Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann started reading this and was freaking out you meant Jamie Joseph......
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Andrew Knewstubb.
God that would be awful. Byron Smith was in camp last pre season and had another decent NPC, I’d rather go with him.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Andrew Knewstubb.
God that would be awful. Byron Smith was in camp last pre season and had another decent NPC, I’d rather go with him.
Yeah don't see that as a viable option either. Spent all year behind Muliaina. Might as well pick the kid if we are looking at Smith.
There are just very few options for third string 10s. McClutchie would be one to consider. Especially if it is for just one year before Jacomb and potentially Muliaina come on board..
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@SouthernMann yeah don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a world beater. I’m just saying id rather Smith(22) over Knewstubb(30). Either way, if either got extensive playing time things haven’t gone well. Slim picking out there for sure. Lima anyone?
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann yeah don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a world beater. I’m just saying id rather Smith(22) over Knewstubb(30). Either way, if either got extensive playing time things haven’t gone well. Slim picking out there for sure. Lima anyone?
Whoever it will be is a one and done player. Jacomb and Muliaina to come in for 27. Although, it could be interesting to see whether we cam contract Muliania in 27 with rules aaying wider squad players can't be under 20.
I can just see a messy situation where someone like Knewstubb winds up getting lucky with a gig.
Lima is a bit of a fuck it option. There is literally no one.
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Pretty sure I heard Nick Bewley from ZB mention it in here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/027PkUfnsTAMQm3KKh9Qzi?si=YIC6uvquSUGOGXfVQYb8MA
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Pretty sure I heard Nick Bewley from ZB mention it in here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/027PkUfnsTAMQm3KKh9Qzi?si=YIC6uvquSUGOGXfVQYb8MA
I just listened to it he did mention that.
I just checked the WTG Crusaders players turn 20 before the start of SR 2026.
I guess that is the cut off -
I am imagining that teams will maintain a few extra academy players (as they currently do) outside of NDCs. Very few players play Super before 20, so in that sense it is a moot point - in fact NZR have hard and fast rules around forwards.
For the Highlanders this might look like the following:
Wider Training Group:
LHP: Draft
Hooker: Nick Souchon
THP: Draft
Lock: Josh Tengblad
Blindside Flanker: Draft
Openside Flanker: Lucas Casey
Number Eight: Draft
Halfback: Nic Shearer
First Five: (Mika Muliaina as an NDC?)
Left Winger: Draft
Second Five: Reesjan Pasitoa
Outside Centre: Tayne Harvey
Right Winger: Draft
Fullback: DraftNDCs: Mika Muliaina & Henry Hunter + 1 other
Other Academy Members: Jimmy Taylor, Gregor Rutledge + 2-3 others
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Haven't we heard that Ale Aho has been contracted? Will be interesting to hear where he fits into he equation given Tengblad is in the frame too. Feel strongly that Wingham needs to be in the conversation as well given the NPC form he's had. Josh Timu as well. But can understand if JJ has moved on.
In terms of draft options Verneiki Tikisolomone, Jed Melvin, Adam Brash and Jake Heenan could be worth a look based on NPC form. Lewis Ponnini hasn't got much game time but is a big body too.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
I am imagining that teams will maintain a few extra academy players (as they currently do) outside of NDCs. Very few players play Super before 20, so in that sense it is a moot point - in fact NZR have hard and fast rules around forwards.
For the Highlanders this might look like the following:
Wider Training Group:
LHP: Draft
Hooker: Nick Souchon
THP: Draft
Lock: Josh Tengblad
Blindside Flanker: Draft
Openside Flanker: Lucas Casey
Number Eight: Draft
Halfback: Nic Shearer
First Five: (Mika Muliaina as an NDC?)
Left Winger: Draft
Second Five: Reesjan Pasitoa
Outside Centre: Tayne Harvey
Right Winger: Draft
Fullback: DraftNDCs: Mika Muliaina & Henry Hunter + 1 other
Other Academy Members: Jimmy Taylor, Gregor Rutledge + 2-3 others
Will be hard to nail down these spots. Most other teams will be working hard to lock down their local lads. We are talking players 190 to 250.
Loosehead: should be Jack Sexton
Hooker: agree with Souchon or one of the younger boys to try and build up their strength
Tighthead: if DLB is retained. Hopefully Wingham is talked into taking a demotion. He has been good for Otago.
Lock: Tengblad
Loosie 1: Casey
Loosie 2: Reeves out of Canterbury?
Halfback: Shearer
10: Hopefully can get a dispensation for Muliaina
Wing: Broomfield or Harvey
12: Harvey or DRAFT (thought Pasitoa has a main squad gig)
13 Hoprfully Timu
15: Nemac Vial?Wonder who we can talk into coming down out of the U20s kids or the unsuccessful schools squad.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
Haven't we heard that Ale Aho has been contracted? Will be interesting to hear where he fits into he equation given Tengblad is in the frame too. Feel strongly that Wingham needs to be in the conversation as well given the NPC form he's had. Josh Timu as well. But can understand if JJ has moved on.
In terms of draft options Verneiki Tikisolomone, Jed Melvin, Adam Brash and Jake Heenan could be worth a look based on NPC form. Lewis Ponnini hasn't got much game time but is a big body too.
On Aho have heard conflicting reports about Aho. I just don't think a 145kg lock suits the game plan for the Landers. Verneiki Tikisolomone was tried years ago.
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Timu to Hurricanes as WTG, Souchon signed to our WTG.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Timu to Hurricanes as WTG, Souchon signed to our WTG.
That is disappointing we have lost Timu to up the road. He has been one of the best defensive centres in the NPC.
I hope we have the other two hookers around the group. Both need to get bigger to be competitive.
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@SouthernMann Given the family links, I would suggest the Highlanders didn’t want Timu - we need to move on.
Ironically; I do think he is better than Te Hiwi and Whaanga at this stage, but all three are injury prone as anything.
On Pasitoa, I was thinking given Grindlay is supposedly coming as well, if TUJ is the only midfielder gone and they have not announced these signings that one of them is probably WTG?
Tito-Harris is another one who I wonder if he is only WTG.
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@SouthernMann On the rest of that WTG, I am working on the idea that we have locked in six, and therefore the next six could be anyone from anywhere, I think that is the idea of the draft rather than it being filled with local guys.
Tengblad, Casey, Souchon, Shearer are definitely four of them, I would imagine Harvey is five. Muliaina will be on an NDC I think, as this does not prohibit you from playing for the dev team, nor SR if required, so there should be one more retained.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Given the family links, I would suggest the Highlanders didn’t want Timu - we need to move on.
Ironically; I do think he is better than Te Hiwi and Whaanga at this stage, but all three are injury prone as anything.
On Pasitoa, I was thinking given Grindlay is supposedly coming as well, if TUJ is the only midfielder gone and they have not announced these signings that one of them is probably WTG?
Tito-Harris is another one who I wonder if he is only WTG.
This is a system we could have done with three years ago when we gave full contracts to kids who were nowhere near ready.
Having an opportunity to look at the young brigade we brought in would have been ideal. We had up to 10 guys who just weren't capable of playing that that level.
You'd think one of Grindlay or Pasitoa are in the WTG.
With the props, I think we will be hard pressed to find better back up guys than Sexton and Wingham (if he gets demoted).
I agree with Timu being the pick of those three. Even though he has lost a yard of pace. Is probably playing the best rugby of his career. He's only 27. Te Hiwi sadly was getting into gear this season and boom another injury. Whaanga is finally looking to size he should be play as a high level centre.
