With a Ranfurly Protect win and a Tremendous Rugby contract introduced, it’s been a giant week for Otago younger gun Lucas Casey.
The flanker has been snaffled up by the Highlanders for the subsequent two Super Rugby Pacific seasons, rewarded for his sturdy NPC kind with a deal that can see him be a part of the broader coaching group in 2026 earlier than getting into the highest squad in 2027.
The membership confirmed the signing of the 22-year-old on Friday morning, simply days after a two-try efficiency in Christchurch downed a beforehand unbeaten Canterbury facet. However The Post has reported it was after simply spherical three within the NPC season that Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph moved to signal the younger prospect.
The Highlanders have a youthful unfastened ahead contingent because it stands, with TK Howdon, Veveni Lasaqa and Sean Withy the most-used beginning trio in 2025, whereas co-captain Hugh Renton and All Blacks XV utility ahead Oliver Haig spent a lot of the current season on the sidelines by means of damage.
The membership have emerged as by far probably the most lively recruiters in New Zealand since Jamie Joseph’s return from Japan, and have continued that this offseason with the acquisitions of veteran prop Angus Ta’avao, Los Pumas lock Tomás Lavanini, and New Zealand U20 flyer Stanley Solomon, who joins his Dunedin-based U20 co-stars Dylan Pledger and Josh Tengblad as new faces within the squad.
The membership has misplaced the providers of halfback Nathan Hastie, who departed for the Western Power, and utility again Sam Gilbert, who’s headed to Connacht, however they’ve additionally made a flurry of key re-signings.
All three of the membership’s All Blacks – Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, and Timoci Tavatavanawai – have been locked in on long-term contracts till not less than 2027, whereas their rising backfield stars, Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, have additionally dedicated for the lengthy haul, signing extensions by means of till 2028.
