Next Generation of Highlanders Confirmed
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The Highlanders have signalled a strong focus on the future with the signing of five of their young stars on three-year Super Rugby contracts beginning in 2024. All players are recent graduates of or currently involved with the Highlander’s John Jones Steel High Performance Programme or Highlander’s U20 team and are a credit to their provinces.
The five players signed to three-year deals beginning in 2024 include halfback Nathan Hastie (Otago), first-five Cameron Millar (Otago), centre Jake Te Hiwi (Otago) and loose forwards Oliver Haig (Otago) and Hayden Michaels (Southland).
Hastie played for the New Zealand U20s in 2021 while Millar, Te Hiwi, Haig, and Michaels were all members of this year’s New Zealand U20 side that recently won the 2022 Oceania U20 Championships in Australia.
All five players will continue their development in 2023 working with their respective provincial unions and the Highlander’s High Performance staff.