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.
@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
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.
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:
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.
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.
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
@landers92 said in Highlanders 2027:
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.
Any update on this @landers92
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2027:
@landers92 said in Highlanders 2027:
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.
Any update on this @landers92
Zilch.
@frugby mentioned they likely signed Te Hiwi recently so it can’t be going too well.
Surely Dylan Riley wants to test himself in SR?
The fact that he combines the names of two non playing best rugby player ever legends is a cherry on top.
@landers92 so in all likelihood we’re starting down the barrel of Te Hiwi, Grindlay, Whaanga, Pasetoa and Big Jim being our centres with Nareki covering thirteen as well? None of which (outside Jim & Nareki) exactly set the world on fire.
Huge shame that we seem not to have landed Taele (going off the chat in the thread this isn’t new info).
Bit hard to know who we’d keep next season anyway. Theres a scenario where Big Jim calls it quits if he dosnt see a future with the all blacks and Nareki heads offshore, and we’re left in a bang average place.
Really hoping some of those lads have a good NPC to install some confidence in us.
@handa457 midfield is such an odd position nationally.
I think I worked out more than 40% of the Super midfield backs are leaving.
Just no depth guys who are ready to step up that teams can pick off. They are all needed where they are from. An absolute player's market.
If we can't land a starting ready centre, I fully expect Jona Nareki will be our primary 13 next season. Based on the mentality that he is as good as a 13 as the other options. However, Hurley is a better fullback and Tito-Harris is a better winger than the other centre options are centres.
I wouldn't be surprised if we go Nareki at 13, JRK on a wing and Hurley at the back. Get the best attacking weapons on the field.
I'm not giving up on Te Hiwi yet. A frustration will be if Timu jams up the centre role for Otago.
@southernmann Agree with you on all those points. I Do wonder if JRK might play a bit more freely on the wing. Have sometimes felt he overplays his hand at fullback. Just trying to create too much in a team that hasn't always been firing on all cylinders. Hurley starting at fullback is a tasty idea.
Te Hiwi has a lot of upside. But it's how injury prone the combination of Nareki, Hurley and Te Hiwi are that worries me. When close to half the starting and bench players in your backline are made of glass and depth is already a problem it leaves me without much optimism. Not a lot to be done about it. And you are right that midfield nationally is very odd. Small comfort that everyone's in the same position I suppose.
@ruggersman I'd be more than happy with a "stopgap" that plays to the level Lowe did this year.
@landers92 said in Highlanders 2027:
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2027:
@landers92 said in Highlanders 2027:
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.
Any update on this @landers92
Zilch.
@frugby mentioned they likely signed Te Hiwi recently so it can’t be going too well.
Yes not 100% on this but have heard this is possibly the case.
@ruggersman said in Highlanders 2027:
I hope they recruit a proper 13 instead of retredding Nareki, I think he would be stopgap like Lowe at best. Not sure there are many decent 13s out there given how many have left for overseas but hopefully a few put up their hands in the NPC
You have answered your own wish.
There are no decent options out there. The recruitment team has kncoked on several doors, including overseas.
Huge number of midfielders have left. It is a highly competitive position. Teams are either recruiting kids and playing the patient game or bringing in NPC standard guys. None of which are viable options for the Highlanders need.
We all want the golden goose. Sadly, they aren't laying at the moment.