Highlanders 2025
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Billy Harmon (Vaiolini Ekuasi to Replace)
I would be stoked if we could land him. Hope the rumours are true. Him, Renton and Stodart would provide great competition and depth at 8.
Going to need to find some another couple locks, you would think Tucker gets an offer to stay around due to the fact the locking stocks aren’t exactly great right now. Due to that I’m guessing Hicks gets an offer as well. First I’ve heard of Timu leaving, is that speculation or is his contract up? Dont recall seeing him in the Highlanders post/announcement they did of the players leaving.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Billy Harmon (Vaiolini Ekuasi to Replace)
I would be stoked if we could land him. Hope the rumours are true. Him, Renton and Stodart would provide great competition and depth at 8.
Going to need to find some another couple locks, you would think Tucker gets an offer to stay around due to the fact the locking stocks aren’t exactly great right now. Due to that I’m guessing Hicks gets an offer as well. First I’ve heard of Timu leaving, is that speculation or is his contract up? Dont recall seeing him in the Highlanders post/announcement they did of the players leaving.
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I'm hearing Ekuasi is looking good. I don't know whether the deal is complete yet, but I'd suggest more likely than not
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Tucker has an issue with his foot that may rule him out of the NPC... I wouldn't be surprised if the Highlanders hold a contract for him though should he prove fitness
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On Hicks, wouldn't be surprised if he is also yet to receive an offer. Stodart on paper at least seems like a replacement for him, particularly as Ekuasi is being sought.
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Timu is off-contract, J Whaanga and TUJ have been signed. I'd be stunned if Timu is re-signed. Those announced as leaving, were those 100% not coming back because they had signed elsewhere. For example, Ricky Jackson was not announced as leaving, even though Vikena had already been signed.
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I'd be quite disaapointed if we let Hicks go, and he is keen to stay. A 2m lock/six. His utility value and ability to cover options off the bench is very useful. Especially as it seems we will be heavy with carrying 6/8s. To let a guy like that go, we need to have a viable replacement. I don't see any options jumping up and down. I'd be happy with Holland, Dunshea, Tucker and Hicks as our locks. I hope they carry a third specialist first five and Byron Smith shows his value for Southland. What I've seen on him, he looks a decent young player. Sam Gilbert will be back, of course. I do wonder if, as our squad improves whether his value will continue. He has had some many opportuniities and never nails down roles. Is just a utility now.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
I'd be quite disaapointed if we let Hicks go, and he is keen to stay. A 2m lock/six. His utility value and ability to cover options off the bench is very useful. Especially as it seems we will be heavy with carrying 6/8s. To let a guy like that go, we need to have a viable replacement. I don't see any options jumping up and down. I'd be happy with Holland, Dunshea, Tucker and Hicks as our locks. I hope they carry a third specialist first five and Byron Smith shows his value for Southland. What I've seen on him, he looks a decent young player. Sam Gilbert will be back, of course. I do wonder if, as our squad improves whether his value will continue. He has had some many opportuniities and never nails down roles. Is just a utility now.
I doubt Hicks goes, but if Stodart and Ekuasi come in, would feel like a loose forward realistically has to drop out? I suppose Hicks could then fill one of the two lock spots, but on the basis there are four gaps still not filled, I'd hedge my bets that he isn't yet signed.
As you say, with what is available on the face of things, I'd keep Hicks. May come down to profile of player. Could be one of Hicks/Tucker and maybe a more powerful lock in the mould of Dunshea?
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The management will be working out timings of the younger guys coming through too. Where do they see the development of Josh Tengblad, Reuben Palmer and Ale Aho. Which ones do they see as certain Super players, and which do they want to watch a bit more. Tengblad is first year out of school, but super tall. Palmer is more physically imposing weight wise, just not quite as tall, I've read. We should get a look at Aho this provincial season. As a genuine big guy, I've got highest hopes for Tingblad. If they see Tengblad a couple of years away, then they need to have a space opening up for him in 26/27. Does Dunshea chase the yen in a couple of years, if so, who is the right man to replace him then. After that rant around development planning, Hicks stays in my mind. He does a capable job.
A riskier move would be to take three locks in Holland, Dunshea and Tucker, and then have Haig and Stodart covering lock. I don't like that though.
The management team it doesn't seem as as satisfied with Hayden Michael's development as they may have hoped. He will be an interesting guy to track for Southland. I reckon the ability of Ekusai to also play seven may have been a big selling point.
If we were an NRL club we would try and get rid of Lowe and Sanders. Unfortunately, they will be back next year.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
The management will be working out timings of the younger guys coming through too. Where do they see the development of Josh Tengblad, Reuben Palmer and Ale Aho. Which ones do they see as certain Super players, and which do they want to watch a bit more. Tengblad is first year out of school, but super tall. Palmer is more physically imposing weight wise, just not quite as tall, I've read. We should get a look at Aho this provincial season. As a genuine big guy, I've got highest hopes for Tingblad. If they see Tengblad a couple of years away, then they need to have a space opening up for him in 26/27. Does Dunshea chase the yen in a couple of years, if so, who is the right man to replace him then. After that rant around development planning, Hicks stays in my mind. He does a capable job.
A riskier move would be to take three locks in Holland, Dunshea and Tucker, and then have Haig and Stodart covering lock. I don't like that though.
The management team it doesn't seem as as satisfied with Hayden Michael's development as they may have hoped. He will be an interesting guy to track for Southland. I reckon the ability of Ekusai to also play seven may have been a big selling point.
If we were an NRL club we would try and get rid of Lowe and Sanders. Unfortunately, they will be back next year.
I have full faith that they are planning these things...
On Michaels, what makes you think they haven't been satisfied with his development? Not uncommon for a loose forward to not play in their first season of Super Rugby.
I think Ekuasi has been signed as a direct Harmon replacement, ala someone who plays 7&8. Adds to an exciting young loose forward mix.
Back to Hicks, could be as simple as they don't want to overcommit themselves in case they can sign Frizell. I'm guessing that whole thing isn't yet sorted. Probably not room for both + Haig and Stodart in the squad?
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ODT Landers Chat: Jamie Joseph
Paul Dwyer talks to Highlanders' head of rugby Jamie Joseph for the final Landers Chat of the season.
A catch up between Paul Dwyer and Jamie Joseph. Some of the key points- the obvious. The passing of Connor Garden-Bachop has been difficult for the entire organisation. Has delayed some of the BAU work.
- Expect a signing or three to be announced publicly in the next couple of weeks - if this forum is anything to go by, probably Vikena, Tangitau and potentially Ekusai
- Jamie has found it difficult being in a backroom role
- He is managing the recruitment
- Kenny Lynn's departure was unexpected, and wasn't possible to do both jobs
- It is difficult to attract players from out of region
- There will be a player or two signed out of NPC
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Vikena, Tangitau and potentially Ekusai
Plus Tele'a, maybe Byron Smith etc. Becoming 'Auckland south' at this rate. The Landers might have to be my 'other team' next season!
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Vikena, Tangitau and potentially Ekusai
Plus Tele'a, maybe Byron Smith etc. Becoming 'Auckland south' at this rate. The Landers might have to be my 'other team' next season!
I'm excited to see Byron Smith go around. It has been a long time since we've had a talented 10 just fall on our lap like that. Will be good to add him to the stable. If he stands up.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Would expect Josh Whaanga and Finn Hurley to be the first two announced? Vikena and Tangitau to follow as they were the next two done deals... maybe also the return of Umaga-Jensen.
Quite possibly. Both those players have been regularly sign poseted in articles from Irish Paul, and on the ODT Chat shows. As well as in open commentary from franchise management. They are known. Sure a nice social media post gets the warm fuzzies going. Umaga-Jensen is just an under contract player. Not sure that needs to be reiterated.
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What I read into the waiting for the NPC, is that they probably are looking at a Byron Smith to fill that 10 spot, and they have exhausted all the players they were interested in at prop and lock.
Jamie basically said that in regards to prop, so here is hoping we can find the next Pasilio Tosi!
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
What I read into the waiting for the NPC, is that they probably are looking at a Byron Smith to fill that 10 spot, and they have exhausted all the players they were interested in at prop and lock.
Jamie basically said that in regards to prop, so here is hoping we can find the next Pasilio Tosi!
When the Highlanders had the original Pasilio Tosi offered up on a gold plate to us several years ago. Same with Josh Moorby. Really had our blinkers on to Southland players for several years.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
What I read into the waiting for the NPC, is that they probably are looking at a Byron Smith to fill that 10 spot, and they have exhausted all the players they were interested in at prop and lock.
Jamie basically said that in regards to prop, so here is hoping we can find the next Pasilio Tosi!
When the Highlanders had the original Pasilio Tosi offered up on a gold plate to us several years ago. Same with Josh Moorby. Really had our blinkers on to Southland players for several years.
Moorby was a total fuck up when you consider the players chosen over him... in fairness with Tosi, I'm not sure anybody ever saw him being this good. If you go back through the Canes 2023 thread, people were saying they'd be happy to see him leave.
There is a guy who has come on out of nowhere. As a sidenote, he is two years older than Ma'u, who is a very similar body shape. He has now played 37 Super Rugby games, so whatever happens next year is a massive year for him. I still maintain with the right coaching, he could fill the gap left by Ainsley... that said you need two at least, and I think Wingham is still some way short of being ready to play Super Rugby consistently.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
What I read into the waiting for the NPC, is that they probably are looking at a Byron Smith to fill that 10 spot, and they have exhausted all the players they were interested in at prop and lock.
Jamie basically said that in regards to prop, so here is hoping we can find the next Pasilio Tosi!
When the Highlanders had the original Pasilio Tosi offered up on a gold plate to us several years ago. Same with Josh Moorby. Really had our blinkers on to Southland players for several years.
Moorby was a total fuck up when you consider the players chosen over him... in fairness with Tosi, I'm not sure anybody ever saw him being this good. If you go back through the Canes 2023 thread, people were saying they'd be happy to see him leave.
There is a guy who has come on out of nowhere. As a sidenote, he is two years older than Ma'u, who is a very similar body shape. He has now played 37 Super Rugby games, so whatever happens next year is a massive year for him. I still maintain with the right coaching, he could fill the gap left by Ainsley... that said you need two at least, and I think Wingham is still some way short of being ready to play Super Rugby consistently.
More sucessful clubs would have taken the risk on Tosi. At that time we were in the shit a bit, and and focused on more safe players. It is the same with Moorby. We picked guys like Alaimalo, Gregory, Koroi and the list goes on. He should hwve been a mainstay in our back three instead we chased out of region players.
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@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2025:
Spoke with Solomone Tukuafu today at the Waikato women's final. He said he absolutely loved being at the Landers and wants to get back again next year.
I don't think it matters whether they want him back, or whether he is good enough to go back. What screams is that he wants to go back. That says rhe culture is steaming in the right direction.
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@SouthernMann he said he really enjoyed the environment, the boys and management were great and he loved Dunedin.
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Geez, reading all this is giving me a lot of hype for next year already. Lots of promising young players coming down, a year of NPC and players will be more experienced for super and returning players potentially like TUJ and Frizell. Exciting times for next year already
