Highlanders name eight All Blacks in 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific squad
Eight All Blacks headline the Highlanders’ squad for the 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, with returning loose forward Shannon Frizell and incoming first-five Josh Jacomb strengthening Jamie Joseph’s side.
Frizell and Jacomb join Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Saula Ma’u, Angus Ta’avao and Folau Fakatava in a squad combining international experience with a growing group of emerging players.
The return of Holland is a significant boost after a dislocated shoulder ruled the All Blacks lock out of the entire 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Holland, who made his All Blacks debut against France in 2025, returned during the NPC this year and quickly earned a recall to the national squad. His availability gives the Highlanders another international presence in a tight five featuring de Groot, Ma’u, Ta’avao, Mitch Dunshea and Argentina lock Tomás Lavanini.
Frizell’s return adds further quality to a competitive loose-forward group that includes Fiji international Joseva Tamani, Lucas Casey, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa and Will Stodart.
Joseph said retaining the squad’s emerging players while adding experience had given the Highlanders a platform to build on.
“The important thing for us is we're not starting again. A lot of these young guys have now had exposure to Super Rugby, we've been able to keep them together, and we've added some quality and experience around them. The challenge now is turning that into performance.”
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The Highlanders’ growing representation in the All Blacks has been another encouraging development.
De Groot, Holland and Tavatavanawai were included in the initial 2026 national squad, while Ma’u subsequently joined as injury cover during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.
Jacomb also earned his first All Blacks selection and made his debut in the non-Test match against the Stormers. His arrival adds another option at first-five alongside Southland youngster Mika Muliaina and experienced playmaker Patrick Pellegrini.
“It has been really pleasing to see players from our environment get opportunities at the next level. Timoci has continued to grow as a player and leader, and Saula has worked incredibly hard for his opportunity,” Joseph said.
At halfback, Fakatava’s All Blacks experience and attacking threat will be challenged by Dylan Pledger and Adam Lennox.
Pledger returns after a season-ending injury in January prevented him from featuring in the 2026 campaign, while Lennox gained starting opportunities alongside Fakatava.
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“Getting Shannon back and having Fabian available again is important as well. It adds experience and quality to the group and creates more competition for places. Halfback is another good example of that competition, Folau has played at the highest level and we know what he can bring, while Dylan and Adam are young players who are continuing to develop and push hard for opportunities.”
New prop Benet Kumeroa adds further representative experience following his move from the Chiefs. The Bay of Plenty tighthead represented the Māori All Blacks in 2025 and 2026 and was selected for the All Blacks XV’s northern tour in 2025.
Continuity remains central to the Highlanders’ plans. Casey, Pledger, Lasaqa and Muliaina are signed through 2029, while Finn Hurley, Caleb Tangitau, Lennox, Withy, Stodart, Josh Tengblad, Jack Taylor and Josh Bartlett have committed through at least 2028.
Joseph wants that depth to translate into competition throughout the squad.
“We don't want players waiting for their turn. We want them putting pressure on each other and making selection difficult for us. That's how the whole group gets better.”
The Highlanders assemble on Thursday 26 November and open their 2027 Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Fijian Drua in Fiji on Saturday 13 February.
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Highlanders squad for 2027 Super Rugby Pacific
All Blacks are shown in bold.
Props: Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Bartlett, Ethan de Groot, Benet Kumeroa, Saula Ma’u, Jack Sexton, Angus Ta’avao.
Hookers: Henry Bell, Ioane Moananu, Jack Taylor.
Locks: Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomás Lavanini, Josh Tengblad.
Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton, Lucas Casey, Shannon Frizell, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Joseva Tamani, Will Stodart, Sean Withy.
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger.
First-fives: Josh Jacomb, Mika Muliaina, Patrick Pellegrini.
Midfielders: Meihana Grindlay, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Josh Whaanga, Reesjan Pasitoa.
Outside backs: Finn Hurley, Jona Nareki, Stanley Solomon, Caleb Tangitau, Tuna Tuitama, Xavier Tito-Harris, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
