Highlanders 2025

Grooter

@frugby yep, also give a nod to Nasi manu, I've heard he's been really good at helping the out of town boys settle in Dunedin

SouthernMann

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

I think this also dispels the rumours that it is a toxic camp. Four very good players all re-signing, who could easily have left if this was the case.

Alongside Fakatava re-signing five of the key guys all saying we are in for the long-term.

They may grumble about Jake being a hard arse. But he is keeping the guys we need.

frugby

@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby yep, also give a nod to Nasi manu, I've heard he's been really good at helping the out of town boys settle in Dunedin

Very, very, very good. He still drives the team culture, all the boys love him.

Bones

Fusitua to the highlanders?

Duluth

Do people not want people to post rumours? George's hit rate isn't as good as Nogusta but it's better than plenty of others

I would rather people post what they hear

SouthernMann

@Duluth said in Highlanders 2025:

Do people not want people to post rumours? George's hit rate isn't as good as Nogusta but it's better than plenty of others

I would rather people post what they hear

Rumours are great, they are what makes this place. It is just funny when there is a sheer reluctance to accept facts that debunk the rumours. Keep the rumours coming. Just admit it is ok to be wrong.

Chris

It is good to see the Highlanders locking in their high profile players it is good for the comp.
I don’t want see a weak Highlanders team.

Duluth

@SouthernMann

Sure... he has been right about a few things and I would hate to chase him away

Bones

@Duluth said in Highlanders 2025:

Do people not want people to post rumours? George's hit rate isn't as good as Nogusta but it's better than plenty of others

I would rather people post what they hear

All well and good but it's extremely hard to believe it's not just made up bullshit - and the doubling down on it being a sure thing just makes it all the more ridiculous when more often than not it's the complete opposite.

upthelanders

So these Josh Jacomb rumours are false..? Or we still not sure?

SouthernMann

@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:

So these Josh Jacomb rumours are false..? Or we still not sure?

Movement between franchises tend not to be announced during the season.

Santa/@CtownCowboy is the one who brought it here. He got the guys confirmed today and the rough timing. He's building some good runs on the board

upthelanders

@SouthernMann I like the sounds of that!

frugby

@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:

@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:

@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:

@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:

@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?

That would make sense, if they are moving him on.

Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.

If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.

I'm with you, but equally if you are 18 and can learn from Dmac at the Chiefs, or from Barrett at the Blues, or go to the Landers and sink or swim with no senior players to learn from....

It's not like Jacomb doesn't get game time.

I think it is a tough ask to make the ABs as a backup first five though, because when the lights are truly on, McKenzie is always going to be at 10. Overthrowing the ABs 10 at SR Level is nye on impossible unless they age out, and DMac shouldn't.

As Tangitau and JRK have shown this year, if you are truly the business, you'll swim. Name me a good player who has genuinely sunk at the Highlanders in recent times? Maybe Pari Pari Parkinson?