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Highlanders sign former All Blacks Sevens speedster among haul of young talent

Caleb Tangitau of New Zealand dives to score his try during the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023, 5th Place semi final match between New Zealand and Australia at Athlone Sports Stadium on July 9, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The Highlanders are stocking up on even more promising young players, with five signings announced ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

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After signing former champion head coach Jamie Joseph to a Head of Rugby role that manages player recruitment and retention, the club have been pulling off some major coups by finding youngsters with promise who are surplus to their club’s requirements.

Last season, major pulls in the form of Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Tanielu Tele’a made an immediate impact for the southern club, while Jospeh’s activity around agents and New Zealand Rugby saw the Highlanders secure the services of the likes of Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rhys Patchell and Mitchell Dunshea.

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For 2025, the former Japan head coach has managed to land five strong talents, the oldest of which is just 23 years of age.

Caleb Tangitau may be the biggest name on the list, with the Blues outside back having enjoyed strong seasons with the All Blacks Sevens and the New Zealand U20s in recent years.

Utility forward Will Stoddart is one of the two re-signings on the list, a 20-year-old Southlander who debuted for the club in 2024 and is a graduate of the Highlanders High Performance Programme.

Hooker Soane Vikena is the oldest of the recruits at 23, boasting four years of Super Rugby experience with the 2024 champion Blues.

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Loose forward Veveni Lasaqa joins from the Hurricanes, where the Fijian-born 22-year-old claimed his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Reds during the 2024 season.

Current New Zealand U20 squad member Josh Whaanga is the second of the re-signings, a 20-year-old midfielder and fellow graduate of the Highlanders High-Performance Programme, whose brother, Josh, is also in the team.

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1 Comment
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monty 275 days ago

It’s all about the future generations, a very smart but obvious move by Jamie joseph’s. It’s great to have coaching staff of his caliber back in nz.

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JW 2 hours ago
Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year

I wouldn’t think the risk is cash flow, as they have large cash reserves they said all through covid.


I suspect the author has it completely wrong as it pertains to the pool as well, because I can’t see the contracts of players changing year to year like revenue does.


I’d imagine there is an agreed principle to a ‘forecast’ figure of revenue for a cyclical period, and this is what 37% or whatever of is used for player salaries. So it would not change whatever that figure is until the next cycle. Cash flow, as you said, would be the main factor, but as they aren’t paid all it once, they’d not be hindered in this manor I don’t believe. Of all the references I’ve seen of a the player pool agreement, not once have I seen any detail on how the amount is determined.


But yes, that would be a very reasoned look at the consequences, especially compared those I’ve seen in articles on this site. Even with turnonver north of $350 million a year, 20 is still a sizeable chunk. Like this RA’s broadcast deal, they might have smaller sponsorship for a short period to align with everything else, then look to develop the deal further heading into the Lions tour cycle? Perhaps trying to take a deal from low to high like that is unlikely to a long term investor, and NZR want to get a good shortterm deal now so they can capitalize on growth for the Lions (i’m assuming that series has consequences on more than just broadcast deals right).

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