Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
An interesting post on X from the New Orleans Gold. It states Taniela Filimone will be joining the Landers instead of returning to MLR. Not a named player. Must be in as long-term injury cover. Another winger.
That is interesting and quite a weird one.
25 years old and has bounced between Manawatu and the New England Free Jacks for 4 years to go along with 2 caps for Tonga. He has also spent time training with the Chiefs back in 2022 as a replacement player.
Big winger who can play both wings and cover centre at a pinch. Not expecting him to get much/any game time but this could be a sign outside backs have been snapped up and are forced to search far and wide for capable injury cover/wtg players.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
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.
Renton over Broughton if he’s fit.
Gilbert over Robinson. I know Gilbert can be an arse but his size at the back would be preferable.Ideally the team finds itself in a position where they’re winning games they should and they can give guys like Hurley at shot at fullback against the likes of MP and the Force
I'd go: 1. de Groot 2. Taylor 3. Ma'u 4. Dunshea 5. Holland 6. Haig 7. Withy 8. Broughton 9. Fakatava 10. Millar 11. Nareki 12. Gilbert 13. Tele'a/TUJ 14. Tavatavanawai 15. Hurley 16. Vikena 17. Bartlett 18 Kautai 19. Howden/Stodart 20 Lasaqa 21 Arscott/Hastie 22 Robinson 23 Tele'a/TUJ/Manson/Tangitau. With the likes of Hurley/Broughton v Gilbert/Renton. I think it is best to pick players who can win you games instead of lose by fewer. Gilbert isn't going to win any prizes from fullback. Hurley might. Broughton is more likely to create something out of nothing than Renton. As much as I don't like Gilbert, in any position, for the balance of the squad he is better in the midfield than two very similar players in TUJ and Tele'a.
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@SouthernMann hard to disagree with that. It would be nice to see the team coached by a decent coach as well.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann hard to disagree with that. It would be nice to see the team coached by a decent coach as well.
With the pack, it is worthwhile asking who our genuine ball carriers are. You'd probably want to have at least three or four on the field at any one time. The guys who can bend the line are Vikena, Holland, Howden, the big lad from the Brumbies, Lasaqa (running wide), Haig if he is used in the right way and Broughton. De Groot is good for a run or two, Ma'u is good in close and Jack Taylor will beat guys on the outside. The first group though, can get the team on the front foot. Lads like Dunshea, Withy, Renton amongst others are less likely to make yards but are great glue players. I think there is a possibility of seeing Holland and Dunshea replace eachother in games. With a Howden, Haig, Stodart or Naeata starting alongside one of them. Running four loosies. JJ in the presser talked about being used to playing 6'1 locks in Japan. He doesn't care for having two traditional locks. He is after mobility and impact.
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@SouthernMann your dislike of Renton is glowing neon. He's been one of the best ball runners in the pack the last couple of years.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann your dislike of Renton is glowing neon. He's been one of the best ball runners in the pack the last couple of years.
Nah. I think he is a fantastic player. Really like the way he plays. It is just what the balance of the team needs to be. I'd expect him to start. It is just my preference to go for a quicker player.
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@SouthernMann It has been pointed out to me that the Highlanders improved ten-fold when Dunshea came back last year - and that is true.
I expect that where possible (and there is no intent to rest) that he definitely starts, with Stodart I think likely the guy to finish games at lock.
@Bones Renton has been one of our best, but I agree that he can be improved upon. He has been the best of a bad a bunch, missed most of last season too. Broughton is coming in off a stellar NPC, and IMO is more dynamic than Renton. Renton is good for the hard yards, but if Withy/Dunshea can give you that, then they will look to Broughton to offer something a bit extra, because Renton has a tendency to die with the ball in contact.
At the end of the day, outside of a lack of depth at lock, the pack looks good to me, and with some decent wingers, and a first five who kicks his goals, I’d back us to take more steps forward this year.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
but if
And therein lies the rub.
By but if, I am referring to the fact that they can. When Renton played 8 for us, we largely had Parkinson and Dickson at lock, both of whom couldn't/didn't carry.
Withy has bulked up a lot, and Dunshea has the grunt to do the hard yards. I think that eventually Broughton displaces Renton as he is far more dynamic. Renton may well start the season, but if we want to progress, I think he gets replaced as a starter.
You compare him to Sotutu, Sititi, Iose and Lio-Willie, he simply doesn't have the ball skills that they have. If Broughton can continue his form from the end of the season and NPC, I believe he does give you that.
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Article from the Southland tribune states Tayne Harvey and Shaun Kempton have NDCs. While Josh Augustine, Gregor Rutledge, and Mika Muliaina are scheduled to spend some time training with the Highlanders from January. Jack Sexton will train with the squad too
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Mika Muliaina
Any relation to Mils?
Answered my own question, nephew.
The former is a nephew of former All Black Mils Muliaina
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@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Mika Muliaina
Any relation to Mils?
He's the son of Mils' brother I believe
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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2025:
@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Mika Muliaina
Any relation to Mils?
He's the son of Mils' brother I believe
Really highly down south I understand. Him and Jimmy Taylor appear to be the young backs Southland rugby fans push. I thought Mika Muliaina was still in school. Jimmy Taylor will be in his final year next year. He's the brother of Harry and Jack Taylor.
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Mika was a Y13 this year. Rico is the older brother.
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