Highlanders 2026
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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.
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@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?
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@SBW1 said in Highlanders 2026:
@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?
There is nothing to suggest he is coming back into the fold.
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Great too see Pledger starting at 9 for Otago this weekend. We also get a look at Tayne Harvey who’s starting on the left wing for Southland on Friday, how good!
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@cala7x said in Highlanders 2026:
What a lad Podcast with Angus Ta'avao release being brought forward to tomorrow morning. To announce/ confirm his move to the Highlanders
There will be an announcement at 6.30pm tonight.
Yeah interesting that one member asked about the signing. The Marketing Manager reacted with an emoji to it. Then boom we are getting likely announcements. Hopefully it is confirming a few guys. Not just Ta'avao
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@sparky said in Highlanders 2026:
Why are the Highlanders recruiting very old men? Weird recruitment strategy.
Because predominantly our squad is full of very young men. This year was the youngest squad in the comp. We lacked a bit of experience in certain games, so need to shore things up a bit. Smart signing around supporting the young lads.
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@sparky said in Highlanders 2026:
Why are the Highlanders recruiting very old men? Weird recruitment strategy.
Yeah a dud signing in my view. He’s been struggling at scrum time for Auckland so far and didn’t offer much for the Blues last year. Weird. Definitely seems passed it.
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Props are few and far between in NZ and it makes it pretty hard when some teams have 2/3 players AB quality props on their roster. Until something changes in that regard you are forced to go out and make these kinds of signings and Angus is the best available.
I’d rather sign Angus to a 1 year deal than some random from overseas. He isn’t signed to start every week, he’s there to have a solid guy off the bench who can close a game which is something our bench props struggled with last season and rotate with Ma’u when needed.
He has All Black experience which is only a good thing and someone for Ma’u to learn off. Ma’u was asked too start way too often last year so this signing will benefit him. To top it off he can also cover both sides of the scrum at a pinch which makes him even more valuable.
Much better than relying on a very raw and unproven Wingham.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
Props are few and far between in NZ and it makes it pretty hard when some teams have 2/3 players AB quality props on their roster. Until something changes in that regard you are forced to go out and make these kinds of signings and Angus is the best available.
I’d rather sign Angus to a 1 year deal than some random from overseas. He isn’t signed to start every week, he’s there to have a solid guy off the bench who can close a game which is something our bench props struggled with last season and rotate with Ma’u when needed.
He has All Black experience which is only a good thing and someone for Ma’u to learn off. Ma’u was asked too start way too often last year so this signing will benefit him. To top it off he can also cover both sides of the scrum at a pinch which makes him even more valuable.
Much better than relying on a very raw and unproven Wingham.
Ta’avao’s form seems to be falling off a cliff but he may have one more year of okay-ish footy left in him. I can see why the Highlanders have signed him but in terms of playing big minutes next year, I just can’t see it.
