Shearer’s rapid rise will continue when he makes a second consecutive start for the Highlanders against the Brumbies tonight.
The dashing Southland halfback was a surprise selection for the win over Moana Pasifika before the Highlanders had the bye at Easter.
Had that game not ended in bizarre scenes with a power outage, it would have been remembered for one of the most promising Highlanders debuts in recent time, and Shearer acknowledged his head was still spinning a little after starting the year only in the wider squad.
‘‘It definitely is, to be honest,’’ he said yesterday.
‘‘I wasn’t expecting to get that opportunity a couple of weeks ago.
‘‘But I’m loving it. I’m loving it here and I can’t wait to play the Brumbies.’’
The Highlanders encouraged Shearer to play with a sense of freedom and expression as a 22-year-old rookie, and he was happy to oblige.
‘‘It’s just going out there freely and doing what I need to do for the team.
‘‘The team makes it easier for me. They give me the confidence during the week with all the plans and stuff, and it makes it easier just to go out there and play the game.’’
Shearer was well aware the Brumbies were led by a class act at halfback in the form of captain Ryan Lonergan and had Wallabies across the park.
That presented a challenge, but that had never been an issue for Shearer.
He grew up in Crusaders country, playing for Christ’s College before making a Canterbury debut in 2024, but he made the bold move to join Southland last year, and shone in the NPC for the Stags.
‘‘I’m loving the move down south,’’ Shearer said.
‘‘The Southland boys are awesome, and there’s heaps of them here at the Highlanders.’’
This is a crucial night for the Highlanders as they view a second half of the season with some challenging dates.
Winning their two remaining home games, along with the Moana Pasifika rematch at Super Round in the new Christchurch stadium, will give them a sniff of the playoffs.
Not that coach Jamie Joseph is thinking that far ahead.
‘‘Game by game, because we’re not a team that can get ahead of ourselves,’’ Joseph said.
‘‘We just need to play our very best rugby.
‘‘What I’m feeling around the team at the moment, after a breather and with guys returning, is that we’re in fine fettle.’’
The Brumbies have dominated this fixture in recent times.
They are seeking a sixth straight win over the Highlanders — their past five victories have come with an average winning margin of 11.2 points.
After a strong start, the Brumbies have lost three of their past four games.
One man who cannot be blamed is No8 Charlie Cale, who is on a six-game try-scoring streak.
Shutting down Cale and fellow loose forward Rob Valetini, keeping a watchful eye on the sharp 9-10 combination of Lonergan and Declan Meredith, and giving little space to speed merchant Corey Toole will be essential if the Highlanders are to win this.
If nothing else, they must give their home fans a much better memory to take away than the horror 50-7 loss to the Hurricanes the last time they played in Dunedin.
Super Rugby
Dunedin, 7.05pm
Highlanders: Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Nic Shearer, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, TK Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-captain). Reserves: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma’u, Hugh Renton, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a.
Brumbies: Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Kadin Pritchard, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan (captain), Charlie Cale, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Lachie Shaw, Nick Frost, Alan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Reserves:
Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Toby MacPherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton.
