Highlanders v Drua
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Drua:
@frugby said in Highlanders v Drua:
Looks like a longgggg road back for Michael Manson.
He's one of the fastest players in the comp. So has something most wingers lack. He needs some support to iron out the deficiencies in his game. A well rounded Mike Manson would add bucketloads.
Manson's defence is a real liability... judging off his comments in the Press Conference after the game, he was less tham impressed. Basically blamed Withy's red on the misread.
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Drua:
Looks like a longgggg road back for Michael Manson.
He was awful last week. Glad Filimone is getting a go, been there’s all pre season after coming over from NOLA Gold in the MLR. He also ripped up on the weekend in club footy for Harbour.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Drua:
@SouthernMann hope not. Need an experienced lock in there somewhere. Those 3 are very young men. I’m sure an experienced head will be amongst those 3 anyway
I read something recently that locks are in high demand over season. Dunshea at 30. Not going to be an All Black. Go and get some Euro
Totally agree he should go, I just meant I hope we get an experienced head in there. Anyway, that’s more for an offseason thread haha.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Drua:
Looking forward to seeing Tai Cribb off the bench as well.
Good for him. Cribb isn't really true lock height, more like Haig and Howden.
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I completely agree that Manson was poor last week. It us just how to make sure he has the skills, before he goes again.
@Bovidae we don't want another mid lock. We have enough of those! I thought he was taller? Like a proper sized lock.
Great to see Haig back
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Highlanders v Fijian Drua – 7.05pm Saturday 12 April, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Starting XV
Ethan de Groot
Henry Bell
Sosefo Kautai
Will Stodart
Fabian Holland
6. Oliver Haig
Veveni Lasaqa
Hugh Renton (CC)
Folau Fakatava
Cameron Millar
Jona Nareki
Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Taniela Filimone (Debut)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-KneepkensImpacts: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Tai Cribb (Potential debut), 20. Nikora Broughton, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Tanielu Tele’a
Injury update: Finn Hurley (Quad / Season End), Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / TBC), Soane Vikena (AC Joint / 1-2 weeks), TK Howden (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks), Mitch Dunshea (Knee / 1-2 weeks), Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks)
Suspended: Sean Withy (3 weeks with permission to apply to take part in World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction).
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@frugby I agree. Like he’s put his roots down in Southland - I just don’t see him being a two season import. More than likely we’re looking at Tengblad and Cribb as development locks going forward replacing Naeeta and either Hayden Michael’s or an outside back.
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Drua:
Dunshea doesn’t strike me as the type to go overseas
Money is a great driver. It is the reason I don't live in Dunedin anymore. This is a matter for the Landers main thread anyway
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@Bovidae I’m unaware of any exact rules, I Just know they get a per match bonus and after I think playing 5 or 6 games they are moved into the full squad, granted this was a few years back now. I remember it happened to Richard Buckman at the Highlanders when he burst on to the scene.
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders v Drua:
Interesting that Robinson has been dropped completely.
Yeah, I guess Gilbert has more miles on the clock at fullback this year, but I wouldn't have minded seeing how Robinson goes there if required. Probably not looking to sub 10/15 though.
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders v Drua:
Interesting that Robinson has been dropped completely.
Yeah, I guess Gilbert has more miles on the clock at fullback this year, but I wouldn't have minded seeing how Robinson goes there if required. Probably not looking to sub 10/15 though.
I imagine the opposite. Doubt JRK plays the 80 in his return to the top level… that said Robinson worth a go at 15.
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders v Drua:
Interesting that Robinson has been dropped completely.
has he started every game this year? looked a bit spent over the last couple of weeks so maybe a combo based on a bit of rest
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@Kiwiwomble given that Hastie has been dropped too I’d assume that’s the case.
JJ is known for flogging the starting team pretty hard and we probably should have rested and rotated Dunshea, Vikenna and Tangitau prior to them being injured
I’m a bit worried Venevui Lasanga, Fabian Holland and Big Jim might be in the same boat soon too without rotation.
Ma’au probably needs a week off as well.
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Just reading through the match pack: https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/match-packs/2025-rd9/2025-rd9-highlanders-v-fijian-drua/
This stat seems absurd to me... "The Highlanders have gained 161 metres more per game than they’ve allowed their opposition this Super Rugby Pacific season, the most of any team in the competition; in fact, no other team has outgained their opponent by more than 50 metres per game."
Someone who is smarter than me might be able to interpret this, but I read this as we are making plenty of metres, so the issue is that our loosies aren't getting to the ruck quick enough... OR does this mean we have guys doing to much individual stuff, inadvertently running away from their support?
