Highlanders 2026
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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.
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@Bones probably not gonna happen. Telea has a narrative attached to him around around certain parts of his game. Top brass don't rate him at all. Reason why he never got much of a run at the Blues even when he was fit. Tana was a fan of his, McDonald didn't rate him.
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@Nepia said in Highlanders 2026:
@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
not a 'both sides of the ball' player.
This reason can go fuck itself, it's not real, there's lots of favoured players who would fail at this if the coaches were being honest.
Not disagreeing but out of interest, which current All Blacks would you throw into that category?
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2026:
I'm in the Tele'a bandwagon. With the AB forwards seemingly dominant, a powerful runner in midfield could be a major weapon. But I guess the current staff think LF could fill that role.
Shit, forgot about him. That does shuffle Tele'a down a bit further.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@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.
The best predictor of the future is history.
In NZ Super there will be fewer than half a dozen guys over 30 who haven't been capped internationally or played overseas and come back. The ones I can think of are DLB, Aumua, Eklund and Jared Proffitt?
Says that guys will generally try to cash in over the last few years of their playing careers. Locks in particular are in high demand.
He is also in his highest earning years. If he can add another 100 or 150k a year to his earnings age 31 - 35. It sets him up really well. I highly doubt his proper jobs post rugby will play anything close to his rugby $$s.
Sure. I'd like to keep Dunshea. It does a appear as if the careers for most highly capable players who didn't earn international caps finish at 30. Or the couple of years prior.
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@SouthernMann Aumua played overseas and then came back, but that only further highlights your point.
Riley Hohepa, Reuben O’Neil, and Marcel Renata count, and James O’Riley too, though he’s currently not contracted to the Canes.
Hugh Renton and Sam Nock are both 29 and signed for next year, which probably counts in a way as well.
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Ash Dixon stuck around to 32.
Billy Harmon left at 30.
Out of the guys you mentioned, if you put Dunshea in there he would be the most sought after. Most of the others are depth guys. Even Renton, who has been hammered with injuries has played fewer than 50 Super games.
