1
{{item.n}}
Highlanders confirm Fabian Holland will be sidelined until August
By Ned Lester
Fabian Holland’s dislocated shoulder will not just sideline him for the entire 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, but it’s expected he’ll miss the July Test window, too.
The towering lock will have surgery on the affected shoulder next week, with the team revealing an expected return timeline of August, in time for the All Blacks‘ Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa.
Holland suffered the injury when attempting a breakdown steal shortly after taking the field for his first preseason game of the year against Moana Pasifika in Queenstown.
VIDEO
View this post on Instagram
The lock’s injury is the second season-ending issue the Highlanders have suffered this preseason, with the widely anticipated rookie season of halfback Dylan Pledger delayed until 2027 due to a torn ACL.
The Highlanders have Tai Cribb, Mitch Dunshea, and Pumas enforcer Tomás Lavanini as their remaining second row options in 2026. Oliver Haig has primarily been used as a loose forward, but at 197 cm, covers lock, too. TK Howden was the Highlanders’ starting blindside flanker in 2025, but played lock for Jamie Joseph’s All Blacks XV on their European tour last November, later revealing it was his first time playing in the second row since high school. Josh Tengblad is an option from the club’s wider training group.
Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players 2025 and let us know what you think!
