Highlanders secure Lucas Casey on long-term deal through 2029 after breakout Super Rugby season

Lucas Casey has committed his future to the Highlanders, signing a contract extension that will keep the loose-forward in Dunedin until 2029. The 23-year-old made 11 appearances for the franchise during the 2026 Super Rugby season, having first caught the eye at provincial level with Otago across the 2024 and 2025 campaigns — 17 appearances in total.

Casey’s path to Super Rugby was anything but conventional. He entered the professional pathway through club rugby before earning his first NPC opportunity, and was initially brought into the Highlanders’ wider training group following Otago’s Ranfurly Shield victory, in which he scored twice against Canterbury at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Head coach Jamie Joseph revealed he moved quickly to secure Casey’s services early in that NPC season, sensing the player’s potential before others had taken notice. “He just never got a crack at NPC level, and it was the first year, so I kind of took a punt, but I contracted him early in the piece,” Joseph said. “I might have been third or fourth week NPC, and then by the end of the season everyone was knocking on his door.”

Joseph was effusive in his assessment of Casey’s character as much as his ability. “Smart guy, wants to be great, and he’ll do anything to get there,” the coach said. “He doesn’t lack any confidence, because he’s on a mission — and I think it’s a really good example for some of the young guys.”

Casey’s performances have drawn wider attention across the rugby community. Former Crusaders and Blues halfback Bryn Hall named him his player of the week on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod last month, citing a standout display against the Chiefs in Hamilton despite the Highlanders suffering defeat. Hall pointed to Casey’s numbers — 22 ball carries, 122 metres gained, nine tackle breaks, 16 tackles at 100 per cent completion and one turnover — as evidence of a player hitting his stride at the highest domestic level.

“If you’re talking about big stats and the way that he played, I just thought for him this week, it’s probably the best game that he’s played at Super Rugby level,” Hall said.