Highlanders 2025
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann apparently Nareki is out with a rolled ankle for 3 - 4 weeks and TK Howden has strained his hamstring. Unknown what his recovery timeframe will be.
TK 3-4 weeks
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@handa457 Manson, though far from perfect has had a good pre-season. I don't think Jamie really thinks about experience - he thinks about ability, and this is somewhere where we have gone wrong.
If they rated Te Hiwi, he would have got the start last week.
Hurley has unfortunately not stepped up from what I have seen/heard. He was woeful in his cameo in Invercargill, and it was notable he didn't get on until the last 20. If he is on the bench, it will only be because of injuries.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hurley has unfortunately not stepped up from what I have seen/heard. He was woeful in his cameo in Invercargill, and it was notable he didn't get on until the last 20. If he is on the bench, it will only be because of injuries.
What makes you say Hurley was woeful? IMO he came on and did his core roles well while also adding a bit of something to the attack with some tired defenders on the field. Can’t expect the world when given 20mins in a pre season game. He’s a good player to have on the bench, can break things open and if someone goes down early then you could be doing a lot worse than bringing him on. I don’t mind him on the bench at all.
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@Landers92 Threw a couple of shocking passes, one straight into touch, and a hospital pass from a sideline throw which as it happened we ended up making a break from.
I really want to like him, but I think the fact Gilbert is being favoured speaks volumes.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hurley has unfortunately not stepped up from what I have seen/heard. He was woeful in his cameo in Invercargill, and it was notable he didn't get on until the last 20. If he is on the bench, it will only be because of injuries.
i do hope he's given the chance too and manages to come right as i think we saw real growth during the NPC
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 Manson, though far from perfect has had a good pre-season. I don't think Jamie really thinks about experience - he thinks about ability, and this is somewhere where we have gone wrong.
If they rated Te Hiwi, he would have got the start last week.
Don't really agree with this. They have still given Te Hiwi time on the paddock. More than can be said for other players in the backs. I think it is more of a question of, as of right now is Caleb Tangitau a better winger than Jake is a 12. If Tangitau is a better winger than Te Hiwi is a 12, then you look at ways to ensure he is on the field.
With Nareki out, it should be pretty clear that Manson is next in line.
I hope that Hurley isn't scap heaped. He is a player who can open up a game. His weaknesses are known and should be worked on. He is the sort of guy we need coming on with 20 to 30 minutes to go.
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@SouthernMann I think once everyone is fit and firing, Manson probably fills the role of impact sub. Hurley no doubt has some great skills, but he has plenty to work on to be a reliable option at this level.
For now, Hurley might get a spot on the bench, simply because of injuries. I think considering the loose forward injuries, it will probably be a 5-3 split on the bench, so it will be one of Hurley and Robinson + Manson/Te Hiwi depending on which one starts. I suspect they will lean for specialist first five cover, but they may go for both.
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I’d disagree with the assessment of Hurley. He may be young and need a bit of work, but a lot of the criticism thrown his way is the same we had thrown at Dmac 2014 - 15. I felt he came on and offered something in attack.
The mix probably comes down to where JJ feels we need to build depth. If Falefaga is on the outer then Robinson probably makes the bench. Te Hiwi getting some minutes in case Telea goes down seems wise too.
That said Hurley and Mason are probably the two that excite me who’d I’d love to see thrown into the mix.
Loose forward & reserve lock mix will be interesting. Mostly how they handle experience (Withy, Renton, Naeta, and Broughton) Iverses new faces like Tengblad, Stodart and Lasqua. I suspect JJ will go for a Renton, Withy Broughton starting lineup. But it’s a possibility Withy provides bench impact and Lasqua gets a start.
Reserve lock with Howden out intrigues me. Tengblad might be a Bolter, but equally Stodart could be in the mix.
In terms of squad additions with these injuries. Who’s be likely to be called in? We’re light on locks and wingers down south. Jeremiah Asi, Rory Van Vurt or Viliame Fiine might be options. While Sam Fischlii or Semesi Tupou might be called up in the loose given we have Naeta, Stodart and Tengblad.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann I think once everyone is fit and firing, Manson probably fills the role of impact sub. Hurley no doubt has some great skills, but he has plenty to work on to be a reliable option at this level.
Out of those 2 you mentioned, Hurley is the more well rounded player even the gap between them isn’t that big. You want to have an out and out winger on the bench? I’m taking the fullback that can cover wing on the bench for sure, adds that extra cover and versatility, especially when the gap between the players isn’t that big.
Like every season, everything works itself out whether it’s injuries or poor form. I think someone who should have a spot on the bench should be Robinson, being able to cover 10 and 15 comfortably, Robinson is more likely to keep Hurley out of the 23 than say, Manson. We will find out later this week either way.
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What are we considering as a success for the Highlanders this season?
In theory we came sixth last year, so missing the playoffs would be a step backwards, but I feel like with a stronger competition, we could take steps forward and still miss the playoffs?
I feel like barring anything really bad happening in the other games, the barometer of success is probably how we go in the derby matches.
The average scores over the past seasons for context:
2024: 20-38
2023: 16-40
2022: 17-27
2021 (Aotearoa): 25-28
2020 (Aotearoa): 25-28
2019: 21-27
2018: 26-28 -
@Kiwiwomble The average score as generated on the Fern, so yeah.
Defence in the last two seasons a way bigger issue though. I think our physical ceiling in the backline has been a massive issue defensively - we've been exposed for a lack of pace.
I think this possibly explains why they want to try Tavatavanawai in the midfield over Te Hiwi. This same issue may also lead to Hurley replacing Gilbert, simply because the latter is too slow.
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@frugby i say this as someone who has come around to hurley massively....but if someone his size is our defensive hail mary.....im concerned, there is margin for error when you dont have the size, technique needs to be perfect every single time
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Sucess is somewhere between 5th and 8th on the table. Being in contention for the playoffs going into the final weekend.
Having four or five players in the picture for All Black contention. I'm thinking de Groot, Holland, Haig (hopefully he comes back firing), Tangitau and may be Millar.
Win one derby game away from home, and two at home.
