Highlanders 2025
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Not sure how you think I've underestimated Jamie Joseph from my comment?
A huge talent for me is someone like Lakai or Holland or Roigard. There's only a handful of guys across the country with that level of talent who are 23 or under.
All those players mentioned are good talents and Super level but they're all relatively unproven at Super level.
None of them have had dominant seasons at Super level like Lakai, Roigard or Holland.
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I think it is semantics discussing what label to put on players such as 'huge talent', or whichever superlative or adjective we want to tag to them. What has been clear is the club is taking a long-term focus to its playing roster. For the most part the recent year on year changes are seeing players with higher ceilings coming in. These players are likely to have longer careers with the club and provide more continuity as well. Some of the guys we have contracted in the past have been nothing short of band-aid solutions of varying quality.
Contracting players at 20 is always going to be hit and miss, and some may not live up to expectations. Saula Ma’u is heading into his fourth year with the squad next year and is now at the point where he is seen as a quality prop. Haig and Holland stepped up straight away. Jack Taylor is coming along at the rate you'd probably expect. Cam Millar is exceeding expectations. Some of the lads are probably not progressing at the pace some would have hoped. Next year will be an interesting one for the likes of Faleafaga, Te Hiwi and Michaels for growth.What we do know from the last decade is that what was occurring in the player development/recruitment area did not work.
Comparing the fate of the team to Otago's performance is interesting. I'd only select six Otago players in the top XV, with up to another three or four on the bench.The other four franchises have stronger player bases, more kids to choose from and the ability to keep the quality with their regions. The Highlanders need to be tactical about who they chase from outside of region. They are getting some wins. The likes of Josh Tengblad, Tayne Harvey and Josh Augistine will be interesting to watch. What we can't afford to do is lose players like George Bell. The Crusaders don't let players of his quality bugger off to other teams.
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Do we have any update on Wider training group members for this season?
- Harry Taylor, Faletoni Peni, Michael Mason and Semesi T have all been fantastic in NPC. I’d love to see them in and around the squad this year.
Also does Hayden Michael’s actually have a contract for next season? I know he’s on a three year deal. But All rugby lists him as leaving the side. Anyone got the scoop?
Do we have injury update on Gilbert, Jacob Kneepkins, Nareki, Lowe plus those for potentially contracted players like Matt Whaanga and Will Tucker?
Anyone got an update on the propping situation? And what happened with Ayden Johnstone? I’m at a bit of a loss as to what happened to him.
Finally, is there any word on the street as to contracting for Moana Takaka and Ale Aho. Both seem to be players of the future, but might be a bit young.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Do we have any update on Wider training group members for this season?
- Harry Taylor, Faletoni Peni, Michael Mason and Semesi T have all been fantastic in NPC. I’d love to see them in and around the squad this year.
Also does Hayden Michael’s actually have a contract for next season? I know he’s on a three year deal. But All rugby lists him as leaving the side. Anyone got the scoop?
Do we have injury update on Gilbert, Jacob Kneepkins, Nareki, Lowe plus those for potentially contracted players like Matt Whaanga and Will Tucker?
Anyone got an update on the propping situation? And what happened with Ayden Johnstone? I’m at a bit of a loss as to what happened to him.
Finally, is there any word on the street as to contracting for Moana Takaka and Ale Aho. Both seem to be players of the future, but might be a bit young.
There aren't wider training groups like what there were a few years ago. Players brought in tend to be depending on injuries in the squad mixed with development plans of younger players within region. I'd be interested to see Peni included. Although, with a young family in Auckland a lot will depend on his personal circumstances. As mentioned several times in this thread Manson is going back to America, as he is under contract there. The development players likely to be around the squad will be guys like A One Lolofie, Takataka, Fahey, Tengblad, Aho, Southland loosies (Blair Ryall was there this year), Dylan Pledger, Byron Smith, Tayne Harvey, Augistine. A few lads who have barely been spotted in provincial rugby will spend a fair bit of time with the squad. Hayden Michaels is under contract. No reason to suggest otherwise. As people have mentioned, sounds like Tucker is departing. With Howden likely coming our way. Propping sounds like Johnstone will be retained. Tighthead prop was identified as a need. Which suggests we are maintaining our three looseheads.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
And what happened with Ayden Johnstone? I’m at a bit of a loss as to what happened to him.
Johnstone injured his elbow and missed quite a few games for Waikato. He returned for the HB/ Ta$man games but must have re-injured it.
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who or what is an Ian Blake
He's the Northern Pride's Head of Performance, coming to us from the Highlanders apparently.
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google tells me he's S & C coach for Highlanders and Otago
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Hope to see Semisi Tupou and Michael Manson in the Landers full squad 🤞
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Hope to see Semisi Tupou and Michael Manson in the Landers full squad 🤞
Manson is contracted in the USA. I don't know how many times people have to repeat that Manson is not available. No room for Tupou unless Sanders is ruled out with injury. No8s already in the squad are Renton, Broughton and Stodart. Who knows, could be injury cover
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Hahahaha, never been confirmed that Manson is contracted in the USA. He’ll be a Highlander next year I know it
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He’s not available because he is a Highlander
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This post is deleted!
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Hahahaha, never been confirmed that Manson is contracted in the USA. He’ll be a Highlander next year I know it
Yeah nah. Here is an article confirming he is back in the USA. https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/350435055/winger-hoping-build-stags-solid-foundations-after-season-stateside
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Things have changed, he’s a Lander.
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Things have changed, he’s a Lander.
It'll be nice. I'd rather have him than an injury prone Lowe. At the moment all we can go off is the information out there. Unless you have somthing concrete.
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Concrete.. He’ll be better then Nareki too
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Well hopefully if those two are in it will mean no Lowe or Sanders. Which will be a win
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Concrete.. He’ll be better then Nareki too
Bit of difference between ‘hope to see’ and ‘concrete’ mate. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb and say you know something the rest of us don’t… I’m always throwing oil around and always afraid it won’t be accurate but it always is, if it isn’t then own it and move on. That’s all part of being on the fern!
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Concrete.. He’ll be better then Nareki too
Every time Nareki plays for the highlanders, he’s one of the most dangerous players. In a backline with very few genuine threats we desperately need a player like that. Manson is very quick but he certainly isn’t nearly as complete of a player as Nareki.
Also considering they’ve picked up Caleb Tangitau, what would be the point of them signing Manson? Doesn’t make a lot of sense
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I’ve said it multiple times, Manson is contracted with the Landers next year. The point of signing him is that he’s one of the best wingers in the NPC..
