The Highlanders have added another youthful face to their squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Will Stodart, 20, has been promoted from the wider training group to a full contract as locks Mitch Dunshea and Will Tucker make their way back from injuries.
Dunshea and Tucker are expected to play some part in the campaign, but are currently rehabbing long-term injuries and won’t be available for the start of the season in February.
The Highlanders have also identified young prop Moana Takataka, lock Reuben Palmer, hooker A-One Lolofie and midfielder Josh Whaanga as future Super Rugby players, with all four earning national development contracts (NDCs), Otago prop Rohan Wingham and Southland halfback Connor McLeod have been confirmed as wider training group members for the 2024 season.
Southland product Stodart played for the New Zealand under-20s and Otago this year, and his elevation is no surprise.
He was already scheduled to join the Highlanders full-time from 2025 onwards, but the injuries to Dunshea and Tucker have opened the door one year ahead of schedule.
At 195cm and 115kg, Stodart has natural size, and the Highlanders regard him as being well advanced in understanding key elements of his game such as body position in contact.
Although he played lock for the New Zealand under-20s, he is more of a natural loose forward and could develop into a Luke Whitelock-style defensive rock at the back of the scrum.
