Highlanders back the kids as Generation Z arrives in Super Rugby workforce

Stuff

08 November 2023

Highlanders back the kids as Generation Z arrives in Super Rugby workforce

Prepare to feel old as the Highlanders usher in a new generation of players for 2024 and beyond.

The southerners announced their squad on Thursday morning, and the departures of older heads such as Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Josh Dickson has given it a distinctly youthful appearance.

Fourteen players were born in 2000s, and the youngest in the squad is hooker Jack Taylor, who won’t turn 21 until June 25, 2024.

Loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-Brown is the old man in the squad of 21 forwards and 17 backs, and he hasn’t even turned 31 yet.

The generational change is partly a sign of the times, with experienced players heading overseas, but it is also a strategic shift as the Highlanders try to build squad cohesion for the longer term.

Head coach Clarke Dermody said coaching younger players required a shift in approach.

“I think there has been a definite change in the last few years across the board,” he said.

“It's a bit different to when we were around [as players].

“The connection piece is really important. The relationship is a lot more important to when I was getting coached.

“I was coached by really good coaches, but we were just told what to do and we did it.

“There's a lot more collaboration now with younger guys. You must have to take them on a bit of a journey of why we're doing it and then get better buy-in.”

The Highlanders have been operating a high-performance programme since 2020 – effectively an academy system – and nine players from that system have already made their Highlanders debuts.

That will increase to 11 next season if new No 10 Ajay Faleafaga, 20, and flanker Hayden Michaels, 21, make their debuts in 2024.

It’s a safe bet that in coming years the majority of the Highlanders squad will be graduates of that programme.

The other players in line for Highlanders debut next season are hooker Henry Bell (the older brother of Crusaders hooker George) prop Luca Inch, lock Mitchell Dunshea (currently injured but due back in April), flanker Tom Sanders, former Wales No 10 Rhys Patchell, winger/fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, midfielder Tanielu Tele’a and winger Timoci Tavatavanawai.

The experienced Patchell, 30, will arrive in New Zealand next week and will be expected to guide young No 10s Cam Millar and Faleafaga for a season.

In total, there are 14 new Highlanders in the 2024 squad, and a core of returning players who will be critical as they guide the younger players through the harsh realities of Super Rugby.

Billy Harmon, utility Sam Gilbert, All Black Ethan de Groot, hard-nosed flanker Hugh Renton and winger Jona Nareki will need to lead by example, given the inexperienced players around them.

Dermody said the Highlanders would work hard on their leadership group over the preseason, and have not named a captain at this stage.

In addition to the new players, Kenny Lynn has been added as attack coach, while Highlanders legend Ben Smith has also joined the coaching setup on a full-time basis.