stint for Jacomb at the Highlanders, in other words, will also largely depend on the plans and tactics of Highlanders attack coach, Cory Brown. If he can come up with an effective attacking system, then I think Jacomb could be the perfect puzzle piece to take the Highlanders to the next level.
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We are looking like there wil be a nice arsenal of outside backs for whoever the 10 is to unleash. Albeit quite young.
Fullbacks:
JRK
Hurley
SolomonWings:
Tangitau
Nareki
Tito-Harris (may be)That is a fair bit of raw talent outwide.
With Jacomb, I'm a bit with @Mauss he probably isn't as good as what some think. On the other hand, he is several steps ahead of the two we have on contract at the moment in Taine Robinson and Cam Millar. He will also potentially join a team with seferal familiar faces from Taranaki. Mika Muliaina is the end target for that jersey. We just don't want to have our hand forced and have him starting at 19 or 20. Hurley/Solomon may be seen as 10s as well. Have one of them coming off the bench to lift the tempo.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
We are looking like there wil be a nice arsenal of outside backs for whoever the 10 is to unleash. Albeit quite young.
Fullbacks:
JRK
Hurley
SolomonWings:
Tangitau
Nareki
Tito-Harris (may be)That is a fair bit of raw talent outwide.
With Jacomb, I'm a bit with @Mauss he probably isn't as good as what some think. On the other hand, he is several steps ahead of the two we have on contract at the moment in Taine Robinson and Cam Millar. He will also potentially join a team with seferal familiar faces from Taranaki. Mika Muliaina is the end target for that jersey. We just don't want to have our hand forced and have him starting at 19 or 20. Hurley/Solomon may be seen as 10s as well. Have one of them coming off the bench to lift the tempo.
Whole-heartedly agree. Jacomb might not be what some think, but is the best available and should be an upgrade on what we have.
And who knows, maybe being the main man will see him take his game to new heights.
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would like to see Nic Shearer involved with the landers in 2026. Has been impressive for Southland so far
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2026:
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs?
Yes, the Chiefs won't be giving up Jacomb without a suitable replacement. Especially if the story about Trask also leaving is correct.
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Update on the Jacomb situation. Negotiations still ongoing - would seem Jacomb is keen, but there are some complexities to work through in relation to him still being contracted to the Chiefs for next year.
I would be surprised if that deal did not get completed.
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs? Not sure the Hurricanes need all of Love Harkin, Godrey and Cashmore.
Harkin or Godfrey could be targets after next season. Godfrey might be the guy that eventually loses out on game time, especially if they see Love as the 10 going forward. If Godfrey doesn't see much gametime next year, he will likely look for a new home. Playing under the roof would suit his style. He has also played plenty of rugby with Fakatava at HB.
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@Fredsaua12 We already have Fakatava, Lennox and Pledger. Would be great for the Bravehearts tho.
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- Fakatava
- Jacomb
- Tito-Harris
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Tangitau
- JRK
That’s a deadly backline.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
- Fakatava
- Jacomb
- Tito-Harris
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Tangitau
- JRK
That’s a deadly backline.
More about the depth. The Chiefs and Crusaders cycled through quality players each week. We really pushed some of our guys to the limits. Running the same combo week after week and it just didn't work.
Just as those guys will be important. So will Hurley, Nareki, Solomon, Te Hiwi and Whaanga. We need to be able to share the load to be a competitive team.
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An Updated Highlanders Squad List:
Props:
Ethan de Groot
Josh Bartlett
Saula Ma'u
Sefo Kautai
Angus Ta'avaoHookers:
Jack Taylor
Henry Bell
Soane VikenaLocks:
Fabian Holland
Mitch DunsheaLoose Forwards:
Oliver Haig
TK Howden
Sean Withy
Veveni Lasaqa
Will Stodart
Hugh Renton
Nikora BroughtonThat leaves room for another loosehead prop, lock and openside flanker. I believe Josh Tengblad is signed up, am just unsure whether that kicks in from 2026 or 2027. Wingham and Michaels are still on contract, but I'd be surprised to see them back.
Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava
Adam Lennox
Dylan PledgerFirst Fives:
Cam Millar
Taine RobinsonMidfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Tanielu Tele'a
Josh Whaanga
Jake Te HiwiOutside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Finn Hurley
Stanley Solomon
Jona Nareki
Caleb TangitauAdding in Tito-Harris & Jacomb, would leave one spot. Probably a midfielder. Ta'avao will be the Blues player we have signed, so can kill off the Grindlay rumours. My money would be on them nailing down Tayne Harvey, and that would pretty much be your lot.
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@frugby I'm not sure how thrilled I'd be signing Tayne Hervey for 2026. He's a talent but I've yet to see enough of him at NPC level to be convinced he's ready for the step up to Super Rugby. Assuming we've lost TUJ and Lowe we're pretty short on experience in our backline depth. Whaanga and Te Hiwi has yet to shine at this level.
An Injury to big Jim or Telea and you're staring down the barrel of a long season. I'd be tempted to sign a more experienced midfielder and then chase Harvey for 2027.
Especially with not a heap of depth in the young halves an experienced midfielder makes a bit more sense.
