Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann completely agree.
Our recruitment has been substantially better than previous years. There's only a handful of guys I have question marks over (Michaels, Wingham, DLB, Naeeta, Arscott and as others have said potentially Te Hiwi. and Falefaga.)
Not only that but this is the first year in five or six where more than two or three of our players are realistically in the All Blacks Frame.
Fakatava, Haig and Jacob Kneepkins are all injured but with a good season could be all blacks.
Personally I think the third halfback spot in the All Blacks is a three way race betwene Hastie, Preston and Hotham at the moment. While I think Ma'au will see a black jersey this season.
Tangitau, De Groot, Holland and Big Jim all stand very decent chances of winning a black Jersey. TK Howden, Venevui Lasaqua and Soanne Vikenna are all exciting guys with huge upsides.
While Jack Taylor, Cam Millar, Josh Tengblad, Dylan Pledger Josh Whaanga, Will Stodart and Finn Hurley are all players that Razor will be tracking with an eye towards post 2027.
I don't think it's unrealistic that in a season or two this side will have 6 - 7 All Blacks in it and the stability the comes with it to start winning titles.
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@Bones I reiterate my point that there's literally no other 120kg plus tight-head in the All Blacks frame in NZ. Psalio Tosi isn't getting game time, and Tevita Mafelio probably isn't going to get capped at his age.
We know that All Blacks don't pick under 120kg tightheads or props in general any more. So it's hard not to see him getting a black jersey.
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
My understanding that Caleb will be back at Blues next season,,
it was reported he had signed 2 year deal 25-26
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@george33 Considering he is on a two year deal I'd be very surprised:
HIGHLANDERS CONFIRM FIVE PLAYERS FOR 2025 | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
The Highlanders continue to build for the future with the confirmed signings of five talented young players. Adding to the home-grown talents of Will Stodart and Josh Whaanga, joining the Highlanders in 2025 will be two more New Zealand Under 20s representatives in Caleb Tangitau and Soana Vikena...
And failing that, he is finally getting a run of games, so why an earth would he go back to compete with Mark Tele'a and Caleb Clarke.
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another @george33 post bookmarked to look back on and chuckle one day
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@Kiwiwomble contracts obviously, he won't be a Highlander next season,
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble contracts obviously, he won't be a Highlander next season,
I don't doubt the Blues might want him back, and there may well be negotiations, but there is absolutely zero chance in the space of seven weeks, when he was somewhat of an unknown coming into the season, the Blues have already agreed terms, and the Highlanders have agreed to end his contract early.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
another @george33 post bookmarked to look back on and chuckle one day
It reminds me of when you used to have a big night at the club and you'd end up talking to that old fella who's watched every game and has all sorts of conspiracy theories about NZ rugby.
That guy is George's sauce.
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble contracts obviously, he won't be a Highlander next season,
so the contract magically changed and someone looked at it and was all "damn!....its changed....we'd love to keep you but the contract has changed so you have to leave next year"
youre either being deliberately obtuse or a bit slow
the contract changing is a result of something else which i believe is obvious what i was actually asking? have the blues bought out his contract? has he got family issues and asked for compassionate release? does he hate it down here and threw his toys?
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby do u no Caleb, ?, I do since he played for Grammer as a 17 year old, good chance down there , but he will head home.
*know
