HIGHLANDERS NAME OTAGO NPC STANDOUT IN WIDER TRAINING GROUP

The Highlanders have named a ten-player Wider Training Group with one still to be added for the 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, bringing together emerging provincial talent, players with strong southern connections and others with previous professional rugby experience.

The group provides additional depth across the squad and gives players the opportunity to train and develop within the Highlanders environment while pushing for higher honours.

Three members of the group come directly from well-performed Otago NPC team.

One of the standout local selections is outside back Sam Nemec-Vial (pronounced neh-mitts), who earns his opportunity after an outstanding NPC season for Otago. His performances have earned him the chance to step into the Highlanders environment and continue his development at Super Rugby level. Another local standout, prop Ben Lopas, returns for a second year after being part of the Highlanders Wider Training Group in 2026.

They are joined by experienced Otago halfback Kieran McLea. The 28-year-old has followed a varied pathway through North Otago, Mid Canterbury and Otago and has also spent time with Major League Rugby's New England Free Jacks.

There is also significant experience among the players joining the Highlanders from outside the region.

Twenty-two-year-old Australian born Austin Anderson comes south from Waikato after debuting for Waikato in 2023 and with the Brumbies in 2024. The midfielder was also included in the Junior Wallabies wider training squad in 2023.

Waikato hooker Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, 26, adds professional and international experience. Boyle-Tiatia has represented Waikato since 2024 and has also been involved with Gloucester Rugby and Samoa.

Tasman utility back Nic Sauira, 23, provides versatility across the backline. A former Nelson College student, Sauira made his Tasman debut against Bay of Plenty in 2024 and can cover centre, wing and fullback. He featured regularly for Tasman during the 2026 NPC campaign.

Twenty-two-year-old lock Reuben Allen joins from Manawatū following his 2026 NPC campaign with the Turbos. The 197cm lock previously represented Whanganui before progressing to Manawatū.

Prop Solomone Tukuafu is already familiar with the Highlanders environment, having made his debut for the club in 2024 before heading overseas to Biarritz. His return provides further depth to the Highlanders front-row stocks.

Senita Lauaki returns for a second season in the Highlanders Wider Training Group after being part of the programme in 2026. The Waikato representative already has familiarity with the Highlanders environment and will look to build on that experience as he continues his development and pushes for opportunities within the wider squad.

Rounding out the group is promising Canterbury loose forward Phoenix Abbott, who returns south with strong links to the region. Abbott attended John McGlashan College before moving to Lincoln University and made his Canterbury debut this season, playing four games.

Highlanders Assistant Coach Ben Smith said the Wider Training Group would play an important role in developing the depth and competition required over a Super Rugby season.

“You need genuine depth to be competitive throughout a Super Rugby season and these players have the opportunity to come into our environment and show what they can do.

“There is a good mix in this group. We've got some young players who have performed well at provincial level, some strong connections to our region and players who have already experienced professional rugby.

“The important thing is that they're not just here to make up numbers. They'll train alongside our squad, compete with them and they'll have the opportunity to put pressure on the players ahead of them. The message is pretty simple: come in, work hard and improve. If you're good enough and you're performing, opportunities will come.”

N.B. The Highlanders have one additional player to be added to the Wider Training Group.

ENDS