All Blacks and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland needs surgery on a dislocated shoulder and will miss the entire Super Rugby Pacific season and July All Blacks tests.
The 23-year-old was injured in last week’s Super Rugby preseason clash against Moana Pasifika in Queenstown, and will have an operationnext week.
It’s a cruel blow for the Highlanders two days out from the start of the season, when they host defending champion Crusaders.
“Fabian Holland has been ruled out of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season after dislocating his shoulder during the preseason match in Queenstown,” the Highlanders said in a statement.
”He will have surgery next week and is expected to return in time to be available for selection for the All Blacks tour in August."
Holland had an outstanding 2025 campaign, making his test debut to feature in 12 All Blacks tests and win World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
The All Blacks host France, Ireland and Italy in the inaugural Nations Championship in July before heading to South Africa for a test series against the Springboks.
The Highlanders are already without promising halfback Dylan Pleger for the season after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a training session.
