Two players of Fijian heritage are among the five new recruits in the Highlanders squad for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Hooker Soane Vikena and flanker Veveni Lasaqa have both signed two-year contracts with the team.
Vikena, originally from Nasilai in Rewa, was a member of the Blues squad that won the Super Rugby title. He has an impressive background, having been a part of the Blues Under-20 team in 2020 and earned the title of Blues Development Player of the Year. He also represented the New Zealand U20 team from 2020-2021 and played for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues in 2021 against the Crusaders. Vikena is known for his energetic style, strong open-field running, excellent tackling, and accurate line-out throwing.
Lasaqa made his Super Rugby debut this year against the Reds. The 22-year-old played for Bay of Plenty in the NPC. Born in Lautoka, he moved to New Zealand to attend Tauranga Boys College.
The other three new players joining the Highlanders are Will Stoddart, former New Zealand sevens rugby winger Caleb Tangitau, and Josh Wahaanga.