Highlanders 2026
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Holland and Lavanini. The twin towers.
Provides a serious upgrade to the engine room being able to rotate him with Dunshea as well. Like Frugby said, ideal stop gap while Tengblad gets ready for super rugby.
Keep those yellows to a minimum and it’s happy days.
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Awesome signing, the Landers are starting to look real good for 2026. Let's hope they can secure Jacomb as well.
Looking like a top 6 team for sure.
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What's everyone's top 15 for the Landers next year? Assuming they also nab Jacomb's signature, I'd be excited to see the below. With good front foot ball, that backline is going to score some sensational tries.
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Ma'u
- Lavanini
- Holland
- Haig
- Withy
- Howden - played at 8 for the Hurricanes once and probably had the best game I've seen him play, would love to see more of him at the back of the scrum
- Pledger - absolute gun, get him in the starting jersey
- Jacomb
- Nareki
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele'a
- Tangitau
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
What's everyone's top 15 for the Landers next year? Assuming they also nab Jacomb's signature, I'd be excited to see the below. With good front foot ball, that backline is going to score some sensational tries.
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Ma'u
- Lavanini
- Holland
- Haig
- Withy
- Howden - played at 8 for the Hurricanes once and probably had the best game I've seen him play, would love to see more of him at the back of the scrum
- Pledger - absolute gun, get him in the starting jersey
- Jacomb
- Nareki
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele'a
- Tangitau
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
That is genuinely a good team
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@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
What's everyone's top 15 for the Landers next year? Assuming they also nab Jacomb's signature, I'd be excited to see the below. With good front foot ball, that backline is going to score some sensational tries.
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Ma'u
- Lavanini
- Holland
- Haig
- Withy
- Howden - played at 8 for the Hurricanes once and probably had the best game I've seen him play, would love to see more of him at the back of the scrum
- Pledger - absolute gun, get him in the starting jersey
- Jacomb
- Nareki
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele'a
- Tangitau
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
That is genuinely a good team
Exciting for sure, can beat anyone on their day in my view.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
What's everyone's top 15 for the Landers next year? Assuming they also nab Jacomb's signature, I'd be excited to see the below. With good front foot ball, that backline is going to score some sensational tries.
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Ma'u
- Lavanini
- Holland
- Haig
- Withy
- Howden - played at 8 for the Hurricanes once and probably had the best game I've seen him play, would love to see more of him at the back of the scrum
- Pledger - absolute gun, get him in the starting jersey
- Jacomb
- Nareki
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele'a
- Tangitau
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
I think it is about having replaceable puzzle pieces. With injuries and attrition a player can drop out and another decent guy can come in to fill the void.
I think with the playing group (and hoping we can land Jacomb) we should nearly be there. That'll mean the only areas of concern will be front row depth, anything after Jacomb and the midfield.
A top 23 is a paper exercise.
It is saying any one of Howden, Stodart or Haig could start at six. JRK goes down and we csn bring in Hurley or Solomon. Pledger - Lennox or Fakatava. Tangitau needs a break, in comes Tito-Harris (potentially).
From a style perspective. We will be picking a running seven with Lasaqa. Withy will be pushed to 8.
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@mikey07 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bovidae Good luck getting Harkin he’s contracted until 2027
Godfrey is also signed through to the end of 2027.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
The Highlanders should be chasing one of the Hurricanes 10s like Godfrey or Harkin. They have more surplus players in that position than the Chiefs.
Why though? I get the Chiefs don't want to lose him, but if you are buying a bloke out of his contract, from our perspective you chase the best one you can.
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Will be fascinating to see whether Jacomb and the Highlanders get what they want.
The other consideration for the Chiefs is do they want to keep a player who is actively trying to leave them.
