Highlanders 2025
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?
Every player will get sold a pitch when signing into a team. JRK last year would have been told he is our starting fullback. The younger guys be told they are there to learn year 1 and then potentially be a regular after players X and Y leave. With the caveat they need to improve in certain areas. I'm sure Manson has been sold a pitch y the Highlanders. He will know he isn't the first pick. But will have been informed there will be gametime for him next year. Could easily be the case that him and Tangitau are the starting wingers in 26
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@SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about
The definitive bench spot just sounds like Chinese whispers. I've signed on to the Landers. Have been promised some time off the bench... turns into four chains down the line have you heard Mike is going going to be the bench outside back everyweek!
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
- Manson in on a One year Deal
- The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
- Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
Is Hastie just being paid out?
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
- The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
That narrows down the choices!!
I assume not a current Japanese player?
Uwe Helu?
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
- Manson in on a One year Deal
- The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
- Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
Is Hastie just being paid out?
I don't know, but I am guessing so. Slight tweak from my source is that he is not 100% that it is Pledger, just know Hastie is gone, and Pledger is signed (so either from next year or 2026)...
I wonder if the Highlanders said your in from 2025 as a sweetner to ensure he signed.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
- The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
That narrows down the choices!!
I assume not a current Japanese player?
I have literally no idea. I thought my likely a Kiwi of Polynesian/Maori heritage (Jackson Hemopo springs to mind) but nothing other than my thoughts on that.
I guess it narrows it down in the sense it is not Plummer or Shalfoon.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?
James Blackwell?
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@upthelanders I am convinced you’re his mother.
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Can confirm Lui Naeata has signed with the Landers.
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Not sure about that promised bench spot though 🤣🤣
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@Kiwidom said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby Possibly Lui Naeata, but he's more of a blindside
So Hugo Plummer released? I wonder if he’s coming home to play for the Canes. Had a very good NPC.
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Lui Naeta was the obvious one, but would be mental if true, that we are only carrying three locks, one of whom is just an average sized blindside.
Joseph is happy enough that we can call someone in, but in the event Holland was injured I assumed we would want another tall lock in the squad.
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I know he’s not Polynesian but I did see an article somewhere about NZ born Japanese lock Warner Dearns wanting to play super rugby moving forward
Now that would be a couple massive 6’8 lineout targets if Dearns & Holland were on the field at the same time .
