Highlanders 2025
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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).
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Just thought I’d pass on the information that I had been told from a very close source 🤷♂️
He had originally signed in the US but with a change of plans had offers from the Hurricanes, Chiefs, NZ Sevens and Highlanders, so took on the landers deal..
what I heard is there is something to do with being promised atleast a bench spot for the season 🤷♂️
That’s the info I’d been told so that’s what I’ve given everyone. -
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Just thought I’d pass on the information that I had been told from a very close source 🤷♂️
He had originally signed in the US but with a change of plans had offers from the Hurricanes, Chiefs, NZ Sevens and Highlanders, so took on the landers deal..
what I heard is there is something to do with being promised atleast a bench spot for the season 🤷♂️
That’s the info I’d been told so that’s what I’ve given everyone.Manson?
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Again, I'm sure literally no one is GUARANTEED a bench spot. No one would be told that (not even a surefire starter in the event their form fell off a cliff). That's the most unbelievable part of this all. Unless you're a moron, surely you realise that distinction?
Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.
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@Smudge said in Highlanders 2025:
Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.
"You promised me a bench spot!"
"Yeah, in the stadium, here's a free ticket." -
@Smudge said in Highlanders 2025:
Again, I'm sure literally no one is GUARANTEED a bench spot. No one would be told that (not even a surefire starter in the event their form fell off a cliff). That's the most unbelievable part of this all. Unless you're a moron, surely you realise that distinction?
Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.
I agree, why would you promise an unproven Super player a bench spot, that’s just asking for trouble. He may look hot shit at NPC level but we all know the NPC is a few cogs down from Super these days.
Unless he’s the Messi of Rugby and is bringing copious amounts of eyeballs or revenue to the Highlanders there really is no incentive for the Highlanders to offer Manson a bench spot (at the very least).
If other players got wind of this the Highlanders will be spending more time dealing with player employment disputes than focusing on rugby next year.
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ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?
Every player will get sold a pitch when signing into a team. JRK last year would have been told he is our starting fullback. The younger guys be told they are there to learn year 1 and then potentially be a regular after players X and Y leave. With the caveat they need to improve in certain areas. I'm sure Manson has been sold a pitch y the Highlanders. He will know he isn't the first pick. But will have been informed there will be gametime for him next year. Could easily be the case that him and Tangitau are the starting wingers in 26
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@SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about
The definitive bench spot just sounds like Chinese whispers. I've signed on to the Landers. Have been promised some time off the bench... turns into four chains down the line have you heard Mike is going going to be the bench outside back everyweek!
