Highlanders 2026
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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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@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.
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Paul Cully's article is quite interesting. Seems to read to me that the Highlanders have not yet given up getting him for next season, "But Jacomb looks set to serve out the remaining year of his contract in Hamilton next year before shifting to the Highlanders in 2027 and 2028."
I also note, Jamie Joseph makes no direct comment about him joining from 2027, more saying, "We’re very excited to see what he can accomplish with us and also what he can contribute to our team performances over the coming seasons."
Maybe I am clutching, but would he not make an explicit comment about us not having him for next season?
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@frugby it is an interesting press statement from the Highlanders.
Jacomb Confirms Future with the Highlanders | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
The Highlanders have confirmed the signing of exciting young Taranaki playmaker, Josh Jacomb for the 2027 and 2028 Super Rugby Pacific seasons. Continuing their moves to bolster their backline depth with emerging talent.
Quite strong about how he has had limited opportunities for the Chiefs.
Citing DMac's long-term commitment.
Talks about his desire to have a more prominent role in a team.
There is absolutely no mention at all about next year or an ongoing 2026 commitment ro the Chiefs.
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I find the "limited opportunities" a bit interesting seeing as he had 18 appearances for the Chiefs in the 2025 season, 7 of those were starts. JJ quoted that he's had 9 starts, but he was also an injury replacement player in 2024 hard to really pick from that season.
Again I'm baffled as to why he signed with the Chiefs in the first place, did he really think he would usurp McKenzie long term? I guess he wasn't expecting a Dmac long term commitment.
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Shrewd move signing him, and announcing in advance. It places a huge amount of pressure on the chiefs. Do they really want a 10 who publicly has a foot out the door? Or to be seen to be actively preventing his growth?
It opens up a lot of awkward questions into the public space. The sorts of things I bet the chiefs would prefer to remain behind closed doors. Who the hell would want to be the poor bloke who fronts cameras an answers questions on this? My money is on the fact we still get him for next season.
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@Yeetyaah Limited opportunities could probably be worded better. Who were those opportunities against.
For the most part, they were not at the business end, and they were not in the bigger games - and where they were, it was with McKenzie in the side, so he wasn't the primary playmaker.
And in fairness, Jacomb didn't exactly grasp his chances either.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
Shrewd move signing him, and announcing in advance. It places a huge amount of pressure on the chiefs. Do they really want a 10 who publicly has a foot out the door? Or to be seen to be actively preventing his growth.
It opens up a lot of awkward questions into the public space. The sorts of things I bet the chiefs would prefer to remain behind closed doors. My money is on the fact we still get him for next season.
I stoked with the move, as I been on the Jacomb bandwagon for a couple of years. I can't see the Chiefs letting him go early, and much as I like the idea, I don't blame them. he's pretty handy, and they pick up injury to DMac, they would have problems.
I will add Highlanders are building some serious depth for next few years, with Pledger at 9, and options at 10 of Miller, Hurley, and young Solomon coming through! Also be interested to see if they hold onto Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens after next year, as him and Jacomb play well together. -
Highlanders look to the Future with Long-Term Re-Signing of Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
The Highlanders are thrilled to announce that explosive outside backs Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens have re-signed with the club through to the end of the 2028 Super Rugby Pacific season.
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Vs starting at 10 all season, it is literally limited opportunity. That doesn't reflect badly on the Chiefs, they played him about an appropriate amount given they have a better 10, and while fine he didn't make every post a winner - on the other hand he did show enough (and during NPC) that he should be a starting 10 for one of the super teams, so it's all good.
The Chiefs should let him go and grab a youngster. All holding onto him does is cover for injury on the positive side. And on the negative side you lose a year in the development of whoever is going to be next when you know it isn't Jacomb, and you piss Jacomb off and I'd imagine piss NZR off stalling his development.
Maybe they should loan him to the landers for 2026 - that way everyone wins and if McKenzie has a bad injury they can bring him back.
