Highlanders 2026
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@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.
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@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.
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This is the rough squad I have so far with a few 50/50 positions and guesswork. But we're not terrible at 10 depth...just very inexperienced.
- Rohan Wingham / Daniel Lienert Brown / ....someone else?
- Ethan De Groot
- Saula Ma’au
- Sefo Kautaui
- Angus Taavo
- Henry Bell
- Soanne Vienna
- Jack Taylor
- Fabian Holland
- Thomas Lavinini
- Mitchell Dunshea
- Hugh Renton / Ale Aho
- Will Stodart
- Oli Haig
- TK Howden
- Sean Withy
- Veveni Lasanga
- Hayden Michaels / Lucas Casey
- Nikora Broughton
- Folau Fakatava
- Dylan Pledger
- Adam Lennox
- Taine Robinson
- Cam Millar
- Finn Hurley
- TUJ / Reesjan Pasetoa
- Jake Te Hiwi
- Tanelea Telea
- Timcoi T
- Jonah Lowe
- Josh Whaanga
- Jona Nareki
- Jacob Kneepkens
- Xavier Tito Harris
- Caleb Tangitau
- Stanley Solomon
- Tanelea Filimone
WTG / Academy
- Josh Tengblad
- Nic Shear
- Mika Muliania
- Tayne Hervey
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@handa457 it is pretty similar to the list I'm running.
I hope we keep Wingham. He has really impressed me filling in for Ma'u during the NPC. Another good test for him on Friday.
I'm not overly keen on Aho. He is a really big boy for Super level. Especially considering the pace we want to play at.
With the depth at 10. There are plenty of players who can do it. Only one starts for his province. With none being good enough to even sit on the bench of any of the other NZ teams at full strength. We will essentially have a an NPC levelish 10 (Cam Millar), two fullbacks (Robinson and Hurley) and a winger (Solomon). All backed up by a 19 year old prodigy who in a perfect world should be playing Landers U20s and the U20s World Cup.
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Even in the absence of another 10, would seem unlikely to me that we would have: JRK, Solomon, Hurley, Tangitau, Tito-Harris, Nareki, Lowe & Filimone... so someone's source on those latter four is out.
However, I had heard a whisper they were looking to increase Super Rugby squad sizes, so wondering if we are going to see more than 38 contracted.
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@frugby has felt like there's been a much bigger push for WTG contracts this year than last. Can't recall Wider Training Group contracts being announced in the past or even really confirmed prior to pre season / post christmas. This year it feels like they're being treated much earlier in the season like contracted players.
Which kinda fits. Super rugby squads used to be 32 players + 6 WTG members. Then eventually they got expanded to 38/39 so makes sense it's happening again just with more members as needs change.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Also in a Paul Cully article in the Waikato Times. It's a compromise but from a Chiefs perspective I'm glad they stood firm, as it gives them a year to look for another 1st 5.
I don't think any compromises have been made.
The Chiefs have retained a player for the period of his contract.
The Highlanders have signed an off contract player after the current one expires.
We sought a compromise for the benefit of the player and our team. It was denied by the Chiefs.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Be interesting to see how we cover this. I’d just like to see us get behind Cam Millar.
That is the challenge. We have gone after Jacomb because the consensus is Millar is not up to leading this team to a championship.
When Millar likely has the keys for next year, unless someone gets choppered in.
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Win win situation. Chiefs get him to fulfill the contract and Highlanders get the guy they want and see a bigger future with. Dmac may also get some extended time off so Jacomb could see extra minutes.
Miller has a chance to continue his NPC form and put his best foot forward. A good challenge for him. It does mean we can expect to see a potential 3rd 10 to sign for this year unless Hurley or Solomon are seen as that guy.
Absolutely massive news and this franchise is on the upward trajectory. Stoked.
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Spoken to a mate about this Jacomb news and he’s said it’s likely Reesjan Pasitoa has signed the dotted line also but won’t be announced just yet
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
Spoken to a mate about this Jacomb news and he’s said it’s likely Reesjan Pasitoa has signed the dotted line also but won’t be announced just yet
Having heard TUJ is going offshore, and Peni is off to MP, this would seem to line up.
The only remaining question is the makeup of the loose forwards, and props.
Think that is the backline all sorted.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
Spoken to a mate about this Jacomb news and he’s said it’s likely Reesjan Pasitoa has signed the dotted line also but won’t be announced just yet
Having heard TUJ is going offshore, and Peni is off to MP, this would seem to line up.
The only remaining question is the makeup of the loose forwards, and props.
Think that is the backline all sorted.
I do wonder whether Michael Loft was picked up as the original third openside.
I do hope Wingham is retained. He has been reasonably good for Otago having got the opportunity to start all year.
At first five. It is about creating a game plan that limits the pressure on the players taking on the role.
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@SouthernMann Agree on all of the above. If Casey is in the WTG, they must have signed one.
Unless of course my source on Michaels being released was incorrect, which is possible.
