Highlanders 2026
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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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@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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@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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@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.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@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.
You'll defs get the pick of the litter as they will end up demanding starting spots.
Lol I'd thought I'd never see the day with Hurricanes and props in the same sentence.
It would be cool if franchises shared the talent in specific areas so the best players were on the park across all five NZ franchises.
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@Canes4life it's interesting with Stanley Solomon I remember reading an interview a few months back, got the impression Hurricanes didn't offer him anything beyond a wider spot, as the great Aaron smith said in the past always take the full gig offer from Jamie over wider training
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
@Canes4life it's interesting with Stanley Solomon I remember reading an interview a few months back, got the impression Hurricanes didn't offer him anything beyond a wider spot, as the great Aaron smith said in the past always take the full gig offer from Jamie over wider training
Solomon is still very slight. We probably won't see a lot of him next year. He needs to do what Hurley has over the last couple of years - getting injured.
Tough for the Canes. They have match ready guys. Would have encouraged Solomon to have stuck around. You just can't knock back a now deal.
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might have missed it, have we chatted about the jersey design comp? love the idea, real role of the dice, my football club use to do it every year and then put 4 up for vote by members so worse case you kind of knew which ever one was selected a decent number of people liked.....i hope its more than just blue
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@WoodysRFC said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
If only we could pick up Springer to replace Lowe.
We'd have the full collection of promising young wingers then.
Springer is a poor man's Lowe though, eh @Canes4life
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@WoodysRFC said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
If only we could pick up Springer to replace Lowe.
We'd have the full collection of promising young wingers then.
Springer is a poor man's Lowe though, eh @Canes4life
5 try Springer, that mans unstoppable.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@WoodysRFC said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
If only we could pick up Springer to replace Lowe.
We'd have the full collection of promising young wingers then.
Springer is a poor man's Lowe though, eh @Canes4life
5 try Springer, that mans unstoppable.
1 better than four try Lowe.
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The squad looks fairly settled and easy the predict. With only question mark being at looseforward (unless Casey is promoted).
Prop is settled. DLB looks like he will be back. Wingham out, hopefully staying in a WTG spot.
Every other spot in the fulltime squad. Looks fairly easy to lock in.
WTG is more interesting. Especially four roles.
Looseforwards. Two spots. If Casey is upgraded. There will be two spots open. I do wonder of George Reeves may be looked at.
- Will they take a risk and give that job to 19-year-old Mika Muliaina. I think he is the best option available.
Midfield. Grindlay is the rumour. A very useful player to have in this group.
Outside back. I can see it either being Tayne Harvey or Jae Broomfield. We don't need to have another outside back. Harvey has played a fairbit of outside back. We have plenty of guys who can do a role with the outside backs. Knewstubb, Robinson, all the outsides. Harvey can add extra cover both for the midfield and on the wing. As well as prioritising his development.
