Highlanders vs Moana takes: Highlanders' wings clipped, two free agents to watch

The final day of Super Round kicked off with Moana Pasifika’s Tau Moana challenge and the Highlanders’ haka, Hautoa Kia Toa.

It was a slow start to proceedings at the new One New Zealand Stadium, with the first points scored in the 24th minute, and the opening half ending with Moana Pasifika leading 10-7. Two yellow cards were also shown in the opening 40 minutes.

The second half featured some better execution and more points, with Highlanders tries to Angus Ta’avao and Adam Lennox complemented by conversions and another two penalties from Cam Millar. Augustine Pulu responded in the 65th minute, but the Highlanders were already on their way to another win, ending as 27-17 victors.

Here are some takeaways from the match.

Two free agents to watch

After his breakout rookie season alongside Ardie Savea in the loose forwards last year, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa entered 2026 as arguably Moana Pasifika’s most impactful player. He’ll likely exit the 2026 season as one of the most intriguing names on the free agency market, given Moana Pasifika’s expected departure from Super Rugby Pacific.

The powerful No.8 led the 2025 season in total carries by a wide margin, and will offer his next club one of rugby’s golden tickets: dominance in contact. Sunday afternoon’s match showcased the impact the 22-year-old can have on the game with his powerful running game, but also his defence, where he led the game in tackles completed.

Tupou Ta’eiloa was always going to be one of the big names available as Moana bow out of Super Rugby, but winger Glen Vaihu’s re-emergence this season has established him as another sure to be drawing the attention of clubs the world over.

The 24-year-old former Rebels flyer has been untouchable with the ball in space this season, dancing his way around and through defences with bouncy athleticism. On Sunday, Vaihu made numerous Highlanders defenders look silly with his footwork.

Tupou Ta’eiloa hails from the south of New Zealand, so his opponents in this match are likely to be interested in a homecoming, while Vaihu could eye a return to Australia. Both players’ agents will be busy, regardless.

Highlanders’ wings clipped

The Highlanders’ outside backs have done a lot of heavy lifting for the team’s attack in 2026, with the trio of Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens all in career-best form and forming one of the most lethal units in Super Rugby.

Nareki and Tangitau own the best dominant collision rates in the competition, with percentages of 66 and 67, respectively, and Tangitau is also one of the leaders in carry metres, defenders beaten, and tries. Both wingers were sidelined for Super Round with what are expected to be short-term injuries.

The absence of the duo’s firepower and finishing prowess was evident, with the Highlanders converting their 22m entries at just one point per entry in the first half. That rate improved to 1.8 points per entry by the game’s end.

Xavier Tito-Harris’ pace injected some life into the Highlanders’ attack at times, but with the team not as desperate to feed him as they have been with the usual starters given their game-breaking form, the All Blacks Sevens alumni’s near game-leading carry metres had to come from just four carries.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.8

13

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.4

7

Entries

The utility factor

Adam Lennox knows a thing or two about versatility, and while he may have been outdone on the weekend by Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first start on the openside flank, his success after shifting from halfback to the wing in this match was impressive.

The speedster proved his ability to cover both positions for Taranaki in the 2025 NPC season, having started his NPC career at fullback four seasons ago. Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said recently he wasn’t overly impressed with the lack of game-time at halfback while Lennox suited up in the No.14 jersey, as it inevitably hurt Lennox’s development as a halfback. However, it certainly came in handy in Christchurch when Folau Fakatava came on to replace Xavier Tito-Harris.

Lennox scored two tries last week in Auckland, covering some serious ground in both runs to the try line, and added another five-pointer to his season tally against Moana Pasifika thanks to some creative playmaking by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.