Highlanders 2025
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I know he’s not Polynesian but I did see an article somewhere about NZ born Japanese lock Warner Dearns wanting to play super rugby moving forward
Now that would be a couple massive 6’8 lineout targets if Dearns & Holland were on the field at the same time . -
@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2025:
I know he’s not Polynesian but I did see an article somewhere about NZ born Japanese lock Warner Dearns wanting to play super rugby moving forward
Now that would be a couple massive 6’8 lineout targets if Dearns & Holland were on the field at the same time .Dearns is a good player, shame the ABs can't have him.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Can confirm Lui Naeata has signed with the Landers.
This would go down as an all time flop. Jamie Joseph had him around a Japanese camp but didn’t select him because he just couldn’t get the laziness out of his game and to top it off had some off field issues.
When he arrived for Otago he barely lit it up for them too… hope this signing isn’t true, would be a backwards step. Would much rather Hugo Plummer.
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So we only have two locks..
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No mention of the fabled b word
Stags speedster tipped to be named in Highlanders squad
Even after missing the first half of the NPC season through injury, Michael Manson had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack. So much so he appears to be Highlanders bound.
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@Wurzel said in Highlanders 2025:
No mention of the fabled b word
Stags speedster tipped to be named in Highlanders squad
Even after missing the first half of the NPC season through injury, Michael Manson had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack. So much so he appears to be Highlanders bound.
Another undersized back is exactly what the team needs
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@Wurzel said in Highlanders 2025:
Stags speedster tipped to be named in Highlanders squad
Even after missing the first half of the NPC season through injury, Michael Manson had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack. So much so he appears to be Highlanders bound.
A shame to read Semisi Tupou is heading up to Moana to train with them. Thought having him around could have added to the squad depth at 8. Good for him though for heading back up there and giving it a crack with them.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Wurzel said in Highlanders 2025:
Stags speedster tipped to be named in Highlanders squad
Even after missing the first half of the NPC season through injury, Michael Manson had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack. So much so he appears to be Highlanders bound.
A shame to read Semisi Tupou is heading up to Moana to train with them. Thought having him around could have added to the squad depth at 8. Good for him though for heading back up there and giving it a crack with them.
I reckon they like Blair Ryall more than they like Tupou. While Manson isn't the biggest winger, size is also a bit of an issue for Tupou. Built more like a hooker than a no8. Poweful as anything though. Plays like a less talented version of Sititi.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Wurzel said in Highlanders 2025:
No mention of the fabled b word
Stags speedster tipped to be named in Highlanders squad
Even after missing the first half of the NPC season through injury, Michael Manson had enough time to showcase how threatening he is in attack. So much so he appears to be Highlanders bound.
Another undersized back is exactly what the team needs
Good for the budget, you can get by on lightweight building materials for the bench. Only works if you guarantee the spots though.
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Hearing Taine Robinson is signed with the landers 👀
Hope this is true… I guess we’ll have to wait another 4 long hours 🤣🤣🤣
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing Taine Robinson is signed with the landers 👀
Hope this is true… I guess we’ll have to wait another 4 long hours 🤣🤣🤣
We had real success last time we signed a 10 out of Ta$man.
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Which halfback will be taking Hastie's spot? Lennox or Pledger?
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@SouthernMann I'm going to suggest the odds on Lennox has just shortened (surely the Canes would have him over Enari?)... as I say, had a correction that the Pledger thing was an assumption. Lennox would be a great pick up, and would leave us in a position of strength in 2026, assuming Pledger comes in.
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Some players not named yet that I wouldn’t be mad seeing named very soon.
- Isaac Hutchinson
- Jone Rova
- Callum Harkin
With JRK out we need a fullback/wing and Hutchinson fills that need.
Rova would add to midfield depth which is quite often an injured position for us. As I said in the crusader thread he’s still young with plenty of talent. Can play 12 and 13.
Harkin would be an outside chance but we need a 3rd 10. As far as we know we only have Millar and Faleafaga. Definitely wouldn’t be mad if we landed him.
Otago wise, if Hastie is gone I hope Dylan Pledger is the one who has replaced him.
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finn hurley a rookie?
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Some players not named yet that I wouldn’t be mad seeing named very soon.
- Isaac Hutchinson
- Jone Rova
- Callum Harkin
With JRK out we need a fullback/wing and Hutchinson fills that need.
Rova would add to midfield depth which is quite often an injured position for us. As I said in the crusader thread he’s still young with plenty of talent. Can play 12 and 13.
Harkin would be an outside chance but we need a 3rd 10. As far as we know we only have Millar and Faleafaga. Definitely wouldn’t be mad if we landed him.
Otago wise, if Hastie is gone I hope Dylan Pledger is the one who has replaced him.
Didn’t land a single one of them. All must be landing in wider squads unless the Blues have snapped any of them up.
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In positions -
Highlanders squad for 2025
Props: Ethan de Groot, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Rohan Wingham, Sosefo Kautai
Hookers: Soane Vikena, Jack Taylor, Henry Bell
Locks: Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig
Loose forwards: Will Stodart, Sean Withy, TK Howden, Hayden Michaels, Nikora Broughton, Hugh Renton, Lui Naeata, Veveni Lasaqa
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, James Arscott, Nathan Hastie
First five-eighths: Cameron Millar, Ajay Faleafaga, Taine Robinson
Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Tanielu Tele'a, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert
Outside backs: Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Michael Manson, Finn Hurley, Jonah Lowe, Caleb TangitauIns: Soane Vikena, Sosefo Kautai, Rohan Wingham, Josh Bartlett, Will Stodart, TK Howden, Lui Naeata, Veveni Lasaqa, Taine Robinson, Josh Whaanga, Michael Manson, Finn Hurley, Caleb Tangitau
Outs: Jermaine Ainsley, Ayden Johnstone, Ricky Jackson, Will Tucker, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Rhys Patchell, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado
