Highlanders 2026
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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.
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Huge shame to see him go. By all accounts, he was an absolutely lovely bloke, and over the last few years he’s been a strong advocate for mental health solutions. I’ve spoken to him a few times and always had a lot of time for him.
In terms of what this means, I’d imagine Tai Cribb, Lucas Casey, and Fletcher Anderson are the obvious candidates. The only question mark is around Fletcher Anderson’s contract situation.
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Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
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Is Fletcher Anderson even available or any good?
There don't seem to be a huge number of out-and-out eights available. Bason out of Manawatu is the other guy worth going after.
@SouthernMann Fletcher is fine. Just a young loosie finding his feet at the next level and still only 22. Similar to Broughton coming out a few years back.
To my understanding he is coming off contract with the Crusaders. If it’s between him and Casey for that next young loosie in the side I’d pick Casey. Fletcher is predominantly an 8.
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On the basis there will be 20-21 forwards, of which 9-10 will be front rowers, leaves room for at most 12, and at the lower end 10 locks/loose forwards. Most likely that number is 11-12, I would think.
Holland
Dunshea
Haig
Howden
Stodart
Broughton
Withy
LasaqaDefinitely going to be an openside to replace Michaels, Casey is firming though.
Definitely will need to be an 8 to replace Renton. I wonder if they have gone all in for say Devan Flanders… seems contracts are becoming less consequential.
And considering Holland will likely need All Black rests, I would think surely another lock. I doubt they are looking for a project there - just throwing it out there the Toyota Verblitz have signed a few locks. Josh Dickson to come home?
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I think the Highlanders should consider George Reeves as the Number 8 signing. Great talent out of Canterbury, I believe to be similar size wise to Fletcher Anderson. A good build for a number 8 that has the versatility to cover blindside where he has been appearing for Southland off the bench. Southland picking him up has gone under the radar for the talent that he is. Betting that he will continue to flourish with more game time and time in the NPC environment. His first week with the stags was brought onto the bench and made an impact in their win over Manawatu with strong carries and the ability to turnover the ball at the breakdown. He is a young number 8 that I think is worth investing in, and the pathway to sign him is more viable now with him on loan with the Stags than trying to work out other players contract situations like Fletcher Anderson
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Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
Lasaqa is one of Joseph's favourites and he was brillant last season. Withy also deserves to start. He will manage the middle.Joseph wants to have a tall Howden/Stodart/Haig type player at six and in the 19 jersey.
Casey is a like for like with Lasaqa. A fast wide-running openside. Not a core role kind of seven. But high impact. Those two could be interchangeable and not impact gameplan.
I can't see a loose trio that isn't 6. Howden/Haig 7. Lasaqa backed up by Casey 8. Withy and Broughton as well.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
Lasaqa is one of Joseph's favourites and he was brillant last season. Withy also deserves to start. He will manage the middle.Joseph wants to have a tall Howden/Stodart/Haig type player at six and in the 19 jersey.
Casey is a like for like with Lasaqa. A fast wide-running openside. Not a core role kind of seven. But high impact. Those two could be interchangeable and not impact gameplan.
I can't see a loose trio that isn't 6. Howden/Haig 7. Lasaqa backed up by Casey 8. Withy and Broughton as well.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
Lasaqa is one of Joseph's favourites and he was brillant last season. Withy also deserves to start. He will manage the middle.Joseph wants to have a tall Howden/Stodart/Haig type player at six and in the 19 jersey.
Casey is a like for like with Lasaqa. A fast wide-running openside. Not a core role kind of seven. But high impact. Those two could be interchangeable and not impact gameplan.
I can't see a loose trio that isn't 6. Howden/Haig 7. Lasaqa backed up by Casey 8. Withy and Broughton as well.
Lasaqa was ‘brilliant’ - I think he we good, but not much more than that - you won’t win a Super Rugby title with him at 7.
Some of this will depend on who else we get of course. From the bits I have seen of Casey, I have real hopes
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
Lasaqa is one of Joseph's favourites and he was brillant last season. Withy also deserves to start. He will manage the middle.Joseph wants to have a tall Howden/Stodart/Haig type player at six and in the 19 jersey.
Casey is a like for like with Lasaqa. A fast wide-running openside. Not a core role kind of seven. But high impact. Those two could be interchangeable and not impact gameplan.
I can't see a loose trio that isn't 6. Howden/Haig 7. Lasaqa backed up by Casey 8. Withy and Broughton as well.
Lasaqa was ‘brilliant’ - I think he we good, but not much more than that - you won’t win a Super Rugby title with him at 7.
Some of this will depend on who else we get of course. From the bits I have seen of Casey, I have real hopes
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
Lasaqa is one of Joseph's favourites and he was brillant last season. Withy also deserves to start. He will manage the middle.Joseph wants to have a tall Howden/Stodart/Haig type player at six and in the 19 jersey.
Casey is a like for like with Lasaqa. A fast wide-running openside. Not a core role kind of seven. But high impact. Those two could be interchangeable and not impact gameplan.
I can't see a loose trio that isn't 6. Howden/Haig 7. Lasaqa backed up by Casey 8. Withy and Broughton as well.
Lasaqa was ‘brilliant’ - I think he we good, but not much more than that - you won’t win a Super Rugby title with him at 7.
Some of this will depend on who else we get of course. From the bits I have seen of Casey, I have real hopes
For fucksake. Don't be anal around adjectives. He blew expectations of him out of the water. Missed all of the NPC in 2024. Came out demanded he start through form and showed he was well ans truly up to it at this level.
You won't win a title with him at seven? Heck Tom Christie is a three time Super winning openside. You need the player to fit the game plan.
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Haig is overrated
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Tai Cribb and Fletcher Anderson - yeah no thanks.
I’m all over Casey, but less hot on the idea of a loose trio with Withy at 8, and Lasaqa at 7.
Withy is a 7, who can cover at 8, but primarily, I’d rather see a proper 8.
I wouldn’t rule out a left field overseas signing.
Lasaqa is one of Joseph's favourites and he was brillant last season. Withy also deserves to start. He will manage the middle.Joseph wants to have a tall Howden/Stodart/Haig type player at six and in the 19 jersey.
Casey is a like for like with Lasaqa. A fast wide-running openside. Not a core role kind of seven. But high impact. Those two could be interchangeable and not impact gameplan.
I can't see a loose trio that isn't 6. Howden/Haig 7. Lasaqa backed up by Casey 8. Withy and Broughton as well.
Lasaqa was ‘brilliant’ - I think he we good, but not much more than that - you won’t win a Super Rugby title with him at 7.
Some of this will depend on who else we get of course. From the bits I have seen of Casey, I have real hopes
For fucksake. Don't be anal around adjectives. He blew expectations of him out of the water. Missed all of the NPC in 2024. Came out demanded he start through form and showed he was well ans truly up to it at this level.
You won't win a title with him at seven? Heck Tom Christie is a three time Super winning openside. You need the player to fit the game plan.
@SouthernMann I think there were some stats on here which kind of debunked Lasaqa as a bit of a highlight reel player.
I’m not hating on the guy, but he’s be a bench option for me.
I know he has hardly had a look in for Otago, but would they take a punt on Toleafoa? His raw attributes looked nice in that one game he played for Otago.
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Just thinking outside the box here but could it be that we pick up Shannon Frizzell making a run for the Rugby World Cup?
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Real hit the ground running type of draw.
Back to back home games against last year's finalists. Then off to Brizzy for a 30+ degree day against the Reds. What plays in our favour is those three teams will have plenty of guys on the northern tours.
Always think a draw is what you make it and it is a really hard comp. But, jeez. Need to have a fully fit squad come the start of round 1. Could easily be 0/3 after three rounds.
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Real hit the ground running type of draw.
Back to back home games against last year's finalists. Then off to Brizzy for a 30+ degree day against the Reds. What plays in our favour is those three teams will have plenty of guys on the northern tours.
Always think a draw is what you make it and it is a really hard comp. But, jeez. Need to have a fully fit squad come the start of round 1. Could easily be 0/3 after three rounds.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Real hit the ground running type of draw.
Back to back home games against last year's finalists. Then off to Brizzy for a 30+ degree day against the Reds. What plays in our favour is those three teams will have plenty of guys on the northern tours.
Always think a draw is what you make it and it is a really hard comp. But, jeez. Need to have a fully fit squad come the start of round 1. Could easily be 0/3 after three rounds.
Seriously tough draw. There aren’t any “easy” back to back games. The second half of it is pretty tough. Brumbies, Blues away, Moana in chch, Drua in Fiji, Waratahs at home, then Chiefs and Hurricanes away.
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I think we all get sucked in every year. Every team plays about the same amount of home and away games, we play everyone once, and most NZ teams twice, that doesn't really change year to year.
I'd argue it is actually better off getting the better NZ teams out the way early when their ABs are still warming into it... easy to forget how good the vibes were after we knocked off the Blues in Round 2.
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Landers are interested in Lucas Casey - possibly have already offered him a contract.
This is good to hear - if nothing else our recruitment looks to have significantly improved, so even if JJ can't spark them into life, whoever steps in would have a good squad to work with.
