Mitchell Dunshea

A hard-edged forward who has built his reputation on physical confrontation, Mitchell Dunshea brings second-row size and abrasive loose-forward energy to the Highlanders' pack. Born on 18 November 1995, the New Zealander came through the Crusaders system before moving south, where his lineout work and presence at the breakdown have given the Highlanders additional ballast up front. Dunshea is at his most effective in the tight exchanges, clearing rucks, contesting restarts and adding weight to the maul, and he is regularly among the busiest defenders in his side. Comfortable across the engine room and the back row, he offers the kind of selection flexibility coaches value, covering lock and blindside flanker depending on the balance of the matchday squad. His value lies less in flashy moments than in the unglamorous graft that underpins a competitive forward unit: the tackles, the cleanouts and the set-piece detail. As he continues his Super Rugby Pacific career in the deep south, Dunshea remains a dependable, no-nonsense operator whose work rate and physical edge make him a useful presence whenever he is called upon.