Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann That is an assumption. If he was going to go, now would have been the perfect time - and he has re-signed.
By all accounts, he is quite happy with the lifestyle down in these parts.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann That is an assumption. If he was going to go, now would have been the perfect time - and he has re-signed.
By all accounts, he is quite happy with the lifestyle down in these parts.
The best predictor of the future is history.
In NZ Super there will be fewer than half a dozen guys over 30 who haven't been capped internationally or played overseas and come back. The ones I can think of are DLB, Aumua, Eklund and Jared Proffitt?
Says that guys will generally try to cash in over the last few years of their playing careers. Locks in particular are in high demand.
He is also in his highest earning years. If he can add another 100 or 150k a year to his earnings age 31 - 35. It sets him up really well. I highly doubt his proper jobs post rugby will play anything close to his rugby $$s.
Sure. I'd like to keep Dunshea. It does a appear as if the careers for most highly capable players who didn't earn international caps finish at 30. Or the couple of years prior.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann That is an assumption. If he was going to go, now would have been the perfect time - and he has re-signed.
By all accounts, he is quite happy with the lifestyle down in these parts.
The best predictor of the future is history.
In NZ Super there will be fewer than half a dozen guys over 30 who haven't been capped internationally or played overseas and come back. The ones I can think of are DLB, Aumua, Eklund and Jared Proffitt?
Says that guys will generally try to cash in over the last few years of their playing careers. Locks in particular are in high demand.
He is also in his highest earning years. If he can add another 100 or 150k a year to his earnings age 31 - 35. It sets him up really well. I highly doubt his proper jobs post rugby will play anything close to his rugby $$s.
Sure. I'd like to keep Dunshea. It does a appear as if the careers for most highly capable players who didn't earn international caps finish at 30. Or the couple of years prior.
@SouthernMann Aumua played overseas and then came back, but that only further highlights your point.
Riley Hohepa, Reuben O’Neil, and Marcel Renata count, and James O’Riley too, though he’s currently not contracted to the Canes.
Hugh Renton and Sam Nock are both 29 and signed for next year, which probably counts in a way as well.
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@SouthernMann Aumua played overseas and then came back, but that only further highlights your point.
Riley Hohepa, Reuben O’Neil, and Marcel Renata count, and James O’Riley too, though he’s currently not contracted to the Canes.
Hugh Renton and Sam Nock are both 29 and signed for next year, which probably counts in a way as well.
Ash Dixon stuck around to 32.
Billy Harmon left at 30.
Out of the guys you mentioned, if you put Dunshea in there he would be the most sought after. Most of the others are depth guys. Even Renton, who has been hammered with injuries has played fewer than 50 Super games.
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Got this information last night post Auckland v Northland game
Reesan Pasitoa is being looked at by the Highlanders , got a couple of work ons but defintely in the frame .
Highlanders are also pushing hard for Xavier Tito Harris . -
Got this information last night post Auckland v Northland game
Reesan Pasitoa is being looked at by the Highlanders , got a couple of work ons but defintely in the frame .
Highlanders are also pushing hard for Xavier Tito Harris .@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2026:
Got this information last night post Auckland v Northland game
Reesan Pasitoa is being looked at by the Highlanders , got a couple of work ons but defintely in the frame .
Highlanders are also pushing hard for Xavier Tito Harris .Reckon Pasitoa will be getting looked at primarily as a 12? Seems that has been his home for Northland?
With Tiro-Harris, I wonder what JJ is trying to offer him game-time wise
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@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2026:
Got this information last night post Auckland v Northland game
Reesan Pasitoa is being looked at by the Highlanders , got a couple of work ons but defintely in the frame .
Highlanders are also pushing hard for Xavier Tito Harris .Reckon Pasitoa will be getting looked at primarily as a 12? Seems that has been his home for Northland?
With Tiro-Harris, I wonder what JJ is trying to offer him game-time wise
@SouthernMann Pasitoa can play 10 and kicks goals not sure what JJ has in mind for Tito Harris
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@SouthernMann Pasitoa can play 10 and kicks goals not sure what JJ has in mind for Tito Harris
@Steven-Harris haven’t followed him much this season. But can’t Felitoni Peni do the same? Hard to understand why he does not seem to be in the frame.
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@Steven-Harris haven’t followed him much this season. But can’t Felitoni Peni do the same? Hard to understand why he does not seem to be in the frame.
@handa457 hearing Faletoi Peni is off to MP
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Huge news about XTH. Had heard Peni was getting interest from MP, but hard to understand how the Landers have such trouble locking down such obvious local x factor talent.
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Can confirm XTH has signed a two year deal with the Landers . Blues weren’t convincing enough to get him to stay local.
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Can confirm XTH has signed a two year deal with the Landers . Blues weren’t convincing enough to get him to stay local.
Excellent news the guy has been a real bright spot for Auckland a true livewire winger if I've ever seen one
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The success of the squad will depend solely on whether Jacomb can make it and stay fit.
The step down to Robinson and Millar is massive.
Everywhere else there is enough depth to be able to rotate like the other sides.
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Go all in on Stanley Solomon. Ken Laban (Future Mayor of Upper Hutt) tells me his preferred position is 10!
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Go all in on Stanley Solomon. Ken Laban (Future Mayor of Upper Hutt) tells me his preferred position is 10!
Hutt City. Commonly known as Lower Hutt. Not Upper Hutt.
The much better Hutt.
Solomon played a lot of his club footy for Petone at 10.
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I'd say this means we have 15 backs signed, with Jacomb and potentially Pasitoa the last one.
@frugby sounds like it.
In terms of forwards at Lock I guess a few options could be Tai Cribb (but he’s a bit of a lock six hybrid right?), Will Tucker or even big Ale Aho down in Southland. Joseva Temani is pretty short but has done will this season too.
I have only really been following Otago, and Southland. So probably missing a few lock options around the country.
Lucas Casey seems like the obvious fit at Flanker, but it’d be just like the highlanders to not sign local talent.
Finley Brewis would be a great pickup if he could stay fit too.
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Is Narkei signed for next season? With a healthy Tangitau and XTH, is he starting to reach the end of his shelf life?
@jimmyb by all accounts yes. He’s still tearing it up at NPC. But hasn’t played a full super season without injury…ever I think?
I don’t think he’s suddenly about to buck the trend and last the whole season. More than likely he features in about half the games and provides experience and depth.
