Highlanders 2025
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Good to see Fakatava removed from the injury list. Hopefully he gets some minutes in club footy this weekend and is back in the 23 for the Drua next week.
Jonah Lowe also removed from the list.
Injury update:
Oliver Haig (Foot / 1-2 weeks )
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 1-2 weeks)
Finn Hurley (Quad / TBC)
Nikora Broughton (Rib Injury/ 1-2 weeks)
Hugh Renton (Groin /1-2 weeks)I guess the reverse of this is that he is fit, but wasn’t deemed important enough to be flown to Australia… JRK listed as injured, but he is down to play club rugby this weekend, Haig may be the same (though suspect he is pushing it)
I’d wager Fakatava was fit last week too, I think there is more to this.
On Fakatava
I'd say there are three halfbacks locked in for next year and they are Hastie, Lennox and Pledger. Or even Lennox isn't quite over the line yet, and they getting him gametime. Either way, they don't see the massive value add of rushing Fakatava back in..
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Any player coming off a hamstring tear isn’t something you rush back. Hastie has been doing well and they obviously feel comfortable enough with Lennox.
Giving Fakatava that extra week is fine, if ready he will play 40mins of club footy and be back in the mix next week. Why fly him all the way over to Perth when he isn’t 100% ready for a super rugby level game…
I don’t think there’s more to it at all.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Any player coming off a hamstring tear isn’t something you rush back. Hastie has been doing well and they obviously feel comfortable enough with Lennox.
Giving Fakatava that extra week is fine, if ready he will play 40mins of club footy and be back in the mix next week. Why fly him all the way over to Perth when he isn’t 100% ready for a super rugby level game…
I don’t think there’s more to it at all.
My point is, I heard he was esentially fit the week of the Hurricanes game (trained all week), then was pulled last minute. He then trained all week the week of the Reds game (can be seen in the photos), he then didn't travel, and is now fit... that injury list relates to readiness for Super Rugby, because as I say, JRK (Last I heard) is down to play club rugby this week, and has been for a few weeks.
I think this is purely a case, where Lennox is being preferred...
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
that injury list relates to readiness for Super Rugby, because as I say, JRK (Last I heard) is down to play club rugby this week, and has been for a few weeks.I think this is purely a case, where Lennox is being preferred...
If that’s the case then all you need to do is refer to last weeks injury report the Highlanders put out…
‘Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)’
So if the report is super rugby readiness as you say, then he was going to be ready for super this week or next. Why fly someone and push the return when you also have to fly them 10+ hours? Its all pretty straight forward, no need to look deeper into something that really isn’t there just for the sake of it imo.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
that injury list relates to readiness for Super Rugby, because as I say, JRK (Last I heard) is down to play club rugby this week, and has been for a few weeks.I think this is purely a case, where Lennox is being preferred...
If that’s the case then all you need to do is refer to last weeks injury report the Highlanders put out…
‘Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)’
So if the report is super rugby readiness as you say, then he was going to be ready for super this week or next. Why fly someone and push the return when you also have to fly them 10+ hours? Its all pretty straight forward, no need to look deeper into something that really isn’t there just for the sake of it imo.
If they were happy with him they would have flown him over because this is effectively a must win game. The fact that he hasn't been flown over to me, tells you how they are seeing things at the moment... and his last game? One of his best for the Highlanders against the Blues. If he was fit, and they were happy with him, why wouldn't you fly him over? I like Lennox, but he has 15 minutes of Super Rugby experience. On ability, I'd be surprised if they don't think Fakatava was better.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
If they were happy with him they would have flown him over because this is effectively a must win game. The fact that he hasn't been flown over to me, tells you how they are seeing things at the moment... and his last game? One of his best for the Highlanders against the Blues. If he was fit, and they were happy with him, why wouldn't you fly him over? I like Lennox, but he has 15 minutes of Super Rugby experience. On ability, I'd be surprised if they don't think Fakatava was better.
Well they obviously aren’t happy with how the fitness is post hamstring injury. It isn’t rocket science? Because as you stated - that injury list relates to readiness for Super Rugby. Last week he was 1-2 weeks away. I would expect to see him next week, if not, then it could be a cause for concern.
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A bizarre update on this one… Fakatava retweaked his hamstring at the start of last week, but was passed fit yesterday to get a run in club rugby this weekend, but wasn’t considered fit for the Highlanders. I’m not sure why they have not listed him as injured… the interesting anecdote, is that Dunedin have the bye, but they want him to play for another club like Dunshea did last year.
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Not the news we wanted to hear. Hopefully he’s back fully fit for Otago in the NPC.
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god fucking damn it....mother fucking fluffybunny fuck
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Gutted for Hurley.
As @frugby said. He gave it a good nudge. Highly likely he shouldn't have played when he did against the Reds.
Kid is full of beans. Here is hoping he is back to tear up the NPC
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:
JRK has timed his return just in time then, playing for Taieri this weekend and all going well could feature against the Drua
And looks like Fakatava is probably playing for AU. Their regular halfback is named on the wing, and halfback is empty on the team list.
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Hurley was definitely rushed back too early...the lads were a bit miffed w JJs comments around Hurleys injury insinuating it was his (Hurley) decision to play against the Reds.
They're getting the same vibe with JRK in that there's a little bit of 'unspoken' pressure for him to get back on the grass. -
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:
JRK has timed his return just in time then, playing for Taieri this weekend and all going well could feature against the Drua
JRK has been aiming for this game for six weeks… he was a Smokey for this week but was told to wait for the Drua game.
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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2025:
Hurley was definitely rushed back too early...the lads were a bit miffed w JJs comments around Hurleys injury insinuating it was his (Hurley) decision to play against the Reds.
They're getting the same vibe with JRK in that there's a little bit of 'unspoken' pressure for him to get back on the grass.Classic JJ.
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Highlanders offered Tanigtau a starting jersey to get him to sign with the Highlanders. He's definitely repaying the faith.
The simple Highlanders offer Caleb Tangitau couldn't refuse
Caleb Tangitau is making quite a name for himself with the Highlanders in 2025. The prized recruit was lured south by opportunity.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
Highlanders offered Tanigtau a starting jersey to get him to sign with the Highlanders. He's definitely repaying the faith.
The simple Highlanders offer Caleb Tangitau couldn't refuse
Caleb Tangitau is making quite a name for himself with the Highlanders in 2025. The prized recruit was lured south by opportunity.
Offering him a starting spot and Manson a guaranteed bench spot. Our negotiators are on to something!
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
Highlanders offered Tanigtau a starting jersey to get him to sign with the Highlanders. He's definitely repaying the faith.
The simple Highlanders offer Caleb Tangitau couldn't refuse
Caleb Tangitau is making quite a name for himself with the Highlanders in 2025. The prized recruit was lured south by opportunity.
Offering him a starting spot and Manson a guaranteed bench spot. Our negotiators are on to something
Except Manson didn't last long.
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whats was everyone elses thoughts on Mason? i was happy enough with his attacking intent, maybe i missed somehting
