Highlanders 2025
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Do we have any update on Wider training group members for this season?
- Harry Taylor, Faletoni Peni, Michael Mason and Semesi T have all been fantastic in NPC. I’d love to see them in and around the squad this year.
Also does Hayden Michael’s actually have a contract for next season? I know he’s on a three year deal. But All rugby lists him as leaving the side. Anyone got the scoop?
Do we have injury update on Gilbert, Jacob Kneepkins, Nareki, Lowe plus those for potentially contracted players like Matt Whaanga and Will Tucker?
Anyone got an update on the propping situation? And what happened with Ayden Johnstone? I’m at a bit of a loss as to what happened to him.
Finally, is there any word on the street as to contracting for Moana Takaka and Ale Aho. Both seem to be players of the future, but might be a bit young.
There aren't wider training groups like what there were a few years ago. Players brought in tend to be depending on injuries in the squad mixed with development plans of younger players within region. I'd be interested to see Peni included. Although, with a young family in Auckland a lot will depend on his personal circumstances. As mentioned several times in this thread Manson is going back to America, as he is under contract there. The development players likely to be around the squad will be guys like A One Lolofie, Takataka, Fahey, Tengblad, Aho, Southland loosies (Blair Ryall was there this year), Dylan Pledger, Byron Smith, Tayne Harvey, Augistine. A few lads who have barely been spotted in provincial rugby will spend a fair bit of time with the squad. Hayden Michaels is under contract. No reason to suggest otherwise. As people have mentioned, sounds like Tucker is departing. With Howden likely coming our way. Propping sounds like Johnstone will be retained. Tighthead prop was identified as a need. Which suggests we are maintaining our three looseheads.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
And what happened with Ayden Johnstone? I’m at a bit of a loss as to what happened to him.
Johnstone injured his elbow and missed quite a few games for Waikato. He returned for the HB/ Ta$man games but must have re-injured it.
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who or what is an Ian Blake
He's the Northern Pride's Head of Performance, coming to us from the Highlanders apparently.
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google tells me he's S & C coach for Highlanders and Otago
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Hope to see Semisi Tupou and Michael Manson in the Landers full squad 🤞
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Hope to see Semisi Tupou and Michael Manson in the Landers full squad 🤞
Manson is contracted in the USA. I don't know how many times people have to repeat that Manson is not available. No room for Tupou unless Sanders is ruled out with injury. No8s already in the squad are Renton, Broughton and Stodart. Who knows, could be injury cover
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Hahahaha, never been confirmed that Manson is contracted in the USA. He’ll be a Highlander next year I know it
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He’s not available because he is a Highlander
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This post is deleted!
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Hahahaha, never been confirmed that Manson is contracted in the USA. He’ll be a Highlander next year I know it
Yeah nah. Here is an article confirming he is back in the USA. https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/350435055/winger-hoping-build-stags-solid-foundations-after-season-stateside
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Things have changed, he’s a Lander.
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Things have changed, he’s a Lander.
It'll be nice. I'd rather have him than an injury prone Lowe. At the moment all we can go off is the information out there. Unless you have somthing concrete.
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Concrete.. He’ll be better then Nareki too
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Well hopefully if those two are in it will mean no Lowe or Sanders. Which will be a win
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Concrete.. He’ll be better then Nareki too
Bit of difference between ‘hope to see’ and ‘concrete’ mate. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb and say you know something the rest of us don’t… I’m always throwing oil around and always afraid it won’t be accurate but it always is, if it isn’t then own it and move on. That’s all part of being on the fern!
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
Concrete.. He’ll be better then Nareki too
Every time Nareki plays for the highlanders, he’s one of the most dangerous players. In a backline with very few genuine threats we desperately need a player like that. Manson is very quick but he certainly isn’t nearly as complete of a player as Nareki.
Also considering they’ve picked up Caleb Tangitau, what would be the point of them signing Manson? Doesn’t make a lot of sense
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I’ve said it multiple times, Manson is contracted with the Landers next year. The point of signing him is that he’s one of the best wingers in the NPC..
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I said ‘hope’ because I like to see the bullshit you guys make up that he’s ‘confirmed’ in the US
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:
I said ‘hope’ because I like to see the bullshit you guys make up that he’s ‘confirmed’ in the US
It is a bit unfair to call it bullshit, when it is the publicly available information stated by him about his plans for next year. Things can change and it will be interesting to see him get an opportunity. The only spot available could be in place of Jonah Lowe, if he isn't available. Which would be a good thing.
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@HLD2023Champions what a joke, Manson isn’t any where near good enough for super rugby at this point. He ran in a few tries down the sideline for a woeful stags teams and somehow that’s good enough for the landers
