'I can't see any way back': Israel Dagg concerned for stumbling Highlander

Ex-All Black Israel Dagg says he is concerned for Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava after a starring display on debut from Nic Shearer in the team’s win over Moana Pasifika on the weekend.

Shearer was initially named in the Highlanders’ 2026 wider training group, but has made his way into the official squad after Dylan Pledger suffered a season-ending knee injury during pre-season.

While it was originally expected that Pledger would be the breakout star of 2026 after his impressive U20 and NPC campaigns in 2025, Shearer’s debut is now what has the region talking.

“Every game he’s played for the Brave Hearts, he’s really taken it by storm,” Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said of Shearer after naming the 22-year-old to make his debut last week.

“He’s been in outstanding form. He’s one of those players who plays without any mental stress. He’s young, and I think he can get into that game and show what he’s like.”

Meanwhile, speaking on Fakatava, who, at 26, is now four years removed from the last of his two All Blacks caps and was dropped for the weekend’s Moana game, Joseph said he felt a week off was needed after an underwhelming start to the new campaign.

“I think Folau’s not playing as well as he can, and sometimes that’s just because there is a lot of pressure that he feels he’s been put under from the opposition he’s playing against, certainly not the team,” Joseph reflected.

“But, a break away from the game, I think, will do wonders for Folau.”

Fakatava fell out of the national selection picture when he was cut down by a serious knee injury at the end of 2022, but finally returned to some semblance of his prior form in 2025 and was selected for the All Blacks XV tour, featuring in wins over England A and Uruguay.

With his form trending positively, the drop-off in 2026 has come as a surprise and heightens the concern for a player surrounded by promising up-and-comers.

Dagg picked up on the situation this week when reviewing the weekend’s action, highlighting Shearer’s performance on debut and speaking frankly about Fakatava’s future.

“I think Folau Fakatava is going to have a pretty tough time getting back into that squad after watching young Nick Shearer from Southland make his debut,” Dagg said on his Sport Nation radio show with Scotty Stevenson.

“I thought he was very sharp, very good with ball in hand, great pass, made great decisions, and I can’t see any way back for young Folau after that performance. I think he was outstanding for the 50 minutes I watched him until the power went out.”