Highlanders 2025
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@Smudge said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon do you mind elaborating on his shortcomings?
It’s a bit hard (outside looking in) to understand how a bloke who dominated NPC, was 21 and in a position we critically needed was overlooked. Especially with how he’s kicked on.
Obviously factors I’m probably not seeing. But interested to hear more.
The criticism was that he is too short to be a top level 8, is one dimensional, a poor trainer and doesn't get involved enough. Several of those criticisms have been disproven this year
Sav has had a crack about the Highlanders' snubbing of Semesi, with those famous maroon-and-gold tinted glasses on.
Five Highlanders questions worth pondering
Have the Highlanders gone backward in 2025? And did the Highlanders have a recruitment shocker? Some Highlanders questions that are worth pondering.
The inability to snap up 21-year-old No 8 Semisi Tupou Taeiloa, when he was right under the noses of the Highlanders decision-makers, is a shocker.
There are sure to be some red faces whenever the name Semisi Tupou Taeiloa gets a mention at the moment.
Tupou Taeiloa was one of the Southland Stags’ best in 2024, and Stags coach Matt Saunders urged the Highlanders to include him in their mix.
The strong ball-carrying No 8 is the sort of player the Highlanders need right now, but on top of that, at 21, he would have provided a long-term Nasi Manu-type option for the Highlanders.
Even a wider contract would have been enough to lock him in when the Highlanders had their chance, but instead it was the sound of crickets from Highlanders HQ.
They showed no interest in the powerhouse loose forward.
Saunders and Rugby Southland then turned their focus to Moana Pasifika to try to find Tupou Taeiloa another Super Rugby opportunity.
It was initially just a short-term training opportunity, but the Moana Pasifika decision makers quickly loved what they saw.
The Southland Stag hasn’t just remained in the Moana Pasifika setup beyond the preseason but has turned out to be one of their best players to date.
Unfortunately for those at the Highlanders, the horse - or should we say the Stag - has now bolted. The Tribune understands Moana Pasifika has locked in Tupou Taeiloa long-term.
He awas also over looked by the NZ u20s and every other NPC team at the time. Wasn’t just the Highlanders that made that judgement. He’s obviously got better but hardly the recruiting mistake of the century
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Sometimes a guy like that, who was told by everyone as a teen that he was shit hot, suddenly not being seen as shit hot can be the boot up the arse he needed.
There was also the special rugby player dispensation for a drink driving incident as well.
He went from being viral through a high school try, to then being passed over by everyone that mattered locally, plus standing in front of a judge for being an idiot.
He's not yet 22 either. Has plenty of time to get better and better.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Sometimes a guy like that, who was told by everyone as a teen that he was shit hot, suddenly not being seen as shit hot can be the boot up the arse he needed.
There was also the special rugby play dispensation for a drink driving incident as well.
He went from being viral through a high school try, to then being passed over by everyone that mattered locally, plus standing in front of a judge for being an idiot.
He's not yet 22 either. Has plenty of time to get better and better.
Completely agree and will always want to see an OBHS boy do well. A few seasons in a team like Moana might do him the world of good
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And we are judging him off his performances for MP.
If we had picked him up either instead of Naeata, or in a WTG spot. He probably wouldn't have got the opportunities he has on the North Shore.
He would have been stuck behind a battling Renton and Broughton. We wouldn't have known he was well capable of running around at this level. The move was best for him as a player.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
R.E Overseas signing, the indication I had it was more likely a Patchell than a Sopoaga... I am at the point now, where particularly at first five I'll take a quality operator.
Burns and Patchell would walk into this current team with the current form of our 10s, and I just want to win rugby games. We have signed a catalogue of 10s since Sopoaga, and none of them have bettered him. Josh Ioane had his moments but blotted things off the field. I'd say Patchell and Burns, had it not been for injuries at the wrong time, would easily have been 3rd and 4th on that list.
Who ever it is, they need to be around for 2 - 3 seasons. Especially if Millar is seen as primarily a back up 10. That means the mystery player is there to hold the role until Muliaina is old enough.
I don't think they will be planning for Muliaina... if Muliaina turns into something then awesome, but he likely won't come into his own for at least 4-5 years.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
R.E Overseas signing, the indication I had it was more likely a Patchell than a Sopoaga... I am at the point now, where particularly at first five I'll take a quality operator.
Burns and Patchell would walk into this current team with the current form of our 10s, and I just want to win rugby games. We have signed a catalogue of 10s since Sopoaga, and none of them have bettered him. Josh Ioane had his moments but blotted things off the field. I'd say Patchell and Burns, had it not been for injuries at the wrong time, would easily have been 3rd and 4th on that list.
Who ever it is, they need to be around for 2 - 3 seasons. Especially if Millar is seen as primarily a back up 10. That means the mystery player is there to hold the role until Muliaina is old enough.
I don't think they will be planning for Muliaina... if Muliaina turns into something then awesome, but he likely won't come into his own for at least 4-5 years.
They have to be planning for him to be something. With a probably two and four year approach with the kid. We don't have any choice. Sadly our long-term planning has been poor and it is what got us into this trouble in the first place.
If Millar and Robinson aren't seen as long-term options starting options that you build a team around. You bring in a mid-term guy to fill the gap. Until your local guy is ready.
There has been articles going back a couple of years where they openly talk about Mika as a long-term option.
"Jury indicated that Muliaina and Taylor (Jimmy) are being viewed as ‘tier one’ prospects but still have a few years of school ahead before the Highlanders come knocking."
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Folau Fakatava extending his contract and staying with the Highlanders for 2026 and 2027 seasons.
That's good news. He's still an exciting prospect for me, has the potential to be a damaging runner and creator off the bench for the ABs.
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Updated injury list.
Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks)
Tanielu Tele’a (Hamstring 1-2 weeks)
Jona Nareki (Knee 1-2 Weeks)
Sosefo Kautai (Neck 1-2 weeks)
Nikora Broughton (Knee MCL 4-6 weeks), Finn Hurley (Quad – Season End)
Hayden Michaels (Hamstring – Season End), Ajay Faleafaga (Broken hand – Season End), James Arscott (Shoulder – TBC) -
Tangitau using the Blackadder method to gain selection. Smart guy.
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@Crazy-Horse who's seen him ?
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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?
