Highlanders 2026
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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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@DurryMexted said in Highlanders 2026:
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.
thats a bit of a stretch, Millar is tried and passable at super level, a good option young and local so hopefully a long term servant, but dont think he's going to be a super start
I dont think mika will be 20 by 2027 so will be eased into things and Jacomb just as likely to do his stint and then head back north
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@DurryMexted said in Highlanders 2026:
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.
thats a bit of a stretch, Millar is tried and passable at super level, a good option young and local so hopefully a long term servant, but dont think he's going to be a super start
I dont think mika will be 20 by 2027 so will be eased into things and Jacomb just as likely to do his stint and then head back north
i would say the landers would be pretty chuffed with themselves if they maintain those 3 on their books in 2027, but sure maybe a stretch
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@DurryMexted theyve definitely done well and im happy, its just not stockpiling like we've seen elsewhere int he past, its what we should always be aiming for, one for right now (jacomb) one local safe pair of hands (millar) and one in development
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Good on the Landers, but strange to see them now with two good young players. The timelines are not that similar (24 vs nearly 19) but it may be interesting to see whether Muliaina gets the game time he needs to develop, he may end up similar to Jacomb in not feeling that he gets the opportunity early enough.
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@gt12 i think players should realise squads with depth win things....and players in squads that win things get looked at
but i get it and i suspect maybe Jacomb isnt a long term option, will do his contract, at which point mika can step up
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
A sign of the times where all SR clubs will try to lock in young local talent ASAP.
Southland schools produce more 1st 5s than Otago.
hows that measured?
