Any chance Aaron Smith or Billy Harmon might be next?
The Highlanders yesterday confirmed experienced prop Jermaine Ainsley was rejoining the club on a two-year deal.
It follows the earlier and equally welcome news that another rugged forward, Shannon Frizell, was also coming back to the Highlanders in 2027.
Ainsley’s return has seemingly been an open secret since he was first sighted coming off the bench in a club rugby game for Alhambra-Union.
That set in motion the saga of the year in which Alhambra-Union were docked points for not having Ainsley registered in time, though the man himself can hardly be blamed for that, and those points were eventually reinstated.
The Highlanders have had a big push towards a youth movement in recent times but there appears to be a recognition that some hard-bitten men — forwards, especially — can blend nicely with the projects.
Former All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao had such a good season at 36 he had his deal extended by a year, Argentine lock Tomas Lavanini has been invited back for another year at 33, and Frizell will be 33 when the 2027 season starts.
Ainsley will soon be 31, or about a teenager in propping terms.
He left the Highlanders after the 2024 season, played 30 games for French club Lyon, and was set to join English club Saracens before coming back to New Zealand for personal reasons.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Highlanders,” Ainsley said.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get the opportunity to play in New Zealand again, let alone for the Highlanders, so I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.
“I can’t wait to rip in with the team next season. It looks like a pretty strong squad that’s been growing over the last few seasons.”
Ainsley will link up with the Highlanders ahead of the 2027 preseason with wife Emily and children Keanu (4), Zion (1) and Maia (five months).
The specialist tighthead, the son of former All Blacks prop Joe McDonnell, was born in Cromwell and educated at Otago Boys’ High School.
After moving with his family to Perth, he became eligible for Australia, and played three tests for the Wallabies and 60 Super Rugby games for the Force and Rebels.
Ainsley played 38 games for the Highlanders between 2022 and 2024, was twice named the club’s forward of the year, and represented both the Māori All Blacks and the All Blacks XV.
He also has 26 caps for Otago but he has signed for Canterbury this NPC season.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said Ainsley’s return was timely as the squad continued to build for the 2027 season.
“Having Jermaine back is a major boost,” Joseph said.
“He’s a competitor, he’s durable, and he’s played a lot of high-level rugby. He’ll add leadership to our pack and help drive the standards we’re setting for 2027 and beyond.”
They say you can never have enough props, and the Highlanders are looking reasonably well-stocked for 2027 and beyond.
Ta’avao and Ainsley will be joined by Saula Ma’u in an impressive tighthead group, while world-class loosehead Ethan de Groot is backed up by Josh Bartlett.
Club stalwart Daniel Lienert-Brown and Sefo Kautai were on the books this year, but it is unclear whether either will be back.
The Highlanders’ focus in recent weeks has been on extending the deals of current players rather than revealing new signings.
Star rookie Lucas Casey has committed till the end of 2029, as has fellow loose forward Veveni Lasaqa.
Injured halfback Dylan Pledger and New Zealand under-20 first Mika Muliaina are also under contract through 2029.
Bartlett, Finn Hurley, Caleb Tangitau, Adam Lennox, Sean Withy, Will Stodart, Josh Tengblad and Jack Taylor are signed through 2028.
De Groot and star backs Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens appear to be the three key players remaining whose deals expire after 2027.
