Highlanders 2027

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

The run into the NPC I like to think about whether there is space for us to pick up a player or two. Seems the answer is no this year.

I like big ben Lopas as a loosehead.

Still plenty of WTG spots. We might see a few younger lads pop into those. Houghton at haflback, Irving at lock. Tayne Harvey back again. Will probably need to raid some other sides to get

Wasn’t there a rumour that we were chasing an MP winger? Which you’d assume would be Vaihu?

Hope to see Laiaki back in the wider training group.

You’d think Lam and Hughnan would be fighting for the WTG spot.

What’s the size of Irving? He’s not one I’ve come across before. Is he another short lock similar to Crib, Dunshea and Stodart? Or does he offer a bit of height?

Quietly hoping Moana Takaka has a decent Campaign and picks up the tighthead spot. Lopas would be great to bring back. Possibly even in the main squad.

Lolife and Kempton could be fighting it out for hooker. But both need a strong NPC, and neither has so far convinced me they’re ready to step up a level. I wouldn’t be upset if we looked elsewhere.

Loose forwards are interesting. We’ll probably need to go outside the region. But Caleb Karangaroa is one I’m quietly watching. While Konrad Toleafoa seems like he could force his way into the conversation with a strong NPC too.

I imagine Jae Broomfield will end up back at the crusaders which is a shame.

Unless they set the world on fire wouldn’t be a fan of rushing Rutledge, Reihana or Jimmy Taylor into the WTG. Give them another season to develop.

@handa457 said in Highlanders 2027:

You’d think Lam and Hughnan would be fighting for the WTG spot.

Joel knows he can do better than a WTG spot if he is happy to leave New Zealand. Will come down to if he plays well enough to earn a WTG offer and if he wants to essentially waste a year hope he gets a chance through an injury to someone.

There is currently some interest in him from an Australian super rugby side.

Few Things

• Heard (and said) a while back we had picked up a winger from MP which I assumed to be Vaihu but haven’t heard anything more on that… given nothing further has been announced could be a WTG player e.g Denzel Samoa

• STT was also talking to a couple of other franchises, I think he is likely to side with the Landers but time will tell

• R.E Loosehead prop, I am intrigued because everyone I have spoke to believes DLB to be gone but nobody knows who is coming in. Lopas was said to be too small last year and I doubt that has changed.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2027:

Few Things

• Heard (and said) a while back we had picked up a winger from MP which I assumed to be Vaihu but haven’t heard anything more on that… given nothing further has been announced could be a WTG player e.g Denzel Samoa

• STT was also talking to a couple of other franchises, I think he is likely to side with the Landers but time will tell

• R.E Loosehead prop, I am intrigued because everyone I have spoke to believes DLB to be gone but nobody knows who is coming in. Lopas was said to be too small last year and I doubt that has changed.

Nice intel as usual.

Wonder how we can fit another winger into the group, apart from them being in the WTG.

With STT, I wonder if we need to drop someone else out to fit him in?

@SouthernMann My theory on the winger, is they will be an injury replacement for Tangitau, who will presumably miss most of the season.

For STT, I guess maybe we’d carry one less midfielder? I also think it is entirely possible he turns around and gives us the middle finger given we turned him down previously

@handa457 said in Highlanders 2027:

What’s the size of Irving? He’s not one I’ve come across before. Is he another short lock similar to Crib, Dunshea and Stodart? Or does he offer a bit of height?

Irving is really a 6, as he would be another undersized lock at this level.

On DLB. As it stands, there is nothing signed to return next year and it doesn’t sound like there is anything on the table for him.

@frugby I've been thinking a bit about this.

As a Christchurch lad am sure that Sexton would prefer a Crusaders contract. But I haven't heard any rumours about props moving on there. Wonder if we'll try and pick him up. He wouldn't make a bad stopgap option if the coaches are cold on Lopas. But seems a bit of a gamble, at 25 and fighting for a bench spot with the younger Josh Bartlett ahead of him, couldn't imagine we'd get more than a two year deal from him before he looks elsewhere.

Otherwise I imagine we'll be looking outside the region to fill that gap.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2027:

@SouthernMann My theory on the winger, is they will be an injury replacement for Tangitau, who will presumably miss most of the season.

For STT, I guess maybe we’d carry one less midfielder? I also think it is entirely possible he turns around and gives us the middle finger given we turned him down previously

Don't pick Te Hiwi. Still try and get that starting centre and hold an extra loosie.

From a New Zealand rugby perspective if you can have

STT
Lio-Willie
Lakai
One of the Chief's All Blacks
Wrampling/Savea

starting each week, it will give the best 8s getting gametime week in/week out.

@SouthernMann ODT was still reporting Xavi Taele as a possible highlanders target last week. So could still be something in the pipeline there. @frugby / @landers92 and news on the midfield situation?

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2027:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2027:

Few Things

• Heard (and said) a while back we had picked up a winger from MP which I assumed to be Vaihu but haven’t heard anything more on that… given nothing further has been announced could be a WTG player e.g Denzel Samoa

• STT was also talking to a couple of other franchises, I think he is likely to side with the Landers but time will tell

• R.E Loosehead prop, I am intrigued because everyone I have spoke to believes DLB to be gone but nobody knows who is coming in. Lopas was said to be too small last year and I doubt that has changed.

Wonder how we can fit another winger into the group, apart from them being in the WTG.

any chance there is a wing looking to move to midfield ala big jim/ Lowe etc?

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2027:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2027:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2027:

Few Things

• Heard (and said) a while back we had picked up a winger from MP which I assumed to be Vaihu but haven’t heard anything more on that… given nothing further has been announced could be a WTG player e.g Denzel Samoa

• STT was also talking to a couple of other franchises, I think he is likely to side with the Landers but time will tell

• R.E Loosehead prop, I am intrigued because everyone I have spoke to believes DLB to be gone but nobody knows who is coming in. Lopas was said to be too small last year and I doubt that has changed.

Wonder how we can fit another winger into the group, apart from them being in the WTG.

any chance there is a wing looking to move to midfield ala big jim/ Lowe etc?

Jona Nareki is the obvious option. Seeing as he played there twice this year.

@SouthernMann i was actually meaning the rumours MP wing and how we would fit it in but yes, i had forgot the resonably successful use of Narkei

And I forgot the other two big acquisitions we need to fill, as @jimmyb correctly reminds us. Who will be the assistant coaches replacing Derms and Cory Brown.

@SouthernMann I sent the CV in, just waiting to hear back

@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2027:

@SouthernMann I sent the CV in, just waiting to hear back

Fire in the coaching box

@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2027:

@SouthernMann I sent the CV in, just waiting to hear back

hope you added a character reference from Jamie Joseph..

@Bones I’m very level headed and calm thank you

We will get one runour put to bed and a confirmed player arrival tomorrow morning. Sadly not a starting centre or a big bustling no8 we once passed over.

frantically scrolls back through the thread trying to work out which rumour

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2027:

frantically scrolls back through the thread trying to work out which rumour

I made it pretty easy haha

@SouthernMann you over estimate house how astute i am....will just wait for the annoucement

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2027:

@SouthernMann you over estimate house how astute i am....will just wait for the annoucement

And it will come around soon enough

Ioane Moananu confirmed on a two year deal. Club comms will come out at 8 AM

Highlanders press release:

Ioane Moananu Signs with the Highlanders

The Highlanders have added power and promise to their forward pack with the signing of Ioane Moananu on a two-year contract, locking in the dynamic hooker for the 2027 and 2028 Super Rugby Pacific seasons.

Moananu, 25, arrives in Dunedin having already played 26 games of Super Rugby and scored 13 tries after professional stints with both the Crusaders and NSW Waratahs. Born and raised in South Auckland, Moananu attended De La Salle College and played his club rugby for Manurewa RFC, earning early recognition for his mobility and physicality. His performances at provincial level for Counties Manukau in the NPC established him as one of the country’s most exciting young front-rowers.

His form for Counties Manukau led to his first Super Rugby opportunity with the Crusaders, where he debuted in 2023 and scored a try in his debut appearance. He continued to build his game over his three seasons in Christchurch before moving to Australia in search of greater minutes. A breakout campaign with the Waratahs followed; Moananu made 8 appearances this season and became known for his explosive ball-carrying, strong defensive work, and ability to contribute across the park scoring six tries.

Highlanders Head Coach Jamie Joseph said Moananu’s signing adds a valuable point of difference to the squad.

“Ioane’s journey shows his resilience and hunger to grow. He’s performed well in two strong Super Rugby environments and we believe he’ll thrive here. His physicality, skill set and energy suit the Highlanders style and we’re excited to see what he can do over the next two years.”

Moananu said he is looking forward to the move south.

“I’m really excited to be back playing in New Zealand. I’m extremely grateful to the Highlanders for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and making a strong contribution to the team. I can’t wait to meet the guys, become part of the club, and embrace everything Dunedin and the South has to offer. Playing indoors at Forsyth Barr Stadium in front of the Zoo is something special - Highlanders supporters create an amazing atmosphere and I can’t wait to experience that again.”

Player Snapshot

· Name: Ioane Moananu

· Age: 25

· Position: Hooker

· From: Manurewa, South Auckland

· Provincial Rugby: Counties Manukau

· Super Rugby: Crusaders, NSW Waratahs

Good to get this one done. Always good when the oil is right.

The Landers are building a really nice balance in their squad for 2027. They've still got plenty of the honest, hard-working players you'd expect, but what I really like is the injection of power and genuine X-factor. Guys like Big Jim, JRK, Pledger, Hurley, Tangitau, and the emergence of Casey are all capable of turning a game on its head in an instant. Then you add someone like Moananu and potentially STT into the mix, and this Landers side could be incredibly difficult to stop under the roof. Throw in the two new first five additions and the return of the big Dutchman, and things are looking pretty rosy in the south.

There's no reason the Landers can't go all the way next year. The one area that needs to be strengthened is the midfield. That said, it's a challenge plenty of teams are facing at the moment.

I was talking to a mate the other day who used to be the Landers' videographer, and he reckons next year's squad will be their best since 2015. That's a big call, but looking at how this roster is shaping up, it's not hard to see why he thinks that.

@Canes4life

It is interesting running a comparison process between this upcoming group and the 2015 squad.

The 2015 group certainly had more topline players. But, this one is looking like a more well rounded group.

There were still a lot of battlers in that squad. This current group also has a lot more Otago/Southland players too.

As @jimmyb says. We will need to see who our coaches are for attack and the pack.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2027:

@Canes4life

It is interesting running a comparison process between this upcoming group and the 2015 squad.

The 2015 group certainly had more topline players. But, this one is looking like a more well rounded group.

There were still a lot of battlers in that squad. This current group also has a lot more Otago/Southland players too.

View image

As @jimmyb says. We will need to see who our coaches are for attack and the pack.

And obviously, similar to 2015, keeping players healthy will be the most important thing. Hopefully the stars align and the Landers can get a roll on this year.

@Canes4life

We will be lucky have some really good depth at

Hooker, tighthead, six, seven and in the outside backs.

Losing key influential players like this year can't happen though.

Jacomb and Pellegrini as 10s should make a really big difference. They play with similar styles as well.

@Canes4life kinda wild looking at that team some of the battlers in it. Pingi Tala'apitaga was a bit of a one season wonder from memory. Ross Gelenhuys probably holds the record for most super rugby franchises represented. Trent Renata and Kurt Baker were not really super rugby level.

While Ryan Tongia was a talent that never really kicked on. Reminds me a bit of a Villi Koroi, lots of potential but not much staying power.

JJ really did an amazing job of getting some bang average guys to play to their fullest potential

@handa457 said in Highlanders 2027:

@Canes4life kinda wild looking at that team some of the battlers in it. Pingi Tala'apitaga was a bit of a one season wonder from memory. Ross Gelenhuys probably holds the record for most super rugby franchises represented. Trent Renata and Kurt Baker were not really super rugby level.

While Ryan Tongia was a talent that never really kicked on. Reminds me a bit of a Villi Koroi, lots of potential but not much staying power.

JJ really did an amazing job of getting some bang average guys to play to their fullest potential

i liked Kurt Baker, i think if he could have strung a full season in a position together he would have bene good

@Kiwiwomble was never quite the same after those stress fractures in his spine. Hell of a player on his day