Highlanders 2026
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Tracking Mika Muliaina, the future of this side sits on his very young shoulders.
Will be interesting to see how they handle him over the next couple of years. I fully expect he will be a full squad member in 2027. When he will only just be turning 20. We cannot lose this kid.
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@SouthernMann looked impressive off the bench for Southland
@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann looked impressive off the bench for Southland
The good thing is when he will be coming in, he will be brought into a fairly experienced backline.
JRK and Tangitau both signed to 2028, at least one will be an All Black. Potentially both.
Pledger and Fakatava will be a strong halfback combination.
The midfield mystery may be solved by that time. Tayne Harvey keeps on improving as wel.
Dropping a 20-year-old into 10 may be an ok option if there is plenty of talent around him.
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Tracking Mika Muliaina, the future of this side sits on his very young shoulders.
Will be interesting to see how they handle him over the next couple of years. I fully expect he will be a full squad member in 2027. When he will only just be turning 20. We cannot lose this kid.
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@SouthernMann is he signed up to the highlanders? Every other franchise will be sniffing around if he is a unsigned player
@Chuck72 said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann is he signed up to the highlanders? Every other franchise will be sniffing around if he is a unsigned player
Not sure. Certainly in the system. Don't know how it goes with locking down non-full squad members.
If I was in an administrative role I'd lock him down from 2027 to a long-term contract. Highlanders will be the quickest route to a starting role. Depending on what future switches may occur.
Kid needs to be seen as the major priority for the franchise.
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Paul Cully put this story together on Mika Muliaina.
Kid supported the Chiefs due to uncle Mils' involvement. Even though he was four when Mils would have finished up with them.
Hopefully we can lock him down. Seems quite a grounded kid.
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Have the Josh Jacomb rumours just died off now?
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Have the Josh Jacomb rumours just died off now?
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
Have the Josh Jacomb rumours just died off now?
They haven't announced any new players. So difficult to gauge. Including the U20s guys who in Tengblad, Pledger and probably Solomon.
It isn't like they have dropped a swag of new names. The franchise has been very quiet about acquisitions.
Is the only NZ franchise that hasn't dropped a name or two.
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Bit of an update on the Jacomb situation. Herald stating it is a big shout. Also, on the propping front, Napier says will be landing Angus Ta’avao, who will be turning 36 during the season.
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They were looking for an experienced tighthead, guess he fits the bill. Seems an odd move for him.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Seems an odd move for him.
Blues left him with not much choice, got squeezed out.
Landers have sounded out Xavier Tito Harris as well about a shift south.
Pretty much straight on the phone to him after his first round hat trick performance -
Solomon also mentioned by Cully as well. So Herald, Stuff and Fern. Three sources. Will take that done.
Ta'avao. I kind of like it. Will do a job and offer experience we can't get anywhere else.
@SouthernMann yeah, I think it's excellent, know he can do a job and what a great professional for the up and comers to be mentored by.
Who is Solomon?
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@SouthernMann yeah, I think it's excellent, know he can do a job and what a great professional for the up and comers to be mentored by.
Who is Solomon?
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann yeah, I think it's excellent, know he can do a job and what a great professional for the up and comers to be mentored by.
Who is Solomon?
Stanley Solomon from Welly.
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@SouthernMann yeah, I think it's excellent, know he can do a job and what a great professional for the up and comers to be mentored by.
Who is Solomon?
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann yeah, I think it's excellent, know he can do a job and what a great professional for the up and comers to be mentored by.
Who is Solomon?
Stanley Solomon from Welly.
@Canes4life I hang my head in shame
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They were looking for an experienced tighthead, guess he fits the bill. Seems an odd move for him.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Seems an odd move for him.
Blues left him with not much choice, got squeezed out.
Landers have sounded out Xavier Tito Harris as well about a shift south.
Pretty much straight on the phone to him after his first round hat trick performance@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Seems an odd move for him.
Blues left him with not much choice, got squeezed out.
Landers have sounded out Xavier Tito Harris as well about a shift south.
Pretty much straight on the phone to him after his first round hat trick performanceAnd is he interested?
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Solomon is talented but not more than Finn Hurley who seems to run faster. Both are midgets and the way Solomon tried to tackle the Waikato hooker on Saturday is an ominous sign of things to come, but I hope I will be wrong and he will become a SR very good player.
