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Highlanders 2026

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
highlanders
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  • SouthernMannS SouthernMann

    @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.

    frugbyF Offline
    frugbyF Offline
    frugby
    wrote on last edited by frugby
    #788

    @SouthernMann Good spot. Yes last year those not back were removed last year. Therefore, I assume WTG for Wingham.

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    • H handa457

      Highlanders website is notorious for being poorly updated. I recall in the 2024 season, a lot of the academy info was wrong, player profiles had mistakes around caps and a lot of the team records were wrong or outdated. So hopefully this is another example of poor website management not Wingham not returning.

      SouthernMannS Offline
      SouthernMannS Offline
      SouthernMann
      wrote on last edited by
      #789

      @handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:

      Highlanders website is notorious for being poorly updated. I recall in the 2024 season, a lot of the academy info was wrong, player profiles had mistakes around caps and a lot of the team records were wrong or outdated. So hopefully this is another example of poor website management not Wingham not returning.

      It is more reflecting the other players that have been removed. None of which appear to be coming back. The only one that could be apart from Wingham is Loft.

      H 1 Reply Last reply
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      • SouthernMannS SouthernMann

        @handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:

        Highlanders website is notorious for being poorly updated. I recall in the 2024 season, a lot of the academy info was wrong, player profiles had mistakes around caps and a lot of the team records were wrong or outdated. So hopefully this is another example of poor website management not Wingham not returning.

        It is more reflecting the other players that have been removed. None of which appear to be coming back. The only one that could be apart from Wingham is Loft.

        H Offline
        H Offline
        handa457
        wrote on last edited by
        #790

        @SouthernMann that's true. Though interestingly Arscott, and Michaels are still listed, as is DLB. So I'm just hoping it's a mistake.

        SouthernMannS 1 Reply Last reply
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        • H handa457

          @SouthernMann that's true. Though interestingly Arscott, and Michaels are still listed, as is DLB. So I'm just hoping it's a mistake.

          SouthernMannS Offline
          SouthernMannS Offline
          SouthernMann
          wrote on last edited by
          #791

          @handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:

          @SouthernMann that's true. Though interestingly Arscott, and Michaels are still listed, as is DLB. So I'm just hoping it's a mistake.

          Michaels is still under contract. He could be, he might not be. Who knows.

          Arscott, well we know he is going. Will be working through and removing him I'm sure.

          DLB is a strong chance to be returning.

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          • frugbyF Offline
            frugbyF Offline
            frugby
            wrote on last edited by frugby
            #792

            The website is getting updated as we speak, because player bios have been updated. It seemed like they had pretty much all been updated, but the notable ones which weren't of guys still on there: James, Arscott, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Hayden Michaels, Jake Te Hiwi, Jonah Lowe, Sefo Kautai.

            I'd say pretty revealing that nothing has changed for DLB and Michaels.

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            • frugbyF Offline
              frugbyF Offline
              frugby
              wrote on last edited by
              #793

              Arscott and Michaels removed. I guess DLB is back

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              • SouthernMannS Offline
                SouthernMannS Offline
                SouthernMann
                wrote on last edited by
                #794

                So we have

                Wingham (full squad gone) - replaced by Ta'avao
                Naeata - replaced by Lavanini
                Michaels - replaced by???
                Arscott - replaced by Lennox
                Hastie - replaced by Pledger
                Faleafaga - replaced by Knewstubb
                TUJ - replaced by Pasitoa
                Gilbert - replaced by Solomon
                Manson - replaced by Tito-Harris

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                • frugbyF Offline
                  frugbyF Offline
                  frugby
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #795

                  Sounds about right. Guess the question is where does Grindlay fit? Maybe carrying one less forward.

                  I do also wonder if as suggested, Casey is magically going to replace Michaels

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                  • H Offline
                    H Offline
                    handa457
                    wrote on last edited by handa457
                    #796

                    Presumably one of Grandly or Casey get shifted to full squad.

                    How do we feel about DLB returning? I haven't watched his NPC form but he's been quite Dogshite the last few seasons so I'm surprised he's back in the mix. Did his form improve for NPC? Feels like there's surely got to be a young Loosehead who offers more than he does.

                    SouthernMannS 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • H handa457

                      Presumably one of Grandly or Casey get shifted to full squad.

                      How do we feel about DLB returning? I haven't watched his NPC form but he's been quite Dogshite the last few seasons so I'm surprised he's back in the mix. Did his form improve for NPC? Feels like there's surely got to be a young Loosehead who offers more than he does.

                      SouthernMannS Offline
                      SouthernMannS Offline
                      SouthernMann
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #797

                      @handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:

                      Presumably one of Grandly or Casey get shifted to full squad.

                      How do we feel about DLB returning? I haven't watched his NPC form but he's been quite Dogshite the last few seasons so I'm surprised he's back in the mix. Did his form improve for NPC? Feels like there's surely got to be a young Loosehead who offers more than he does.

                      I'm fine with DLB sticking around. He's clearly the third loosehead.

                      There are benefits of him being there from a historical standpoint as well. This will be his 13th season. It is his second stint with JJ as coach as well. He has seen, the good, bad and ugly of the last decade and a bit at the Landers. He is an intermediatory between the playing group and the coaching staff.

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                      • jimmybJ Online
                        jimmybJ Online
                        jimmyb
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #798

                        Am I the only one that thought Wingham had a really good NPC season? Bit of a shame he’s not in the squad

                        S 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • jimmybJ jimmyb

                          Am I the only one that thought Wingham had a really good NPC season? Bit of a shame he’s not in the squad

                          S Offline
                          S Offline
                          ScrumDog
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #799

                          @jimmyb Seems they’ve opted for Ta’vao which is perplexing

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                          • frugbyF Offline
                            frugbyF Offline
                            frugby
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #800

                            I thought Wingham had a good solid NPC, but I think we would be re-writing history to say he looked like anything other than a passable third option - his scrummaging was still hardly convincing. Ta'avao I think will prove a solid third choice.

                            It's not like he will sign anywhere else, so if he improves, then he is still going to be there for us.

                            SouthernMannS 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • U Offline
                              U Offline
                              upthelanders
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #801

                              Didn’t watch the game but hearing comments that Jacomb was very poor. Is this an overreaction? Or was he truly that bad?

                              BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • frugbyF frugby

                                I thought Wingham had a good solid NPC, but I think we would be re-writing history to say he looked like anything other than a passable third option - his scrummaging was still hardly convincing. Ta'avao I think will prove a solid third choice.

                                It's not like he will sign anywhere else, so if he improves, then he is still going to be there for us.

                                SouthernMannS Offline
                                SouthernMannS Offline
                                SouthernMann
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #802

                                @frugby said in Highlanders 2026:

                                I thought Wingham had a good solid NPC, but I think we would be re-writing history to say he looked like anything other than a passable third option - his scrummaging was still hardly convincing. Ta'avao I think will prove a solid third choice.

                                It's not like he will sign anywhere else, so if he improves, then he is still going to be there for us.

                                It is his workrate that impressed me. There were a couple of games where he put in massive shifts. Making 20+ tackles. Managing a fair bit around the ruck and doing a lot of clean out work. That is a huge upside for a prop.

                                I don't mind the idea of him spending a decent block on the training field. If he is being told a story that it is the priority for thebyewr ahead. That Ta'avao is coming down and will swap in for him and he returns in 2027. That next year is a technical development period.

                                Have to remember Sefo Kautai is hardly an inspiring player either.

                                Joseph has talked about being a bit more methodical about bringing in tight forwards. That they can't progress as young guys like halfbacks or outside backs can.

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                                • H handa457

                                  . https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/savs-sidelines-1984-southland-sportsperson?fbclid=IwdGRjcANsPLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtxvZD1rJgo_sUHfnnK_mtfbUCxSJjZfseHCoWGo70JjXWfa2mn-ew8D6aPD_aem_iG1tCm1NlUsDXdprCtNa5w

                                  Few interesting things in here. Sexton is confirmed to have a wider training group Gig with a Super Rugby franchise. Assuming that’s the highlanders, and Hayden Michael’s is apparently returning to the landers.

                                  Aho, Peni and Paula Latu likely off to MP.

                                  F Offline
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                                  Fredsaua12
                                  wrote on last edited by Fredsaua12
                                  #803

                                  @handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:

                                  . https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/savs-sidelines-1984-southland-sportsperson?fbclid=IwdGRjcANsPLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtxvZD1rJgo_sUHfnnK_mtfbUCxSJjZfseHCoWGo70JjXWfa2mn-ew8D6aPD_aem_iG1tCm1NlUsDXdprCtNa5w

                                  Few interesting things in here. Sexton is confirmed to have a wider training group Gig with a Super Rugby franchise. Assuming that’s the highlanders, and Hayden Michael’s is apparently returning to the landers.

                                  Aho, Peni and Paula Latu likely off to MP.

                                  Sextons wider training group I believe is with the Crusaders for next year

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                                  • U upthelanders

                                    Didn’t watch the game but hearing comments that Jacomb was very poor. Is this an overreaction? Or was he truly that bad?

                                    BonesB Online
                                    BonesB Online
                                    Bones
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #804

                                    @upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:

                                    Didn’t watch the game but hearing comments that Jacomb was very poor. Is this an overreaction? Or was he truly that bad?

                                    He was awful, they won in spite of him. Shining light being I don't see how he could play worse (although his kicking from the tee was very good, so I guess he could miss those).

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                                    • frugbyF Offline
                                      frugbyF Offline
                                      frugby
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #805

                                      Generally on squad announcement day there is always one super random name which pops up, and the Highlanders have somewhat had a history of it in the loose forwards.

                                      Unsure if he has a deal somewhere, but am going to throw out Cooper Flanders as the potential openside flanker.

                                      jimmybJ SouthernMannS 2 Replies Last reply
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                                      • frugbyF frugby

                                        Generally on squad announcement day there is always one super random name which pops up, and the Highlanders have somewhat had a history of it in the loose forwards.

                                        Unsure if he has a deal somewhere, but am going to throw out Cooper Flanders as the potential openside flanker.

                                        jimmybJ Online
                                        jimmybJ Online
                                        jimmyb
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #806

                                        @frugby said in Highlanders 2026:

                                        Generally on squad announcement day there is always one super random name which pops up, and the Highlanders have somewhat had a history of it in the loose forwards.

                                        Unsure if he has a deal somewhere, but am going to throw out Cooper Flanders as the potential openside flanker.

                                        Another back rower?

                                        frugbyF 1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          cgrant
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #807

                                          It's a shame Gallagher is going overseas as he could have been a genuine option at 6 not only for the ABs XV but also for the ABs.

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