Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann Henry Hunter, King’s and NZ Schools 2025
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@macmanus said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Henry Hunter, King’s and NZ Schools 2025
That must be why I couldn't find Henry Stuart
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so theyve stuffed up the announcement?
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Talk about an own goal from the media team.
There are a couple of others who could be the third NDC player from the U18 teams (e.g., Jimmy Taylor, Mason Coulthard, Jake Hill) or one of the new academy players.
You'd think it will be Jimmy Taylor.
The question with Taylor is what do they turn him into. Will be tough to crack it at 10. Will likely either become a 12 or 15.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Taylor is another small 1st 5 so I doubt he is an option at 12.
You want to spread your NDCs across positions, which is why a lock/loose forward or outside back might be their choice.
I am pretty sure he is training with the Landers which suggests he is one of the three.
Just hard to see a path forward in his prefered position of first five. I think we will see a bit of him at fullback/wing for Southland during the NPC.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
I am pretty sure he is training with the Landers which suggests he is one of the three.
If it is like the Chiefs there are a lot of NZ U20 eligible players training with each SR team. I've seen photos/videos of Ollie Guerin and Jamie Viljoen at Chiefs trainings and neither have a NDC.
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@SouthernMann Hearing Green Island player Heath Mac Ewan is training with the Highlanders, apparently he’s a converted loose forward that plays hooker , heard some good things about him
Very sizeable and mobile , could be heading North
Know much about him ? -
He played 7 for Hamilton BHS, had a high workrate.
As you say he has converted to hooker since going to Otago - that seems common with smaller loose forwards (e.g., Hutchings).
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@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Hearing Green Island player Heath Mac Ewan is training with the Highlanders, apparently he’s a converted loose forward that plays hooker , heard some good things about him
Very sizeable and mobile , could be heading North
Know much about him ?He has been around the Otago set up for the last couple of years. As well as in the B and feeder teams. One game for Otago off the bench. Probably not a Super prospect. Just looks a good hardworking hooker.
I'd think once Shaun Kempton puts some kgs on, he'd overtake MacEwan as well.
His brother Christian is a lock who was a standby player (I think) for the U20s last year.
