Highlanders announce duo captains
NEWS: Timoci Tavatavanawai and Hugh Renton will lead the Highlanders in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
This leadership duo will guide the team as they look to build on last season and push for success in what promises to be a competitive year.
Tavatavanawai, the Fijian-born winger with a powerful presence on the field, has become a key figure in the Highlanders’ backline since joining the team in 2024. Before that, he had two seasons with Moana Pasifika.
Known for his explosive power, and ability to break tackles and force turnovers, he has been a regular starter for the Highlanders and the Tasman Mako in recent seasons. His inclusion as co-captain reflects his growing on-field influence on the team and the respect he commands from his teammates.
Hugh Renton, now a seasoned loose forward, brings his experience, work ethic, and tactical awareness to the captaincy role. Renton, who has been with the Highlanders since 2021, is known for his drive, work rate, and hard-hitting defence. His leadership will be integral to the team’s defensive strength, making him a good fit for the role of co-captain.
It’s not the first time Head Coach Jamie Joseph has appointed a back and a forward as co-captains of the Highlanders, the championship-winning side of 2015 had Nasi Manu and Ben Smith as team leaders.
Highlanders’ Head Coach, Jamie Joseph, expressed his confidence in the leadership duo, and their ability to share the responsibility and workload of leadership, stating:
“Jim (Timoci) and Hugh embody the qualities we are looking for in our leaders – passion, commitment, and the ability to inspire others with their actions or words. They both bring unique strengths to the table, and I believe they will complement each other well as co-captains. I’m excited to see them lead the team through what promises to be an exciting season.”
Joseph added that the co-captains will be ably supported by a strong leadership group.
“Leadership is a collective thing and this team has already clearly indicated amongst themselves which direction they all want to head this season. Our leadership group will have the joint responsibility of helping Jim and Hugh uphold the standards of performance and integrity of the team on and off the field.”
Both Tavatavanawai and Renton have expressed their excitement and honour at being named co-captains.
Tavatavanawai commented, “It’s a real privilege for me to be asked to lead this team with Hugh. I am looking forward to contributing to the team’s growth and success in any way I can, and working closely with my co-captain, teammates, and the coaches.”
Renton added, “I’m very humbled to be named co-captain, and I’m excited to work with Jim and the leadership group to help the team achieve our collective goals. It’s a role I take very seriously, and I am looking forward to the responsibility of co-captaining a team that means a lot to me”.
