Highlanders 2026
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
I am imagining that teams will maintain a few extra academy players (as they currently do) outside of NDCs. Very few players play Super before 20, so in that sense it is a moot point - in fact NZR have hard and fast rules around forwards.
For the Highlanders this might look like the following:
Wider Training Group:
LHP: Draft
Hooker: Nick Souchon
THP: Draft
Lock: Josh Tengblad
Blindside Flanker: Draft
Openside Flanker: Lucas Casey
Number Eight: Draft
Halfback: Nic Shearer
First Five: (Mika Muliaina as an NDC?)
Left Winger: Draft
Second Five: Reesjan Pasitoa
Outside Centre: Tayne Harvey
Right Winger: Draft
Fullback: DraftNDCs: Mika Muliaina & Henry Hunter + 1 other
Other Academy Members: Jimmy Taylor, Gregor Rutledge + 2-3 others
Will be hard to nail down these spots. Most other teams will be working hard to lock down their local lads. We are talking players 190 to 250.
Loosehead: should be Jack Sexton
Hooker: agree with Souchon or one of the younger boys to try and build up their strength
Tighthead: if DLB is retained. Hopefully Wingham is talked into taking a demotion. He has been good for Otago.
Lock: Tengblad
Loosie 1: Casey
Loosie 2: Reeves out of Canterbury?
Halfback: Shearer
10: Hopefully can get a dispensation for Muliaina
Wing: Broomfield or Harvey
12: Harvey or DRAFT (thought Pasitoa has a main squad gig)
13 Hoprfully Timu
15: Nemac Vial?Wonder who we can talk into coming down out of the U20s kids or the unsuccessful schools squad.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
Haven't we heard that Ale Aho has been contracted? Will be interesting to hear where he fits into he equation given Tengblad is in the frame too. Feel strongly that Wingham needs to be in the conversation as well given the NPC form he's had. Josh Timu as well. But can understand if JJ has moved on.
In terms of draft options Verneiki Tikisolomone, Jed Melvin, Adam Brash and Jake Heenan could be worth a look based on NPC form. Lewis Ponnini hasn't got much game time but is a big body too.
On Aho have heard conflicting reports about Aho. I just don't think a 145kg lock suits the game plan for the Landers. Verneiki Tikisolomone was tried years ago.
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Timu to Hurricanes as WTG, Souchon signed to our WTG.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Timu to Hurricanes as WTG, Souchon signed to our WTG.
That is disappointing we have lost Timu to up the road. He has been one of the best defensive centres in the NPC.
I hope we have the other two hookers around the group. Both need to get bigger to be competitive.
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@SouthernMann Given the family links, I would suggest the Highlanders didn’t want Timu - we need to move on.
Ironically; I do think he is better than Te Hiwi and Whaanga at this stage, but all three are injury prone as anything.
On Pasitoa, I was thinking given Grindlay is supposedly coming as well, if TUJ is the only midfielder gone and they have not announced these signings that one of them is probably WTG?
Tito-Harris is another one who I wonder if he is only WTG.
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@SouthernMann On the rest of that WTG, I am working on the idea that we have locked in six, and therefore the next six could be anyone from anywhere, I think that is the idea of the draft rather than it being filled with local guys.
Tengblad, Casey, Souchon, Shearer are definitely four of them, I would imagine Harvey is five. Muliaina will be on an NDC I think, as this does not prohibit you from playing for the dev team, nor SR if required, so there should be one more retained.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Given the family links, I would suggest the Highlanders didn’t want Timu - we need to move on.
Ironically; I do think he is better than Te Hiwi and Whaanga at this stage, but all three are injury prone as anything.
On Pasitoa, I was thinking given Grindlay is supposedly coming as well, if TUJ is the only midfielder gone and they have not announced these signings that one of them is probably WTG?
Tito-Harris is another one who I wonder if he is only WTG.
This is a system we could have done with three years ago when we gave full contracts to kids who were nowhere near ready.
Having an opportunity to look at the young brigade we brought in would have been ideal. We had up to 10 guys who just weren't capable of playing that that level.
You'd think one of Grindlay or Pasitoa are in the WTG.
With the props, I think we will be hard pressed to find better back up guys than Sexton and Wingham (if he gets demoted).
I agree with Timu being the pick of those three. Even though he has lost a yard of pace. Is probably playing the best rugby of his career. He's only 27. Te Hiwi sadly was getting into gear this season and boom another injury. Whaanga is finally looking to size he should be play as a high level centre.
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Michael Manson linking up with NZ Sevens.
Rugby's fastest man set to light up sevens fields
World Rugby’s HSBC SVNS Series has just got a whole lot more interesting for Southland rugby followers.
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I thought Carter was touted as the fastest in NZ?
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Michael Manson linking up with NZ Sevens
Can you confirm if that's a guaranteed bench spot or not?
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@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Michael Manson linking up with NZ Sevens
Can you confirm if that's a guaranteed bench spot or not?
Why the hell would someone have a guaranteed bench spot?
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@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Michael Manson linking up with NZ Sevens
Can you confirm if that's a guaranteed bench spot or not?
Why the hell would someone have a guaranteed bench spot?
It is a fern inside joke. Prior to the squad being announced last year. A new forum member popped up. They said he had been signed and guaranteed a bench spot.
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@SouthernMann I know this fern member, and can actually guarantee Manson was told he had a promised bench spot for a certain amount of games. Don’t know exactly why that promise didn’t happen, but again can guarantee Manson was promised something.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Michael Manson linking up with NZ Sevens
Can you confirm if that's a guaranteed bench spot or not?
Why the hell would someone have a guaranteed bench spot?
It is a fern inside joke. Prior to the squad being announced last year. A new forum member popped up. They said he had been signed and guaranteed a bench spot.
Ahh I can imagine the reaction to that
