Highlanders 2026
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Enjoy this honesty from Lucas Casey in his Highlanders bio. No interest in the Blues
https://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-teams/highlanders-super-rugby/lucas-casey/
What does representing the Highlanders mean?
It's my childhood dream to play professional rugby. Despite being from Northland/Blues I have never really supported them. Playing Highlanders U20s built a massive love for the region and team.
Few hopes and questions for the season.
Finn Hurley becomes a dominant no 23.
I think the wee fella has great potential to be a lethal 30 minute man. Really injecting his pace and acceleration at the back end of games. Bring him on and have two roaming wing/fullbacks with him and JRK on the field.
Which one out of stanley Solomon and Tito-Harris take Nareki's wing when he gets injured.
Nareki will be a first string winger. Pesamistically, he will likely get injured at some point. Both are bloody talented. Solomon probably has similar skills interms of kicking and allround game. Tito-Harris more likely to spell Tangitau.
Who the heck will play no8?
Shrug. Who knows. The players picked in the other two spots will probbaly determine the skills required out of the 8 on a week to week basis.
How early will we see Lucas Casey?
Lots of attrition in the loosies and locks. I reckon he will pop up in the early rounds.
The balance of halfbacks. Who gets 9 and 21.
Really lucky to have Fakatava playing some of the best rugby in his career. As well as the kid wonder. Commonsense says they will share the starting spot. Although we have seen how much Cam Millar benefited from having Pledger inside him.
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Official Highlanders bronco times.
Top two. As expected Andrew Knewstubb 4.20 and Dylan Pledger 4.24. Weather looked a bit shit. Those two would probably go a fair bit quicker on a nicer day.
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Looking at Tai Cribb's profile details. I'm hoping they got his height a bit wrong. Surely he isn't a 6'2 lock weighing less than most of our backs. He can't be that badly undersized.
https://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-teams/highlanders-super-rugby/tai-cribb/
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@SouthernMann He did look short playing lock for Auckland in the NPC.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Nah, he's about 1.95 m.
On the small side. Passable though. Similar height to Howden and Stodart, a bit shorter than Haig.
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For those of you Landers fans that may have missed this. Some quality content.
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A wrap of week two.
Jim looked a bit nervous approach JJ. Good to hear Jake give wraps on Solomon, Pledger and Mika Muliaina.
Nice social and fan engagement from the Landers.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
A wrap of week two.
Jim looked a bit nervous
Jim's definitely a hugger. Maybe he should play hooker!
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Mika Muliaina locked in to a three year deal starting 2027.
Press release to come at 10 30.
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@SouthernMann Sweet so you don't need Jacomb anymore right??
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@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Sweet so you don't need Jacomb anymore right??
Nahhh. He is still very important.
Says two of the 10 spots are locked up. The third will depend on whether Millar is lured overseas I'd think.
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The trend continues, multiple promising 10s end up at the same franchise at the same time! Jacomb/Mika/Miller (maybe) is unreal depth. By then, Blues may be back to square 1 & Chiefs with just Dmac. Wonder if these teams were in touch as well but not a strong enough offers, or Mika is loyal to the franchise.
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