Highlanders 2025
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Think last night was a hugeeee reality check.
Likes of Hastie, Hurley & Ma’u showed their limitations. There is a making of a good squad here, and I think we’ll probably rise again… but the playoff is a bridge too far, unless JRK goes turbo, and we manage to speed up our game. We’re playing way too direct for a team made up of midgets
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Think last night was a hugeeee reality check.
Likes of Hastie, Hurley & Ma’u showed their limitations. There is a making of a good squad here, and I think we’ll probably rise again… but the playoff is a bridge too far, unless JRK goes turbo, and we manage to speed up our game. We’re playing way too direct for a team made up of midgets
That is a very simple way of looking at it.
We played a side that has 10 or 12 internationally capped players. We had several guys in our team with fewer than 10 Super Rugby games.
The much maligned Hurley. He made mistakes you'd expect of a guy who has played six games at this level. His limitations aren't catching or kicking. He had a couple of clangers with dropping a ball cold and kicking out on the full. Defensively he did some good things. He is still one of the most exciting attacking players in the comp.
Hastie did some good, some bad. He was out played a bit by Thomas. He still made a quality break.
Ma'u is a massive concern. While our backs were a bit aimless at time. His scrummaging lost us the game. Was a cruel twist when he had to come pretty much straight back on.
Luck going our way we could have had either one of Tangitau's no tries.
It is easy to be negative. Especially when we played poorly in the second half.
I don't think Jim is a winger anymore. TUJ had some nice touches. I just believe more pace would be beneficial, I'd bring back Manson, as he is just so bloody quick, and our biggest strength is with quick turnovers and long-range tries.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Luck going our way we could have had either one of Tangitau's no tries.
Still reckon whoever was captain should have been in the ref's ear about a penalty try for the deliberate knock on. Ref could hardly have argued a try wasn't probable.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Luck going our way we could have had either one of Tangitau's no tries.
Still reckon whoever was captain should have been in the ref's ear about a penalty try for the deliberate knock on. Ref could hardly have argued a try wasn't probable.
I like it.
"Hey ref, our right winger is one of the best in the comp. You can clearly see he would have got there. Give us the penalty try. The evidence is clear..."
Just watching the Landers U20s from yesterday. I really like the look of Mika Muliaina. I reckon there are about six future Landers in that side.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Hey ref, our right winger is one of the best in the comp. You can clearly see he would have got there. Give us the penalty try. The evidence is clear..
More like "hey ref, we clearly would have scored as we scored anyway, give us the PT".
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Hard for the ref to argue against it
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Hard for the ref to argue against it
Someone tell JJ I'm available and am a slight downgrade on Lowe.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Just watching the Landers U20s from yesterday. I really like the look of Mika Muliaina. I reckon there are about six future Landers in that side.Can’t wait to see Mika, Pledger, Tengblad and Rangitutia running around in the highlanders jersey. Harvey as well could develop into a nice player. Some very talented players we need to make sure we hold on to.
As far as yesterday’s game, I posted that in the match thread. But just another thought, we need to win one of these games against the Brumbies or Force or else I fear the season could get away from us. With how many young guys we have in this team, it could result in heads dropping halfway through the season. Joseph will be well aware of the situation so let’s hope the players can bounce back.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
The much maligned Hurley. He made mistakes you'd expect of a guy who has played six games at this level. His limitations aren't catching or kicking. He had a couple of clangers with dropping a ball cold and kicking out on the full. Defensively he did some good things. He is still one of the most exciting attacking players in the comp.
Yes - but Finn Hurley is not on the same level as JRK. I rate him above Gilbert, because as you say he can do some great things - but his basic error rate remains too high. This was the point I made the other day, in a game where he doesn't score a try or set up a try, what else does he provide? This is a reality check, that he won't play as he did v the Blues every week.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Just watching the Landers U20s from yesterday. I really like the look of Mika Muliaina. I reckon there are about six future Landers in that side.Can’t wait to see Mika, Pledger, Tengblad and Rangitutia running around in the highlanders jersey. Harvey as well could develop into a nice player. Some very talented players we need to make sure we hold on to.
As far as yesterday’s game, I posted that in the match thread. But just another thought, we need to win one of these games against the Brumbies or Force or else I fear the season could get away from us. With how many young guys we have in this team, it could result in heads dropping halfway through the season. Joseph will be well aware of the situation so let’s hope the players can bounce back.
Rangitutia will be interesting to track in the NPC. Should hopefully get a full season.
Otago will have a balancing act between Te Hiwi, TUJ, Whaanga, Nareki, Rangitutia, Gilbert and Hurley.
Shaun Kempton is a player that will be worth tracking. Probably needs to size up.
I reckon the guys to eventually end up with full contracts are one of the props, Kempton, Tengblad, Rutledge, Pledger, Muliaina, Harvey, and Rangitutia.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
The much maligned Hurley. He made mistakes you'd expect of a guy who has played six games at this level. His limitations aren't catching or kicking. He had a couple of clangers with dropping a ball cold and kicking out on the full. Defensively he did some good things. He is still one of the most exciting attacking players in the comp.
Yes - but Finn Hurley is not on the same level as JRK. I rate him above Gilbert, because as you say he can do some great things - but his basic error rate remains too high. This was the point I made the other day, in a game where he doesn't score a try or set up a try, what else does he provide? This is a reality check, that he won't play as he did v the Blues every week.
He is six games into his career. Basic mistakes are expected.
A weird sentence. "A game where he doesn't score or set up tries. What does he provide." Same could be said for most outside backs, in particular. I'm sure if we went back to JRK's first half dozen games he would have made mistakes too.
His season has matched his experience.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
The much maligned Hurley. He made mistakes you'd expect of a guy who has played six games at this level. His limitations aren't catching or kicking. He had a couple of clangers with dropping a ball cold and kicking out on the full. Defensively he did some good things. He is still one of the most exciting attacking players in the comp.
Yes - but Finn Hurley is not on the same level as JRK. I rate him above Gilbert, because as you say he can do some great things - but his basic error rate remains too high. This was the point I made the other day, in a game where he doesn't score a try or set up a try, what else does he provide? This is a reality check, that he won't play as he did v the Blues every week.
He is six games into his career. Basic mistakes are expected.
A weird sentence. "A game where he doesn't score or set up tries. What does he provide." Same could be said for most outside backs, in particular. I'm sure if we went back to JRK's first half dozen games he would have made mistakes too.
His season has matched his experience.
Come on man. Hurley does some good things, but he makes a lot of basic errors. That isn't an experience thing, it is a skill thing. JRK is just a much slicker player.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
The much maligned Hurley. He made mistakes you'd expect of a guy who has played six games at this level. His limitations aren't catching or kicking. He had a couple of clangers with dropping a ball cold and kicking out on the full. Defensively he did some good things. He is still one of the most exciting attacking players in the comp.
Yes - but Finn Hurley is not on the same level as JRK. I rate him above Gilbert, because as you say he can do some great things - but his basic error rate remains too high. This was the point I made the other day, in a game where he doesn't score a try or set up a try, what else does he provide? This is a reality check, that he won't play as he did v the Blues every week.
He is six games into his career. Basic mistakes are expected.
A weird sentence. "A game where he doesn't score or set up tries. What does he provide." Same could be said for most outside backs, in particular. I'm sure if we went back to JRK's first half dozen games he would have made mistakes too.
His season has matched his experience.
Come on man. Hurley does some good things, but he makes a lot of basic errors. That isn't an experience thing, it is a skill thing. JRK is just a much slicker player.
Whatever you say, buddy.
Ill stand by that inexperienced, young players make mistakes. What we have seen from Hurley matches the ups and downs of new players to the grade.
They are both good players. Both can offer the side a lot. The side needs both of them playing well.
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@SouthernMann I'd like to see more of Hurley, but those mistakes yesterday weren't your standard mistake. Many were howlers.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann I'd like to see more of Hurley, but those mistakes yesterday weren't your standard mistake. Many were howlers.
I completely agree. Dropping a ball a high school fullback should take is very poor. Same with kicking for touch and missing it. The number of mistakes he's making are coming down. Being at fullback his mistakes are highly visible too.
Salu Ma'u on the other hard. Jeez that was a sad watch.
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Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
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@SouthernMann Rutledge is pretty small yeah? I feel like we need some size on the next few Loose forwards we sign. I love him as a player but I'd like to see a big ball carrying number eight and a large seven picked up over Ratcliffe or Rutledge.
I've yet to see enough of Takaka to get a sense if he's the next cab off the rank. But young Jack Sexton could be a good shout. Wouldn't be surprised if we see someone outside the region get the next propping spot though.
I feel Tengblad and Pledger and lock ins for 2026 While Rangitura and Harvey are 50/50 maybe leaning towards 2027 singings. Kempton, Rutledge and Muliana presumably would be 2028 season.
In terms of guys outside the region assuming we loose DLB, Naeeta, Lowe, Nareki, Fakatava and Falefaga next season and pickup Pledger and Tengblad. Then I'd like to see Adam Lennox signed. Reckon I'd be wise to chase Zarn Sullivan for the 10 slot. Finley Brewis is off contract at the Crusaders, and could be chasing some game time at Loosehead prop. While I'd be trying to tempt Macca Springer south too given Reece, Fainganuku and Fihaki are all on the books for 2026 at the Crusaders.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
