Highlanders 2026
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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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Official post. Great to see top young talent being locked in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNlubsFzyI2/?igsh=MXVwdnEycGE2M3cw
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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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I like getting Tengblad locked in even if he isn’t in the full squad next year. Sounds like he will be included in the wider group but what it does is prevent him from being nabbed by another franchise. They’ve made it happen and that’s the main thing.
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Paul Cully's article says Tengblad is still only 19, so you can understand why they aren't rushing his progression. That will mean he is still eligible for the NZ U20s next year.
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
That will mean he is still eligible for the NZ U20s next year.
U20 competitions like the U20 TRC and U20 World Championship use birth years as cut-offs. So for this year, everyone who was born in ’05 or later was eligible for the tournaments. If you were born in December ’04 – like Xavi Taele (dob: 19/12/04), for example – then you were no longer eligible for 2025, despite being just 20 for most of the year.
Tengblad’s 20th birthday is in October. So he’s already played his last game for the NZ U20s.
Apologies for the pedantry. More on topic, I think all three players are great signings. If you saw how quickly Pledger adapted to the pace of the game against Wellington during the match itself – his service getting quicker and quicker as the match wore on – then you’d think he’s already got a shot at serious minutes at Super Rugby-level next year.
Hopefully Tengblad will get some minutes for Otago soon as well. He might still only be 19 but I think he’s already more than good enough for the provincial level.
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I think Pledger will be JJ’s first choice - maybe if not to start the season - certainly by the end.
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By geez that some shrewd signings by Joseph. Like both Pledger and Solomon, and admit to knowing nothing of Tengblad. Not sure how true about trying to get Jacomb (as he already contracted) but by geez would be a great buy for both the Clan and ABs going forward. (Just think him being a starter in super would develop him so well).
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Crusaders – H (season opener Friday 13.02.26)
Chiefs - H
Reds – A
Force – H
Crusaders – A
Canes – H
MP – A
Bye - Easter weekend
Brumbies – H
Blues – A
MP – Super Round (on Sunday)
Drua – A
Tahs – H
Chiefs - A
Canes - A@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
Crusaders – H (season opener Friday 13.02.26)
Chiefs - H
Reds – A
Force – H
Crusaders – A
Canes – H
MP – A
Bye - Easter weekend
Brumbies – H
Blues – A
MP – Super Round (on Sunday)
Drua – A
Tahs – H
Chiefs - A
Canes - A2 games in Dunedin in the last 9 rounds is quite something.
