Highlanders 2026
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Go all in on Stanley Solomon. Ken Laban (Future Mayor of Upper Hutt) tells me his preferred position is 10!
Hutt City. Commonly known as Lower Hutt. Not Upper Hutt.
The much better Hutt.
Solomon played a lot of his club footy for Petone at 10.
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@frugby sounds like it.
In terms of forwards at Lock I guess a few options could be Tai Cribb (but he’s a bit of a lock six hybrid right?), Will Tucker or even big Ale Aho down in Southland. Joseva Temani is pretty short but has done will this season too.
I have only really been following Otago, and Southland. So probably missing a few lock options around the country.
Lucas Casey seems like the obvious fit at Flanker, but it’d be just like the highlanders to not sign local talent.
Finley Brewis would be a great pickup if he could stay fit too.
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@jimmyb by all accounts yes. He’s still tearing it up at NPC. But hasn’t played a full super season without injury…ever I think?
I don’t think he’s suddenly about to buck the trend and last the whole season. More than likely he features in about half the games and provides experience and depth.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby sounds like it.
In terms of forwards at Lock I guess a few options could be Tai Cribb (but he’s a bit of a lock six hybrid right?), Will Tucker or even big Ale Aho down in Southland. Joseva Temani is pretty short but has done will this season too.
I have only really been following Otago, and Southland. So probably missing a few lock options around the country.
Lucas Casey seems like the obvious fit at Flanker, but it’d be just like the highlanders to not sign local talent.
Finley Brewis would be a great pickup if he could stay fit too.
Temani is signed with the Drua. Was told a couple months ago Tucker is wanting a contract in Japan but nothing set in stone at the moment.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 I’d be tempted to give 132kg Ale Aho a crack then. He’s got to be one of the largest locks floating around, is young and has a high ceiling.
I just can't see it.
Joseph wants his locks to either be tall, lean and with motors that go all day. Or a shorter hybrid player who can fill in. A massive grunter doesn't fit into the game plan. doubt we will pick another specialist lock for next year. Will instead bulk up the loosies.
Looking at the style of guys he likes in certain roles. Casey fits in as a back up to Lasaqa.
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@SouthernMann Where does withy fit in the starting 23 then? I like TK Howden at 6, Lasaqa at 7 and Broughton at 8. Does that mean Withy on the bench?
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In terms of other locks around the NPC, I've loved the look of Jayden Sa from Taranaki and Dylan Eti from Waikato. I believe they were both in the NZ U20’s squad, not sure if they have super contracts yet.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Where does withy fit in the starting 23 then? I like TK Howden at 6, Lasaqa at 7 and Broughton at 8. Does that mean Withy on the bench?
Withy starts at 8.
I just don't see us recruiting another lock, outside potentially Tai Cribb.
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@SouthernMann
Ale Aho ? -
Hugh Renton has changed his profile picture to an edited photo of him in a Highlanders Kit (except the kit is now blacked out), and the Highlanders have coincidentally also just changed their Facebook cover photo to a new banner of Jamie, Jim and EDG...
Suggests he may be leaving?
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Nice detective work @frugby.
It makes sense. He is injury prone. Doesn't seem like a solid path back to being on the field either.
The role he was filling, can now be filled by Sean Withy. A man five years his junior. Dimensions wise, similar players, with similar styles.
From a leadership perspective. We went from scratching around at the start of the year. To some viable options and some young guys who will be tremendous leaders in a few years time. Jim, Withy and EDG are the primary leadership group. With Taylor, Holland and Dunshea offering other leadership options in the pack.
If he is gone. Will mean there is still three roles to fill in the forwards. Naeata, Michaels and Renton.
Hooker behind Taylor will be the major weakness in the pack.
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@SouthernMann yeah need another decent hooker because that Henry Bell is useless and Vikena is very average.
Casey is impressive, definitely deserves a contract. For number 8’s what other guys around the NPC might they be looking at? I like the back rower for Ta$man, Fletcher Anderson. Or does he have a contract with the Saders still.
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Huge shame to see him go. By all accounts, he was an absolutely lovely bloke, and over the last few years he’s been a strong advocate for mental health solutions. I’ve spoken to him a few times and always had a lot of time for him.
In terms of what this means, I’d imagine Tai Cribb, Lucas Casey, and Fletcher Anderson are the obvious candidates. The only question mark is around Fletcher Anderson’s contract situation.
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Is Fletcher Anderson even available or any good?
There don't seem to be a huge number of out-and-out eights available. Bason out of Manawatu is the other guy worth going after.
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Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
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@SouthernMann Fletcher is fine. Just a young loosie finding his feet at the next level and still only 22. Similar to Broughton coming out a few years back.
To my understanding he is coming off contract with the Crusaders. If it’s between him and Casey for that next young loosie in the side I’d pick Casey. Fletcher is predominantly an 8.
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On the basis there will be 20-21 forwards, of which 9-10 will be front rowers, leaves room for at most 12, and at the lower end 10 locks/loose forwards. Most likely that number is 11-12, I would think.
Holland
Dunshea
Haig
Howden
Stodart
Broughton
Withy
LasaqaDefinitely going to be an openside to replace Michaels, Casey is firming though.
Definitely will need to be an 8 to replace Renton. I wonder if they have gone all in for say Devan Flanders… seems contracts are becoming less consequential.
And considering Holland will likely need All Black rests, I would think surely another lock. I doubt they are looking for a project there - just throwing it out there the Toyota Verblitz have signed a few locks. Josh Dickson to come home?
