Jamie Joseph names 2025 Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific squad

Jamie Joseph has named his Highlanders squad for the DHL 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The 2025 squad features many new players, including the addition of new head coach Jamie Joseph who coached the Highlanders to the historic 2015 Super Rugby title.

“It’s great to be back leading the Highlanders. Dunedin and the wider southern region have always been a place that has provided opportunities for players to grow and develop. It’s a community that loves rugby, respects the game, and values hard work. My job is to ensure that we create an environment where players can blossom, not just as athletes, but as individuals who carry the game’s core values with them. We’ve got a very talented squad this year, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Joseph has added Cody Brown to his coaching staff, the brother of former Highlanders coach and current Springboks attack coach Tony Brown.

Brown and Joseph will be joined by last year’s head coach Clarke Dermody as well as Dave Dillon to round out the 2025 coaching staff.

Experienced Highlanders players return to the squad, including All Black prop Ethan De Groot, All Blacks XV players Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland and Oliver Haig and halfback Folau Fakatava.

Impressive NPC campaigns for Timoci Tavatavanawai, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Michael Manson and Cam Millar have earned them another full playing contract.

The Highlanders have added Hurricanes loose forward and Manawatu player TK Howden, who will bolster the loose forward stocks for Jamie Joseph’s squad.

The forward pack will welcome the additions of Blues hooker Soane Vikena down south, as well as tighthead prop Sosefo Kautai (NZ U20, Chiefs, Brumbies) and loosehead prop Josh Bartlett (NZU20, Chiefs, Western Force) to improve the tight five.

Young players like Caleb Tangitau from the Blues, Will Stodart and Finn Hurley from Otago will be looking to stake their claim for starting jerseys.

Additions to the backline will further develop Joseph’s headaches for selections, including Taine Robinson from Tasman, who has been impressive in NPC over multiple campaigns.

Veveni Lasaqa from the Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty will join the squad’s forward pack, as well as 30-year-old Tongan Lui Naeta who has been plying his trade in Japan before returning for Otago in this year’s NPC competition.

Head coach Jamie Joseph has high hopes for his new squad.

“We have a squad full of talented and motivated players, and we know that the fans in Dunedin and across the region are looking forward to seeing this team grow and perform on the field,”added Joseph.

“This region has a proud rugby history, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we honour that by playing with passion and commitment. We’re not just developing players on the field, but also people who represent the values of this community.” 

2025 Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific Squad

Backs: Folau Fakatava (Hawkes Bay), Nathan Hastie (Otago), James Arscott (Otago), Cameron Millar (Otago), Ajay Faleafaga (Otago), Taine Robinson (Tasman), Jake Te Hiwi (Otago), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Otago), Tanielu Tele’a (Auckland), Josh Whaanga (Otago), Sam Gilbert (Otago), Michael Manson (Southland), Caleb Tangitau (Auckland), Jonah Lowe (Hawkes Bay), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Tasman), Jona Nareki (Otago), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki), Finn Hurley (Otago)

Forwards: Ethan de Groot (Southland) , Daniel Lienert-Brown (Canterbury), Josh Bartlett (BOP), Saula Ma’u (Otago), Rohan Wingham (Otago), Sosefo Kautai (Waikato), Henry Bell (Otago), Jack Taylor (Southland), Soane Vikena (Auckland), Fabian Holland (Otago), Mitch Dunshea (Southland), Oliver Haig (Otago), Lui Naeta (Otago), Will Stodart (Otago) Te Kamaka Howden (Manawatu), Sean Withy (Southland), Hayden Michaels (Southland), Veveni Lasaqa (BOP), Hugh Renton (Tasman), Nikora Broughton (BOP)

Unavailable for the 2025 season due to injury: Josh Timu and Tom Sanders