Jamie Joseph adds eight new faces to reshape Highlanders for 2027 Super Rugby campaign

Jamie Joseph has continued his ambitious rebuild of the Highlanders with eight new signings confirmed for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, headlined by the arrivals of Shannon Frizell and playmaker Josh Jacomb in Dunedin.

The marquee additions are complemented by six further recruits across the forward and backline, while two players who spent 2026 in the wider training group — Lucas Casey and Dylan Pledger — have earned promotion to the top squad.

In the front row, former Crusaders and Waratahs hooker Ioane Moananu joins a young hooker cohort that also includes Benét Kumeroa, who moves south from the Chiefs, and Jermaine Ainsley, returning after two seasons with French club Lyon. Ainsley is currently injured and Jack Sexton has been called in as cover. Lock Josh Tengblad arrives with hopes of making his Super Rugby debut in 2027.

Fijian utility forward Joseva Tamani joins Frizell in what Joseph has assembled into one of the competition’s more formidable loose forward units. Casey transitions into the full squad after earning his place as an injury replacement for Fabian Holland during 2026.

The playmaking stocks have been comprehensively refreshed, with Jacomb joined by Patrick Pellegrini and Mika Muliaina, bringing a blend of experience and youth to the pivot positions. Former Samoa Sevens star Tuna Tuitama, previously of Moana Pasifika, is the sole new face in the wider backline.

Halfback Pledger, whose 2026 season ended before it started through injury, is expected to be among the standout rookies of the new campaign alongside the returning Holland.

“The important thing for us is we’re not starting again,” said Joseph. “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.”

Joseph highlighted the internal development that has underpinned the rebuild. “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.”

On the competition for places at halfback, he added: “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.”

Among those departing from the 2026 squad are Sosefo Kautai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tanielu Tele’a, Oliver Haig and Jonah Lowe, along with several others who will not feature in the 2027 group.