<\/p>\n
\nDylan Pledger scores for Otago.
\nPhoto: ActionPress\n<\/p>\n
In a brutal pre-season blow, one of the country’s most promising young players has been ruled out of rugby for the entire year.<\/p>\n
Highlanders halfback Dylan Pledger will spend 12 months on the sideline after rupturing his ACL at training.<\/p>\n
It is a cruel setback for the 20-year-old who had an outstanding 2025 in which he led Otago on a golden run to the NPC final and was set to make his Super Rugby debut.<\/p>\n
He also starred in the New Zealand Under 20 Rugby Championship win in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The Highlanders posted the news on its social media accounts and wrote that<\/p>\n
“Pledger is naturally disappointed but philosophical.”<\/p>\n
The schoolboy star said the injury was incredibly disappointing.<\/p>\n
“I was very excited about my first full season as a professional, I guess I have learned early that part of being a professional rugby player is dealing with injury.”<\/p>\n
Pledger was likely to share the number nine jersey with two test All Black Folau Fakatava, with the mercurial Magpie now set to shoulder halfback duties for the Highlanders.<\/p>\n
“My energy now will be put into rehabbing as best I can so I can come back in the best possible shape. I will be able to focus a bit more on my study too.”<\/p>\n