Highlanders 2026
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We are looking like there wil be a nice arsenal of outside backs for whoever the 10 is to unleash. Albeit quite young.
Fullbacks:
JRK
Hurley
SolomonWings:
Tangitau
Nareki
Tito-Harris (may be)That is a fair bit of raw talent outwide.
With Jacomb, I'm a bit with @Mauss he probably isn't as good as what some think. On the other hand, he is several steps ahead of the two we have on contract at the moment in Taine Robinson and Cam Millar. He will also potentially join a team with seferal familiar faces from Taranaki. Mika Muliaina is the end target for that jersey. We just don't want to have our hand forced and have him starting at 19 or 20. Hurley/Solomon may be seen as 10s as well. Have one of them coming off the bench to lift the tempo.
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We are looking like there wil be a nice arsenal of outside backs for whoever the 10 is to unleash. Albeit quite young.
Fullbacks:
JRK
Hurley
SolomonWings:
Tangitau
Nareki
Tito-Harris (may be)That is a fair bit of raw talent outwide.
With Jacomb, I'm a bit with @Mauss he probably isn't as good as what some think. On the other hand, he is several steps ahead of the two we have on contract at the moment in Taine Robinson and Cam Millar. He will also potentially join a team with seferal familiar faces from Taranaki. Mika Muliaina is the end target for that jersey. We just don't want to have our hand forced and have him starting at 19 or 20. Hurley/Solomon may be seen as 10s as well. Have one of them coming off the bench to lift the tempo.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
We are looking like there wil be a nice arsenal of outside backs for whoever the 10 is to unleash. Albeit quite young.
Fullbacks:
JRK
Hurley
SolomonWings:
Tangitau
Nareki
Tito-Harris (may be)That is a fair bit of raw talent outwide.
With Jacomb, I'm a bit with @Mauss he probably isn't as good as what some think. On the other hand, he is several steps ahead of the two we have on contract at the moment in Taine Robinson and Cam Millar. He will also potentially join a team with seferal familiar faces from Taranaki. Mika Muliaina is the end target for that jersey. We just don't want to have our hand forced and have him starting at 19 or 20. Hurley/Solomon may be seen as 10s as well. Have one of them coming off the bench to lift the tempo.
Whole-heartedly agree. Jacomb might not be what some think, but is the best available and should be an upgrade on what we have.
And who knows, maybe being the main man will see him take his game to new heights.
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would like to see Nic Shearer involved with the landers in 2026. Has been impressive for Southland so far
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Update on the Jacomb situation. Negotiations still ongoing - would seem Jacomb is keen, but there are some complexities to work through in relation to him still being contracted to the Chiefs for next year.
I would be surprised if that deal did not get completed.
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs? Not sure the Hurricanes need all of Love Harkin, Godrey and Cashmore.
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2026:
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs?
Yes, the Chiefs won't be giving up Jacomb without a suitable replacement. Especially if the story about Trask also leaving is correct.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Update on the Jacomb situation. Negotiations still ongoing - would seem Jacomb is keen, but there are some complexities to work through in relation to him still being contracted to the Chiefs for next year.
I would be surprised if that deal did not get completed.
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs? Not sure the Hurricanes need all of Love Harkin, Godrey and Cashmore.
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Update on the Jacomb situation. Negotiations still ongoing - would seem Jacomb is keen, but there are some complexities to work through in relation to him still being contracted to the Chiefs for next year.
I would be surprised if that deal did not get completed.
Can see a bit of a merry-go-round situation developing around the country with the 10s. Maybe Cashmore ends up back at the Chiefs? Not sure the Hurricanes need all of Love Harkin, Godrey and Cashmore.
Harkin or Godfrey could be targets after next season. Godfrey might be the guy that eventually loses out on game time, especially if they see Love as the 10 going forward. If Godfrey doesn't see much gametime next year, he will likely look for a new home. Playing under the roof would suit his style. He has also played plenty of rugby with Fakatava at HB.
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would like to see Nic Shearer involved with the landers in 2026. Has been impressive for Southland so far
@Fredsaua12 We already have Fakatava, Lennox and Pledger. Would be great for the Bravehearts tho.
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- Fakatava
- Jacomb
- Tito-Harris
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Tangitau
- JRK
That’s a deadly backline.
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- Fakatava
- Jacomb
- Tito-Harris
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Tangitau
- JRK
That’s a deadly backline.
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
- Fakatava
- Jacomb
- Tito-Harris
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Tangitau
- JRK
That’s a deadly backline.
More about the depth. The Chiefs and Crusaders cycled through quality players each week. We really pushed some of our guys to the limits. Running the same combo week after week and it just didn't work.
Just as those guys will be important. So will Hurley, Nareki, Solomon, Te Hiwi and Whaanga. We need to be able to share the load to be a competitive team.
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An Updated Highlanders Squad List:
Props:
Ethan de Groot
Josh Bartlett
Saula Ma'u
Sefo Kautai
Angus Ta'avaoHookers:
Jack Taylor
Henry Bell
Soane VikenaLocks:
Fabian Holland
Mitch DunsheaLoose Forwards:
Oliver Haig
TK Howden
Sean Withy
Veveni Lasaqa
Will Stodart
Hugh Renton
Nikora BroughtonThat leaves room for another loosehead prop, lock and openside flanker. I believe Josh Tengblad is signed up, am just unsure whether that kicks in from 2026 or 2027. Wingham and Michaels are still on contract, but I'd be surprised to see them back.
Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava
Adam Lennox
Dylan PledgerFirst Fives:
Cam Millar
Taine RobinsonMidfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Tanielu Tele'a
Josh Whaanga
Jake Te HiwiOutside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Finn Hurley
Stanley Solomon
Jona Nareki
Caleb TangitauAdding in Tito-Harris & Jacomb, would leave one spot. Probably a midfielder. Ta'avao will be the Blues player we have signed, so can kill off the Grindlay rumours. My money would be on them nailing down Tayne Harvey, and that would pretty much be your lot.
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An Updated Highlanders Squad List:
Props:
Ethan de Groot
Josh Bartlett
Saula Ma'u
Sefo Kautai
Angus Ta'avaoHookers:
Jack Taylor
Henry Bell
Soane VikenaLocks:
Fabian Holland
Mitch DunsheaLoose Forwards:
Oliver Haig
TK Howden
Sean Withy
Veveni Lasaqa
Will Stodart
Hugh Renton
Nikora BroughtonThat leaves room for another loosehead prop, lock and openside flanker. I believe Josh Tengblad is signed up, am just unsure whether that kicks in from 2026 or 2027. Wingham and Michaels are still on contract, but I'd be surprised to see them back.
Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava
Adam Lennox
Dylan PledgerFirst Fives:
Cam Millar
Taine RobinsonMidfielders:
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Tanielu Tele'a
Josh Whaanga
Jake Te HiwiOutside Backs:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Finn Hurley
Stanley Solomon
Jona Nareki
Caleb TangitauAdding in Tito-Harris & Jacomb, would leave one spot. Probably a midfielder. Ta'avao will be the Blues player we have signed, so can kill off the Grindlay rumours. My money would be on them nailing down Tayne Harvey, and that would pretty much be your lot.
@frugby I'm not sure how thrilled I'd be signing Tayne Hervey for 2026. He's a talent but I've yet to see enough of him at NPC level to be convinced he's ready for the step up to Super Rugby. Assuming we've lost TUJ and Lowe we're pretty short on experience in our backline depth. Whaanga and Te Hiwi has yet to shine at this level.
An Injury to big Jim or Telea and you're staring down the barrel of a long season. I'd be tempted to sign a more experienced midfielder and then chase Harvey for 2027.
Especially with not a heap of depth in the young halves an experienced midfielder makes a bit more sense.
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@frugby I'm not sure how thrilled I'd be signing Tayne Hervey for 2026. He's a talent but I've yet to see enough of him at NPC level to be convinced he's ready for the step up to Super Rugby. Assuming we've lost TUJ and Lowe we're pretty short on experience in our backline depth. Whaanga and Te Hiwi has yet to shine at this level.
An Injury to big Jim or Telea and you're staring down the barrel of a long season. I'd be tempted to sign a more experienced midfielder and then chase Harvey for 2027.
Especially with not a heap of depth in the young halves an experienced midfielder makes a bit more sense.
@handa457 100% agree. Scott Gregory, welcome back!
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@handa457 100% agree. Scott Gregory, welcome back!
@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?
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@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?
@SBW1 Nah not sure, he did have a cracking game against Northland last weekend. Was a gun on defence.
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@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?
@SBW1 said in Highlanders 2026:
@upthelanders Does he have a contract with the Highlanders for 2026?
There is nothing to suggest he is coming back into the fold.
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Great too see Pledger starting at 9 for Otago this weekend. We also get a look at Tayne Harvey who’s starting on the left wing for Southland on Friday, how good!
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What a lad Podcast with Angus Ta'avao release being brought forward to tomorrow morning. To announce/ confirm his move to the Highlanders
