'World class player in waiting': Riley Higgins lowdown and why Scotland rugby fans should believe the hype
Hurricanes centre trading potential All Blacks future for Edinburgh move
Edinburgh Rugby’s signing of Scottish-qualified centre Riley Higgins from Super Rugby franchise Hurricanes has rugby fans talking both here and in New Zealand.
The 23-year-old will arrive at the Hive next season following his NPC commitments with Wellington, with plenty of hype to live up to. The capital club described his capture as “one of the most significant pieces of recruitment in Edinburgh Rugby’s recent history” while head coach Sean Everitt called Higgins an “outstanding talent” who had “chosen to turn down a potential All Blacks future”.
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw, a Jedburgh native and son of Scotland legend Roy Laidlaw, added to this when he confirmed they had indeed offered the player a new deal. The Wellington club wanted Higgins to remain and provide competition in their stacked backline which currently includes 78 cap All Black star Jordie Barrett in his preferred position at inside centre.
The Jordie Barrett factor that may have played part in Higgins trading Hurricanes and All Blacks for Edinburgh and Scotland
It isn’t unfair to ask the question why a player who was seemingly destined for a bright future in Super Rugby and with the New Zealand national side would trade that for a struggling Edinburgh outfit and a Scotland team who remain without a major trophy this millennium. So, let’s try and get to the bottom of that burning question if we can.
We spoke to multiple Super Rugby commentators and content creators to try and get the lowdown on the Edinburgh bound star. It’s fair to say that everything Scottish rugby fans have been told so far to get them excited isn’t just bluster.
"I think if he plays to his potential then he can absolutely live up to the hype,” said journalist Elliot Smith - a columnist for the New Zealand Herald and Deputy Sports News Editor for Newstalk ZB. "I've been really impressed through his time in New Zealand rugby where he was earmarked early on as a potential All Black.
"I’m really surprised [he's signed for Edinburgh], he definitely seemed like the next generation of All Blacks. Would it have been before the 2027 Rugby World Cup? Hard to know but I think he had the potential.
“He's behind Jordie Barrett now, which is a blockade but there are four other New Zealand franchises who I'm sure would have been interested in having a conversation with him.
"He is really, really good at finding gaps across the park and he's a good offloader. He has played a bit at 13, and on the wing, but by in large he's best at 12. He has a lot of pace and is very good at spotting gaps.
"I think he will be in the conversation for Scotland immediately. I'm sure Gregor Townsend will be watching tape.
"Obviously you've got Huwipulotu [Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu] who are a great combination and played a lot of tests but it adds to the depth. He's a gamebreaker and could be one of the missing pieces for Scotland to start getting those kinds of results over the likes of New Zealand and South Africa in the future.”
Higgins returning from serious injury that came at pivotal point in his career progression
There remains one asterisk next to this seemingly perfect signing for both Edinburgh and Scotland. That is Higgins’ recent injury history, with the centre having suffered a broken leg last year.
It ruled the New Zealand under-20 internationalist out for a significant part of last season and with Jordie Barrett having joined Leinster for the campaign he looked set to be the first choice 12 for Hurricanes, a chance for him to take that pivotal next step.
"Staying fit has been an issue,” explained Smith. “He broke his leg last year in what had the potential to be his breakout season.
“He was in line to be Hurricanes' starting second five-eighth (inside centre), with Jordie Barrett having his loan season at Leinster, but the injury curtailed that. He's an exceptional player, he just needs to stay fit.
"From what I've heard, that injury is what spiralled into him eventually signing for Edinburgh but, if he stays fit, they've landed a really good player. Unfortunately, the broken leg came at what was probably a pivotal point in his career. Last year was going to be a big opportunity for him.”
Smith finished with perhaps the words that will get Edinburgh and Scotland fans most excited: "If he can stay fit I think he could genuinely be one of the best midfielders in the world. He's a world class player in waiting, if he can stay fit.”
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