Highlanders 2026
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I like getting Tengblad locked in even if he isn’t in the full squad next year. Sounds like he will be included in the wider group but what it does is prevent him from being nabbed by another franchise. They’ve made it happen and that’s the main thing.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
That will mean he is still eligible for the NZ U20s next year.
U20 competitions like the U20 TRC and U20 World Championship use birth years as cut-offs. So for this year, everyone who was born in ’05 or later was eligible for the tournaments. If you were born in December ’04 – like Xavi Taele (dob: 19/12/04), for example – then you were no longer eligible for 2025, despite being just 20 for most of the year.
Tengblad’s 20th birthday is in October. So he’s already played his last game for the NZ U20s.
Apologies for the pedantry. More on topic, I think all three players are great signings. If you saw how quickly Pledger adapted to the pace of the game against Wellington during the match itself – his service getting quicker and quicker as the match wore on – then you’d think he’s already got a shot at serious minutes at Super Rugby-level next year.
Hopefully Tengblad will get some minutes for Otago soon as well. He might still only be 19 but I think he’s already more than good enough for the provincial level.
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I think Pledger will be JJ’s first choice - maybe if not to start the season - certainly by the end.
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By geez that some shrewd signings by Joseph. Like both Pledger and Solomon, and admit to knowing nothing of Tengblad. Not sure how true about trying to get Jacomb (as he already contracted) but by geez would be a great buy for both the Clan and ABs going forward. (Just think him being a starter in super would develop him so well).
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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
Crusaders – H (season opener Friday 13.02.26)
Chiefs - H
Reds – A
Force – H
Crusaders – A
Canes – H
MP – A
Bye - Easter weekend
Brumbies – H
Blues – A
MP – Super Round (on Sunday)
Drua – A
Tahs – H
Chiefs - A
Canes - A2 games in Dunedin in the last 9 rounds is quite something.
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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
Crusaders – H (season opener Friday 13.02.26)
Chiefs - H
Reds – A
Force – H
Crusaders – A
Canes – H
MP – A
Bye - Easter weekend
Brumbies – H
Blues – A
MP – Super Round (on Sunday)
Drua – A
Tahs – H
Chiefs - A
Canes - ADo you have the fixture list for all teams or just the Landers?
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With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
One season out injured and everyone forgets how well Haig played before getting injured. Can’t really see an argument that once fully fit, he spends 90% of the time starting at 6. Bench lock is quite the demotion
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@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
One season out injured and everyone forgets how well Haig played before getting injured. Can’t really see an argument that once fully fit, he spends 90% of the time starting at 6. Bench lock is quite the demotion
I'm one of Oli Haig's biggest fans. When he is playing well, he is up there with one of the best sixes in the country. The timing of his injury run has been rubbish.
Howden took his opportunities at the back end of the year. While I used Haig and Stodart to as options in the lock/six bench role. Could have easily thrown Howden in there too. All three can interchange. It was more to say that role is best taken by a non-traditional lock.
With the other loosie spot being taken by a player like Casey (hopefully) or Broughton.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
One season out injured and everyone forgets how well Haig played before getting injured. Can’t really see an argument that once fully fit, he spends 90% of the time starting at 6. Bench lock is quite the demotion
I'm one of Oli Haig's biggest fans. When he is playing well, he is up there with one of the best sixes in the country. The timing of his injury run has been rubbish.
Howden took his opportunities at the back end of the year. While I used Haig and Stodart to as options in the lock/six bench role. Could have easily thrown Howden in there too. All three can interchange. It was more to say that role is best taken by a non-traditional lock.
With the other loosie spot being taken by a player like Casey (hopefully) or Broughton.
Ah I see. Completely agree. Also a big fan so usually jump on the opportunity to talk him up, like any Otago player. The loose forwards for next year are looking great, which is encouraging
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@SouthernMann Why does Dunshea need phased out? That’s the sort of guy you keep in your squad - a good honest professional with a hard edge.
No coincidence the Stags have improved tenfold since he turned up down there.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Why does Dunshea need phased out? That’s the sort of guy you keep in your squad - a good honest professional with a hard edge.
No coincidence the Stags have improved tenfold since he turned up down there.
He doesn't need to be phased out. He will be a sought after player by overseas clubs. Be realistic a guy who will never make the ABs in his early 30s. Will want to make some $$s overseas.
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@SouthernMann That is an assumption. If he was going to go, now would have been the perfect time - and he has re-signed.
By all accounts, he is quite happy with the lifestyle down in these parts.
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@frugby I'd love Nareki, Dunshea, Renton and Telea to all remain until 2027 or 2028. They're all blokes who likely won't make the All Blacks but add so much experience and value to the Team. We need a big body like Renton in the Loose forwards, while Telea seems to be the defensive glue of the backline. A fit Nareki is exceptional and Dunshea is (in my opinion) one of the best locks in New Zealand.
Unfortunately overseas money must be tempting. Hoping a good season, and the feeling of building something special under JJ keeps them in the South
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nice quick profile
27K views · 576 reactions | From Kings High to the Highlanders ⚔️...
From Kings High to the Highlanders ⚔️ Hear more from our new signing thanks to Stellar Recruitment Catch him in action this weekend - Otago v Counties Manukau, Forsyth Barr Stadium. Sunday 24...
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@Bones I'd love to see it happen. But feel like there would need to be a massive resuffle in the National pecking order for that to happen.
All Blacks XV later this year will help us understand where he sits, but from my mind he's probably got Macleod, Ennor, Sullivan, ALB and Tupea ahead of him presently. Don't get me wrong a big season could change all that - just look at Big Jim. But feel like the odds are against him on this one.
