The Highlanders will kick off their 2026 preseason with a highly anticipated clash against the champion Crusaders at Fraser Park, Timaru, on Friday 30 January.

A 31‑player squad has been confirmed for the annual preseason fixture, which will be contested over four 20‑minute quarters. Loose forward Will Stodart will lead the side in the opening spell.

The match will feature the debut of Argentinian international lock Tomás Lavanini, who joins the Highlanders for the 2026 campaign. Supporters will also be eager to see the explosive Stanley Solomon in action, alongside speedsters Xavier Tito‑Harris and Caleb Tangitau [pictured], who will combine as a dynamic back three in the first quarter.

The second half will see Australian playmaker, Reesjan Pasitoa, take control in the No.10 jersey, with last season’s first‑five, Taine Robinson, shifting to fullback. Up front, former Blues and All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao will anchor the scrum, packing down alongside hooker Jack Taylor, who will captain the side in the second half.

The match will be refereed by Paul Williams and is officially sold out with a livestream available on the Crusaders Youtube channel. 

Highlanders Squad

First 40 Team

1 Josh Bartlett

2 Soane Vikena

3 Sefo Kautai

4 Tai Cribb

5 Tomas Lavanini

6 Oliver Haig

7 Lucas Casey

8 Will Stodart (C)

9 Adam Lennox 

10 Cameron Millar 

11 Xavier Tito-Harris 

12 Meihana Grindlay

13 Tanielu Tele’a

14 Caleb Tangitau

15 Stanley Solomon

Second 40 Team

1 Rohan Wingham

2 Jack Taylor (C)

3 Angus Ta’avao

4 Josh Tengblad

5 Tai Cribb

6 Te Kamaka Howden

7 Veveni Lasaqa

8 Nikora Broughton

9 Nic Shearer

10 Reesjan Pasitoa

11 Josh Whaanga

12 Tayne Harvey

13 Jonah Lowe

14 Stanley Solomon

15 Taine Robinson

16 Henry Bell 

The Crusaders have named their  37-man squad to face the Highlanders. The squad features a mixture of experience and some fresh faces who are joining the Crusaders squad for the first time for the match.  

Ethan Blackadder will captain the first half XV that will see midfielder Toby Bell feature alongside the steady head of Braydon Ennor. Fans will be excited to see Crusaders Academy product James White start in the fullback position after a stellar NPC season with Canterbury.  

Finlay Brewis will make his long-awaited return from injury to start at loosehead alongside Manumaua Letiu and Seb Calder in the front row.  

Antonio Shalfoon and Tahlor Cahill will be paired at lock while exciting newcomer Oli Mathis and Johnny Lee will bring power to the forward pack. 

Kyle Preston and Taha Kemara will start in the 9/10 combo while Wider Training Group member Kurtis MacDonald will be on the left wing, with support from Chay Fihaki on the right.  

Rivez Reihana will start the second half in the number 10 jersey and will take over the captaincy from Blackadder for the second half. 

The front row will feature two new faces to the red and black: Wider Training Group members Jack Sexton and Tomasi Maka, alongside Kershawl Sykes-Martin. 

Xavier Treacy will be paired with Jamie Hannah at lock, while loose forwards Dom Gardiner, Corey Kellow and Xavier Saifoloi will complete the forward pack.  

Louie Chapman, who is set for an exciting season after earning his first full contract will start at halfback, while dynamic back Cooper Grant will start at centre alongside Dallas McLeod. 

Explosive playmaker Maloni Kunawave will steady the ship at fullback while new faces Nic Sauira and Jae Broomfield will bring some flair on the wings.  

First 40 Team

1 Finlay Brewis

2 Manumaua Letiu

3 Seb Calder

4 Antonio Shalfoon

5 Tahlor Cahill

6 Ethan Blackadder [c]

7 Oli Mathis

8 Johnny Lee

9 Kyle Preston

10 Taha Kemara

11 Kurtis MacDonald 

12 Toby Bell

13 Braydon Ennor

14 Chay Fihaki

15 James White

Second 40 Team

1 Jack Sexton

2 Tomasi Maka

3 Kershawl Sykes-Martin

4 Jamie Hannah

5 Xavier Treacy

6 Dom Gardiner

7 Corey Kellow

8 Xavier Saifoloi

9 Louie Chapman

10 Rivez Reihana [c]

11 Nic Sauira 

12 Cooper Grant

13 Dallas McLeod

14 Jae Broomfield

15 Maloni Kunawave

Reserves: Tonga Helu, Nick Hyde, Gus Brown, Jake Frost, Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, Mitch Drummond, Isaac Murray-Macgregor