Highlanders 2026
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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.
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@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.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@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.
Temani is signed with the Drua. Was told a couple months ago Tucker is wanting a contract in Japan but nothing set in stone at the moment.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@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.
Temani is signed with the Drua. Was told a couple months ago Tucker is wanting a contract in Japan but nothing set in stone at the moment.
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@Landers92 I’d be tempted to give 132kg Ale Aho a crack then. He’s got to be one of the largest locks floating around, is young and has a high ceiling.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 I’d be tempted to give 132kg Ale Aho a crack then. He’s got to be one of the largest locks floating around, is young and has a high ceiling.
I just can't see it.
Joseph wants his locks to either be tall, lean and with motors that go all day. Or a shorter hybrid player who can fill in. A massive grunter doesn't fit into the game plan. doubt we will pick another specialist lock for next year. Will instead bulk up the loosies.
Looking at the style of guys he likes in certain roles. Casey fits in as a back up to Lasaqa.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 I’d be tempted to give 132kg Ale Aho a crack then. He’s got to be one of the largest locks floating around, is young and has a high ceiling.
I just can't see it.
Joseph wants his locks to either be tall, lean and with motors that go all day. Or a shorter hybrid player who can fill in. A massive grunter doesn't fit into the game plan. doubt we will pick another specialist lock for next year. Will instead bulk up the loosies.
Looking at the style of guys he likes in certain roles. Casey fits in as a back up to Lasaqa.
@SouthernMann Where does withy fit in the starting 23 then? I like TK Howden at 6, Lasaqa at 7 and Broughton at 8. Does that mean Withy on the bench?
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In terms of other locks around the NPC, I've loved the look of Jayden Sa from Taranaki and Dylan Eti from Waikato. I believe they were both in the NZ U20’s squad, not sure if they have super contracts yet.
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@SouthernMann Where does withy fit in the starting 23 then? I like TK Howden at 6, Lasaqa at 7 and Broughton at 8. Does that mean Withy on the bench?
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Where does withy fit in the starting 23 then? I like TK Howden at 6, Lasaqa at 7 and Broughton at 8. Does that mean Withy on the bench?
Withy starts at 8.
I just don't see us recruiting another lock, outside potentially Tai Cribb.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann Where does withy fit in the starting 23 then? I like TK Howden at 6, Lasaqa at 7 and Broughton at 8. Does that mean Withy on the bench?
Withy starts at 8.
I just don't see us recruiting another lock, outside potentially Tai Cribb.
@SouthernMann
Ale Aho ? -
Hugh Renton has changed his profile picture to an edited photo of him in a Highlanders Kit (except the kit is now blacked out), and the Highlanders have coincidentally also just changed their Facebook cover photo to a new banner of Jamie, Jim and EDG...
Suggests he may be leaving?
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Hugh Renton has changed his profile picture to an edited photo of him in a Highlanders Kit (except the kit is now blacked out), and the Highlanders have coincidentally also just changed their Facebook cover photo to a new banner of Jamie, Jim and EDG...
Suggests he may be leaving?
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Nice detective work @frugby.
It makes sense. He is injury prone. Doesn't seem like a solid path back to being on the field either.
The role he was filling, can now be filled by Sean Withy. A man five years his junior. Dimensions wise, similar players, with similar styles.
From a leadership perspective. We went from scratching around at the start of the year. To some viable options and some young guys who will be tremendous leaders in a few years time. Jim, Withy and EDG are the primary leadership group. With Taylor, Holland and Dunshea offering other leadership options in the pack.
If he is gone. Will mean there is still three roles to fill in the forwards. Naeata, Michaels and Renton.
Hooker behind Taylor will be the major weakness in the pack.
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Nice detective work @frugby.
It makes sense. He is injury prone. Doesn't seem like a solid path back to being on the field either.
The role he was filling, can now be filled by Sean Withy. A man five years his junior. Dimensions wise, similar players, with similar styles.
From a leadership perspective. We went from scratching around at the start of the year. To some viable options and some young guys who will be tremendous leaders in a few years time. Jim, Withy and EDG are the primary leadership group. With Taylor, Holland and Dunshea offering other leadership options in the pack.
If he is gone. Will mean there is still three roles to fill in the forwards. Naeata, Michaels and Renton.
Hooker behind Taylor will be the major weakness in the pack.
@SouthernMann yeah need another decent hooker because that Henry Bell is useless and Vikena is very average.
Casey is impressive, definitely deserves a contract. For number 8’s what other guys around the NPC might they be looking at? I like the back rower for Ta$man, Fletcher Anderson. Or does he have a contract with the Saders still.
