Highlanders 2026
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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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@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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@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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@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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@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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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
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.I'm happy to hear that the Chiefs aren't that fucking dumb.
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What may have been a good idea is that if Mounga is coming back, and wants to sign a shitty little one year deal. Why not put him in a team that actually needs a 10? Say ok mate, if you want to come back, why not head down south and help a team that desperately needs a 10. Can’t see how that wouldn’t help NZ rugby as a whole
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@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
What may have been a good idea is that if Mounga is coming back, and wants to sign a shitty little one year deal. Why not put him in a team that actually needs a 10? Say ok mate, if you want to come back, why not head down south and help a team that desperately needs a 10. Can’t see how that wouldn’t help NZ rugby as a whole
I don't think you quite understand the balance here, Mo dictates ot NZR what he wants to do, not the other way round.
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@Nepia said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
What may have been a good idea is that if Mounga is coming back, and wants to sign a shitty little one year deal. Why not put him in a team that actually needs a 10? Say ok mate, if you want to come back, why not head down south and help a team that desperately needs a 10. Can’t see how that wouldn’t help NZ rugby as a whole
I don't think you quite understand the balance here, Mo dictates ot NZR what he wants to do, not the other way round.
Chairman Mounga
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@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2026:
I'm not surprised about DMac - the only reason he hung around NZ following 2023 RWC was that Mo'unga went overseas
None of this is surprising.
I don’t mind it, if we win the WC in 2027 or at least are drawn after regular time in the final.
If we don’t get that far though, all of this shit will have devalued things for, what?
We can point to Foster’s shitty record etc etc but he was two missed kicks - basically a fluffybunny hair - away from winning the whole lot.
So, anything less than 1995 after regular time - which would still be above Foster, is the start point.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
@Nogusta DMac signed a new contract until 2029.
Doesn't mean shit if he has an out clause in it, like I would suspect most AB players would these days.
Players ain't hanging around these days for the love of playing Super Rugby, and yes,our contract model in this country may be a little dated....
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@African-Monkey said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
@Nogusta DMac signed a new contract until 2029.
Doesn't mean shit if he has an out clause in it, like I would suspect most AB players would these days.
I was just answering the question, not commenting on the specifics of his contract. I agree, that the NZR contract model is too AB-centric.
