No 8 Hugh Renton makes just a third start of the season for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes tonight. PHOTO: NZ RUGBY/SMARTFRAME There is a game to be played tonight but it is hard to escape the feeling the Highlanders are ready to start looking much further into the future. The maths say they have a slim chance of slipping into the playoffs but the reality is the Highlanders’ campaign will end when the whistle blows against the Hurricanes in Wellington. That will means different things to different people at the club. For coach Jamie Joseph, whose stocks remain high in the region despite another season of middling results, it will not mean a chance to put his feet up. He will lead a forensic examination into what did and did not go right in 2026, and he will carry on work that has already started on laying the foundations for 2027. For players returning to the club, they will indeed get a well-earned break, but not before they take part in a season debrief and examine their own efforts across the campaign. Finally, there will be the farewells for those players who, for whatever reason, will not be Highlanders men next year. It is understood about a dozen players — not a particularly high number, based on previous seasons — will be packing their bags, while long-serving assistant coach Clarke Dermody is heading to Ireland. The Highlanders appear to have maintained a positive camp through the season and there is likely a desire to produce something magical tonight to send those leaving off with a bang. ‘‘The mood is upbeat,’’ Joseph said. ‘‘We had our awards this week and we acknowledged a lot of people. There are people we know are leaving the club, and as best we can, we’ve been proactive around that.’’ Joseph confirmed the Highlanders were making good progress with settling on a squad for 2027 but there would always be spots left open for gems to emerge through the NPC. ‘‘I find, as the coach, when you get to this time of year and the players are uncertain around futures or starting to move on and agents get included into conversations, it can be a real distraction for players. ‘‘Every year, you lose 10 to a dozen players either going overseas or going to other teams. ‘‘Most teams have committed the majority of their main squad, but there’s always someone popping up in the NPC, and everyone wants to have an opportunity to pick those guys off.’’ Joseph cited Lucas Casey as the obvious example of how NPC form could launch a Super Rugby career. Casey had a breakthrough season for a dazzling Otago team, and while he was initially only in the Highlanders’ wider squad, he has played 10 games, most recently delivering a stunning performance against the Chiefs. ‘‘He’s just started, that guy,’’ Joseph said. ‘‘His performance last week — against an All Black loose forward trio — was a sign that he’s got real potential and a real good future at this level of rugby.’’ Casey is a natural openside flanker but has also shone at No 8. The man at the back of the scrum tonight is luckless co-captain Hugh Renton, who has had a third consecutive season affected by injury. ‘‘It’s been frustrating for Hugh,’’ Joseph said. ‘‘He had a belated start to the season because of a real serious injury, so he built confidence and part of his game through the Bravehearts programme. Meanwhile, the rest of the team was streaking ahead. ‘‘I feel he’s earned his spot. He’s a leader of the team. Off the field, he creates a lot of cohesion within us as a group, so it’s good to see Hugh back out there.’’ Everything does point to a comfortable Hurricanes win tonight. The Super Rugby table-toppers have won their past seven games in Wellington, by an average of 26 points, and are riding a 10-game winning streak against the Highlanders. It also needs to be mentioned that the score was 50-7 when the teams last met. ‘‘I think we’ll be better [tonight],’’ Joseph promised. ‘‘When I look at the Hurricanes, and that night, we’re not the only team that’s fallen on the sword against this team. ‘‘It’s a very slick rugby team. They average 40-odd points against every team. If you give them any chances around turnover ball or momentum, they’re very skilful and they score lots of tries.’’ hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz Super Rugby Wellington, 7.05pm Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Xavier Tito-Harris, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Nic Shearer, Hugh Renton (co-captain), Lucas Casey, TK Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Tomas Lavanini, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Aaron Lennox, Stanley Solomon, Meihana Grindlay. Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Ngane Punivai, Bailyn Sullivan, Jordie Barrett (captain), Kini Naholo, Ruben Love, Ere Enari, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Siale Lauaki. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Tom Allen, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Jordi Viljoen, Lucas Cashmore, Jone Rova.
