Utah flyer Michael Manson named in Highlanders squad – Americas Rugby News
photo credit: Davey Wilson / Utah Warriors
Utah will not have the services of star winger Michael Manson for the 2025 campaign. The 23-year-old flyer has been rewarded for his impressive form over the past year in Major League Rugby and New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship with a spot in the Highlanders squad for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
Manson was in sensational form in his first year with the Warriors, scoring 14 tries in just 12 games. He would start six games for Southland in the NPC, touching down three times. This will be his first Super Rugby campaign, having made his senior provincial debut with Otago in 2021.
All 11 squads for the upcoming Super Rugby season have now been unveiled. While Manson is the only player from the 2024 MLR season included, there are an additional 13 former MLR athletes spread across the competition. Moana Pasifika features the most with four on their new roster.
| 2025 TEAM | POS | PLAYER | MLR HISTORY |
| ACT Brumbies | SH | Harrison Goddard | 2021 LA Giltinis 2022 LA Giltinis |
| NSW Waratahs | HO | Mahe Vailanu | 2021 LA Giltinis |
| NSW Waratahs | LO | Ben Grant | 2022 San Diego Legion 2023 San Diego Legion |
| Queensland Reds | LH | Sef Fa’agase | 2021 New England Free Jacks |
| Queensland Reds | HO | Richie Asiata | 2020 Toronto Arrows |
| Fijian Drua | TH | Samu Tawake | 2021 Rugby New York |
| Fijian Drua | WI/FB | Tuidraki Samusamuvodre | 2021 New England Free Jacks |
| Highlanders | HO | Henry Bell | 2023 Utah Warriors |
| Highlanders | WI | Michael Manson | 2024 Utah Warriors |
| Hurricanes | LO | Will Tucker | 2022 Rugby New York |
| Moana Pasifika | HO | Sama Malolo | 2020 Utah Warriors 2021 Utah Warriors 2023 San Diego Legion |
| Moana Pasifika | LO | Michael Curry | 2020 Colorado Raptors |
| Moana Pasifika | LO | Sam Slade | 2020 Colorado Raptors |
| Moana Pasifika | LO/FL | Semisi Paea | 2023 New England Free Jacks |
