Hookers
Appears to be a position of stability for the Highlanders, but also one with some lingering questions.
Soane Vikena was the semi-regular starter in 2025, but did not exactly shine in a poor Auckland team, Jack Taylor has plenty of pep and mobility and was named in the All Blacks XV and Henry Bell was solid again for Otago.
Presumably, all three are back for the Highlanders — Vikena for a second season, the other lads for their third — but Joseph will be looking for more oomph from this position.
The Highlanders name their wider training squad on Friday, and it will likely include a Southland hooker — either Nic Souchon or youngster Shaun Kempton.
Props
Ethan de Groot is obviously one of the first names on the list.
The powerful loosehead prop was largely back to his best this season and has played consistently well for the All Blacks.
Rohan Wingham, who turns 23 next month, got just three Super Rugby caps in 2024 and was not sighted this year, but he played well for Otago and it would be a shame if the Highlanders did not continue to develop him.
That might mean no room for experienced bench man Daniel Lienert-Brown, especially if rumours the Highlanders were eyeing up a foreign prop turn into anything.
Stags bookend Jack Sexton might be one of two props in the wider squad.
Locks
Exciting All Blacks rookie Fabian Holland, the experienced Mitch Dunshea and robust Argentina test player Tomas Lavanini.
Not a bad second-row unit, and with back-up from a couple of the taller loosies.
New Zealand under-20 lock Josh Tengblad will be in the wider squad.
Loose forwards
The Highlanders carried nine loosies last season and it seems most will be back.
Nikora Broughton will presumably roll up for a fourth season with the Highlanders, and Will Stodart should get more opportunities after a big season for Otago, but rarely sighted Southland flanker Hayden Michaels may have an uncertain future.
A wildcard selection could come at No 8 if Renton’s health status is a concern.
The wider squad will likely carry two loose forwards and it may be an opportunity for the Highlanders to scout from other clubs.
Halfbacks
Blessed be the Highlanders.
Incumbent No 9 Folau Fakatava is coming off an outstanding NPC and is highly motivated to get back in favour with the All Blacks, while Adam Lennox showed his spark in a handful of appearances this season.
Otago fans, however, expect it will not be long before the wondrously talented Dylan Pledger gets an opportunity.
Pledger gets his first Super Rugby contract in place of Nathan Hastie, who has joined the Western Force.
Southland halfback Nic Shearer shapes as an obvious inclusion in the wider squad.
First fives
Neither Cameron Millar nor Taine Robinson was able to really command the No 10 jersey for long periods, but both will get another crack in 2026.
Millar looked back to his confident all-round best in the NPC and there will be hope he can continue that form at the higher level.
All Blacks XV playmaker Josh Jacomb is coming south from the Chiefs — not until 2027, though, so the Highlanders have reportedly snapped up mercurial Canterbury first five Andrew Knewstubb.
Mika Muliaina and Jimmy Taylor are Highlanders of the future, but there may be a need to look outside the borders for a wider squad first five.
Midfielders
Thomas Umaga-Jensen is off to Japan and Sam Gilbert — more of a fullback, but he played plenty of games at second five in the latter stages of his Highlanders career — is bound for Ireland.
Timoci Tavatavanawai, the revelation of last season, and Tanielu Tele’a will resume their powerful combination, and Josh Whaanga provides back-up.
Otago midfielder Josh Timu might have played his way back into a Super Rugby deal, while there could also be interest in well-performed provincial midfielders like Gibson Popoali’i (Counties-Manukau) and Meihana Grindlay (Taranaki).
The Otago Daily Times understands the Highlanders have chased former Force utility back Reesjan Pasitoa, who played for Northland this year.
Outside backs
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens at fullback, Caleb Tangitau on one wing, Jona Nareki on the other.
That is a very decent back three.
The Highlanders also have two moderately sized sparkplugs on the books in Finn Hurley and new signing Stanley Solomon.
Michael Manson is playing sevens, Gilbert is going, and former winger Tavatavanawai is very much a midfielder now, so there are gaps to fill.
Jonah Lowe played well at the end of last season, so might have earned an extension on his deal.
It is understood the Highlanders could be set to unveil young Auckland winger Xavier Tito-Harris, while former fill-in Taniela Filimone scored eight tries in the NPC.
Samuel Nemec-Vial and Kyan Rangitutia could be local picks in the wider squad.
