Waimumu's finest gets rare Highlanders start
“Jack has always created some impact for us, when he came on the other day, he done that well."
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Southland Stags hooker Jack Taylor will get his chance to solve the Highlanders hooking headaches when he starts against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.
Soane Vikena has been the go-to-man for the Highlanders at hooker in 2025 with the Aucklander starting in eight games to date.
However, he has struggled for consistency and paid the price for a forgettable day out at lineout time against Moana Pasifika.
Otago’s Henry Bell has also been tried in the No 2 jersey, starting in two games in 2025 with limited impact.
It’s now Taylor’s turn to try to make his statement on Friday night.
Taylor - who hails from Waimumu just out of Gore - has been handed just the one start in 2025 to date, with the majority of his involvement coming via the bench.
That one start that he has already had in 2025 was also against the Hurricanes back in March.
Prior to that, the 21-year-old had made just the one other Super Rugby appearance in the No 2 jersey against the Brumbies in 2024.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said Taylor deserved a crack as they look for some consistency at hooker.
“Jack has always created some impact for us, when he came on the other day, he done that well.
“I remember the first game of the season that he got against the Blues… he creates some energy for the forward pack and the team in big moments.
“When you have inconsistent performances, you are kind of looking for solutions in some ways.
“Soane [Vikena] has also been good for us most of the time, last game he didn’t execute at lineout time, so Jack gets a crack.”
Taylor’s inclusion at hooker means Southland will have four players in the starting forward pack against the Hurricanes on Friday night.
Ethan de Groot will start at loosehead prop as he prepares to come against his former Stags team mate, and fellow All Black, Pasilio Tosi, who will start at tighthead for the Hurricanes.
Stags lock Mitch Dunshea returns to the Highlanders starting lineup after being used from the bench in the last outing, while Stags captain Sean Withy will start in the No 8 jersey for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes.
THE TEAMS
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Lowe, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson, Folau Fakatava, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, TK Howden, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Saula Ma’u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-captain). Reserves: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor (co-captain), Riley Higgins, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields (co-captain), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Zach Gallagher, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Will Tucker, Du’Plessis, Kirifi, Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo.