Highlanders 2025
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Josh Tengbald is an absolute unit. I reckon the Highlanders have quite possibly planned for him being contracted in 2026, which is possibly part of the reason we only have two locks for 2025
The picture of him front and centre in the Highlanders Christmas parade is photo is hilarious. Clearly head and shoulders taller than everyone else. Although, can't quite work out who he is standing beside. Here is hoping he has an injury free season, plays well well for Highlanders U20s, NZ U20s and steps in to Otago well. I remember reading he had some injury issues this year. On an ODT Rugby Chat he was listed at 207cm. Taller than Dom Bird. Potentially partnering Fabian Holland down the line I'd mean we'd have the tallest locking pair in Super Rugby. Hopefully he maintains athleticism as well. I wonder what the plan is with Dunshea. Has just turned 29. Might get lucky keeping him in 2026, or next year might be his final with the Landers
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
Is Tengblad putting on some weight? The NZ U20s should have a good group of locks for 2025.
He is looking fairly sizeable from the picture on the Landers socials. Certainly larger than the pictures of him I saw from his NZ Schools days. I'd say his development is a priority for the club. There are a huge number of lock/sixes around the place too. Could be a plan going forward of just two primary locks
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Josh Tengbald is an absolute unit. I reckon the Highlanders have quite possibly planned for him being contracted in 2026, which is possibly part of the reason we only have two locks for 2025
Clearly head and shoulders taller than everyone else. Although, can't quite work out who he is standing beside.
That’s Sean Withy in the middle and looks like Kyan Rangitutia beside him who also seems to be a tall set up, especially for an outside back.
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@Landers92 what image is that?
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Josh Tengbald is an absolute unit. I reckon the Highlanders have quite possibly planned for him being contracted in 2026, which is possibly part of the reason we only have two locks for 2025
Clearly head and shoulders taller than everyone else. Although, can't quite work out who he is standing beside.
That’s Sean Withy in the middle and looks like Kyan Rangitutia beside him who also seems to be a tall set up, especially for an outside back.
Yeah the one stat I've found with Rangitutia has him listed at about 195cm. Which seems about right, he looks a good few cms taller than Withy, who is listed at 191.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
I'd say his development is a priority for the club
I'm looking forward to watching more of him in the next few seasons, he's an impressive young player. Really good in the lineout (both as caller and as disrupter of opposition ball) and good work-rate around the field. More Josh Lord than Pari Pari Parkinson.
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
The NZ U20s should have a good group of locks for 2025.
Tengblad, Aisake Vakasiuola, Dylan Eti, Frazer Brown (U19), Tevita Tatafu (U19), ... No shortage of genuinely tall second-rowers in this cohort. I also liked what I've seen from Lenz Morunga-Itunu, but I'm hoping he's seen more as a blindside.
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Huge. Lennox training with the Highlanders, could be a game changer to the halfback situation. As I previously said they wanted (and thought they had got) rid of Hastie.
Interesting that Loft is covering for JRK, obviously JJ not a fan of Michaels?
Coach Joseph pushing ‘land of opportunity’
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is big on talking about opportunities this season. Joseph, back in the saddle after seven years coaching Japan and...
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ok, jersey is a bit boring...bit some of the supporters/training gear is pretty sweet
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A little more on the halfback situation… the reason Lennox is down is not as positive as first thought.
Fakatava is having issues with his knee again, I will try find out what exactly that means, but we could be going into the SR season with James Arscott as our most experience halfback.
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One of the weirder names in their was Joe Cooke as a guy training with the squad. As a player he is a bit of a shit version of Richard Buckman. Was once a winger. He now a midfielder. Very good club player. Didn't look up to speed at provincial level.
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@SouthernMann I can only assume this is purely to make up the numbers, because though I am far from a fan, they could have taken Matt Whaanga back as cover, and he is clearly better.
I think the general guide is anyone who has come in from out the region is actually rated.
On a more lighthearted note, we have a new Fijian winger called Waisake!
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
On a more lighthearted note, we have a new Fijian winger called Waisake!
Waisake Salabiau?
Can you or @SouthernMann list the players mentioned in the ODT article.
