Highlanders 2026
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@Kiwiwomble Oh for sure. And despite Millar's excellent NPC, it came with the caveat, that he still didn't really break the line from first receiver, which as you say is what we look for in this country.
Having said that, if he can bring that into his game (I don't know that he can) he is pushing an international level first five, because his kicking game, when he is playing with confidence is probably unparalleled.
You'll know his ceiling after this Super Rugby campaign, so given he is only 23, I hope he does at least wait for this season to review things.
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb cheers Jimmy, had a sixth sense Cam might be looking abroad when it was revealed on here Jacomb would be coming down for npc too, Haig is interesting heard Jamie is huge on Howden so it will be a good battle for the 6 jersey in the new year
I got this information from someone I know who’s in the player manager space, not the team. Apparently a few players who aren’t particularly impressed with Joseph are also looking to jump ship domestically next season as well.
I’d be disappointed if Howden was automatically persisted with. I personally don’t particularly rate him and he lacks the core skills of a 6 that Haig has. But let’s see what happens next season. Got 4 months to panic about it between now and then!
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@jimmyb got any oil on who? My assumption would be that it's guys Derms rated that JJ hasn't who weren't off contract this year. So immediately my mind goes to Bell, Wingham, Michaels, Broughton, Te Hiwi and Millar.
About half of whom I wouldn't be upset to loose. Bell we could probably swap out for Ioane Moanu, though I'd probably prefer to drop Vikenna and keep Bell. Broughton to me just hasn't excelled at this level yet. Michaels has been a no go, and Te Hiwi the jury is out for
However I'd be gutted to Loose Wingham and Millar. I think both have high ceilings.
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The guys I could see it be would be lads like Hurley, Stodart or Haig. Potentially miffed about being pushed with injuries. Or played when not ready or played out of position.
I'd be disappointed if either the players or JJ can't work through issues with interpersonal relationships.
Here is my list of contract lengths.
Ending 2026
Millar
Haig
Te Hiwi
Vikena
Hurley
Taylor
Bell
Stodart
Robinson
Howden
Ta'avao
Dunshea
Knewstubb?
LavaniniEnding 2027
Whaanga
Fakatava
Tavatananawai
Nareki?
Lasaqa
De Groot
Solomon
Pledger
Casey
Tito-HarrisEnding 2028
JRK
Tangitau
Holland
Tengblad
Jacomb from 2026Unknown
Tele'a (two years will run out 25)
Wingham (two years will run out 25)
Ma'u
Withy
Bartlett (two years will be to 26)
Lennox (through to 27 is two years).
Broughton
Kautai (two years to 26) -
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
I’d be disappointed if Howden was automatically persisted with. I personally don’t particularly rate him and he lacks the core skills of a 6 that Haig has.Lol what. I can tell you that TK is rated within NZ circles. Theres a reason he was called into the pre French series camp and is with the AB XV. He was pretty damn good in a poor side last season.
Having him and Haig is a good problem to have. You could even add Stodart into the mix. It’s rare for any loose forward in super to not miss time due to injury along with player rotation. All the good teams have had quality loose forward depth over the years. It always works itself out.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
I’d be disappointed if Howden was automatically persisted with. I personally don’t particularly rate him and he lacks the core skills of a 6 that Haig has.Lol what. I can tell you that TK is rated within NZ circles. Theres a reason he was called into the pre French series camp and is with the AB XV. He was pretty damn good in a poor side last season.
Having him and Haig is a good problem to have. You could even add Stodart into the mix. It’s rare for any loose forward in super to not miss time due to injury. All the good teams have had quality loose forward depth over the years. It always works itself out.
Not that we have space for him, but I'd be very pleased to see him at the Chiefs. I actually wonder why one of those three hasn't been a target for a team like the Blues.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
I’d be disappointed if Howden was automatically persisted with. I personally don’t particularly rate him and he lacks the core skills of a 6 that Haig has.Lol what. I can tell you that TK is rated within NZ circles. Theres a reason he was called into the pre French series camp and is with the AB XV. He was pretty damn good in a poor side last season.
Having him and Haig is a good problem to have. You could even add Stodart into the mix. It’s rare for any loose forward in super to not miss time due to injury. All the good teams have had quality loose forward depth over the years. It always works itself out.
It’s ok to have an opinion on a player. I don’t think I expressed it particularly negatively?
Every man and his dog that was in that ABs was in that squad. Looking at the names I’m not entirely sure that means a whole lot. I could also say the same about Haig pre injury (joined the squad in Japan and was in the XV), and from what I gather , he’s just as well regarded. I’ve rated the kid since school 1st XV and I’ll continue to bang that drum until I see good evidence not to.
My issue with Howden is that he was part of a loose forward trio that was probably the worst in the comp around the ruck last season. He also is prone to some fairly lazy defense this NPC season.
I see Haig as having a far higher ceiling and I don’t think that’s a particularly controversial take.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Yeah that's a bit of a head scratcher thinking Howden is a bit shit. He was probably the best forward on the park for the landers for at least a couple of games.
I don’t think he’s shit at all. But I don’t rate him as highly.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb yeah Haig has been a superstar in the making for probably 3 years now, I definitely don't see what the hype is about there. Only caught a bit of NPC, but what I did see didn't impress much. Kinda a less busy Blackadder.
Haig had one very good year in 2024. Either side of that he made his NPC debut and was injured. I don’t think anyone has been claiming he’s a super star. But I think reasonably so he’s seen as having a lot of potential. He’s the only homegrown Otago player that was in the NZ school boys teams, u20s and AB XV year on year. I think there was a reason for that
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb think there's another highlanders supporter in the Haig fan club that talked him up.
I’m talking him up cause I’m an ex OBs boy and I like him. Ofc I think he needs to improve but I think he has a lot of potential. I don’t think I’m being particularly militant about it
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From what I heard a few of the fringe players felt a little bit marginalised, but I suspect part of that was more to do with JJ being a very different style of coach to Dermody.
In theory, having a more organised B Comp should help with morale, though performances need to be rewarded.
JJ definitely has his favourites (as do all coaches), and TK Howden is one of those - there is no secret in that - but that doesn't mean Haig isn't rated. He was rated high enough that they felt the need to rush him back (and that just fucked him really).
There will be some real selection dilemmas in the loose forwards, but injuries will play a part, and we do need a battery of them. If you can get Haig, Howden, Stodart, Withy & Casey (find a way to get him in the full squad) firing for the most part of the season, we will be better for it.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Yeah that's a bit of a head scratcher thinking Howden is a bit shit. He was probably the best forward on the park for the landers for at least a couple of games.
I recall Howden having a blinder against the Crusaders in Chch, he was everywhere. Definitely someone I think any team in NZ would be happy to have. If I could choose to have him back starting at 6 for the Canes, I'd take it in a heartbeat. I think he has a big future.
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There is a bit of an overhanging obsession in the Landers fandom about who our best guy is, instead of thinking about two or three guys as options that play roles during the year.
At 6/7 we have a few guys who can fill roles. With Howden, Stodart and Haig we have lads who can fill the role at six. With two having the potential to play at 8 as well.
While Withy, Lasaqa and Casey can do roles at seven.
Running 23 guys ragged is not going to end well. We need to have guys who are interchangeable.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Contrary some of my previous information, JJ rates Wingham, but the concern has been an inability to gain weight - looks to me like he has rectified that between Super and the NPC. Expect to see him still in the squad.
Interestingly he is one of four profiles recently removed from the website. Others being TUJ, Hastie and Loft. Makes seven guys pulled prior to that in Ajay, Gilbert and Naeata.
I like Wingham. Good Sharkie. Also not many props can put in efforts like he did during the NPC racking up nearly 30 tackles in a game.
Of course could be nothing. But suggests he may not be back considering the others pulled.
