February 7, 2026 • 7 mins
The Highlanders expect to know more early this week on Fabian Holland's shoulder injury suffered in Super Rugby pre-season.
Last year's World Rugby breakthrough player of the year limped off with the injury in their Waitangi Day pre-season fixture against Moana Pasifika.
Forwards coach Clarke Dermody says they're awaiting word in the next couple of days.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's complete our catchups with the New Zealand based Super
Rugby franchises. The Highlanders bottom of the table in twenty
twenty five, just three wins from their fourteen matches. One
of their high points though, victory over the Blues in
round two surely over it will go somewhere there it
is the Islands little king it out hen'll we can
Millerald kicking out and that is a famous, famous Highlands victory.
(00:36):
In thirty years of covering the I don't think I
can remember memory that cage. There you go, Paul Allison
absolutely loving it in the commentary box there at Forsyth
Bar Stadium. They won the following week as well. From memory,
the Highlanders were two from three, but then only one
further win across the rest of the season. They open
the season against the Crusaders Friday night. In fact, it's
(00:58):
the very first game of Super Rugby Pacific for twenty
twenty six. Highlanders the Crusaders in Dunedin. Highlander's assistant Code
Clark Dermody joins us Clark not too long now until
Super rugby starts and you start my host and the
Crusaders on Friday night. How are you feeling five days
out from your first game.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
I think everyone's excited. I mean, oh, week down here
the start of it anyway, and so there's going to
be a full zoo and that's always brings a lot
of excitement, and you know, first game of the season.
The boys are ready to go after a few months
of training.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
How much happier were you with your second preseason game
against Malwana on Friday compared to your first one against
the Crusaders last weekend and tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I think were ignoiled. We've probably got our preparation a
bit off in that week and leading into the Timaru game.
And then I felt like that was a big area
of change for the boys leading into that game and
allowed us to at least, you know, match physicality with
minor pacifica, which helps in any game. And then you know,
some of the stuff we're trying to achieve around I
(02:03):
guess set piece and strikes we're starting to work as well.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
What was different about your prep compared to the game
against the Crusaders. What did you do better?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
All as coaches we sort of took a bit out
of the week, so hopefully the boys were a bit
fresher going into it, so to use that Crusaders weeks
more of a preseason mindset, so they were still training
pretty hard right up to the game. That definitely affected
the start that we put out against the Crusaders, and
then definitely know it's a difference when we lightened the
load a bit last week leading into the game in Queensdolm.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
We saw Fabi and Holland come off injured against Mowana
on Friday. Can you give us any update?
Speaker 3 (02:42):
He's injured his shoulder. I don't really know the extent
of it yet. Obviously it's only Sunday at the moment,
so he's he's going to get checked out tomorrow and
you know, fingers cross, it's not as bad as what
it looked.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Is it likely he'll he'll be available for Game one?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Ah? Look, I'd love I'd love him to be obviously
huge influential player for us, but it's probably a bit
early to say.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
All right, we'll wait for an update. There no getting
away from the fact that last year was disappointing for
you as a team. Where have you placed your focus
as you look for a much improved showing in twenty
twenty six.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, I think we acknowledged we didn't get the back
into games right, So I think it's pretty well talked
about that. You know, we were losing games within seven points.
I think we were seven games we were pretty close
and even leading going into those last few minutes. So
a lot of stuff around game understanding, game awareness with
(03:38):
the leadership group understanding that when we get into those
moments is how to win or close out games.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
You open against the Crusaders as mentioned, and then the Chiefs,
last year's two Grand finalists, both in Dunedin, and we
know of that place is like the home games, particularly
at the start of the university year. Do you think
it'll give you a pretty good early gauge on where
you're at facing those two sides in your first two games.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Oh definitely. You know, in the last few years been
the teams near the top of the table, and it
would be a good chance for us to test that early.
Like like I say, we're we're I feel like we
were pretty close last year, but pretty close isn't quite
good enough. So it's a good chance to go against
you know, good teams early on.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
To see where we're at in terms of players who
you've you've brought into your squad. Angus has arrived from
the Blues house. He fitted in, Yeah, and I.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Thinkus has brought his own style. He's he's really added
to the group, not just the stuff he's doing on field.
He's been a pretty good mentor to you know, the
younger front rowers, pretty giving with his time playing well
as well, which always helps. So and then you know
the stuff that he had Dolpher fielders, probably something a
(04:52):
bit unique to him and and something that we may
be lacked and probably a bit more introverted than what
goes well.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
That's just the Southern mentality, isn't it. He'd be Yeah,
been an interesting little dynamic for him to fit into
either made Oh, I know he's done this thing.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I think the boys have really enjoyed his spin on
how he prepares for games as ability to switch off
off the field and have a laugh has been much needed.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Everyone was really looking forward to Dylan Pledge's first Super
Rugby season as well. That's been dashed by injury. How
gutting is that for you and for the player?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Oh? It was you know a huge disappointing, and it
was just a nothing thing at training as well, Like
it was just one of those probably freak unlucky things
that happens on a rugby field. It wasn't a big
contact injury. It was just, yeah, just really unlucky. And
obviously we know the talent that Dylan's got. We've seen
that for a targo and how he was influential in
(05:48):
those games. So he said surgery, He's been out of
camp for a while, just resting up and then hopefully
be back with us soon to start his rehab.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Look forward to that. Of course, the elephant in the
room of the Highlanders is that your head coach, Jamie
Joseph as a front runner for the vice Can All
Blacks job. How have you handled that situation internally?
Speaker 3 (06:11):
No business as usual. I think you should have talked
about already that we're playing, you know, two teams that
have traditionally been near the front of competitions early in
this in the season for us, So a lot of
folks have just gone on that. To be fair, not
a lot talked about what's happening above. Understand is probably
a process that everyone's going through, but we're not really
(06:33):
aware of it as staff and players. We're just we're
just cracking on doing any thing. Have you noticed it
probably the Southern way as well? Well?
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Exactly right, Yeah you did.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Have you noticed any difference in the way Jamie's been
around the group?
Speaker 3 (06:45):
No, not at all. Jamie is a pretty good poker players.
He's just doing his thing for us, you know. He
hasn't changed at all.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Love a Clark, Well, all the best for the season
opener against the Crusaders Friday night. All eyes on forsythe
bar Stadium. Look forward to catching up across the season
with you.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
No, awesome, looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Thanks very much, No, thank you very much, Clark. Clark
Dermody there, assistant coach at the Highlanders. Jamie Joseph just
going about his business. The Southern mentality down there. They
never get too hyped up about things, do they. They
just let the process play out. It will be a
fascinating little storyline, they won't it.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's complete our catchups with the New Zealand based Super
Rugby franchises. The Highlanders bottom of the table in twenty
twenty five, just three wins from their fourteen matches. One
of their high points though, victory over the Blues in
round two surely over it will go somewhere there it
is the Islands little king it out hen'll we can
Millerald kicking out and that is a famous, famous Highlands victory.
(00:36):
In thirty years of covering the I don't think I
can remember memory that cage. There you go, Paul Allison
absolutely loving it in the commentary box there at Forsyth
Bar Stadium. They won the following week as well. From memory,
the Highlanders were two from three, but then only one
further win across the rest of the season. They open
the season against the Crusaders Friday night. In fact, it's
(00:58):
the very first game of Super Rugby Pacific for twenty
twenty six. Highlanders the Crusaders in Dunedin. Highlander's assistant Code
Clark Dermody joins us Clark not too long now until
Super rugby starts and you start my host and the
Crusaders on Friday night. How are you feeling five days
out from your first game.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
I think everyone's excited. I mean, oh, week down here
the start of it anyway, and so there's going to
be a full zoo and that's always brings a lot
of excitement, and you know, first game of the season.
The boys are ready to go after a few months
of training.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
How much happier were you with your second preseason game
against Malwana on Friday compared to your first one against
the Crusaders last weekend and tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I think were ignoiled. We've probably got our preparation a
bit off in that week and leading into the Timaru game.
And then I felt like that was a big area
of change for the boys leading into that game and
allowed us to at least, you know, match physicality with
minor pacifica, which helps in any game. And then you know,
some of the stuff we're trying to achieve around I
(02:03):
guess set piece and strikes we're starting to work as well.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
What was different about your prep compared to the game
against the Crusaders. What did you do better?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
All as coaches we sort of took a bit out
of the week, so hopefully the boys were a bit
fresher going into it, so to use that Crusaders weeks
more of a preseason mindset, so they were still training
pretty hard right up to the game. That definitely affected
the start that we put out against the Crusaders, and
then definitely know it's a difference when we lightened the
load a bit last week leading into the game in Queensdolm.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
We saw Fabi and Holland come off injured against Mowana
on Friday. Can you give us any update?
Speaker 3 (02:42):
He's injured his shoulder. I don't really know the extent
of it yet. Obviously it's only Sunday at the moment,
so he's he's going to get checked out tomorrow and
you know, fingers cross, it's not as bad as what
it looked.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Is it likely he'll he'll be available for Game one?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Ah? Look, I'd love I'd love him to be obviously
huge influential player for us, but it's probably a bit
early to say.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
All right, we'll wait for an update. There no getting
away from the fact that last year was disappointing for
you as a team. Where have you placed your focus
as you look for a much improved showing in twenty
twenty six.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, I think we acknowledged we didn't get the back
into games right, So I think it's pretty well talked
about that. You know, we were losing games within seven points.
I think we were seven games we were pretty close
and even leading going into those last few minutes. So
a lot of stuff around game understanding, game awareness with
(03:38):
the leadership group understanding that when we get into those
moments is how to win or close out games.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
You open against the Crusaders as mentioned, and then the Chiefs,
last year's two Grand finalists, both in Dunedin, and we
know of that place is like the home games, particularly
at the start of the university year. Do you think
it'll give you a pretty good early gauge on where
you're at facing those two sides in your first two games.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Oh definitely. You know, in the last few years been
the teams near the top of the table, and it
would be a good chance for us to test that early.
Like like I say, we're we're I feel like we
were pretty close last year, but pretty close isn't quite
good enough. So it's a good chance to go against
you know, good teams early on.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
To see where we're at in terms of players who
you've you've brought into your squad. Angus has arrived from
the Blues house. He fitted in, Yeah, and I.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Thinkus has brought his own style. He's he's really added
to the group, not just the stuff he's doing on field.
He's been a pretty good mentor to you know, the
younger front rowers, pretty giving with his time playing well
as well, which always helps. So and then you know
the stuff that he had Dolpher fielders, probably something a
(04:52):
bit unique to him and and something that we may
be lacked and probably a bit more introverted than what
goes well.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
That's just the Southern mentality, isn't it. He'd be Yeah,
been an interesting little dynamic for him to fit into
either made Oh, I know he's done this thing.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I think the boys have really enjoyed his spin on
how he prepares for games as ability to switch off
off the field and have a laugh has been much needed.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Everyone was really looking forward to Dylan Pledge's first Super
Rugby season as well. That's been dashed by injury. How
gutting is that for you and for the player?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Oh? It was you know a huge disappointing, and it
was just a nothing thing at training as well, Like
it was just one of those probably freak unlucky things
that happens on a rugby field. It wasn't a big
contact injury. It was just, yeah, just really unlucky. And
obviously we know the talent that Dylan's got. We've seen
that for a targo and how he was influential in
(05:48):
those games. So he said surgery, He's been out of
camp for a while, just resting up and then hopefully
be back with us soon to start his rehab.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Look forward to that. Of course, the elephant in the
room of the Highlanders is that your head coach, Jamie
Joseph as a front runner for the vice Can All
Blacks job. How have you handled that situation internally?
Speaker 3 (06:11):
No business as usual. I think you should have talked
about already that we're playing, you know, two teams that
have traditionally been near the front of competitions early in
this in the season for us, So a lot of
folks have just gone on that. To be fair, not
a lot talked about what's happening above. Understand is probably
a process that everyone's going through, but we're not really
(06:33):
aware of it as staff and players. We're just we're
just cracking on doing any thing. Have you noticed it
probably the Southern way as well? Well?
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Exactly right, Yeah you did.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Have you noticed any difference in the way Jamie's been
around the group?
Speaker 3 (06:45):
No, not at all. Jamie is a pretty good poker players.
He's just doing his thing for us, you know. He
hasn't changed at all.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Love a Clark, Well, all the best for the season
opener against the Crusaders Friday night. All eyes on forsythe
bar Stadium. Look forward to catching up across the season
with you.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
No, awesome, looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Thanks very much, No, thank you very much, Clark. Clark
Dermody there, assistant coach at the Highlanders. Jamie Joseph just
going about his business. The Southern mentality down there. They
never get too hyped up about things, do they. They
just let the process play out. It will be a
fascinating little storyline, they won't it.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.