Highlanders 2025
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Sounds like there’s a few jealous people in here 🙈
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@upthelanders I don't think people are jealous. The suggestion, that a player has been promised a bench spot explicitly is laughable.
Players get offered starting spots (conditionally on form), players get told they will get opportunities, but players don't get told you have a guaranteed spot on the bench... particularly as when he presumably signed, he would be at best our fourth choice winger.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Sounds like there’s a few jealous people in here 🙈
jealous of what?
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Due to a lack of out and out talent, very few players will be guaranteed match day spots before the season even starts. Probably only de Groot, Ma'u, Holland, Dunshea, Haig, Fakatava, Millar and probably the two Fijian wingers can be assured of their spots. Everyone else, it is a bit of a battle. Including Manson, even though he is guaranteed a spot on the bench.
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Tuesday is the day then. Should be an interesting squad naming... I think with all the rumours flying about, we are going to see some surprises. Below is what is confirmed (Publically + Solid Rumours)
Props: de Groot, Lienert-Brown, Johnstone, Ma'u, Kautai, Wingham
Hookers: Taylor, Bell, Vikena
Locks: Holland, Dunshea
Loose Forwards: Haig, Howden, Sanders, Renton, Broughton, Stodart, Withy, Michaels, Lasaqa
Halfbacks: Fakatava, Arscott, Hastie
First Fives: Millar, Faleafaga
Midfielders: Tele'a, Umaga-Jensen, Gilbert, Te Hiwi, M Whaanga, J Whaanga
Outside Backs: Nareki, Tavatavanawai, Tangitau, Lowe, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Hurley^ Above is 37 Players, so assuming squads are still 38 players, then the final spot is reserved for a lock, but there are many other rumours/things to watch:
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Heard word of Bartlett previously... didn't think it made sense, particularly after hearing Kautai, but then have heard ideally they want rid of Lienert-Brown... add in the fact Johnstone's contract status is unknown, and this could be one to watch. Wingham, is signed, though they think he needs plenty of work
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Lock, as is well established, still hearing nothing. This excites me, because I feel like if it was an absolutely nobody word would have spilt out, as there would be no need to keep it secret, though could just end up being Shalfoon/Plummer. The fact that they are happy to carry three, to me says they must have a good one (though maybe I am just trying to convince myself?)
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No rumour here, but the good money has to be on Sanders retiring due to injury. Can't see us contracting nine loose forwards. Broughton I suppose is also off-contract, but there hasn't been rumours of him going elsewhere, and I imagine we would have wanted to keep him
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The expectation would be that we will carry three first fives. If Hurley replaced CGB, and Tangitau replaced Bogado, there is still a replacement for Patchell. That would mean one of the midfielders is not there. The only two with publically announced contracts are J Whaanga and Te Hiwi. I'd be surprised if any of the first three are gone, because they'd have been rumours of that I think. Surely we didn't give M Whaanga are two year deal as rumoured? Would seem weird to go in with Millar and Faleafaga as the two 10s, though maybe that is why they want rid of Faleafaga?
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Other rumour with some heat in it is Manson. I do believe there are some legs in it - now it is possible I think, that this is one where he has been signed for 2026, though I did hear this year... HOPEFULLY this is a replacement for Jonah Lowe?
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Final thing to watch when the squads are announced will be the injury replacements/train-on players. Unsure whether the NZ XV guys are there for the start of pre-season, but there will be a few train-ons/injury cover boys anyway. More interested to see who we get from elsewhere, than who we get from Otago/Southland. Of note I think will be Pledger. I am sure he will be signed from 2026, but I don't think Joseph would hesitate to get him in there, if he feels he is simply better than Arscott and Hastie.
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The halfback situation is interesting. Hastie is the only one of the three signed for 2026. With both Fakatava and Arscott's known terms coming to an end at the end of next year. The players I'm indifferent about returning even if they are under contract are DLB (your time is up lad. Great servant, time to pass the baton), Johnstone, Tucker (sounds like he's off), Sanders, M Whaanga and Lowe. None of them offer even depth value at this level. Several of the local Otago/Southland players will probably be with the squad but a year or two away from Super ready. Thinking guys like Tengblad, Harvey, Augistine, Takataka, Lolofie and Q Holland. Players to be called upon will be the likes of Tupou, Ryall, Lopas, Pledger (eill be in Landers U20s), Peni (could be a long-shot to be included as injury cover). Seems to be an injury cloud over a few lads, including of course JRK so will be interesting to see who comes in for those spots and who a part from JRK may miss a chunk of the year.
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@KiwiInLondon
Stodart and Haig could be used as locks too. -
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@cgrant not sure they should be using two of their best loose forward at lock. Seems like a waste and would lead to a v undersized loose forward trio
I can see Stodart being primarily used as a bench lock next year. Howden is probably tall enough for a locking role, if he comes too. Joseph has talked about having a mobile pack. Instead of the biggest. Which leans to having more of a loosie/lock hybrid on the bench. Still could run a loose of Broughton/Renton, Withy and Haig. With Lasaqa and Stodart/Howden on the bench
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@cgrant not sure they should be using two of their best loose forward at lock. Seems like a waste and would lead to a v undersized loose forward trio
I can see Stodart being primarily used as a bench lock next year. Howden is probably tall enough for a locking role, if he comes too. Joseph has talked about having a mobile pack. Instead of the biggest. Which leans to having more of a loosie/lock hybrid on the bench. Still could run a loose of Broughton/Renton, Withy and Haig. With Lasaqa and Stodart/Howden on the bench
Inclined to agree but Stodart was a work horse in NPC. Tackle and carry work was immense. If he continues he’s pushing his way in.
It will also be interesting to see if Renton hits pre injury heights
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@cgrant not sure they should be using two of their best loose forward at lock. Seems like a waste and would lead to a v undersized loose forward trio
I can see Stodart being primarily used as a bench lock next year. Howden is probably tall enough for a locking role, if he comes too. Joseph has talked about having a mobile pack. Instead of the biggest. Which leans to having more of a loosie/lock hybrid on the bench. Still could run a loose of Broughton/Renton, Withy and Haig. With Lasaqa and Stodart/Howden on the bench
Inclined to agree but Stodart was a work horse in NPC. Tackle and carry work was immense. If he continues he’s pushing his way in.
It will also be interesting to see if Renton hits pre injury heights
There will be a bit of a sharing the load through the season too. Don't want to blow the guys out in the high-work load positions.
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Just heard some information from a different source than usual so take it for what it’s worth. I asked if Thomas Umaga Jenson and Tanielu Tele’a had been re-signed for next season and he said he believed they both were.
(I didn’t bother asking about a promised bench spot).
