Highlanders 2025
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Updated injury list.
Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks)
Tanielu Tele’a (Hamstring 1-2 weeks)
Jona Nareki (Knee 1-2 Weeks)It was 1-2 weeks for these players last week too
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@Duluth said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Updated injury list.
Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks)
Tanielu Tele’a (Hamstring 1-2 weeks)
Jona Nareki (Knee 1-2 Weeks)It was 1-2 weeks for these players last week too
So maybe they are back next week? I know Tangitau was close. Perhaps they are saving him for the ABs like they do with Blackadder
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Really interesting media stand up from JJ today. Covered a range of topics, managing young players when losing, Fakatava re-signing, recruitment were the main ones and the benefit of the NPC for the young guys.
On Tangitau. Joseph said he wasn't willing to risk him. 'He's a ferrari' if he can't stretch out he doesn't want him re-injuring himself. Was probably a bit reflective of the Hurley injury where you had a young enthusiastic player say he was ready when he clearly wasn't. Good lesson for Joseph to take on.
Young guys and losing
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re-affirmed we are the youngest side in the comp
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that the guys have to keep their chins up. Same with the coaching group. He was pragmatic that he had lost plenty of games of rugby over his career.
Fakatava re-signing
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that it is beneficial for the team, Fakatava has been around a long time.
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had spent his first few years behind Smith
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now his his time to lead young halfbacks
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that NZR made the contract worth his while. Suggests there is potential for him to make his way back into black
Recruitment
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it is harder now than when he was last working in Super Rugby
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we realistically need to get the guys young.
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the older more experienced guys are less likely to move franchises. Would rather go overseas than move around the country
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with the young lads. We still need to tell them a story about getting game time and being able to show they can be successful
Bringing players through
- that we have to be patient. Positions like halfback and wing are more suited to young lads. While patience is required for tight forwards. Talked about rolling out someone like Tengblad against Scott Barrett. Same with Wingham too.
Using the NPC
- reading between the lines sounds like he will be working to influence Otago's selections. Said he felt as if Otago wasn't interested in giving young guys game time in the past. Expects to see the likes of Tengblad and Pledger get decent footy during the NPC.
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@SouthernMann a really good and honest interview/press conference this week. Much more in depth questioning as well. This should be the standard when it comes to interviewing coaches, very insightful.
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Little tidbit in here, sounds like JRK also sticking around: https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360669787/highlanders-halfback-folau-fakatava-extends-highlanders-contract-until-2027
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From this morning's Paul Dwyer column
As predicted, Harbour lead the pack
There is still only one! Harbour remain unbeaten after despatching last year’s champs Green Island at the Lobster Emporium at Port.
Comings and goings
The word on the street is that current Highlanders, Otago and GI halfback James Arscott could be gone. He could be going from the Highlanders as Dylan Pledger (NZ Colt, Kaik) might be preferred next season. Now the word is James might be leaving Otago and playing for Auckland in the NPC. In a "left field" development, Otago could be trying to lure former Taieri Eel Bob Martin back from Aussie as a replacement – surely not. He’s been overlooked for the last five years, so what has changed? Has the world gone mad? -
@SouthernMann unsurprising that Arscott is gone. Huge question mark is if Hastie gets another season or not. Two green halfbacks next year seems like a poor choice so would be nice to see a Hastie, Fakatava combo thrive. Hastie starting game (with quicker ruck speed) and Fakatava closing them out could be dangerous.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann unsurprising that Arscott is gone. Huge question mark is if Hastie gets another season or not. Two green halfbacks next year seems like a poor choice so would be nice to see a Hastie, Fakatava combo thrive. Hastie starting game (with quicker ruck speed) and Fakatava closing them out could be dangerous.
Hastie should be there. He was initially contracted for three years. Which is set to run until the end of 2026.
Not sure what we will be doing with Lennox
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann unsurprising that Arscott is gone. Huge question mark is if Hastie gets another season or not. Two green halfbacks next year seems like a poor choice so would be nice to see a Hastie, Fakatava combo thrive. Hastie starting game (with quicker ruck speed) and Fakatava closing them out could be dangerous.
Hastie should be there. He was initially contracted for three years. Which is set to run until the end of 2026.
Not sure what we will be doing with Lennox
So I heard the halfbacks for next year were to be Fakatava, Pledger & Lennox.
However, unless Hastie is seeking a release, I'd be surprised if we straight up binned him off, and I think it would be a mistake.
If injuries fall his way, Fakatava will be back in black this year, and I reckon if he gets in, he stays in - he has been a bright spot this year. Pledger is in theory an All Black in waiting, so therefore, to me at least, sticking local with a guy like Hastie makes perfect sense, as longer-term he is more likely to be happy enough as the third halfback.
He needs to work on his ruck speed, but he is a solid squad option.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann unsurprising that Arscott is gone. Huge question mark is if Hastie gets another season or not. Two green halfbacks next year seems like a poor choice so would be nice to see a Hastie, Fakatava combo thrive. Hastie starting game (with quicker ruck speed) and Fakatava closing them out could be dangerous.
Hastie should be there. He was initially contracted for three years. Which is set to run until the end of 2026.
Not sure what we will be doing with Lennox
So I heard the halfbacks for next year were to be Fakatava, Pledger & Lennox.
However, unless Hastie is seeking a release, I'd be surprised if we straight up binned him off, and I think it would be a mistake.
If injuries fall his way, Fakatava will be back in black this year, and I reckon if he gets in, he stays in - he has been a bright spot this year. Pledger is in theory an All Black in waiting, so therefore, to me at least, sticking local with a guy like Hastie makes perfect sense, as longer-term he is more likely to be happy enough as the third halfback.
He needs to work on his ruck speed, but he is a solid squad option.
The Canes will be floating around if so, they'll be looking for someone to offset that horrible mistake in letting Preston go to the Crusaders.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Pledger
could he be a potential (mythical) future 9/10 option?
New Zealand U20s star halfback rated better than Ben Smith coming out of high school
Dylan Pledger made such an impression at King’s High School in Dunedin that Sports Director Glenn Dickson declared Pledger, “the most impressive” athlete.
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Pledger
could he be a potential (mythical) future 9/10 option?
New Zealand U20s star halfback rated better than Ben Smith coming out of high school
Dylan Pledger made such an impression at King’s High School in Dunedin that Sports Director Glenn Dickson declared Pledger, “the most impressive” athlete.
Aren't we going to be putting ourselves in a tricky position with Fakatava and Pledger? I mean Pledger looks obviously better than Fakatava in the medium term (i.e. after one super rugby season). Fakatava has stayed after chats with the ABs that he could be in the picture.
Are are we going to keep Fakatava, Pledger, and Hastie in the same team when really all three could be starting/Hastie getting significant minutes off the bench?
I would have thought that the trio of Pledger, Hastie, and Arscott is a better fit than keeping Fakatava? Would that not free up contract space to sign another player in a position we need more depth at?
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Pledger
could he be a potential (mythical) future 9/10 option?
New Zealand U20s star halfback rated better than Ben Smith coming out of high school
Dylan Pledger made such an impression at King’s High School in Dunedin that Sports Director Glenn Dickson declared Pledger, “the most impressive” athlete.
Aren't we going to be putting ourselves in a tricky position with Fakatava and Pledger? I mean Pledger looks obviously better than Fakatava in the medium term (i.e. after one super rugby season). Fakatava has stayed after chats with the ABs that he could be in the picture.
Are are we going to keep Fakatava, Pledger, and Hastie in the same team when really all three could be starting/Hastie getting significant minutes off the bench?
I would have thought that the trio of Pledger, Hastie, and Arscott is a better fit than keeping Fakatava? Would that not free up contract space to sign another player in a position we need more depth at?
How is that a tricky situation? Pledger is 19, by the time Fakatavas contract is up Pledger will be 21, maybe just turned 22.
I have no idea how you can look at this situation the way you just have and found a negative after we finally have some depth and promising talent coming through at the position. Jesus Christ man😂
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Pledger
could he be a potential (mythical) future 9/10 option?
New Zealand U20s star halfback rated better than Ben Smith coming out of high school
Dylan Pledger made such an impression at King’s High School in Dunedin that Sports Director Glenn Dickson declared Pledger, “the most impressive” athlete.
Aren't we going to be putting ourselves in a tricky position with Fakatava and Pledger? I mean Pledger looks obviously better than Fakatava in the medium term (i.e. after one super rugby season). Fakatava has stayed after chats with the ABs that he could be in the picture.
Are are we going to keep Fakatava, Pledger, and Hastie in the same team when really all three could be starting/Hastie getting significant minutes off the bench?
I would have thought that the trio of Pledger, Hastie, and Arscott is a better fit than keeping Fakatava? Would that not free up contract space to sign another player in a position we need more depth at?
How is that a tricky situation? Pledger is 19, by the time Fakatavas contract is up Pledger will be 21, maybe just turned 22 at most.
I have no idea how you can look at something the way you just have after we finally have some depth and promising talent coming through at the position 😂 Jesus Christ man.
Ffs stop overreacting. I'm not being negative. Hastie has proven to be a competent 9 and has an obvious upside. Pledger looks unbelievably good and we're lucky to have him down south. Half back is a young mans game. Do you not see my point? The one space we have up and coming talent we sign what I would assume is a max super rugby contract? If we're building for the long term and this team is expected to hit its straps in 2-3 years, one of the few players we're offering the big money to will be off contract by then? The Highlanders could do that? Or, perhaps, Hastie would have 2-3 times as many minutes by then and Pledger gets plenty of opportunities off the bench. You tell me which makes more sense?
One of the few positions where you can get away with being young and inexperienced, we sign a player that will leave in two years? At the same time we expect the young pack and backline to mature! That is fucking stupid.
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@KiwiInLondon Fakatava is the 3rd most experienced highlander in the team, he's sticking around great news in my book. Arscott is shown the door meh that's pro sport. And hypothetically Fakatava is in the top 4 halfbacks for Razor? If he was to find himself back in Black but was at Moana that would be an awful look for Jamie wouldn't it. Don't fret, Pledgers Development in the side will be similar to that of when Cortez Ratima was behind Weber etc. at the chiefs
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon Fakatava is the 3rd most experienced highlander in the team, he's sticking around great news in my book. Arscott is shown the door meh that's pro sport. And hypothetically Fakatava is in the top 4 halfbacks for Razor? If he was to find himself back in Black but was at Moana that would be an awful look for Jamie wouldn't it. Don't fret, Pledgers Development in the side will be similar to that of when Cortez Ratima was behind Weber etc. at the chiefs
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon Fakatava is the 3rd most experienced highlander in the team, he's sticking around great news in my book. Arscott is shown the door meh that's pro sport. And hypothetically Fakatava is in the top 4 halfbacks for Razor? If he was to find himself back in Black but was at Moana that would be an awful look for Jamie wouldn't it. Don't fret, Pledgers Development in the side will be similar to that of when Cortez Ratima was behind Weber etc. at the chiefs
I see what you mean and I understand the initial positive reaction. But my argument is that we don't need him. We NEED some props. We NEED 10 and 13. Surely that contract money is better used else where in a position where we have literally no depth.
Plus, Hastie and Pledger are both at Otago NPC with Millar. It just makes so much more sense.
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NZ Rugby is paying Fakatava's contract. He is a highly very competent halfback. Who has played good rugby.
We aren't losing out on money re-signing Folau.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
NZ Rugby is paying Fakatava's contract. He is a highly very competent halfback. Who has played good rugby.
We aren't losing out on money re-signing Folau.
My mistake. But I think my general points stands. I'm just not confident the dynamic between the three halfbacks will bring out the best in the two young ones.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
NZ Rugby is paying Fakatava's contract. He is a highly very competent halfback. Who has played good rugby.
We aren't losing out on money re-signing Folau.
My mistake. But I think my general points stands. I'm just not confident the dynamic between the three halfbacks will bring out the best in the two young ones.
I don't think we are in a position to knock a gift horse in the mouth of Fakatava wanting to re-sign.
We are fortunate that halfback is our only spot of depth.
The next closest would be fullback with a fully fit JRK and Hurley. Or blindside with TK and Oli.
Most other franchises would have at least a couple of spots where there are established players and one up and comer.
