Injuries wrecked Highlanders’ season before it started - but Dylan Pledger and Josh Jacomb will guarantee improvements
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
ANALYSIS: The Highlanders put a brave face on the season-ending injury to halfback Dylan Pledger before Super Rugby Pacific, but internally it was regarded as a devastating blow.
When Fabian Holland then did a shoulder in a preseason game against Moana Pasifika, the Highlanders’ hopes of making a playoffs push all but disappeared.
All clubs suffer injuries, but the Highlanders are in no position to lose players such as Pledger and Holland, while electric fullback Finn Hurley managed just 34 minutes across the entire campaign.
The Highlanders, who have the bye this week, will finish ninth this season if the Reds beat the Fijian Drua in Brisbane on Friday.
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That’s a fair reflection of a season in which progress has been patchwork and highlighted the need for another Jamie Joseph recruitment drive.
The Highlanders hierarchy tells The Post that once the new names start being announced - a process that is held up by players still being involved elsewhere - the squad will look much stronger next year.
Shannon Frizell and Josh Jacomb have already been confirmed, while Australian sources have confirmed to The Post that former Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu will be leaving the Waratahs: he would be an excellent pick-up for the Highlanders.
But none of the new signings are likely to have the same impact as Pledger if he makes a full recovery from his ACL injury.
Pledger’s absence was painfully illustrated by the sheer number of chances the Highlanders missed this year.
They didn’t have any issue getting themselves into tryscoring positions, but they were found wanting when it came to pulling the trigger.
By contrast, Pledger seemed to be involved in most of Otago’s tries last season, either scoring them himself or creating them for others.
His ability to manipulate defences around the ruck and pick the right option sets him apart.
A Pledger-Jacomb No 9-No 10 combination at the Highlanders will be a major upgrade on this season’s options.
Jacomb was having one of his best Super Rugby games last week before two costly errors against the Crusaders.
But the way he set up Quinn Tupaea’s second-half try shows that he will bring something to Dunedin that has been lacking for a time - a running threat No 10 who can take the ball to the line and create space for others.
Joseph will also need to strike gold in the No 13 jersey - preferably someone with a bit of leg speed who can provide some thrust outside Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Bailyn Sullivan of the Hurricanes or the Blues’ Xavi Taele would make a difference.
The Highlanders are never going to a team that has double-digit All Blacks and will always need a bit of luck on the injury front.
But if they have five or six players in and around the All Blacks next year - Ethan de Groot, Holland, Frizell, Pledger and Caleb Tangitau - and four or five others knocking on that door - Jack Taylor, Lucas Casey, Jacomb and Tavatavanawai - they will be significantly better than they have been in 2026.