Highlanders 2026
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@jimmyb my guess is they want a young lock for the future. Hence the rumours on here that they chased Dylan Eti and Fiti Sa. If Dunshea and Lavinini both head overseas next year that leaves thin depth behind Holland. It’s handy having Crib and Tengblad studying under those two for a season before they’re gone.
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My only issue with Cribb is that we already had several guys who cover 6/lock. Are in that 1.94 - 1.97 range. It seems like Joseph enjoy recruiting players that remind him of himself in his playing days.
Howden, Stodart, Haig and Cribb. Short locks. Tall loosies.
We just don't need all four.
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I suspect it may have been a case of ‘we’d love someone in the 1.97 - 2:04 range but also need someone who’s young, ready to move south and up to super rugby level (or will be soon enough) and he ticked more boxes than anyone else. So I can sympathise with the decision even if I agree I’d have preferred a talker lock.
My bigger concern is that we might try and rush Frizzell back into the mix next year and loose someone like Haig or Stodart because of it.
For me the bigger question isn’t recruiting a 21 year old lock (that feels like the best future proofing we can achieve):
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thought I would share this here, good on Fabian it's a deserved nomination, when he's not starting his presence is missed big time as seen in Wellington and England. As for us I do wonder if he'll Join Jim & Sean in our leadership group
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2026:
thought I would share this here, good on Fabian it's a deserved nomination, when he's not starting his presence is missed big time as seen in Wellington and England. As for us I do wonder if he'll Join Jim & Sean in our leadership groupSurely it’s a shoot out between Holland and Hooker
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well damn it....going to buy my first rugby jersey in a number of years
anyone know how Classic fit?
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Yeah I'm about to chuck my order in. Sadly the toddler ones aren't available yet. I need ny Lower Hutt born kid to be kitted out in Landers kit.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
The away strip looks like a Melbourne Rebels kit with a hint if yellow.
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@Canes4life which one?
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@Canes4life i meant which rebels jersey? they wore solid blue jersey generally
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@Canes4life i meant which rebels jersey? they wore solid blue jersey generally
They always had mostly white away jerseys that looked like this. Irrelevant really now the Rebels are no longer.
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@Canes4life oh, their away jerseys? ok
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Players are back on deck.now apart from our two ABs (Jan) and AB XV (before Christmas).
The questions I'm wondering sbout is who from our wider squad is being guaranteed spots the year after and will we see grtting gametime.
Casey and Tengblad are confirmed.
Shearer seems like an insurance policy. Lennox is a good player. It just pisses me off he spends half the season in the backfield. Fakatava may have clauses in his contract.
All three of our first fives will be off contract at the end of the year. Cam might spit the dummy and bugger off. Neither of the other two should be persevered with. There are no 10s in the wider group. Mika mihjt be considered ready by then.
Hooker. Vikena has battled big time. Lolofie has potential. Just needs to get stronger.
Prop: Wingham should come back in for Ta'avao. DLB can't be around much longer.
Lauaki is a bit of a watch and wait. Might be the fast twitch no8 we need.
Grindlay and Harvey are both 12s. Te Hiwi will be under pressure. Grindlay will likely be expecting to get back to a full deal. I believe Grindlay could be a like for like replacement for Tele'a.
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@SouthernMann Jimmy taylor will be spending a few weeks around the team this pre season, that young fella will probably begin his 1st class career as a fullback tho due to being in the same team as Muliaina
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