Body and mind align for Squire’s return

Bruising flanker back in Highlanders and eager to scratch lingering All Blacks itch

Liam Squire is hoping for an All Blacks return as he gets set to make his Super Rugby comeback with the Highlanders. The former All Blacks loose forward has signed with the Highlanders for next year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa after returning early from Japan’s DoCoMo Red Hurricanes.

When asked whether eyeing a spot in the All Blacks was on his agenda, Squire said the dream was “definitely not over”.

“It’s something that does burn in the back of my mind,” Squire said. “But for me, I sort of don’t look too far ahead. Making the Highlanders squad is the number one priority. They’ve got a lot of depth in the loose forwards so it’s going to be exciting and challenging in that aspect.”

Squire left the Highlanders after the 2019 season, having played 33 games for the franchise in four seasons. He only played three games for them in the 2019 season due to injuries and then making himself unavailable. He also made himself unavailable for the All Blacks last year.

During an extended pandemicenforced break, the 29-year-old had knee and hip surgery to tackle his chronic injuries — which he said first triggered thoughts of returning to rugby.

“After getting that hip surgery and probably a couple of other little things, I felt like I still had a bit left here in New Zealand and staying home and playing Super Rugby again was exciting. I sort of feel refreshed again, like I’ve got my second wind,” he said.

“This year’s been quite tough but it’s also given me a chance to get all those injuries taken care of. I haven’t had the chance to get a good preseason done where I’ve focused on what I need to strengthen so I’m heading in the right direction, not 100 per cent yet but we’re definitely building so I think, come Super Rugby, I’ll be hitting my stride.

I’m heading in the right direction, not 100 per cent yet but we’re definitely building so I think, come Super Rugby, I’ll be hitting my stride. Liam Squire

“I’ve got high standards of where I want to get to.”

Meanwhile, new Highlanders coach Tony Brown has had a subtle dig at Aaron Mauger, saying the team lost their identity during his tenure.

Mauger was dumped as head coach in September after three years in charge following an internal review at the end of this year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Brown, who served as attack coach under Mauger this year, says the Dunedin franchise needs to rediscover its “identity”, something he believes they lost in the last few years.

“I just think it’s really important that we create an identity that’s [the] Highlanders,” Brown said.

“I want to take us back to that identity and make sure the players understand that, what the environment is about, play good footy and entertain the fans.”

The Highlanders haven’t managed to replicate the success under Jamie Joseph and Brown, when they took out the Super Rugby crown in 2015.

They’ve since also lost a host of experienced players like former All Blacks Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo.

There are six new faces and two returning players among the Highlanders squad. The squad features 22 forwards and 17 backs and will again be co-captained by Ash Dixon and Aaron Smith.

Exciting Japanese World Cup player Kazuki Himeno will join Squire in the loose forwards along with former Crusader Billy Harmon, while James Lentjes returns from injury after missing Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2020.

Brown and Mauger will go headto-head this weekend when the Moana Pasifika side takes on the Māori All Blacks.