Highlanders 2025
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I was feeling confident when JJ got announced as coach but this squad has completely knocked that out of me. Is Dunedin so unappealing that no decent players want to move there?
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@game_film said in Highlanders 2025:
Where did Pari-Pari move on to? Can’t believe he’s 28
Japan mate. Tokatsu Green Rockets
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Pari Pari was nothing short of a big passenger. Tha k you for your service and enjoy smashing little blokes in Japan. @KiwiInLondon don't be too disheartened. A lot of guys arw still improving. Just a couple of weird selections. Especially Naeata. I don't know what other players they could have gone after.
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@SouthernMann I think I’ll go with the glass half empty approach this season. The years of optimism have caused too many issues with the blood pressure
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann I think I’ll go with the glass half empty approach this season. The years of optimism have caused too many issues with the blood pressure
I just pick a certain group of players, hope they go well. Hope we play a fun style to watch and that we don't get smoked. The team on the whole is better than last year. It'll just depend on JRK at the back,and whether he gets on the paddock. We get half a dozen injuries and we are wrecked
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Love this squad don’t get me wrong, but Arscott and Hastie as our backup halfbacks still doesn’t excite me. Both done nothing for Otago this year would’ve loved to see them throw Pledger in straight away and possibly sign Lenox.
As for the rest of the backline, Taine Robinson is a perfect signing imo. Finally gets the chance to prove himself and get some minutes hopefully.
Midfield looking strong, we just hope TUJ and Te Hiwi can keep themselves healthy and battle with Telea for the 12/13 spots.
Not sure who’s gonna be the primary 15 while JRK is out, possibly Taine? Or Hurley? Let’s hope it’s not Gilbert.
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Backing id love to see (personal opinion)
- Fakatava
- Miller
- Manson
- Umaga-Jensen
- Telea
- Tavatavanawi
- Robinson (while JRK out)
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@upthelanders I could be wrong here but Robinson seems too similar to Cam Millar to have in the starting backline, I expect Caleb Tangitau to press his claim for a spot outwide but unsure if he would be comfortable at 15
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Pure speculation on this locking situation, wondering if Howden has been brought down with the specific intention of playing lock?
1.96m, so probably has the height (just)… when you consider him and Naeta were the last two signed, just seems the likely option.
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@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Backing id love to see (personal opinion)
- Fakatava
- Miller
- Manson
- Umaga-Jensen
- Telea
- Tavatavanawi
- Robinson (while JRK out)
What’s the obsession with Manson? I mean he’s quick but that’s about it. Average defender, average under the highball. Not a complete winger
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann I think I’ll go with the glass half empty approach this season. The years of optimism have caused too many issues with the blood pressure
I just pick a certain group of players, hope they go well. Hope we play a fun style to watch and that we don't get smoked. The team on the whole is better than last year. It'll just depend on JRK at the back,and whether he gets on the paddock. We get half a dozen injuries and we are wrecked
I’m hoping Jamie Joseph takes some of those players with potential and really improves them. That would be the biggest plus
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Pure speculation on this locking situation, wondering if Howden has been brought down with the specific intention of playing lock?
1.96m, so probably has the height (just)… when you consider him and Naeta were the last two signed, just seems the likely option.
That's where I'm landing. Almost playing a dual blindside, one lock tactic. One of Dunshea/Holland on the paddock at a time. I wouldn't be surprised if Joseph was behind the Fischli at lock tactic with Otago, to see how it worked. Basically running a pack of four loosies and one genuine, tighthead lock. The second named lock just plays a looseforward role.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Backing id love to see (personal opinion)
- Fakatava
- Miller
- Manson
- Umaga-Jensen
- Telea
- Tavatavanawi
- Robinson (while JRK out)
What’s the obsession with Manson? I mean he’s quick but that’s about it. Average defender, average under the highball. Not a complete winger
Nareki and Tavatavqnawai should still be the first string wingers. Tangitau next cab off the rank. Give Manson some time in pre-season to see if he can tackle and catch.
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Nareki will start for sure. But he’ll be injured within the first 3 games and either Tangitau or Manson will take his spot for the season.
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What’s the big problem with Nui Naeta? Is he not good or something? Or we just not giving him a chance to play some games?
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Backing id love to see (personal opinion)
- Fakatava
- Miller
- Manson
- Umaga-Jensen
- Telea
- Tavatavanawi
- Robinson (while JRK out)
What’s the obsession with Manson? I mean he’s quick but that’s about it. Average defender, average under the highball. Not a complete winger
if he was a complete winger we probably wouldnt have him, thats the reality and always has been, we take people with some talent or potential and hope the lift
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So landing on something like this to start the year:
- de Groot
- Bell/Taylor/Vikena (Purely going to be PS Form)
- Ma'u
- Dunshea
- Holland
- Haig
- Withy
- Broughton
- Fakatava
- Millar
- Tangitau
- Umaga-Jensen
- Tele'a
- Tavatavanawai
- Robinson
- Bell/Taylor/Vikena
- Bartlett
- Kautai
- Howden
- Renton
- Lasaqa
- Arscott
- Gilbert
Fullback is just looking like a major issue, and I can't shake it. Hurley is way too raw to be relied upon as a fullback in SR at this stage. Robinson a safer pair of hands... I do wonder if they might consider Nareki at fullback, purely to get the best three outside backs on the field.
There is conflicting reports about JRK, some I have heard suggest as early as the start of March, others gone for the season. I suspect this is because there is a lot of hope and guessing, and we won't ultimately get a clearer picture until February, closer to any potential return date - it is that sort of injury. Whatever the case, there will be injury cover for him, and I am hoping like heck there is some unicorn player we pick up and get lucky with. I wouldn't rule out a potential move for Harkin, because they really are not having Faleafaga, and obviously Robinson has played more footy at 15 than anything.
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Just some wishful thinking on my end but can’t help but think of a few names that, in my opinion, we should be hoping to see training with the team in the widers/injury cover. A shame Ale Aho has moved on and signed with the Waratahs, seemed like an exciting young lock so that’s a real shame.
The below players are based off my knowledge, if you know any are signed or linked elsewhere don’t be afraid to enlighten us.
- Hugo Plummer(Unsigned, was with us last season and was capable doing a job. Will only be 24 next season).
- James Tucker(Unsigned, if unable to secure Plummer then you could be doing a lot worse than Tucker).
- Blair Ryall(Unsigned, been around the Highlanders set up for a few years now. Always solid for Southland and a bit of an unsung hero when he plays).
- Jone Rova and Isaac Hutchinson(I posted about them a few posts above, a position of need and good young depth is always good. If I had to guess, the Crusaders will do all they can to keep them in their wider group).
- Harkin(Again, another player with talent who went un named but I’m picking we will hear soon he’s with the Canes as their third 10 with Cameron being out for the year).
- Dylan Pledger(We know he’s in the set up, would just be nice to have word from the Highlanders about their plan for him. Signed from 2026 I believe. Arscott and Hastie have been around long enough now and both unable to even nail down a regular bench spot).
- Benet Kumeroa(To my knowledge he can play both loosehead and tighthead, can never have too many props decent props in the environment as we found out last season.
Trying to think of players that would be realistic fits and that’s all I can really think of. If there’s anyone else I’ve missed out, feel free to drop them below.
