Highlanders 2026

upthelanders

Fakatava
Jacomb
Tito-Harris
Tavatavanawai
Tele’a
Tangitau
JRK

That’s a deadly backline.

SouthernMann

@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:

Fakatava

Jacomb

Tito-Harris

Tavatavanawai

Tele’a

Tangitau

JRK

That’s a deadly backline.

More about the depth. The Chiefs and Crusaders cycled through quality players each week. We really pushed some of our guys to the limits. Running the same combo week after week and it just didn't work.

Just as those guys will be important. So will Hurley, Nareki, Solomon, Te Hiwi and Whaanga. We need to be able to share the load to be a competitive team.

frugby

An Updated Highlanders Squad List:

Props:
Ethan de Groot
Josh Bartlett
Saula Ma'u
Sefo Kautai
Angus Ta'avao

Hookers:
Jack Taylor
Henry Bell
Soane Vikena

Locks:
Fabian Holland
Mitch Dunshea

Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig
TK Howden
Sean Withy
Veveni Lasaqa
Will Stodart
Hugh Renton
Nikora Broughton

That leaves room for another loosehead prop, lock and openside flanker. I believe Josh Tengblad is signed up, am just unsure whether that kicks in from 2026 or 2027. Wingham and Michaels are still on contract, but I'd be surprised to see them back.

Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava
Adam Lennox
Dylan Pledger

First Fives:
Cam Millar
Taine Robinson

Midfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Tanielu Tele'a
Josh Whaanga
Jake Te Hiwi

Outside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Finn Hurley
Stanley Solomon
Jona Nareki
Caleb Tangitau

Adding in Tito-Harris & Jacomb, would leave one spot. Probably a midfielder. Ta'avao will be the Blues player we have signed, so can kill off the Grindlay rumours. My money would be on them nailing down Tayne Harvey, and that would pretty much be your lot.

handa457

@frugby I'm not sure how thrilled I'd be signing Tayne Hervey for 2026. He's a talent but I've yet to see enough of him at NPC level to be convinced he's ready for the step up to Super Rugby. Assuming we've lost TUJ and Lowe we're pretty short on experience in our backline depth. Whaanga and Te Hiwi has yet to shine at this level.

An Injury to big Jim or Telea and you're staring down the barrel of a long season. I'd be tempted to sign a more experienced midfielder and then chase Harvey for 2027.

Especially with not a heap of depth in the young halves an experienced midfielder makes a bit more sense.

upthelanders

@handa457 100% agree. Scott Gregory, welcome back!

frugby

Confirmation Hayden Michaels has been paid out of his contract

handa457

@frugby any update on Wingham, if he’s been paid out too?

SBW1

@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?

upthelanders

@SBW1 Nah not sure, he did have a cracking game against Northland last weekend. Was a gun on defence.

SouthernMann

@SBW1 said in Highlanders 2026:

@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?

There is nothing to suggest he is coming back into the fold.

upthelanders

Great too see Pledger starting at 9 for Otago this weekend. We also get a look at Tayne Harvey who’s starting on the left wing for Southland on Friday, how good!

cala7x

What a lad Podcast with Angus Ta'avao release being brought forward to tomorrow morning. To announce/ confirm his move to the Highlanders

Landers92

@cala7x said in Highlanders 2026:

What a lad Podcast with Angus Ta'avao release being brought forward to tomorrow morning. To announce/ confirm his move to the Highlanders

There will be an announcement at 6.30pm tonight.

SouthernMann

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:

@cala7x said in Highlanders 2026:

What a lad Podcast with Angus Ta'avao release being brought forward to tomorrow morning. To announce/ confirm his move to the Highlanders

There will be an announcement at 6.30pm tonight.

Yeah interesting that one member asked about the signing. The Marketing Manager reacted with an emoji to it. Then boom we are getting likely announcements. Hopefully it is confirming a few guys. Not just Ta'avao

Landers92

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNSTmmFTZ3Y/?igsh=Yzh5dm8ydXpmZTB6

sparky

Why are the Highlanders recruiting very old men? Weird recruitment strategy.

SouthernMann

@sparky said in Highlanders 2026:

Why are the Highlanders recruiting very old men? Weird recruitment strategy.

Because predominantly our squad is full of very young men. This year was the youngest squad in the comp. We lacked a bit of experience in certain games, so need to shore things up a bit. Smart signing around supporting the young lads.

Grooter

@sparky an experienced prop is fine is it not? They've got 20 year olds in other positions in the squad Pledger, Tengblad & Solomon to be announced

Canes4life

@sparky said in Highlanders 2026:

Why are the Highlanders recruiting very old men? Weird recruitment strategy.

Yeah a dud signing in my view. He’s been struggling at scrum time for Auckland so far and didn’t offer much for the Blues last year. Weird. Definitely seems passed it.

Landers92

Props are few and far between in NZ and it makes it pretty hard when some teams have 2/3 players AB quality props on their roster. Until something changes in that regard you are forced to go out and make these kinds of signings and Angus is the best available.

I’d rather sign Angus to a 1 year deal than some random from overseas. He isn’t signed to start every week, he’s there to have a solid guy off the bench who can close a game which is something our bench props struggled with last season and rotate with Ma’u when needed.

He has All Black experience which is only a good thing and someone for Ma’u to learn off. Ma’u was asked too start way too often last year so this signing will benefit him. To top it off he can also cover both sides of the scrum at a pinch which makes him even more valuable.

Much better than relying on a very raw and unproven Wingham.

The Silver Fern

Highlanders 2026