Highlanders 2026
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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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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
@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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@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
@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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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
@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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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.
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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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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.
@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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@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.
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As a Naki man and Canes man I quite happy for Jacomb to head south. It will only make him a better player as a starter for a super team. From whispers around , it seems JRK is saying it a good spot etc, and I would be even happier as a Naki man for these 2 to work more at the higher level.
I can understand the chiefs reluctance to of course. -
Push comes to shove, the higher ups get involved and say they want Jacomb playing week in week out, and magically this happens.
If the higher ups have no strong feelings to this, then it likely won't go through. I maintain, from what I have heard I would be surprised if this doesn't happen.
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Push comes to shove, the higher ups get involved and say they want Jacomb playing week in week out, and magically this happens.
If the higher ups have no strong feelings to this, then it likely won't go through. I maintain, from what I have heard I would be surprised if this doesn't happen.
@frugby there's certainly enough 10's in the NZ system for a bit of a complex game of Tetris to make this all happen.
Cashmore to the chiefs is one option. Lima Sopoanga could offer some depth. One of Reihana or Kemara could be an option given Richie Mounga will be playing at the Crusaders in 2027.
Zarn Sullivan could head south (he can over 10), One of Harkin or Godfrey could head north. Chiefs are reportedly keen on Peni who can play 10. Or If the highlanders sign Reesjan Pasetoa and Peni both of which can play ten, then they'd have Finn Hurley and Stanley Solomon + Cam Millar & Taine Robinson all of whom play 10.
You could easily trade someone like Robinson for Jacomb, leave everyone happy, and have enough ten depth and the Landers. Especially with Mika Muliania in the Wider Training Group.
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@frugby there's certainly enough 10's in the NZ system for a bit of a complex game of Tetris to make this all happen.
Cashmore to the chiefs is one option. Lima Sopoanga could offer some depth. One of Reihana or Kemara could be an option given Richie Mounga will be playing at the Crusaders in 2027.
Zarn Sullivan could head south (he can over 10), One of Harkin or Godfrey could head north. Chiefs are reportedly keen on Peni who can play 10. Or If the highlanders sign Reesjan Pasetoa and Peni both of which can play ten, then they'd have Finn Hurley and Stanley Solomon + Cam Millar & Taine Robinson all of whom play 10.
You could easily trade someone like Robinson for Jacomb, leave everyone happy, and have enough ten depth and the Landers. Especially with Mika Muliania in the Wider Training Group.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
You could easily trade someone like Robinson for Jacomb, leave everyone happy, and have enough ten depth and the Landers. Especially with Mika Muliania in the Wider Training Group.
While I'd happily give the Chiefs Millar or Robinson plus some cash their way. I'm not sure their management or fans would see it as a great swap. Muliania should be ready for a full deal by 2027. Out of the guys we have in the system he is the one you'd guard with your life.
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@frugby there's certainly enough 10's in the NZ system for a bit of a complex game of Tetris to make this all happen.
Cashmore to the chiefs is one option. Lima Sopoanga could offer some depth. One of Reihana or Kemara could be an option given Richie Mounga will be playing at the Crusaders in 2027.
Zarn Sullivan could head south (he can over 10), One of Harkin or Godfrey could head north. Chiefs are reportedly keen on Peni who can play 10. Or If the highlanders sign Reesjan Pasetoa and Peni both of which can play ten, then they'd have Finn Hurley and Stanley Solomon + Cam Millar & Taine Robinson all of whom play 10.
You could easily trade someone like Robinson for Jacomb, leave everyone happy, and have enough ten depth and the Landers. Especially with Mika Muliania in the Wider Training Group.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby there's certainly enough 10's in the NZ system for a bit of a complex game of Tetris to make this all happen.
Cashmore to the chiefs is one option. Lima Sopoanga could offer some depth. One of Reihana or Kemara could be an option given Richie Mounga will be playing at the Crusaders in 2027.
Zarn Sullivan could head south (he can over 10), One of Harkin or Godfrey could head north. Chiefs are reportedly keen on Peni who can play 10. Or If the highlanders sign Reesjan Pasetoa and Peni both of which can play ten, then they'd have Finn Hurley and Stanley Solomon + Cam Millar & Taine Robinson all of whom play 10.
You could easily trade someone like Robinson for Jacomb, leave everyone happy, and have enough ten depth and the Landers. Especially with Mika Muliania in the Wider Training Group.
The Highlanders number one priority for this off-season was a first five, they pretty much identified Jacomb straight away, and I would suggest as much as this is to do with playing time, I also suspect there is a healthy pay rise on offer. There is nobody on the market realistically available that placates not getting Jacomb. They aren't interested in quantity, this is all about quality.
Likewise for the Chiefs, there is no player who can placate losing Jacomb, who realistically goes there.
This is what makes this deal somewhat complex - but I'd suggest the main hold up on the Chiefs end would be securing a backup 10 they are happy with, and part of this could be financial, whereby they pay overs to get Rico Simpson (for example) as a result of compensation from the Highlanders, who are then freed to get Jacomb.
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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
@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'll say on this, if you don't get Jacomb, we'll ultimately remain inconsistent.
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There is a REAL concern on the part of the Chiefs that Dmac will seek an early release from his contract (i dunno how long hes currently signed for) with Mounga returning.
I believe he has a clause in his contract which allows him to.
