Highlanders 2025
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A few hopes for the season
Ethan de Groot bounces back. Shows himself as deserving of a starting All Black spot.
No loses to NZ sides by more than 15 points.
Win at least three against NZ sides.
If James Arscott and Fakatava are leaving at the end of the season. Adam Lennox and Dylan Pledger are given gametime.
We have some consistency of selection at fullback while waiting for JRK to return from injury.
One of Manson or Tangitau takes over from Nareki on the left wing.
Oli Haig returns earlier than expected from injury and shoots into AB contention.
We don't get to round five with a massive injury toll playing without de groot, Holland, Haig (already injured), Millar, TUJ/Tele'a.. etc
We know who our no1 hooker is early.
We use the bench to provide impact and pick the guys accordingly.
We play an exciting style of footy and people turn up.
We are more sure about the future of some of the 50/50 guys to know whether they have a future. Guys like Faleafaga (I know some say he is on the outer), Te Hiwi, Michaels, Manson, Gilbert, Robinson, Hurley.
Josh Tengblad makes his debut and handles it well.
We don't have to use Jonah Lowe or Daniel Lienert-Brown.
We finish somewhere between 5th and 8th. With a chance to make the playoffs going into the final week.
Hopefully some realistic goals for the year.
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@SouthernMann Where the fringe players sit will be quite interesting.
I think there is a relatively clear pecking order at prop & lock. We know hooker is open season, but ideally by the end of the year the hope would be there is an established starter., because I would suggest that means one of them is on the fringes of the All Blacks.
Loose forward will be fascinating, particularly how they use Lasaqa. Michaels I get the feeling is on the outer, but you just never know.
Halfback too could be fascinating, because it seems they have five halfbacks training with them. I would suggest considering how highly rated Pledger is, that gives a clue at how Jamie rates the other two behind Fakatava (who has supposedly re-signed until 2027 though I take that with a grain of salt). Hastie is the one who they tried (unsuccessfully) to get rid of - not Arscott, though I think he is really just viewed as a solid number three. Will Lennox get a game? Will Pledger get a game? Should be fun to follow.
First five, Millar is obviously the starter, but what happens behind him will be interesting. I had heard that Robinson has been brought down with the intention of him being the 2nd choice. I've heard Faleafaga is looking at options in Japan after the Super Rugby season, and unless Millar gets injured I think his chances will be limited. However, what could be interesting is how the shape of the bench effects things. Will Hurley/Gilbert cover 10 on gameday?
Midfielders, the assumption is that Umaga-Jensen and Tele'a will be the starting midfield, but I honestly feel like it is open season here. Would not shock me to see Te Hiwi, Gilbert or Whaanga in there. If we are playing well this should become settled.
The wingers should be fun. I think it is going to be a classic case of competition for places bringing the best out of them. It was notable that Tavatavanawai spent time at centre in the MP game, so don't discount them doing that to get their best players on the park. I think ultimately if all four main wingers play to the best of their abilities, then Tangitau and Tavatavanawai are the starting pair, backed up by Nareki and Manson.
Fullback, I think they are hoping JRK is back middle of the season. This just seems to be the vibe. We'll know what the thinking is on Thursday. If Hurley has impressed on the training ground, then they might chuck him in, but they may decide that they actually have enough x-factor in the backline, and will instead opt for a safer option like Gilbert, which I could understand.
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The field seemed at least a.metre and a half short width AND length wise so it was akin to a phone booth boxing match
Not much sweeping backline plays apart from the Landers try to Renton which was a beauty, counter from inside their 22 quick hands Millar Tele'a Gilbert to give Tangitau early ball and in space and he used his speed to full advantage.
There's life in Nareki yet, very dangerous w every touch.
Manson as well. Only had a cpl of touches but threatened everytime with his speed off the mark. He is RAPID! There is speed and then there us Manson.
The wing battle this season will be interesting. Overall the Landers did.look very fit, just couldn't get much going w drop ball loose passes etc. If it was a straight 23 v 23 I think their fitness advantage would've been more obvious. They are VERY lean. Not much size in the forwards. Not a bad performance considering their full on training week including Thursday full sessions and the 4.30am early rise on Friday. -
I’d anticipate us fielding our most experienced line up to start the season with big pressure a lot of players from up and coming lads.
In my mind DLB and Henry Bell don’t make the 23 at all, while Nareki, Gilbert and Arscott probably only make it because of experience / injuries.
- Ethan De Groot
- Soanne Vikenna
- Saula Ma’au
- Fabian Holland
- Mitchell Dunshea
- Hugh Renton
- Sean Withy
- Nikora Broughton
- Folau Fakatava
- Cam Millar
- Jona Nareki
- Thomas Umunga Jensen
- Tanelea Telea
- Timcoi T
- Sam Gilbert
- Jack Taylor
- Josh Bartlett
- Sefo Kauitau
- TK Howden
- Venevui Lasaqua
- James Arscott
- Finn Hurley
- Caleb Tangitau
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
Rather bemused at the discounting of Nareki - if he's playing to the best of his abilities, he's AB quality.
Agreed. Our best and most consistent back for years on end and all of a sudden he’s out of the 23… The joys of pre season conversations.
Week 1 can’t come soon enough.
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@KiwiMurph this is my feeling too. He’s 21 and I think he’s got every chance of being an all black in the next few years. Huge ceiling - but raw.
If the rumours that Nareki is leaving at the end of this season are true wonder if Jamie will roll the dice with him this season and push for a lot of game time.
Of the young bucks I’m expecting Taylor, Tangitau, Hurley and Howden to really cement themselves in the 23 this season. Feel like I haven’t seen enough of Lasaqua too make a call, and Stodart may have to bide his time.
Long term with the rise of Tengblad, Broughton, Howden, Haig and the continued form of Dunshea and Holland I wonder how much game time Stodart will see barr an injury crisis
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With Nareki it is the likelihood that this may be his last year with the team, as well as how injury prone he has been. Certainly keen to see him get some good gametime and know he will be an asset when on the field. I feel sorry for the bloke a bit, he had several seasons where the tactic was pretty much throw it to Nareki and hope he does something.
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Team is out today. From what I observed when I drove past at training yesterday, expecting to see something along the lines of:
- de Groot
- Bell
- Ma'u
- Dunshea
- Holland
- Howden
- Lasaqa
- Renton
- Fakatava
- Millar
- Nareki
- Te Hiwi
- Tele'a
- Tavatavanawai
- Gilbert
Manson, Hurley and Tangitau were training as the opposite back three, so that is a bit of a clue Gilbert will be in 15.
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@Landers92 dont hate the idea of keeping in in the action, loves a ruck, no sign of TUJ?
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@Kiwiwomble yeah hope it’s nothing serious with him. Will try and get some insight around that tomorrow
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@Kiwiwomble Injured - believe it is the shoulder from the NPC
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