Two players of Fijian heritage are among the five new recruits in the Highlanders squad for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The players are hooker Soane Vikena and flanker Veveni Lasaqa, both of whom have signed two-year contracts.
Vikena, originally from Nasilai in Rewa, was previously part of the Blues squad that won the Super Rugby title. In 2020, he played for the Blues Under-20s and was named the Blues Development Player of the Year. He represented New Zealand U20 from 2020 to 2021 and played for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship. Vikena made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues in 2021 against the Crusaders. Known for his energy, Vikena is an excellent open-field runner, strong tackler, and accurate line-out thrower.
Lasaqa made his Super Rugby debut earlier this year against the Reds. The 22-year-old played for Bay of Plenty in the NPC. Born in Lautoka, Lasaqa moved to New Zealand to attend Tauranga Boys’ College.
The other three new recruits in the Highlanders squad are Will Stoddart, former New Zealand sevens rugby winger Caleb Tangitau, and Josh Wahaanga.