Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Promising Pledger likely out for the year with ACL injury
Sport Nation • January 12th, 2026 12:13 pm
Dylan Pledger | Photo: Photosport
With Super Rugby Pacific's opening match of the 2026 season a month away, the Highlanders have been dealt a major blow in the lead up to their February 13 clash with the Crusaders.
Otago halfback Dylan Pledger has been ruled out for the season after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a recent training session. The 20-year-old is now facing a rehabilitation period of around 12 months post-surgery.
Pledger has released a statement, via the Highlanders social media, to confirm the injury news.
"It’s incredibly disappointing to get a season ending injury - as I was very excited about my first full season as a professional, I guess I have learned early that part of being a professional rugby player is dealing with injury.
"My energy now will be put into rehabbing as best I can so I can come back in the best possible shape. I will be able to focus a bit more on my study too.”
Pledger is an exciting prospect not just for the Highlanders, but potentially the All Blacks, with his exciting ball-running ability dazzling fans during last year's NPC campaign.
Otago lost 36-28 in the final to Canterbury, after previously shocking their rivals 38-36 in Round 8 to gain the Ranfurly Shield for the summer, with Pledger being a key contributor alongside No. 10 Cameron Millar.
The halfback also captained the New Zealand U20s through last year's world championship where they fell short 23-15 to South Africa in the final at Italy's Stadio Mario Battaglini.
Following on from those performances, former All Black halfback Steve Devine told Sport Nation's The Rugby Run that he believed he could 'one of the greats' in the No. 9 jersey, and sees him pushing for a spot in New Zealand's 2027 Rugby World Cup squad to compete with the likes of incumbent Cam Roigard.
"He's very young but I'm seeing a player that has time, he has speed, a great pass, a great kick - he reads the game very well and has got all of the skills," Devine said.
Steve Devine believes Dylan Pledger could be one of the great halfbacks | Sport Nation Mornings
