Super Rugby Pacific preview: Highlanders

Source: Radio New Zealand

Super Rugby Pacific is back after a real return to form last year, with the competition kicking off in Dunedin on 13 February. As usual, each team has gone through an eventful off season, so today we’re checking in on the Highlanders.

Overview

The Highlanders certainly started last season well, winning two out of their first three games, but then fell off a cliff and only managed one more victory in the next 10. That meant they finished outside the playoffs in a very disappointing 10th spot. Right now the most pressing concern is if they’ll have a coach for much longer, with Jamie Joseph now strongly linked to the vacant All Blacks job.

The Good

There’s certainly enough talent in this side to trouble the other teams with the likes of Finn Hurley, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Caleb Tangitau, while Fabian Holland now brings his experience as an All Black back to pass on to fresh players.

Once again, they’ve gone outside the box with recruitment, bringing in Pumas hard man Tomas Lavanini and All Blacks Sevens rep Andrew Knewstubb, while Stanley Solomon has massive potential after having two seasons in the NZ Under 20s.

The Bad

The Highlanders once again will be praying for no serious injuries as their depth will be ruthlessly exposed. They’ve already suffered one major blow, losing halfback Dylan Pledger for the season, also like Moana Pasifika they need results to shed the tag of simply being a place for players to sign before they move on to bigger and better things.

That may well be the case for Joseph soon though, which will leave the Highlanders with their second in-season coaching change in five years.

Big boots to fill

Folau Fakatava was probably thinking he’d be in a tight race with Pledger for the starting halfback spot, now he’s facing the possibility of having to do it all himself. With Sam Gilbert gone, Fakatava is now easily the most experienced player in the backline, so plenty will be riding on him to be the general.

What makes Highlanders fans different

They’re mostly students, which gives Forsyth Barr Stadium the most unique atmosphere when they’re there and a very different one when they go home for the holidays. ‘The Zoo’ is the only place where the music keeps going throughout the game, and while a lot of the track choices seem pretty old fashioned, it seems to be the most direct connection rugby has with a Gen Z fanbase right now.

Big games

They have the Crusaders twice in the first five rounds, so the Highlanders can gain some serious confidence if they can jag a win in one of them. Three out of the last five weeks should be targeted as wins against Moana, the Drua and the Waratahs, before a tough last couple against the Chiefs and Hurricanes.

Highlanders 2026 squad

Props: Angus Ta’avao, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ethan de Groot, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma’u, Sosefo Kautai

Hookers: Henry Bell, Jack Taylor, Soane Vikena

Locks: Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Tai Cribb, Tomas Lavanini, Will Stodart

Loose forwards: Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa

Halfbacks: Adam Lennox, Folau Fakatava

First fives: Andrew Knewstubb, Cameron Millar, Taine Robinson

Midfield: Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai

Outside backs: Caleb Tangitau, Finn Hurley, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jona Nareki, Jonah Lowe, Stanley Solomon, Xavier Tito-Harris

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand