Highlanders lock down rising loose-forward with new deal

The Highlanders have locked down the services of Lucas Casey for the next two Super Rugby Pacific seasons.

Casey, who burst onto the scene at Bunnings NPC level last season, has extended with the Dunedin-based franchise until 2029.

Casey was initially signed as a wider training group player after last season’s Ranfurly Shield victory, where Casey scored an impressive double against Canterbury at Apollo Projects Stadium.

 

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Last week on Millsy & Guy on Sport Nation NZ, Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph was full of praise for the 23-year-old.

“Well like you get a guy who entered into NPC rugby from Club Rugby. He’s actually a really good rugby player, and always has been,” Joseph told Sport Nation.

“He just never got a crack at NPC level, and it was the first year, so I kind of took a punt, but I contracted him early in the piece.

“I might have been third or fourth week NPC, and then by the end of the season everyone was knocking on his door. So he has huge potential, Lucas. I feel he’s just going to get better and better.

“Smart guy, wants to be great, and he’ll do anything to get there, and then I guess he doesn’t lack any confidence, because he’s on a mission and I think it’s a really good example for some of the young guys.”

Former Crusaders and Blues halfback Bryn Hall named Casey his player of the week last month, labelling his performance against the Chiefs in Hamilton as “his best game at this level”.

“I’ve actually gone, for my player of the week, I’ve gone (with) Lucas Casey,” Hall said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“Now, I know he was in a losing performance, but to be honest, I could have picked Ereatara Enari (Hurricanes), I could have picked Xavier Roe (Chiefs) because of how the half-backs are playing at the moment.

“I just think with what Lucas Casey has played, we talked around Leicester (Fainga’anuku) and his ability that he’s played through this year when he’s moved to seven. Anton Segner (too).

“But the numbers that Lucas Casey had on the weekend, like 22 ball carries, 122 metres, nine tackle breaks.

“Next best was Jimmy (Timoci) Tavatavanawai who’s probably very high on that rate when it comes to the Highlanders. Eight passes in, 16 tackles at 100% with one turnover.

“If you’re talking about big stats and the way that he played, I just thought for him this week, it’s probably the best game that he’s played at Super Rugby level.

“So, Lucas Casey for the Highlanders was my player of the week.”