Highlanders 2025
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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2025:
Just heard Sefo Kautai IS Landers bound
And there answers the mystery prop from Australia. Makes for more sense than Bartlett... though am wondering if it could be both. JJ is nit mucking about, if they can they would like to get rid of DLB... they just don't think he is up to it.
Also, hearing they want RID of Faleafaga. They think he has all the talent, but totally uncoachable. Sad state of affairs, but surely confirms there will be another 10 in the squad at the expense of either Lowe or Sanders. I am wondering if Lowe was never coming back, which is why I heard J Whaanga being a viewed as a winger option (for this year only)
Still trying to find out who the lock is without luck. Would be surprised if it was Plummer, because he was rated behind Tucker this season (factually). Considering we are only carrying three, I kind of expect they want a big tall lineout lock, so Allan Craig was one who came to mind (Is he contracted to MP?). Also the possibility of someone returning from Japan (e.g Dickson & Dearns). As they allowed Tucker to jump ship, I think they got this one wrapped up some time ago.
Shame about JRK, but timeline makes sense because clearly a similar injury to what Sam Cane did. I agree Hutchinson is the best bet at 15... all in all though, the more I think about our squad balance, the more I expect that a few players who we all assumed are signed, actually are not. A breakdown of 3 HK, 6 PR, 3 LK, 9 LF, 3 HB, 2 FF, 6 MF, 6 OB (Just 2 FBs in there) makes little sense.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
kind of expect they want a big tall lineout lock, so Allan Craig was one who came to mind
I believe he had been in negotiations with the Highlanders but didnt go anywhere, while MP was also keen to retain his services, but unsure if he re-signed @Steven-Harris may have heard something more recently.
There had been whispers Josh Goodhue might be returning from Japan (is 29 now) but this was more in relation to NPC I'd heard this.
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@taniwharugby Allen Craig is heading back to Moana Pacifika for 2025
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@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2025:
@taniwharugby Allen Craig is heading back to Moana Pacifika for 2025
Good solid journeyman player. Would be a good fit anywhere.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I doubt he has been offered a bench spot but am hearing that Manson to the Highlanders is a goer.
Suppose JRK's injury opens up a spot for Manson. Have heard he's hoping to transition to 15, so perhaps he might be tried there in pre-season?
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@frugby Can confirm Manson has been promised atleast a bench spot.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby Can confirm Manson has been promised atleast a bench spot.
What does that even mean? He'll get first shot at the bench?
He's promised bench spot for the whole season?
So even if he's shite he'll still be on the bench?
That's pretty arse if that's how they've 'enticed' him to sign -
I don't mind Manson. The speed he has is a big plus. This narrative around him being promised a bench spot is just plain weird. I'm sure Tangitau has also been promised opportunities as well. Same with the other players signed on for the first time next year. I just doubt Joseph would be stupid enough to promise a player who has never played at this level/even trained at this level a permenant spot in the 23. Only a handful of players will be able to lock themselves in each week. Manson should not be in that group. considering a couple of the @frugby points. On Faleafaga, if that is the view of him. It is disappointing. I am always skeptical when sayings like uncoachable are thrown around. It is like someone in a worksense is hard to manage. Often they aren't, it is just management isn't working out how the worker needs to be looked after. I hope it isn't the case of management not wanting to pivot around with finding an approach that works with Faleafaga. On the locks. I still reckon it could be Plummer. Just on his form in the NPC. In terms of him v Tucker. Have to remember Tucker has barely played and he is a few years older than Plummer too
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Looking forward to squad namings so we can stop talking about guys like ‘Michael Manson’… bloody painful
Haven't seen much of him but expect big things next season haha.
