Highlanders 2026
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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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Hearing the Jacomb signing is official
No clue how reliable the source is tho… -
@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.
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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.
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@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.
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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 - ADo you have the fixture list for all teams or just the Landers?
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With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
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With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
With Tengblad, injuries have severly impacted the last couple of years. While he won't be a 'squad member', he will be there full-time to get himself ready. I'd expect he will be eventually replacing Mitch Dunshea in the squad, likely next year will be his last.
Tai Cribb to return next year? Seems the logical guy to bring in again. I'd expect Haig/Stodart will spend a fair bit of time as bench locks.
Watching Pledger last weekend, expext he will be the no1 halfback vert early in the season.
One season out injured and everyone forgets how well Haig played before getting injured. Can’t really see an argument that once fully fit, he spends 90% of the time starting at 6. Bench lock is quite the demotion
