Jamie Joseph's big key for Highlanders 'Ferrari' Caleb Tangitau

Jamie Joseph is hoping for a full season of Caleb Tangitau’s brilliance after the speedster had his rookie Highlanders season cut short by injury.

The ex-All Blacks Sevens ace is one of New Zealand’s most exciting prospects, having shown devastating form across seven Super Rugby games in 2025 before making two appearances for the All Blacks XV in November. The 22-year-old scored nine tries in those nine games, with another five scored in six NPC showings.

On Friday night in Dunedin, Tangitau picked up where he left off before the summer break, scoring the first try of the season with his electric pace. The question was put to Jamie Joseph on Wednesday: Is Tangitau even quicker this season?

“It looks like it,” Joseph laughed. “Look, he’s a player with massive potential, and he’s just growing every game.

“The key for him is just to stay on the field, making sure that he’s a Ferrari out on the wing, and he just keeps those tyres filled up with air.

“We really like his footy, that’s for sure.”

Tangitau has been named to start on the right wing again in round two, where he’ll line up opposite a former All Blacks Sevens teammate and All Blacks bolter from last year, Leroy Carter.

Starting on the other side of the pitch for the Highlanders will be Jona Nareki, who will play his 50th game for the club. Nareki has also had an injury-prone Highlanders career to date, but that doesn’t limit his value to the team, says Joseph.

“He’s massively important. As a player, he’s been littered with some injuries that have prevented him from getting to that top condition that quality players need to be in if they want to push for higher honours. I feel sorry for him in that respect,” the coach explained.

“From the Highlanders’ perspective, he’s one of our best players, and has been since he’s been here.

“The important thing for Choc is to stay injury-free. We train him a little bit differently to some of our other guys. He’s a pretty relaxed sort of guy, but his rugby is different when he puts the old boots on…

“He’s not known for his toughness, but he’s definitely one of our most intelligent players, and when he needs to be, he can be very tough.”

Nareki was born in Fiji, like Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, who is returning from surgery after his breakout 2025 campaign, which included an All Blacks debut.

“Poor Jim broke his arm last year,” Joseph said. “Had a knee operation, and that’s simply because of the kind of rugby he plays.

“He’s not quite 100 per cent in terms of his rugby fitness, but he’ll get there quickly because he pretty much plays every minute of the game.

“He’s a great leader for us, and we need him.”

Of course, the big question lingering over Joseph’s head at the moment is whether he will be the next All Blacks head coach. But there’s been no update on his application, says the former Brave Blossoms boss.

“No, no word. Really focused on this week’s game against the Chiefs. It’s a tough game for us. All of my focus is really on the Highlanders.”