Highlanders 2025
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Far from perfect, but we will take it. Everyone looked exhausted by the end there. As frustrating as it was, Tavatavanawai kicking that out on the full is a perfect example of where this team was at. There is confidence to try things... we must have ran out of 22 at least half-a-dozen times, that never used to happen. We are improving, even if that was a tired old performance. We'll no doubt reflect about the start to the season as a whole over the next week, but initial thoughts from tonight.
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Both Vikena and Taylor had tough nights... Vikena particularly gave away way too many dumb penalties. Maybe some fatigue from Vikena? Think Bell definitely comes back into the 23 after the bye.
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Having only two actual locks remains a massive issue. Holland probably could have benefitted from either coming off the bench or coming off earlier, but we have rookie loose forward as his replacement. Haig and Howden back might help this, but they have to do something. The bye at least gives time to kick the can further down the road
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Lasaqa was awesome, and looks to be a bit of a find. Broughton was quiet, I think overall that pack lacked size. Initial thought might be Howden, Withy, Renton to start, with Stodart, Lasaqa and Broughton on the bench in a 6-2 split?
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Robinson seems to lack a bit of a kicking game, but is definitely the best running option. Millar will probably be back in two weeks assuming it is just a concussion, but I don't see him getting a look
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Thought whilst Big Jim tired a little (Moana probably targetted him a little after last week, and he still managed at least two turnovers) Tele'a was fucken awesome again. Te Hiwi did nothing, so TUJ might fill the 23 shirt v the Canes
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Tangitau was electric, that boy is going to be in the All Blacks frame. Manson also electric, but has some serious work to do on his defence. If Nareki is back, I reckon he probably just starts because it is not a muscle injury. If not, it will depend on Hurley's fitness.
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So many positives so far even though the second half was a mess.
Manson is more than the bench merchant we thought he’d be.
I do worry about the defensive ruck work. Having Haig (when he’s back) and Renton will add some much needed size and work rate in that area. Our back row is too small atm. Puts far too much pressure on the front five to muscle up. Haig needs to fix his foot asap because his ability to cover lock (I.e shifting into lock 50-60mins in) will make life so much easier
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Vikena particularly gave away way too many dumb penalties. Maybe some fatigue from Vikena?
Unfortunately that's been his deal ever since i've started watching him.
He does look trimmed down but his discipline has always been his achilles heel.
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There are no easy games this season, but this week feels like a huge opportunity for us. If we win here, we are 3-1 ahead of:
Reds (H)
Brumbies (A)
Force (A)
Drua (H)That's as easy a run as we will get all season, so heading in with momentum would be huge.
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The mindset of the Reds going into round 6 will be worth tracking. Having watched Cyclone Alfred from Christchurch, then amping themselves up for a big rivalry game against the Tahs. The come down of heading to Dunedin may be massive.
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@SouthernMann We've got to keep it one game at a time, but from a fans perspective it is tough not to get a little bit excited.
Two wins here, and we'll be firmly in the top three, with three very winnable games to follow. No easy games this season, so to win these five in a row will be tough, but I firmly believe if we can win the first two, it is game on.
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Injury update list:
Oliver Haig (Foot / 4 weeks )
Jonah Lowe (ACL / 2-3 weeks )
Cameron Millar (Concussion / 1-2 weeks)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 4-5 weeks)
Finn Hurley (Quad / 1-2weeks)
Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)
Hugh Renton (Groin / 1-2 weeks) -
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Injury update list:
Oliver Haig (Foot / 4 weeks )
Jonah Lowe (ACL / 2-3 weeks )
Cameron Millar (Concussion / 1-2 weeks)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 4-5 weeks)
Finn Hurley (Quad / 1-2weeks)
Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)
Hugh Renton (Groin / 1-2 weeks)Considering all this players are in the 23 with the expectation of Lowe, that’s massive boost mid season
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The halfback position is going to be a fascinating watch in the medium term. Fakatava, Hastie, Arscott, Lennox & Pledger playing for three spots. I don't think they'd bring Lennox down if there wasn't a long-term plan there, but I guess Hastie coming from nowhere might alter that?
Definitely think you'll see Arscott make way whatever happens... he'll be struggling for a kick with Otago this year, nevermind the Highlanders.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
The halfback position is going to be a fascinating watch in the medium term. Fakatava, Hastie, Arscott, Lennox & Pledger playing for three spots. I don't think they'd bring Lennox down if there wasn't a long-term plan there, but I guess Hastie coming from nowhere might alter that?
Definitely think you'll see Arscott make way whatever happens... he'll be struggling for a kick with Otago this year, nevermind the Highlanders.
It’s definitely a positive. Seems that New Zealand has a huge amount of good young halfbacks at the moment at all 5 franchises.
Wasn’t someone on here saying that Otago and/or the Highlanders were trying to get Hastie out of his contract? That’s aged like milk. Still only 23 so he will be in the mix,
Pledger is a shoe in for the foreseeable future. Definitely in a good spot. Otago will have Hastie, Arscott and Pledger which is also a nice problem to have. Easing Pledger in, especially at his size, could be vital to his development. Looking forward to watching him shred up for the 20s.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
The halfback position is going to be a fascinating watch in the medium term. Fakatava, Hastie, Arscott, Lennox & Pledger playing for three spots. I don't think they'd bring Lennox down if there wasn't a long-term plan there, but I guess Hastie coming from nowhere might alter that?
Definitely think you'll see Arscott make way whatever happens... he'll be struggling for a kick with Otago this year, nevermind the Highlanders.
Wasn’t someone on here saying that Otago and/or the Highlanders were trying to get Hastie out of his contract? That’s aged like milk. Still only 23 so he will be in the mix,
That was me! I don't know whether my source may have had the wrong halfback, because on the evidence of him getting 0 minutes in pre-season despite being fit, it might have actually been Arscott they wanted rid of.
It is also possible, that they did want rid of Hastie and got lucky... he's hardly been able to stay fit until now.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
The halfback position is going to be a fascinating watch in the medium term. Fakatava, Hastie, Arscott, Lennox & Pledger playing for three spots. I don't think they'd bring Lennox down if there wasn't a long-term plan there, but I guess Hastie coming from nowhere might alter that?
Definitely think you'll see Arscott make way whatever happens... he'll be struggling for a kick with Otago this year, nevermind the Highlanders.
It’s definitely a positive. Seems that New Zealand has a huge amount of good young halfbacks at the moment at all 5 franchises.
Wasn’t someone on here saying that Otago and/or the Highlanders were trying to get Hastie out of his contract? That’s aged like milk. Still only 23 so he will be in the mix,
Pledger is a shoe in for the foreseeable future. Definitely in a good spot. Otago will have Hastie, Arscott and Pledger which is also a nice problem to have. Easing Pledger in, especially at his size, could be vital to his development. Looking forward to watching him shred up for the 20s.
Yeah was an interesting rumour to be throwing around about Hastie. He had a tough few years injury wise. Always had good pace and a good left boot. Given a three year contract from the start of of 24, he was our only contracted half at that stage for 2026 as well.
I'd be shocked if Fakatava and Arscott are around next year. We should get a clear indication by the middle of this year, when Tonga name their side for the mid-year internationals. I've been told he enjoys Dunedin, but his pragmatic around his All Blacks chances.
Pledger needs a contract next year. If we don't give it to him. Someone else will. Lennox offers plenty too.
I expect there will be some spots at
Lock
10
Prop
Outside backsIn terms of recruitment. Luckily with a settled top squad, we can have a future lens for any players we go after.
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@SouthernMann The fact Hastie is playing well is another damning inditement on that Otago coaching group which rated Arscott above him...
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann The fact Hastie is playing well is another damning inditement on that Otago coaching group which rated Arscott above him...
Yeah I never understood the constant selection of Arscott. He is a very safe player. Will never win you a game though. Hastie has skills Arscott can only dream of
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@SouthernMann Again, it is totally possible that having been able to get some proper conditioning, he is actually just living up to his potential now.
Folau supposedly signed an extension last year, but don't know whether he had an out clause if he didn't make the All Blacks.
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Based on my understanding of contracting we will probably loose DLB, Naeeta, Falefaga, Arscott, Lowe and Nareki this season with Talea, Fakatava and Sam Gilbert also off the books.
My assumption is that Fakatava and Gilbert both stay for another season. I think the excitement around JJ means a lot of players extend contacts for an additional season or two.
In terms of replacements Tengblad,, Hervey and Pledger seem shoe ins. Haven’t seen enough of Rangitura and Takaka to decide if they’ll fit in. But assume we’ll be after at the very least a 10 and an outside back from elsewhere. Wouldn’t surprise me if we try and grab an another young midfielder too given TUJ and Te Hiwi are off contract end of next season.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Injury update list:
Oliver Haig (Foot / 4 weeks )
Jonah Lowe (ACL / 2-3 weeks )
Cameron Millar (Concussion / 1-2 weeks)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 4-5 weeks)
Finn Hurley (Quad / 1-2weeks)
Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)
Hugh Renton (Groin / 1-2 weeks)Considering all this players are in the 23 with the expectation of Lowe, that’s massive boost mid season
Lol how does Lowe still get contracts? He's spent more than half his career injured, same with TUJ I guess.
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@Canes4life you've got to look at the squad we had when we signed him, i went back and looked at the highlander threads and generally people were ok with it, i think hes been worse than he was when we signed him, length of contract the big thing...
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@Canes4life we were so desperate for outside backs in the 22/3 season I don’t blame the highlanders
He was a ‘big’ powerful winger who was willing to commit to three years in the south. Not many were willing to do that. So it made sense back then.
Then we attracted decent players that outshone him, and people started shutting on him.
