Stags speedster tipped to be named in Highlanders squad
Even after missing the first half of the NPC season through injury, Michael Manson had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack. So much so he appears to be Highlanders bound.
Stags speedster Michael Manson is set to be named in the Highlanders’ 2025 squad when the Super Rugby rosters are revealed on Tuesday.
The Southland wing is one of the quickest going around New Zealand rugby which appears to have piqued the interest of Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.
It’s understood the 23-year-old was initially offered a wider training contract. He was juggling that opportunity with the prospect of returning to the United States to play for Utah in the Major Rugby League competition.
However, The Tribune understands Joseph has since made the move to offer Manson a fulltime contract for the 2025 campaign.
Manson will join the likes of fellow Stags Jack Taylor, Mitchell Dunshea, Sean Withy, and Hayden Michaels in the Highlanders’ 2025 squad to be announced on Tuesday.
It’s also understood Southland prop Jack Sexton will be part of the Highlanders in a part-time wider squad capacity following his strong NPC campaign with the Stags.
On top of that, No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa is also in Auckland where he is spending time training with Moana Pasifika in the lead up to the Super Rugby season. It’s a move sparked by Rugby Southland in a quest to help with his progression.
It’s another step forward for Rugby Southland in the attempt to get more players involved in Super Rugby setups to aid their development.
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Manson’s Highlanders callup is particularly encouraging.
Even after missing the first half of the 2024 NPC season through injury, Manson still had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack.
The winger was born in Invercargill but shifted north to Dunedin where he attended Otago Boys’ High School. He carved out an impressive schoolboy sporting record as both a sprinter and rugby player.
In Year 13 his athletics made way for rugby as far as his sporting focus.
He played for New Zealand Secondary Schools and pushed on to play for the Highlanders Under-20s team.
It was in 2020, while he was at the national under-20s tournament, when things for Manson started to get serious on the rugby front.
He got a text from then Southland Stags coach Dale MacLeod saying they were after a winger. The same day Otago also offered him a fulltime NPC contract.
Manson decided to stay with Otago. He got some opportunities that year with Otago but was largely in a queue behind a group of other outside backs.
The following season Southland was back in touch with another approach. This time Manson said yes and has since played 18 games for the Stags and has scored 12 tries.
He is now in line for some potential Super Rugby game time with the Highlanders in 2025.
All of the 2025 Super Rugby squads will be named on Tuesday.
Well deserved