Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann Agree on Hurley. I am not sure I envisage JJ opting for another first five for the sake of it... are we totally ruling out an SOS to Lima?
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@frugby Mika Muliaina
@upthelanders Way too young. He is in the system, and there is zero need to rush him.
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lol but he is an SOS option
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Let Mika be a full-time development player next year. Captain the Lander's U20s. Lead the national U20s from 10. He could get ruined in Super footy going in there too early.
Just feel like Hurley is a shout at 10, with no Jacomb. He is one of our best attacking threats and the other options at 10 have limited attacking capabilities. Pick your best six baxks from 10 to 15 and make them fit in.
Broughton is a capable squad guy. Due to the capability of the guys who are primarily 6/7s my hunch is that one of them will land the 8 role. He has looked decent for BOP this year. Lasaqa and Casey have been the best two sevens. Stodart and Howden similar at six. Withy has been the glue whenever he has been on the field. Plenty of options.
I hope we keep Wingham. Has filled in for Ma'u really well. Props don't progress early. Seems a waste to throw the development away to take a punt on someone else.
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Have heard Pasitoa is very likely.
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A bit of evening mail, have heard Jonah Lowe supposedly has been re-signed for next season. I guess if they want seven outside backs, you can't deny he had a strong end to the season. That would likely be instead of one of the forwards I had suggested. If Pasitoa is likely, then probably no TUJ.
Negotiations remain ongoing for Jacomb - I take that to mean the Highlanders are negotiating a release fee with the Chiefs.
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How long is Joseph signed on the head coach? Am I imagining things or is it only two years? So this season is the last before a resigning or leaving?
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
How long is Joseph signed on the head coach? Am I imagining things or is it only two years? So this season is the last before a resigning or leaving?
Joseph originally signed for four years as the Director of Rugby. 2026 will be the third year of his contract.
Re Lowe. He will be taking his spot. Solomon replaces Gilbert. Tito-Harris replaces Manson.
There is still a midfield spot for TUJ or another player such as Pasitoa.
I'm disappointed we didn't opt for Filimone over Lowe. He has been really good for Manawatu.
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This post is deleted!
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Fakatava and Jonah Lowe
Absolutely outstanding so far tonight.. -
All sorted. Probably announced earlier than they would have planned. Fans forced their hands.
Wouldn't be surprised if, as mentioned one it gets confirmed Michaels and or Renton drop out. Casey gets elevated to full squad.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPCPlSME7ZX/?igsh=cjduYnNxb3k3anA3
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2026:
I think Pledger will leapfrog Fakatava in the pecking order before the end of the 2026 SR.
I think by end of next year he will be pretty close to be ahead of everyone not named Roigard, Ratima and potentially Hotham.
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As a neutral, I really, really want to see the Highlanders land Jacomb now. It's an exciting squad, but so much hangs on that 10 spot.
Be good for the comp, good for the ABs. We need to have competitive teams to give each other hard games, and we need guys like Jacomb and Love playing 10 every week. -
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2026:
I think Pledger will leapfrog Fakatava in the pecking order before the end of the 2026 SR.
I think by end of next year he will be pretty close to be ahead of everyone not named Roigard, Ratima and potentially Hotham.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2026:
I think Pledger will leapfrog Fakatava in the pecking order before the end of the 2026 SR.I think by end of next year he will be pretty close to be ahead of everyone not named Roigard, Ratima and potentially Hotham.
I honestly think you could stretch that to everyone not named Roigard.
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A bit odd that Casey is only a WTG member for 2026. Would that indicate we’ve signed another loose forward?
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
A bit odd that Casey is only a WTG member for 2026. Would that indicate we’ve signed another loose forward?
There are probably some contractual issues being played out behind closed doors that mean he is being called a WTG member until they are ironed out. With them being Hayden Michaels, who as @frugby says we are trying to/have moved on. As well as the ongoing injury issues with Hugh Renton. Renton hasn't played since halfway through Super footy meaning there is a high chance he is scratched. Reflecting on those pieces of the puzzle at play, it is likely Casey is a full squad member for next year. They just can't say it.
