Highlanders 2026
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The chat seems to have firmly switched to 2026, so figured the new thread was in order. Below is the contract status of the current squad:
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2027)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Off-contract)
Josh Bartlett (2026?)
Saula Ma’u (2026?)
Sefo Kautai (2026?)
Rohan Wingham (2026?)Hookers:
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)
Henry Bell (Off-contract - am hearing he has had his contract extended for 2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2028)
Mitch Dunshea (Off-contract - rumour is he is staying)
Tai Cribb (Injury Cover)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
TK Howden (2026)
Lui Naeta (GONE)
Sean Withy (2027?)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Michael Loft (Injury Cover)
Tom Sanders (GONE)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Will Stodart (2026)
Nikora Broughton (Off-contract?)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026 - LEAVING)
James Arscott (GONE)
Adam Lennox (Injury Cover - SIGNED)First Fives:
Taine Robinson (2026?)
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (JAPAN)Midfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2027)
Tanielu Tele’a (2026?)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (2025/26?)
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Josh Whaanga (2027)Outside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2028)
Sam Gilbert (CONNACHT)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Jona Nareki (Off-contract)
Caleb Tangitau (2028)
Jonah Lowe (Off-contract)
Michael Manson (Off-contract)
Taniela Filimone (Injury Cover) -
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann my record on contracting isn't amazing. But my memory was that conversation on here last summer was that TUJ had signed on for 2025 and 2026.
Though that said if we've picked up Meihana Grindlay then that gives us a very stacked midfield and leaves us a bit thin on outside backs. We've got Big Jim, TUJ, Grindlay, Telea, Te Hiwi and Whaanga covering midfield plus Lowe (who played thirteen for a couple of games off the bench last season).
With Hervey in the wider training group it's hard not to feel we must be losing a midfielder somewhere if we've signed Grindlay.
I'd be highly surprised if Lowe comes back. I'd think at least one of Tele'a, Te Hiwi or TUJ moves on. Whaanga still has two years left on his deal. Te Hiwi a year, and potentially TUJ as well. Tele'a's contract isn't known.
Outside backs:
JRK
Tangitau
Hurley
Nareki
Solomon
Manson?Midfield
Tavatavanawai
Grindlay
Whaanga
Te Hiwi
TUJ
Tele'a?Tavatavanawai and at a pinch Whaanga and TUJ can cover wing.
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On top of this, we have signed:
- Dylan Pledger
- Josh Tengblad (Multi-year deal, playing NPC for Auckland because Otago didn't want him)
- Stanley Solomon (?)
Supposedly are trying to sign:
- Josh Jacomb
- Meihana Grindlay
- At least one prop (Off-shore is an option)
- Potentially an off-shore first five
If all the above is true, I would expect us to contract 21 forwards and 17 backs - Loft was the injury replacement for JRK, because the original squad had 18 backs which is quite high.
The 21 forwards will break down into 7 props, 3 hookers, 3 locks & 8 loose forwards I think. This could depend on contract statuses/who they can get rid of. I think it is possible that outside of Tengblad, a couple of new props are the only additions in the pack, unless they can shift a loose forward or Wingham. I have heard no rumours of us targetting a loosie though, so I would expect it to be just a loosehead and a tighthead. Jack Sexton shapes as the obvious loosehead.
The 17 backs will be made up of 3 halfbacks, 2-3 first fives, 5 midfielders, and 6 outside backs - this is far harder to workout. The following I hear are definitely signed:
Fakatava
Lennox
PledgerMillar
Tavatavanwai
J Whaanga
Te HiwiJRK
Hurley
Tangitau
SolomonI think you can almost definitely add Robinson and Tele'a to that list, leaving room for a first five (Jacomb), a midfielder (Grindlay), 2x Wingers (Lowe and Nareki?)
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Why only 3 locks? Then you end up in the same situation as this year if injuries/fatigue strike. Six props is more common too, especially if JJ doesn't rotate.
Three locks plus Sotddart and Haig. Both big enough to play lock. I'd except Cribb comes back.
Jeez I'd be miffed with all the decent hookers floating around if we keep Henry Bell
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I'd tried to put all the rumours into a single squad. Obviously 42 doesn't go into 38. So roughly speaking here's what I'd expect.
- Ethan De Groot
- Jack Sexton (assumed - otherwise a loosehead.)
- Josh Bartlett
- Saula Ma’au
- Sefo Kautai
- Rohan Wingham (If Dropped potentially opens room for an extra winger / midfielder / Overseas 10 option).
- (Yet unkown Tighthead)
- Jack Taylor
- Soanne Vienna
- Henry Bell
- Fabian Holland
- Mitchell Dunshea
- Josh Tengblad
- Will Stodart
- TK Howden
- Oli Haig
- Sean Withy
- Hayden Michaels / Fita Sia / Tai Cribb
- Vevni Lasagna
- Hugh Renton
- Nikora Broughton (Enough rumours about us targeting an eight that it could mean Broughton dosn't return).
- Folau Fakatava
- Adam Lennox
- Dylan Pledger
- Cam Millar
- Josh Jacomb
- Taine Robinson
- Meihana Grindlay
- Tanelea Telea
- Jake Te Hiwi
- Timcoi T
- Josh Whaanga
- Jacob Kneepkins
- Finn Hurley
- Caleb Tangitau
- Jona Nareki
- Jonah Lowe / Thomas Umunga Jensen / Poentially another outside back.
- Stanley Solomone
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
The chat seems to have firmly switched to 2026, so figured the new thread was in order. Below is the contract status of the current squad:
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2027)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Off-contract)
Josh Bartlett (2026?)
Saula Ma’u (2026?)
Sefo Kautai (2026?)
Rohan Wingham (2026?)Hookers:
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)
Henry Bell (Off-contract - am hearing he has had his contract extended for 2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2028)
Mitch Dunshea (Off-contract - rumour is he is staying)
Tai Cribb (Injury Cover)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
TK Howden (2026)
Lui Naeta (GONE)
Sean Withy (2027?)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Michael Loft (Injury Cover)
Tom Sanders (GONE)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Will Stodart (2026)
Nikora Broughton (Off-contract?)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026 - LEAVING)
James Arscott (GONE)
Adam Lennox (Injury Cover - SIGNED)First Fives:
Taine Robinson (2026?)
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (JAPAN)Midfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2027)
Tanielu Tele’a (2026?)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (2025/26?)
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Josh Whaanga (2027)Outside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2028)
Sam Gilbert (CONNACHT)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Jona Nareki (Off-contract)
Caleb Tangitau (2028)
Jonah Lowe (Off-contract)
Michael Manson (Off-contract)
Taniela Filimone (Injury Cover)I’m really interested to see how this Hastie situation turns out as you’re adamant he is leaving. I hope it isn’t the case. That would mean we are cutting both Hasties and Michael’s contracts short if we believe what’s all been said on here.
On Taine Robinson, I can tell you he is signed through 2026.
I’m sure someone in here mentioned that Nareki was in discussions to extend his stay with the Highlanders. Someone also said TUJ was signed for 2026, will see if I can find who said that.
Also, you say Tengland wasn’t wanted by Otago. How are you so sure it wasn’t just a case of a young guy wanting to spend half the year back home and play for his province then head back to Dunedin during super season and link up with the Highlanders? I’m willing to bet Otago definitely wanted him.
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@Landers92 just for clarity I’m quite confident I recall a conversation about TUJ having another year on his contract.
Only concern I have as that if the Grindlay news is true we seem stacked with midfielders and it’s hard to make sense of having six on the books even if a few technically cover wing. So it feels like someone must be leaving. Just hard to know who.
I’m much less confident about Manson. I seem to recall a two year contract being mentioned by someone on here when he signed. But that’s not a 100% guarantee they were right. So put an asterisk next to that. Given how cold JJ is on him I wouldn’t be betting we’ll see him back.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
The chat seems to have firmly switched to 2026, so figured the new thread was in order. Below is the contract status of the current squad:
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2027)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Off-contract)
Josh Bartlett (2026?)
Saula Ma’u (2026?)
Sefo Kautai (2026?)
Rohan Wingham (2026?)Hookers:
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)
Henry Bell (Off-contract - am hearing he has had his contract extended for 2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2028)
Mitch Dunshea (Off-contract - rumour is he is staying)
Tai Cribb (Injury Cover)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
TK Howden (2026)
Lui Naeta (GONE)
Sean Withy (2027?)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Michael Loft (Injury Cover)
Tom Sanders (GONE)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Will Stodart (2026)
Nikora Broughton (Off-contract?)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026 - LEAVING)
James Arscott (GONE)
Adam Lennox (Injury Cover - SIGNED)First Fives:
Taine Robinson (2026?)
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (JAPAN)Midfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2027)
Tanielu Tele’a (2026?)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (2025/26?)
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Josh Whaanga (2027)Outside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2028)
Sam Gilbert (CONNACHT)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Jona Nareki (Off-contract)
Caleb Tangitau (2028)
Jonah Lowe (Off-contract)
Michael Manson (Off-contract)
Taniela Filimone (Injury Cover)I’m really interested to see how this Hastie situation turns out as you’re adamant he is leaving. I hope it isn’t the case. That would mean we are cutting both Hasties and Michael’s contracts short if we believe what’s all been said on here.
Nothing to suggest we are cutting Michaels short. I have heard nothing of the sort, more just thought it was a possibility
On Taine Robinson, I can tell you he is signed through 2026.
Awesome
Also, you say Tengland wasn’t wanted by Otago. How are you so sure it wasn’t just a case of a young guy wanting to spend half the year back home and play for his province then head back to Dunedin during super season and link up with the Highlanders? I’m willing to bet Otago definitely wanted him.
I got told Jamie told Otago to sign him, Otago fumbled around and then Auckland pounced. This is the same organisation who chose Arscott over Hotham…
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Why only 3 locks? Then you end up in the same situation as this year if injuries/fatigue strike. Six props is more common too, especially if JJ doesn't rotate.
Three locks plus Sotddart and Haig. Both big enough to play lock. I'd except Cribb comes back.
I’d be stunned if Tai Cribb came back.
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Hearing Kini Naholo has been offered a contract for next season
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Hearing Nareki has signed another 2 , and Kini Naholo has been offered a deal for next season
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@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Hearing Nareki has signed another 2 , and Kini Naholo has been offered a deal for next season
Wouldn’t be surprised as the Canes would have known he was leaving so maybe they’ve signed another winger already and then once Naholo got injured there was no contract to offer.
Jeez, imagine a back three of Naholo, Tangitau and JRK. That will be electric under the roof.
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@CtownCowboy Interesting. Guess the Landers are taking a punt on him where the Canes don't want to... would leave us with a lot of depth in the outsides.
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@CtownCowboy Kin-ihi-naholo..Kin-ihi-naholo,Kin-ihi-naholo
Yeah that ought a work
