Highlanders 2026
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This came up on my Insta thread.
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
This came up on my Insta thread.
Have seen that floating around, not sure I agree with most of those points. Especially the part about the Landers guaranteeing him a starting role, he could move to Dunedin and have a mental breakdown about the cold or something, no one is guaranteed a starting jersey.
It's all very strange when Jacomb turned down the Crusaders to stay at the Chiefs but now he wants to move to the Landers.
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Hoping it will be true. A big missing ingredient for our squad. He probably regrets not making the move to the Crusaders. Especially considering the attention the Crusaders guys got. Jacomb was stuck on the bench.
The most pleasing thing for a Highlanders perspective is the performances of our guys. JRK, Lasaqa, Pledger, Casey (hopefully), Nareki, Jack Taylor, Ma'u and Withy. All these guys have been dominant at this level.
Sure, they are not playing in the ABs like other franchises. They are looking like they are a level up at this grade. Promising to see.
Plus the development of Mika Muliaina! What is there not to love about that.
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This came up on my Insta thread.
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
This came up on my Insta thread.
A lot of the things that poster mentioned are from this particular article below which I feel someone may have already posted in here.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
This came up on my Insta thread.
Have seen that floating around, not sure I agree with most of those points. Especially the part about the Landers guaranteeing him a starting role, he could move to Dunedin and have a mental breakdown about the cold or something, no one is guaranteed a starting jersey.
It's all very strange when Jacomb turned down the Crusaders to stay at the Chiefs but now he wants to move to the Landers.
@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2026:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
This came up on my Insta thread.
Have seen that floating around, not sure I agree with most of those points. Especially the part about the Landers guaranteeing him a starting role, he could move to Dunedin and have a mental breakdown about the cold or something, no one is guaranteed a starting jersey.
It's all very strange when Jacomb turned down the Crusaders to stay at the Chiefs but now he wants to move to the Landers.
We did guarantee someone a bench spot this year apparently...
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
This came up on my Insta thread.
A lot of the things that poster mentioned are from this particular article below which I feel someone may have already posted in here.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
This came up on my Insta thread.
A lot of the things that poster mentioned are from this particular article below which I feel someone may have already posted in here.
Page had been absent for about two years, surprised to see the comeback.
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Hoping it will be true. A big missing ingredient for our squad. He probably regrets not making the move to the Crusaders. Especially considering the attention the Crusaders guys got. Jacomb was stuck on the bench.
The most pleasing thing for a Highlanders perspective is the performances of our guys. JRK, Lasaqa, Pledger, Casey (hopefully), Nareki, Jack Taylor, Ma'u and Withy. All these guys have been dominant at this level.
Sure, they are not playing in the ABs like other franchises. They are looking like they are a level up at this grade. Promising to see.
Plus the development of Mika Muliaina! What is there not to love about that.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Hoping it will be true. A big missing ingredient for our squad. He probably regrets not making the move to the Crusaders. Especially considering the attention the Crusaders guys got. Jacomb was stuck on the bench.
The most pleasing thing for a Highlanders perspective is the performances of our guys. JRK, Lasaqa, Pledger, Casey (hopefully), Nareki, Jack Taylor, Ma'u and Withy. All these guys have been dominant at this level.
Sure, they are not playing in the ABs like other franchises. They are looking like they are a level up at this grade. Promising to see.
Plus the development of Mika Muliaina! What is there not to love about that.
Looking at the talent being developed down here, couldn't be more excited. The 2010s were a lean decade, so it's good to see some proper things happening.
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Over the last couple of years we have landed a couple of outside region players that have made a big impact.
2024: JRK and Jim.
2025: Lasaqa and Tangitau.
2026: The big fish we really need to land are Jacomb and Tito-Harris.
Solomon, Tengblad and Pledger are really important. Jacomb and Tito-Harris, however, are lads that can go straight into the matchday and make a big difference. I do expect all three of the young lads to get big minutes during the year too.
First five is a challenge. With Millar/Robinson it doesn't matter the players outside them. We will face the same issues as this year. If land Jacomb, I can see a squad strategy where we run Solomon/Hurley as our bench 10. Potentially with a player like Tito-Harris as the midfield/wing cover off the pine.
In terms of Hayden Michaels' spot. Lucas Casey is the lad I want to see nab that gig.
As it stands.
Prop: Ta'avao replaces either Wingham or DLB. We may see one of the others kept. Or pick up another prop. Sexton out of Southland is a loosehead option.
Lock:Tengblad comes in for the big idiot Naeata. Good riddance.
Michaels out: Likely either Loft or Casey in.
Halfback: Arscott and Hastie out. Pledger and Lennox in.
10: Hopefully Jacomb.
Midfield: TUJ out? Tavatavanawai in. Could be room for one more.
Outside backs: Lowe, Gilbert and potentially Manson out. Replaced by Solomon, Tito-Harris and one other or retain Manson or Lowe?
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@SouthernMann Mansoon of contract and hasn't committed looking at options.
@george33 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Mansoon of contract and hasn't committed looking at options.
While I am expecting Manson to be one and done. Your track record with Highlanders wingers for 2026 is dubious at best.
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i liked manson :man_shrugging_light_skin_tone:
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Mansoon of contract and hasn't committed looking at options.
While I am expecting Manson to be one and done. Your track record with Highlanders wingers for 2026 is dubious at best.
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@SouthernMann he said it himself on radio interview.
@george33 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann he said it himself on radio interview.
As I said. One and done. I don't get to listen to much sport radio during rhe day.
I was more referring to your hit rate with Landers wingers haha.
When relaying social media posts or media interviews @george33 cite them. Say something like, as stated on Stuff, SportNation, RNZ, The Blues social media player XX has stated rhey will not be around next year. Changes it from a rumour to a confirmed statement. Even provide a link
Manson had pace. Just couldn't get the rest of his game right.
Hope we land the young Auckland lad
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann he said it himself on radio interview.
As I said. One and done. I don't get to listen to much sport radio during rhe day.
I was more referring to your hit rate with Landers wingers haha.
When relaying social media posts or media interviews @george33 cite them. Say something like, as stated on Stuff, SportNation, RNZ, The Blues social media player XX has stated rhey will not be around next year. Changes it from a rumour to a confirmed statement. Even provide a link
Manson had pace. Just couldn't get the rest of his game right.
Hope we land the young Auckland lad
@SouthernMann It was SportNation afternoons with Staff around 1.30pm approximately think you can listen to podcast thru SportNation.
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Have heard the Highlanders are heading to Fiji this year, so can probably somewhat start piecing together the draw.
Moana at home in Super Round is another confirmed one, and can probably almost guarantee we will have the Waratahs at home as have played them over there the last two years. I would guess that this might come quite early in the season, as they will probably double up with a game at Orangetheory.
I reckon there is also a reasonable chance the Brumbies play us in Dunedin the week before or after Super Round.
Would mean trips away to the Reds and Western Force which probably checks out.
Likely to see the Crusaders at home early in the season, and a trip up there later on in the new stadium. I would guess that including their Super Round match (probably the Chiefs?), they will get three more games, likely against us and the Blues?
Should be Blues Home and Away, as we only played them in Dunedin last year.
There is a reasonable chance we might get the Force or the Drua Home and Away as our other double up if they aren't coming to Super Round.
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Dylan Pledger 2027
Stanley Solomon 2027
Josh Tengblad 2028
All to be confirmed at 8 AM this morning.
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Have heard the Highlanders are heading to Fiji this year, so can probably somewhat start piecing together the draw.
Moana at home in Super Round is another confirmed one, and can probably almost guarantee we will have the Waratahs at home as have played them over there the last two years. I would guess that this might come quite early in the season, as they will probably double up with a game at Orangetheory.
I reckon there is also a reasonable chance the Brumbies play us in Dunedin the week before or after Super Round.
Would mean trips away to the Reds and Western Force which probably checks out.
Likely to see the Crusaders at home early in the season, and a trip up there later on in the new stadium. I would guess that including their Super Round match (probably the Chiefs?), they will get three more games, likely against us and the Blues?
Should be Blues Home and Away, as we only played them in Dunedin last year.
There is a reasonable chance we might get the Force or the Drua Home and Away as our other double up if they aren't coming to Super Round.
