All Blacks lock Fabian Holland suffers injury in Highlanders’ final pre-season match

Friday, 6 February 2026

At Queenstown Events Centre: Highlanders 41 (Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (3), Jonah Lowe, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, Reesjan Pasitoa con) Moana Pasifika 31 (Millennium Sanerivi (2), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Malakai Hala-Ngatai tries; Patrick Pellegrini con, Jackson Garden-Bachop 2 con). HT: 24-17

The Highlanders have already lost brilliant halfback Dylan Pledger to injury and could lose their coach Jamie Joseph to the All Blacks - and now it looks like they’ll be without star lock Fabian Holland for a period of time.

Holland left the field in pain after 50 minutes in the Highlanders’ 41-31 win against Moana Pasifika on Friday, suffering a shoulder injury after he was cleaned out at a ruck.

The early diagnosis was that Holland had not sustained a break, but he still looks at very long odds of starting the season against the Crusaders in Dunedin next Friday.

Holland had only been on the field for 10 minutes after he was injected at halftime alongside fellow All Black Ethan de Groot, with powerhouse midfielder Timoci Tavatanawai joining them just five minutes later.

Holland’s injury cast a large shadow over the Highlanders’ victory, with the 23-year-old already one of best young locks in the world.

It could open the door for youngster Josh Tengblad, a wider training squad member, with Mitch Dunshea and Tomas Lavanini the other specialist locks in the squad.

In front of a healthy crowd in Queenstown, Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens grabbed three tries as the southerners showed some enterprise on attack but also committed too many errors, with kick receptions one obvious area of concern.

They scored three tries in the first 25 minutes - a clear step up from their sluggish start against the Crusaders in Timaru last weekend.

All Blacks prospect Caleb Tangitau grabbed the first five-pointer after Jonah Lowe, looking lively in the No 13 jersey, supplied the final pass.

Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens then grabbed the first two of his three tries.

The first came from a nice break and offload from flanker Te Kemaka Howden, while the Highlanders showed good composure to break down some determined Moana Pasifika defence to set up a second for Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

The Highlanders also showed some promise off turnover ball, with the back three looking sharp and Lowe constantly trying to keep the ball alive.

By contrast, Moana Pasifika looked at their best when they used their big forwards near the Highlanders’ line, and the impressive Millennium Sanerivi and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa bashed their way over from close range.

Former All Blacks No 12 Ngani Laumape didn’t see much ball in the first outing for his new side, and their attack looked a touch static at times.

Highlanders No 10 Cameron Millar ran the attack well during his 45 minutes on the field and looks certain to start again the Crusaders next Friday.

Howden was arguably the standout for the Highlanders during his time of the field, with the big No 6 a constant threat with the ball in hand.

However, they now face a nervous wait to see how bad the damage is to Holland.