Highlanders 2025
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I think the bye has came at a good time. Will be good to get 3 or 4 more influential players back from injury.
I’ll put a side I’d like to see us run out for the last 3 games of the season below. Time to open it up and let these young guys just have a crack. No expectation, Canes, Crusaders and Chiefs will all be firing and pushing for a better finals spot so throw a cat amongst the pigeons and let some young lads go for it. Dumb down the game-plan if necessary.
Something along these lines.
- EDG
- Jack Taylor
- Ma’u
- Holland
- Dunshea/Haig
- TK or Haig. TK is in good form so his for now
- Withy/Lasaqa
- Stodart/Withy
- Fakatava/Hastie
- Millar
- Nareki/Lowe/Manson
- Tavatavanawai
- TUJ(Tele’a if healthy)
- Tangitau
- JRK
Bench
16. Vikena
17. Bartlett
18. Kautai/Wingham
19. Haig/Stodart
20. Lasaqa/Stodart
21. Hastie
22. Robinson
23. Tele’a if fit/Josh WhaangaA very green bench, some usuals in the starting 15 that I’m happy to leave in but guys like Renton can be put on the back burner for the rest of the year, injury sounds pretty bad so just let him rest up. Let the likes of Jack Taylor, Will Stodart, Cam Miller just go out there and play with young guys in Bartlett and Whaanga bringing fresh legs from the bench. Bugger it.
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As a neutral observer who generally supports the Highlanders unless they're playing the Hurricanes, I believe this team is close to being a consistent top 6 contender. They showed great form early in the season, and getting their top players consistently on the field seems to be the main hurdle. The squad boasts several high-calibre players, like De Groot, Holland, Howden, Tangitau, Nareki, Tavatavanawai, Fakatava, and JRK, many of whom I see being All Blacks in the future (obviously EDG is already one).
The crucial missing piece for me is an attacking first five-eighth who can create opportunities and bring momentum, similar to what we've seen with the Hurricanes in recent weeks. While Millar and Robinson are solid, they lack the X-factor needed to truly elevate this team IMO, something Sopoaga was able to do in 2015 alongside the GOAT A Smith. I also think if they are going to persist with Tavatavanawai at 12, they need to find a 13 that provides the brains and skillset, almost being the rock of the backline so to speak.
If the Landers can keep the core of this team together over the next three or four years, I think we will see something special brew in the deep south, and no I ain't talking about Speights here. All this talk about the culture being rotten under Joseph, I ain't buying it.
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@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad, I just don’t think we thought it would go quite as it has and not be a threat week in week out. The inconsistencies are the real killer because the flashes are there and you can see the promise which in turn makes it even more frustrating.
The last 3 games of this season could be rough but it’s hopefully a very good learning point for this squad.
I’m already excited thinking about 2026.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad,
Explain how they finished 6th last season with the same squad (bar Harmon) & no Kautai, Vikena, Tangitau, Howden (and Holland injured a lot) under a different head coach?
Maybe Joseph (the new head coach) is the problem here?
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@darylmitchell 4 out 5 Australian teams that were pretty average and a Crusaders team that was ravaged by injuries was helpful to the 2024 Highlanders .
Much tougher teams across the board including MP
Gives a bit balance to how tough the 2025 comp is -
@darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad,
Explain how they finished 6th last season with the same squad (bar Harmon) & no Kautai, Vikena, Tangitau, Howden (and Holland injured a lot) under a different head coach?
Maybe Joseph (the new head coach) is the problem here?
Shit let me see. Howden, Haig, Kautai who have missed half of this season, add Nareki, Tangitau, Broughton and Renton to that list.
Having a solid 10 in Patchell who managed the team well, a good scrummaging tighthead prop in Ainsley. Let’s not forget captain and Mr consistent Billy Harmon. That’s a lot of starters, leadership, and experience missing and the guys you more or less relied on to fill important spots have been out injured so young guys are playing a lot more than anticipated. But yes sure thing, Joseph is the problem.
The competition has also gone up a level, you can’t discount that.
End of the day, we knew the reality with thing young squad. That’s my opinion on it anyway. If you want to disagree and blame Joseph then go ahead, you’ve already got your mind made up.
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Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
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@darylmitchell it's a grim reality we all know this, as a landers tragic it pains me knowing if 2 closing moments of games were managed by the players better we would be in the top 6... Robinson being charged down and Gilbert's dropgoal missing against the Canes, tough the lads didn't nail key moments but is that really on Joseph?
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@darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:
Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
Jumping through hoops? Not at all. Just answered your question mate, that’s all, lol. If you’ve read this thread and match threads you’ll know I’m honest and critical when it comes to this seasons team and been on record saying it isn’t good enough. Well aware of the table position, it’s ugly stuff👍🏽
It is what it is unfortunately, but you won’t see me blaming Jamie Joseph for how everything has gone.
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I think what had probably happened is you have a young squad who has lost a bit of a confidence. JJ cops a portion of the blame for that, because I don’t think he has got the best out of Millar particularly, who showed at the end of last year he can be solid enough.
That said, everything we do is so static, because we aren’t getting front foot ball, so that is tough for any first five. None of our forwards are consistently carrying over the gain line. Holland can do that, but he has played wayyyy too many minutes, which is a floor in squad building. Haig also can, but he hasn’t yet shaken that injury. I wouldn’t really say we have any other dynamic carriers in the squad.
We could probably do with one at lock next to Holland, and one at eight. Front foot ball, with Fakatava spreading it out quickly, and our attack would look better, though I still think our shaping is not as good as it could be.
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Ainsley was probably a bigger loss than we anticipated and Billy Harmon's move to no8 last year papered over the issues we have there.
I think there are a few guys in the squad whose measurables are really good as youth players. Good motor, jumps well, appear to be statistically good defenders at lower levels. It is just they lack the punch and X factor required in Super Rugby right now. It is not to say that won't change. Just not clicking right now.
Paul Cully did an article around who we might target. For the first time I somewhat disagree, as it seems he is focused on who we can get here. I do agree at one point of giving Howden a run at 8.
The only guys from NZ I eould be pushing for are Grindlay out of the Blues, Alec-Wrampling or Basson out of Manawatu. Both stuck behind a long line or quality loosies and really talented.
Harkin isn't the solution at 10. Frizzell is a bit of a bandaid.
We are in a bit of a cycle. When you don't perform well, you can't recruit easily, when you can't recruit well you generally don't perform well.
In terms of all the chat about a grumpy team. I'm sure plenty of us have played on amatuer where you lose a fair bit. It sucks. You get a bit snippy at your team mates. Dial it up by about 1000 when you are playing in front of 10k people, and in a high profile competition. It isn't easy to be overly positive when the general public and the media tells you that you're shit at your job.
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We have bemoaned the ball carriers that we don't have. There were a few that we could have easily had running around.
No8s the Landers have had leave from within the region in the last few years
Semisi Tupou - well known his journey out.
Sean Jansen - Dunedin schooled now playing at Connacht. Never got a chance with Otago.
Arese Poliko - seven games for Southland. Now holding tackle bags at the Canes.
Lio-Willie - we mucked him around and Razor pounced.
Any of those lads could have added value.
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Just done a deep dive and here’s where the squad is at based off the information we have been given. If anyone knows more then feel free to chime in.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Josh Bartlett(?)
Saula Ma'u (2025? Signed with otago in 2022 on a 3 year deal, assuming Highlanders is the same.)
Sefo Kautai(?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2025)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (Signed with the Stags for 3 seasons, assuming Landers is similar or close to it. 2026?)
Nikora Broughton (2025?)
Lui Naeata(2025, one and done).
TK Howden(2025?)
Will Stodart(2026)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (Gone after this season by what’s been said on here)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)
Taine Robinson (2026)Midfielders:
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Tanielu Tele'a (2025?)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
TUJ(2025?)Outside Backs:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jona Nareki (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026)
Michael Manson(2025?)Quite a few coming off contract with only 1 in season extension so far in Fakatava. Hopefully Holland, Ma’u, JRK and Tavatavanawai are the next extensions we see.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just done a deep dive and here’s where the squad is at based off the information we have been given. If anyone knows more then feel free to chime in.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Josh Bartlett(?)
Saula Ma'u (2025? Signed with otago in 2022 on a 3 year deal, assuming Highlanders is the same.)
Sefo Kautai(?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2025)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (Signed with the Stags for 3 seasons, assuming Landers is similar or close to it. 2026?)
Nikora Broughton (2025?)
Lui Naeata(2025, one and done).
TK Howden(2025?)
Will Stodart(2026)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (Gone after this season by what’s been said on here)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)
Taine Robinson (2026)Midfielders:
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Tanielu Tele'a (2025?)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
TUJ(2025?)Outside Backs:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jona Nareki (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026)
Michael Manson(2025?)Quite a few coming off contract with only 1 in season extension so far in Fakatava. Hopefully Holland, Ma’u, JRK and Tavatavanawai are the next extensions we see.
Don’t forget tangitau is back to Auckland next year
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Only a guess, but I reckon DLB is the only off-contract prop - but they are looking to get ride of Wingham. The trend for us has been to give those young guys multi-year deals.
Other than that, I heard nobody major was definitely leaving yet, except maybe Nareki who was looking offshore (though that was about 9 months ago and have heard nobody more)
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