Highlanders 2025
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Think Finn Hurley could be one to watch, because it was notable he wasn't announced yesterday, even though according to Paul Cully he was signed ages ago.
Tangitau was locked in before they knew CGB was leaving (though I guess they may have thought Lowe was leaving?) so that might suggest he was the Bogado replacement. If it is correct Hurley was signed so far in advance, then maybe he was actually signed as the Patchell replacement?
OR, maybe the rumours of him being signed are incorrect? Seems weird they would announce those five guys, but omit Hurley to announce him at a later date?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby i have my doubts re Hurley but as someone (you?) pointed out he got the nod in the QF so you would think that has to be a sign he is considered positively
Agreed. I do wonder if JJ becoming head coach changes that though?
Look at the backs we have signed since Jamie got involved:
Tavatavanawai
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Tangitau
Tele'a
J Whaanga
PatchellAll these guys are big.
It could be that the rumour of him being signed was rubbish, and more that Dermody/Lynn rated him? They went off Bogado big time, and the only other fit back was Garden-Bachop, but he dropped a stinker and was hooked against the Canes. Almost a case of last man standing?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach
Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.
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I'd just saying the 'announcement', or a lack there of Finn Hurley is a bit of an oversight. It has been clearly signaled by members of the team's management, that it just has potentially been forgotten to have been officially done publicly.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
I'd just saying the 'announcement', or a lack there of Finn Hurley is a bit of an oversight. It has been clearly signaled by members of the team's management, that it just has potentially been forgotten to have been officially done publicly.
Just seems a little odd though? Last year for example, they announced all those young fellas twice, including Cam Millar who had already been upgraded into the squad for 2023.
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for all we know his plans may have changed, if someone in Japan spotted him and if the Highlanders only see him as a squad guy covering 15/10 then he might have asked to leave before it was announced, we just dont know until they say one way or the other
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this place just isn't the same since the Magpie Massive chucked their toys out of the cot and left because their union has a drug problem.
Now guys like Lowe and havili are left undefended
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach
Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.
He's 10cm taller and at the moment 10kg heavier. He will probably end up around 100 - 105kg. Most similar in build to a Jordie Barrett or a SBW. A long way from a Buckman.
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@mariner4life He'd be struggling with his Crusaders having a bad season and the Blues winning it would have hurt him just as much, along with Akira Ioane lifting the trophy haha.
Imagine the fights he'd have on here if he read the Jonah Lowe criticism? He'd probably have a meltdown too at the Landers choosing to sign Rhys Patchell ahead of his other idol Lincoln McClutchie.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach
Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.
He's 10cm taller and at the moment 10kg heavier. He will probably end up around 100 - 105kg. Most similar in build to a Jordie Barrett or a SBW. A long way from a Buckman.
Just because he has a different body type doesn't mean he can't fill the same role of being a hard tackling, hard running workhorse.
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@frugby just doesn't match how I've seen him play. With that body composition, he is an offloading target, a guy to run off. Buckman tended to run off players, instead of being a provider. Buckman
was guy who ran at holes. Instesd of busting through tackles. With Buckman was the smaller guy who took advantage of the space provided by the bigger backline members. Whaanga will be one of the bigger backline members. Whaanga is also a kick-pass target, who can go over the top of defenders in the air. His height is probably his biggest advantage. Very different styles and strengths. -
Ideally Hurley is replaced asap with a bigger, better, more level headed, less prone to stupid kicks, can make sensible decisions kind of fullback. Suspect he will be a 1-2 season wonder
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Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his side but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.
He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.
He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his size but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.
He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.
He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.
Nailed it. Hurley has some bloody good skills. He is quick, has a strong passing game, is showing great improvement under the high ball and his defence has come on leaps and bounds. The half he played marking Caleb Clarke was a top display. He was all over Clarke. He got himself a bit lost with the ball and defensively with Otago last year. I'd certainly expect this year to be a much improved campaign. There are a lot of people who back him. I like the idea of him coming off the bench for the Landers next year, if that is an impact option they are looking at.
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@SouthernMann he doesn’t make sensible decisions, a lot of his decision making is incredibly poor, even at a club level.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be
Ahem
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Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
