Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann He's struggling at NPC level already. If he's got wisdom and experience to pass on he can do that as a coach. He's blocking young talent that should be given it's chance and should clearly be hanging up his boots.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 The problem wasn't on the TH side as Kautai will hold up his side of the scrum. If DLB is still the reserve LH prop nothing will change. Bartlett still has his L plates at SR level.
Certainly agree around DLB. 11 years of service is a good stint. He isn't what we need anymore. I really like Josh Bartlett. He just needs time in the saddle. Jack Sexton is a decent option locally.
I don't see Ta'avao starting, at least regularly. Primarily he will be a 25 minute bench guy. As for blocking young guys. The Landers have enough young guys. We have more than any other Super side. Some experience, even at the tail end of their career is useful. I see him playing a similar role to what Bryn Evans did a few years ago.
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@SBW1 said in Highlanders 2026:
What is the likelyhood of getting Nuggy for a final swansong with the Landers before he hangs up his boots?
Nilch I'd say. Lives on the Coromandel. The squad has also locked down its three halfbacks with Fakatava, Pledger and Lennox.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
I really like Josh Bartlett. He just needs time in the saddle.
You’d think next SR season Bartlett will get plenty of opportunities to claim that bench spot. With Aidan Ross now gone, Bartlett is getting lots of minutes for the Steamers and he’s looked good so far, to me at least. He brings a lot of energy and mobility, which are good traits to get from your bench props.
It’s still up in the air whether he’s up to it at the next level at scrum and maul time (he hasn’t been a liability so far, is all I can really say) but what’s stood out to me is his speed off the line defensively. He’s making good reads and catching attackers behind the gain line – 3 dominant tackles already in the first two rounds of the NPC, tied for 2nd among loosehead props alongside, funnily enough, Daniel Lienert Brown – which you’d think would be a pleasing sight to Jamie Joseph and David Kidwell, who’ll undoubtedly will want to bring serious line speed in defence next year.
With Aidan Ross gone, Ofa Tu’ungafasi still to come back from a long-term injury and Mafileo probably being in high demand as a potential back-up tighthead at other SR teams, bench loosehead isn’t a position with a lot of experience across NZ SR teams next season. It seems like a good time to give a player like Bartlett a shot and see whether he can make it work.
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@Mauss said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
I really like Josh Bartlett. He just needs time in the saddle.
You’d think next SR season Bartlett will get plenty of opportunities to claim that bench spot. With Aidan Ross now gone, Bartlett is getting lots of minutes for the Steamers and he’s looked good so far, to me at least. He brings a lot of energy and mobility, which are good traits to get from your bench props.
It’s still up in the air whether he’s up to it at the next level at scrum and maul time (he hasn’t been a liability so far, is all I can really say) but what’s stood out to me is his speed off the line defensively. He’s making good reads and catching attackers behind the gain line – 3 dominant tackles already in the first two rounds of the NPC, tied for 2nd among loosehead props alongside, funnily enough, Daniel Lienert Brown – which you’d think would be a pleasing sight to Jamie Joseph and David Kidwell, who’ll undoubtedly will want to bring serious line speed in defence next year.
With Aidan Ross gone, Ofa Tu’ungafasi still to come back from a long-term injury and Mafileo probably being in high demand as a potential back-up tighthead at other SR teams, bench loosehead isn’t a position with a lot of experience across NZ SR teams next season. It seems like a good time to give a player like Bartlett a shot and see whether he can make it work.
Mafileo is signed with the Canes for next year.
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Over the last couple of years we have landed a couple of outside region players that have made a big impact.
2024: JRK and Jim.
2025: Lasaqa and Tangitau.
2026: The big fish we really need to land are Jacomb and Tito-Harris.
Solomon, Tengblad and Pledger are really important. Jacomb and Tito-Harris, however, are lads that can go straight into the matchday and make a big difference. I do expect all three of the young lads to get big minutes during the year too.
First five is a challenge. With Millar/Robinson it doesn't matter the players outside them. We will face the same issues as this year. If land Jacomb, I can see a squad strategy where we run Solomon/Hurley as our bench 10. Potentially with a player like Tito-Harris as the midfield/wing cover off the pine.
In terms of Hayden Michaels' spot. Lucas Casey is the lad I want to see nab that gig.
As it stands.
Prop: Ta'avao replaces either Wingham or DLB. We may see one of the others kept. Or pick up another prop. Sexton out of Southland is a loosehead option.
Lock:Tengblad comes in for the big idiot Naeata. Good riddance.
Michaels out: Likely either Loft or Casey in.
Halfback: Arscott and Hastie out. Pledger and Lennox in.
10: Hopefully Jacomb.
Midfield: TUJ out? Tavatavanawai in. Could be room for one more.
Outside backs: Lowe, Gilbert and potentially Manson out. Replaced by Solomon, Tito-Harris and one other or retain Manson or Lowe?
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