Highlanders 2027

Looking forward. With this likely squad, if things don't turn around, it needs to be the administration which is looked at.

Tab odds to win the comp as of July 2026, $23.

Highlanders

Vikena is confirmed gone

Has Broughton actually been a rumoured departure?

@frugby said in Highlanders 2027:

Has Broughton actually been a rumoured departure?

Nah. It is just the game of not being confirmed to come back yet. With Frizzell coming in for Haig. Casey in fulltime and talk about STT (hopefully). More joining unknown dots.

I think we still have spots open for a loosehead replacing DLB. Hopefully a spot in the loose for STT. One or two midfield spots and an outside back. Every other spot seems to be locked in.

Hope to see breakout season's from Harvey, Grindlay, and Whaanga.

@woodysrfc break...out?

Oh, you can add Grindlay to rumoured arrivals. I believe he has a full contract.

Have we heard anything about new coaches?

Here's a wee nugget. Te Hiwi has been in talks with both the Force and Crusaders but has not signed anything... still a possibility he stays at the Landers yet because we can't find a midfielder (and I am going to assume he is waiting and hoping for that to eventuate).

This probably also confirms the simple reason that the others not announced as leaving haven't signed anything elsewhere.

Had a chat with a mate last night. Has an extremely reliable contact. They have started looking overseas for what midfielders are available that would fit what they are looking for.

Also noted they were happy with their 3rd hooker. No name provided but believed it was Moananu.

Te Hiwi remains an absolute mystery for me. He's barely played for the Highlanders or even Otago. He's not sure if the Highlanders will want him next year but apparently the Crusaders have seen enough of him to be interested? I know they've lost a few midfielders but it still seems strange.

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2027:

Te Hiwi remains an absolute mystery for me. He's barely played for the Highlanders or even Otago. He's not sure if the Highlanders will want him next year but apparently the Crusaders have seen enough of him to be interested? I know they've lost a few midfielders but it still seems strange.

Seems strange to me as well.
They have,Roberts,Bell,Evans and LF as mid fielders next season, they are looking for another, but I haven't heard anything about Te Hiwi.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2027:

They have,Roberts,Bell,Evans and LF as mid fielders next season, they are looking for another, but I haven't heard anything about Te Hiwi.

Well I guess they are running out of new positions to try LF...

@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2027:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2027:

They have,Roberts,Bell,Evans and LF as mid fielders next season, they are looking for another, but I haven't heard anything about Te Hiwi.

Well I guess they are running out of new positions to try LF...

2nd Five under Hanson.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2027:

@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2027:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2027:

They have,Roberts,Bell,Evans and LF as mid fielders next season, they are looking for another, but I haven't heard anything about Te Hiwi.

Well I guess they are running out of new positions to try LF...

2nd Five under Hanson.

I hope he's collected all the badges!

Just asked AI which ABs have played the most positions (tests and nontests) and there were a few surprises there..

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2027:

Te Hiwi remains an absolute mystery for me. He's barely played for the Highlanders or even Otago. He's not sure if the Highlanders will want him next year but apparently the Crusaders have seen enough of him to be interested? I know they've lost a few midfielders but it still seems strange.

This is literally down to the midfielder shortage. Is it 11 leaving across the franchises? Need to have someone to fill the void...

This NPC will be Te Hiwi's first full run as a starting midfielder. Since 2022 the guy has only played 25 games of first class rugby. Game time has been limited due to injuries and other lads being preferred. He never got any momentum or the ability to string four or five games together.

I have a bit of a soft spot for the guy. He is an inside centre instead of a playmaking second five. I hope he is given a good clear opportunity to show he is worth persevering with.

He isn't the quickest midfielder going around. Neither is Jim Tavatavanawai though.

We have invested four years into the guy. This is the time you want to get some return on it.

He is still relatively young at 24.

@SouthernMann i find the so surprising, looking forward to seeing what he can do as a starter