Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Felt like last night was a good step forward in many ways. A few guys certainly locked in their spots, while others raised questions about whether they should be there.
My questions are
Should we be playing our two locks for 80 minutes, and who can we chuck on our bench
Is Naeata a viable starting loosie. Should we look to either bring in Broughton or Lasaqa to the loosie trio
Is Sam Gilbert a steady hand or a liability. Could it be better to push Taine Robinson back to fullback and start Millar. Push Gilbert to the bench
Has Hastie done enough to keep the starting halfback spot
My team for the Blues clash
De Groot
Vikena (needs to improve his throwing)
Ma'u
Holland (needs to get more involved)
Dunshea
Renton
Withy
BroughtonHastie
Millar
Tangitau
Tavatavanawai
Tele'a
Manson
RobinsonTaylor
DLB/Batrlett
Kautai
Tengblad
Lasaqa
Fakatava
Gilbert
HurleyEven with the injuries we have at the moment. This is looking like the best Landers side potential wise in a long time. A lot.of young lads who need to be given time and the ability to make mistakes.
The Blues will be a bit pissed off. I still think we can go into the final 10 next week fully in the game, and a shout of winning.
This Landers side definitely seems more deadly on attack compared to previous seasons. As long as they keep parity up front they’ll be pushing for the playoffs for sure.
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Tend to agree I wouldn’t change too much - it was only the first game of the season.
Broughton starts with Renton to 6, and Millar starts for me. I thought Gilbert was okay for the first 60, but then got absolutely shagged. That aerial assault would have been difficult for any player to deal with, so I am ambivalent as to who starts.
Bench I would pretty much leave. I am fine with Naeta, but I would run a 6-2 split, so Gilbert/Robinson misses out. Either Stodart or Tengbald comes onto the bench, and I’d leave the front row. DLB looked the best he has in years!
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Tend to agree I wouldn’t change too much - it was only the first game of the season.
Broughton starts with Renton to 6, and Millar starts for me. I thought Gilbert was okay for the first 60, but then got absolutely shagged. That aerial assault would have been difficult for any player to deal with, so I am ambivalent as to who starts.
Bench I would pretty much leave. I am fine with Naeta, but I would run a 6-2 split, so Gilbert/Robinson misses out. Either Stodart or Tengbald comes onto the bench, and I’d leave the front row. DLB looked the best he has in years!
Agree on Renton to 6 and Broughton to 8. I would start Millar.
If we are going a 6/2 split, I want a halfback and either Robinson/Gilbert on the bench. Hurley would be the one to miss out you would think. Gilbert and Robinson provide that more proven cover at 10, Hurley can play it at a pinch but that’s way off super level so feel he would miss out if that’s the case.
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I think Hurley is a must have on the bench. 20 - 25 minutes of him in a roving role can be absolute dynamite. What we need from the players around him is understanding how he plays. Looking out for him running off their shoulders, and doing the same from him.
Interms of bench inpact; him, Fakatava and Lasaqa are the three guys that can change a game with 25 to go.
I'd also lean more towards Jack Taylor over Henry Bell for the same reasons.
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Agreed if Fakatava is going overseas it would make sense for Hastie to be starting this season and Fakatava to be on the bench breaking the game open.
When TUJ returns I’d slot him at 22 and Hurley at 23. With Gilbert providing 10/15 cover on the field. Jack Taylor probably gets slotted in mid season on the bench over Bell. Though I have been impressed with Bell.
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Updated injury list.
Oliver Haig (foot / 8 weeks )
Jonah Lowe (ACL / 6 weeks )
TK Howden (hamstring / 3 weeks)
Jona Nareki (ankle /4 weeks)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (neck / 8 weeksGood to see Umaga Jenson removed from the list. Unsure if development have any games coming up but wouldn’t be shocked to see him get minutes there.
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just saw this posted so another way to see who fit
I remember being very happy with fischli during the NPC so wouldnt mind seeing him get some minutes
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As I stated above I was hoping to see Umaga Jenson back out there so that’s good to see. Good to see some squad guys getting minutes too and not wrapping them in cotton wool.
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Interesting that there's no Josh Whaanga or Henry Bell in the mix. Wonder if both are carrying niggles? Interesting that Waisake Sibulu isn't in the team either. Fletcher Morgan's one that's not familar to me either. Anyone know who he is or anything about him?
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@handa457 Salabiau is back with the Chiefs, so I assume he will be in the U20s squad again.
Fletcher Morgan is a centre/outside back who plays for Thames Valley. He plays club rugby in Hamilton, and was in the Canterbury system while at Uni.
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These teams always throw around some left field selections.
I'm surprised there aren't a few more from the U20s. No Pledger, Holland Jr, Muliaina...
Fletcher Morgan is an odd pick up. Must really be stuff all outside backs around.
A-one Lolofie is an odd absentee.
Josh Augistine must still be coming back from a broken leg.
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Out of interest what’s the status of Jeremiah Asi? Feels like he was an academy player destined for bit things a couple of years back then seems to have vanished last couple of years. He still in the system?
Konrad Toleafoa and Aaron Withy are two more who seemed hyped for big things than haven’t seen much of since. Though at least Asi made NPC.
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For anyone wondering. Highlanders Dev beat Crusaders Dev 48-19
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Out of interest what’s the status of Jeremiah Asi? Feels like he was an academy player destined for bit things a couple of years back then seems to have vanished last couple of years. He still in the system?
Konrad Toleafoa and Aaron Withy are two more who seemed hyped for big things than haven’t seen much of since. Though at least Asi made NPC.
Toleafoa was the dominant player in club rugby I believe. He is just in a difficult spot, where the two players ahead of him for Otago are Lio-Willie and Stodart. I wouldn't be surprised if he buggers off after realising the opportunities are blocked at Otago.
Aaron Withy is probably behind Harry Taylor, Lucas Casey and probably Max Ratcliffe.
Then at the Highlanders add in his brother, Michaels, Lasaqa, Rutledge (down the line), and the young fella who tore it up with the Maori U18s last year. Plenty of loosie options coming through.
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Some legend has clipped together every touch by Finn Hurley from last night. What a huge workrate. Probably about six or eight really high quality touches. Defensively he is like a jack russell. Has nailed how he wants to take down the bigger lads.
Yeah he can make mistakes. We should just expect at least one clanger from him a game.
For a guy of only 21 he has certainly copped some shit since he first played top flight footy at 19. Hopefully what he can do overshadows the occasional clanger.
We will see a few changes. DLB going for a holiday. TUJ potentially coming in.
A change that caught my eye was Narata being a 20 minute player from 40 mins to 60.
Taine Robinson is a lad who has surprised me. For a guy who I had never seen much of. He is very steady at 10, and is providing just what the team needs in the role.
We are becoming a fun team to watch again. Long-range tries, and linking well. Sure beats how we have farted about in previous seasons.
