Highlanders name youth, experience and cult heroes in 2022 squad
In the wake of an off-season where they lost a number of key players, the Highlanders have recruited strongly ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Following their runner-up finish in this year’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign, the Dunedin-based franchise have fallen victim to a mini-exodus whereby numerous headline names have departed for greener pastures elsewhere.
Two of the nine players who have left the Highlanders are All Blacks, one of them being mercurial playmaker Josh Ioane, who was released by the southerners and was subsequently picked up by the Chiefs on a one-year deal.
The other is barnstorming loose forward Liam Squire, who has been forced into retirement due to a persistent knee injury.
The Highlanders’ back row stocks have taken a further hit by the loss of Brave Blossoms star Kazuki Himeno, who has returned to Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
It’s in League One, formerly known as the Top League, where inspirational co-captain Ash Dixon has also headed to as part of his deal with Green Rockets Tokatsu.
Those losses – which have been compounded by the departures of dependable midfielder Michael Collins, experienced prop Siate Tokolahi, loose forward Teariki Ben-Nicholas, lock Jack Regan and first-five Tim O’Malley – have stripped the Highlanders of many of their core figures in the playing group.
However, head coach Tony Brown has moved to fill the voids left by those outgoing players by bringing in a blend of youth and experience for his 2022 squad.
That balance has already been partially revealed by previously-announced acquisitions of Highlanders cult hero first-five Marty Banks, one-test All Blacks loose forward Gareth Evans, ex-Crusaders hooker Andrew Makalio and development players Sean Withy and Saula Ma’u.
Based on the five further signings made by the franchise – locks Sam Caird and Max Hicks, hooker Rhys Marshall, wing Mosese Dawai and utility back Josh Timu – there is plenty of evidence to suggest they can build on their 2021 successes by pushing for silverware next year.
Caird and Hicks, who can also play blindside flanker, will both provide cover for injured All Blacks prospect Pari Pari Parkinson, who has been sidelined for an entire year after suffering a multi-ligament knee injury while playing for Tasman in the NPC.
The same can be said for Dawai and Timu, both of whom have won contracts ahead of Otago fan favourite Freedom Vahaakolo to offer the Highlanders with squad depth following electric wing Jona Nareki’s ruptured ACL injury.
France beat the All Blacks for the first time since 2009 this morning [NZT], winning 40-25 in Paris #FRAvNZL https://t.co/URuxXqcEI3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2021
At 24-years-old, Caird – a member of the world champion 2017 New Zealand U20 side – brings with him Super Rugby experience from the Chiefs, Blues and Waratahs.
Both he and Hicks, a former Blues and Crusaders development player and an ex-New Zealand U18 AFL representative who has stood out for Tasman this year, will compete with Bryn Evans, Josh Dickson and Manaaki Selby-Rickit for starting roles at lock.
Timu, meanwhile, was called into the Highlanders squad as injury cover earlier this year and was a regular for the Sunwolves under the tutelage of Brown in 2019.
He’s joined in the outside backs by Dawai, who was named as one of four Highlanders development players – alongside current squad members Vilimoni Koroi and Thomas Umaga-Jensen – in 2016 but has only now won a full contract after some scintillating showings for Waikato.
The two youngsters – aged 24 and 23, respectively – will face stern competition for places in the backline from impressive campaigners such as Koroi, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop and Solomon Alaimalo.
Normally a wing or fullback, Koroi will offer support at first-five behind Banks and Mitch Hunt, both of whom will work in tandem with captain Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava and Kayne Hammington to steer the side around the park.
2022 could also be the first time Highlanders fans finally get to see Umaga-Jensen and two-test Tongan international Fetuli Paea pair up in the midfield together after injuries ruined their highly-anticipated seasons this year.
The All Blacks were beaten 40-25 by France in Paris on Sunday morning [NZT]. It was their third loss this year from 15 matches played #FRAvNZL https://t.co/YZIRz7YE9p
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2021
Next year could also spell the long-awaited debut of former Wallabies prop Jermaine Ainsley, who was signed by the franchise for this year’s campaign but suffered a season-ending injury before Super Rugby Aotearoa began.
Ainsley may suit up in the front row alongside Marshall, the former Chiefs hooker who returned to New Zealand this year after five years with Irish club Munster to play for North Harbour in the NPC.
The 29-year-old will add much-needed experience as a back-up option to Makalio and eight-test All Blacks rake Liam Coltman in the No 2 jersey.
With first-choice openside flanker Billy Harmon expected to miss the opening half of the season, Withy and Evans could be set for extensive game time alongside Shannon Frizell and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u in the back row, although ex-skipper James Lentjes might be the preferred replacement.
Regardless of who is named to play for the Highlanders in 2022, Brown is pleased with the make-up of his roster, which features six All Blacks in the form of Smith, Frizell, Coltman, Ethan de Groot and the Evans brothers.
“We’re really looking forward to taking on Super Rugby Pacific with this team, we have some good experience up front, good playmakers in the backs, and good size and pace mixed throughout the squad,” he said.
“It’s going to be a short preseason so it’s good to have so many guys familiar with how we do things returning in 2022, we will obviously need to hit the ground running.”
The Highlanders will kick-off their 2022 season against their South Island rivals, the Crusaders, at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on February 19.
2022 Highlanders transfers
In: Gareth Evans (Hurricanes), Andrew Makalio (Crusaders); Marty Banks (Southland); Mosese Dawai (
Out: Josh Ioane (Chiefs), Ash Dixon (Green Rockets Tokatsu), Siate Tokolahi (Pau),
2022 Highlanders squad
Hookers: Liam Coltman, Rhys Marshall, Andrew Makalio
Props: Ayden Johnstone, Jeff Thwaites, Ethan de Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Hohneck, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u
Locks: Maanaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Max Hicks, Sam Caird
Loose forwards: James Lentjes, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Gareth Evans, Sean Withy
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava, Kayne Hammington
First-Fives: Marty Banks, Mitchell Hunt
Midfield: Fetuli Paea,
Outside backs: Connor Garden-Bachop, Mosese Dawai, Vilimoni Koroi, Sam Gilbert, Josh Timu, Solomon
Unavailable due to injury: Jona Nareki, Pari Pari Parkinson
Comments on RugbyPass
Article intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
2 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
2 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
18 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
18 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
2 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
18 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
18 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
18 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
18 Go to commentsI hadn’t watched much Canes this season but sat through a replay of that Chiefs game with no distractions. That pack is beastly. I really like the look of Iose. He loves the tough stuff. The first Quins clip may be the best I have even seen for a TH driving his opposite into oblivion. i need to take your word for the contribution of Walker, but Collier there with a straight back pushing up from under was a lovely thing to see. Have you fallen in love with Baxter also, Nick? I think Stuart Barnes may have written his column about him recently, naked. He positively frothed.
14 Go to commentsSmart guy. I wish he was running the RFU or something!
2 Go to commentsWhy Barrett, when Leinster already have at least 4 top centres.?
15 Go to commentsGood write up, Brett. Rebels are an interesting one for sure. 88 points scored in the last two games, but against two teams that are unlikely to be in the top 4 at seasons end. However the other side of the coin, against the Hurricanes, the team to beat atm, they conceded 54 points, and add in another 53 points to the then high flying Reds, and things don’t look so good. The acid tests will be against the Blues and the Chiefs. I do hope they do contest the finals this year, if only to confound those working on their demise. Les Kiss has made a big difference to the Qld. Reds, and they could so easily have now been sitting unbeaten at the top of the table. But they have now lost some games in a most disappointing fashion, and now step up against the Highlanders this weekend seriously depleted, four absolute key players down, two to suspension, two injured. Of the other Australian sides, the Brumbies look unlikely to fold to anyone any time soon, while the Waratahs and Force both disappoint. But still and all, winning games against the NZ sides is very welcome, and one would hope for more to come. Who will come out on top ? A North Island side for sure should contest the final, but I would hope an Australian side might just get there this year. Brumbies most likely, Qld. Reds could be formidable with a full team back on the field.
12 Go to commentsThe stat that illustrates some progress compared to recent years is that Aussie sides have won 5 of 12 games against Kiwi sides. The Tahs have lost 2 tight games against Kiwi sides, while the Reds and Tahs have contrasting experiences in games against Kiwi sides decided by that farcical thing called golden point.
12 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes pack has stepped up in a huge way this year. Their improvement at scrum time has been a big contributor to their success. Aumua looks like he is playing with a lot of confidence and put in a really good display at both set piece and in general play on Saturday. Him and Numia are putting in a good case for higher honours, A dominate combination with Lomax will help their case. And their loose forward depth is class. Iose has benefited from regular game time and Lakai has shown his versatility and promise. Thanks Nick. Hope all is well.
14 Go to commentsSamoa have enough former internationals who want to flick a switch for a country most have probably hardly set foot in. If you’re that passionate about Samoa, go live and play rugby there to qualify instead of just waltzing into the side and kicking a player actually from Samoa out of the squad. All these ex internationals hasn’t really made them that much more competitive because most look like they're going through the motions.
2 Go to comments