Highlanders 2026
-
Just for what it's worth even without Jacomb we have a bit of depth. Millar, and Robinson. Then Hurley, Solomon and Reesjan Pasetoa are all options too. Plus young Mika Muliana too. Bit of a shame we couldn't have thrown the Kitchen Sink at Gilbert to keep him. But if we can't have Jacomb then a few options are around - there's worse directions we could go than Lima Sopoanga he's a steady hand if nothing else. Reckon there's an overseas first five or two might be coming off contract and worth a stab too.
Whatever the case you'd have to assume JJ will be on the phone with Tony Brown to get him in camp for a few weeks to work on the first fives development.
-
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
It was always going to be difficult chasing an under contract player.
> Disappointing it was refused by a team that took advantage of getting a guy out of his contract a year earlier.
Probably now scrambling for that third 10 role. On the plus side Millar has been a lot better (albeit in an inferior competition) since he has had the pressure removed of not being the primary playmaker for Otago.
Liam squire I believe was signed to highlanders when still under contract to the chiefs.
do we actually know jj wanted to move? -
@gt12 said in Highlanders 2026:
I understand this from the Chief's perspective, as they likely see Jacomb as the long term replacement to DMac. He'll see plenty of time there next year and the cupboard is pretty bare.
Having said that, I'd have let Jacomb go and asked for Muliaina in return.
Muliaina grew up supporting the Chiefs, so it's not impossible he'd wind up up there. Follow another Southland 10 in Dmac.
-
Hearing the Landers have signed Stags lock Alefosio Aho, not sure if this is a full or wider squad contract yet.
-
@upthelanders really smart move. He's one of the largest (size wise) locks in NZ and has a high ceiling. Scored a handy try this evening for the Stags too. Enjoying seeing JJ building some great depth.
-
Probably would be best for Jacomb to head down to the Highlanders but ultimately the Chiefs need a back-up 10 and they'll be left a bit high and dry after investing a lot of time and money into Jacomb if he were to go now.
With other examples, it's normally been in all parties interests for a player's contract to finish early but here the Chiefs don't really have any alternative options.
-
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby I've heard Joe Wheeler who does some work as a player agent is trying to get Ta$man & NZ 20s centre Cooper Roberts down but seems strange Roberts only has the same amount of npc experience as tayne harvey for example
Watching Ta$man play today, I hope Joey is doing miracles with Roberts down south. He reads the game better than any midfielder available in NZ. He threw a 20m skipout pass to put Kyren Taumoefolau away and defensively is solid.
With fast creative wingers. Roberts looks the perfect centre to get the best out of them.
-
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby I've heard Joe Wheeler who does some work as a player agent is trying to get Ta$man & NZ 20s centre Cooper Roberts down but seems strange Roberts only has the same amount of npc experience as tayne harvey for example
Watching Ta$man play today, I hope Joey is doing miracles with Roberts down south. He reads the game better than any midfielder available in NZ. He threw a 20m skipout pass to put Kyren Taumoefolau away and defensively is solid.
With fast creative wingers. Roberts looks the perfect centre to get the best out of them.
Roberts has a Crusaders contract I am not sure if is a full or WTG.
-
@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby I've heard Joe Wheeler who does some work as a player agent is trying to get Ta$man & NZ 20s centre Cooper Roberts down but seems strange Roberts only has the same amount of npc experience as tayne harvey for example
Watching Ta$man play today, I hope Joey is doing miracles with Roberts down south. He reads the game better than any midfielder available in NZ. He threw a 20m skipout pass to put Kyren Taumoefolau away and defensively is solid.
With fast creative wingers. Roberts looks the perfect centre to get the best out of them.
Roberts has a Crusaders contract I am not sure if is a full or WTG.
That's a shame. He seems like he has all the skills to make the jump up.to Super reasonably quickly. Will be unlikely to do that at the Crusaders with all the talent there.
He is their kid though.
-
-
@Chris considering the frequency he has appeared on the socials. I'd expect he will be involved again next year.
-
@SouthernMann He made a post a few months ago thanking the highlanders (and seemingly saying farewell) but has taken it down. So could be right there
-
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann He made a post a few months ago thanking the highlanders (and seemingly saying farewell) but has taken it down. So could be right there
He deserves it. Has been very good during the NPC.
The social pics are a hard one to judge. Guys like Loft and DLB I thought would be 50/50 players have appeared.
Whereas Mike Manson who is now known not to be returning hasn't been seen at all.
-
@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Chris just clarifying is that a statement (that he is) or a question?
Heard he is at the Highlanders next year but not a regular source,
Wondering if anyone else has heard the same.Will mean a lot of outside backs.
Filimone, Nareki, Tito-Harris, Tangitau, Solomon, Hurley, Lowe and JRK.
Unless Filimone returns to the WTG or Tito-Harris starts there.
Or, having lost out on Jacomb Hurley/Solomon become our third 10.
