Highlanders 2026
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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.
@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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Am I the only one that thought Wingham had a really good NPC season? Bit of a shame he’s not in the squad
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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.
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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.
@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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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.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
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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Didn’t watch the game but hearing comments that Jacomb was very poor. Is this an overreaction? Or was he truly that bad?
@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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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.
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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.
@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?
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@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?
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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.
@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.
Unless they are deciding Withy isn't a seven. I can't see it. Squads don't normally carry more than three and we already have our three for 2027 with Withy, Lasaqa and Casey. Bringing in an uncapped 22-year-old for one year doesn't seem likely. Unless they are pushing Withy to another role.
Like many positions we also have the youngest cohort of openside flankers. While the likes of the Blues or Canes have less congested pathway to starting with older guys who may be moving on.
Hoping there is one surprise though. It all seems a bit ho-hum having a fair idea of the squad that will come out.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/DQlfx_dEdrQ/?igsh=MWw2d3ZxY3Zzajc3ag==
This guy is definitely lurking in here lol. I notice he’s dropped the myth of Dmac name now too
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
What's Blake Makiri up to?
Played in the ignite 7s on the weekend. Will chase if he still has a contract in the MLR but seemed to miss a significant part of MLR and NPC this year due to injuries
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
What's Blake Makiri up to?
Played in the ignite 7s on the weekend. Will chase if he still has a contract in the MLR but seemed to miss a significant part of MLR and NPC this year due to injuries
@Fredsaua12 he looked great last year, would be well worth a punt I reckon.
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I'm hoping we should be fairly well set for outside backs for the next 4 - 5 years with Tangitau, Tito-Harris, Solomon, Hurley and JRK
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I'm hoping we should be fairly well set for outside backs for the next 4 - 5 years with Tangitau, Tito-Harris, Solomon, Hurley and JRK
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
I'm hoping we should be fairly well set for outside backs for the next 4 - 5 years with Tangitau, Tito-Harris, Solomon, Hurley and JRK
Unfortunately I doubt you will be able to keep all of them for that long, those that end up on the pine or in the stands will likely look elsewhere. Just the nature of pro footy these days and players looking for opportunity.
Certainly an abundance of talent for 2026/27 which is exciting.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
I'm hoping we should be fairly well set for outside backs for the next 4 - 5 years with Tangitau, Tito-Harris, Solomon, Hurley and JRK
Unfortunately I doubt you will be able to keep all of them for that long, those that end up on the pine or in the stands will likely look elsewhere. Just the nature of pro footy these days and players looking for opportunity.
Certainly an abundance of talent for 2026/27 which is exciting.
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
I'm hoping we should be fairly well set for outside backs for the next 4 - 5 years with Tangitau, Tito-Harris, Solomon, Hurley and JRK
Unfortunately I doubt you will be able to keep all of them for that long, those that end up on the pine or in the stands will likely look elsewhere. Just the nature of pro footy these days and players looking for opportunity.
Certainly an abundance of talent for 2026/27 which is exciting.
They will all get their chance and we should get the pick of the litter.
And some franchises do seem to hold on to stupid numbers of capable players in positions. Crusaders with midfielders, hookers. Hurricanes with props. Chiefs with loosies, midfield, outside backs. They apparently have NZ's six best blindside flankers. There is no reason we can't keep them.
