Rising star No.10 among seven offseason departures for Highlanders

The Highlanders have announced their offseason departures following the 2026 season, with a group of seven headlined by rising playmaker Cam Millar.

The 24-year-old had grown into and progressively claimed the Highlanders’ No.10 jersey over the past four seasons with the club, having come through the local ranks out of Otago Boys’ High School. Millar departs having started in 24 of his 34 appearances and was reportedly on the Blues’ radar following Stephen Perofeta’s move to Japan.

The announcement of his exit comes after the Highlanders announced the signing of Tonga and Moana Pasifika playmaker Patrick Pellegrini at the start of the month, having already secured the services of Chiefs and All Blacks XV game-driver Josh Jacomb on a two-year deal beginning in 2027.

Fellow backs Jonah Lowe and Tanielu Tele’a have confirmed their respective departures, and forwards Oliver Haig, Rohan Wingham, Soane Vikena, and Sefo Kautai have also called time on their stints in Dunedin.

Haig, an All Blacks XV member in 2024, had transitioned from the back row to the second row in the recent campaign, filling in as the club was without star lock Fabian Holland. Kautai, a former Chief and Brumby, has been snapped up by the Waratahs on a one-year deal, having spent his ninth and tenth Super Rugby seasons in Dunedin. Soane Vikena departs after two seasons in the Deep South, having moved down after four campaigns with the Blues in Auckland. Rohan Wingham had made just nine appearances over three seasons.

Lowe swapped Chiefs colours for those of the Highlanders in 2023 and was rewarded with the most game time of his career in his debut season for the club, but fell out of favour on the wing before a resurgence at centre in the recent season. Tele’a, who debuted as a winger for the Blues in 2019, moved south in 2024 and carved out a role in the midfield alongside Sam Gilbert before Timoci Tavatavanawai’s transition to No.12.

The Highlanders’ recent signings and re-signings list far exceeds the departures list, with 16 recent contracts announced and room for more ahead of the NPC season that begins at month’s end.

Recent Highlanders contracts

Lucas Casey – 2029
Dylan Pledger – 2029
Veveni Lasaqa – 2029
Mika Muliaina – 2029
Patrick Pellegrini – 2028
Finn Hurley – 2028
Caleb Tangitau – 2028
Adam Lennox – 2028
Sean Withy – 2028
Will Stodart – 2028
Josh Tengblad – 2028
Jack Taylor – 2028
Josh Bartlett – 2028
Angus Ta’avao – 2027
Henry Bell – 2027
Tomás Lavanini – 2027