Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann just to add to that list. Taniela Filimone who we signed from the NOLA Gold in the MLR didn’t play last week and isn’t named again this week. A strange signing but he has been training so makes me wonder if he’s in the WTG and being lined up with Otago. Would have thought he’d get a shot in pre season though.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann just to add to that list. Taniela Filimone who we signed from the NOLA Gold in the MLR didn’t play last week and isn’t named again this week. A strange signing but he has been training so makes me wonder if he’s in the WTG and being lined up with Otago. Would have thought he’d get a shot in pre season though.
Would have thought he would have got some minutes last week really. A strange deal all round
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Few comments from the Jamie presser
Umaga-Jensen will be out until at least a couple weeks into the season.
Testing Jim Tavatavanawai to see if he can be the man to fill in.
Sam Gilbert is a fullback in Joseph's eyes.
De Groot will be short of a gallop. Did record a good bronco time though.
Happy with the loosie mix.
Doesn't want to push inexperienced midfielders in too early. Mentioned Whaanga.
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i really like the idea, if JJ plays true to form and keeps it tight...having TT closer to the action could work really well, fingers crossed
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@SouthernMann Any mention of Arscott?
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann Any mention of Arscott?
Not that I can remember. Was listening while working though.
I'm wondering if we will see Twngblad come round 1.
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@SouthernMann Jamie clearly wants it - guess it depends if NZR allows it. Probably explains why there is no injury cover for Haig.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann Jamie clearly wants it - guess it depends if NZR allows it. Probably explains why there is no injury cover for Haig.
Both him and Naeata will get the second half I reckon. If Tengblad stands up well, he plays next week. If he struggles. Naeata has had enough time at lock to fill in. Might run a 6 - 2 split as well.
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@SouthernMann apparently Nareki is out with a rolled ankle for 3 - 4 weeks and TK Howden has strained his hamstring. Unknown what his recovery timeframe will be.
Presumably this means Tangitau will be starting. I’d assume they’ll want some experienced outside backs so likely big Timoci will be on the other wing, and maybe Te Hiwi at 12?
In the forwards assuming Renton will shift to six and Broughton will slot in at 8. We might see Tengblad debut given the injury.
Also Matt Whaanga is back training with the team due to TUJ injury.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann apparently Nareki is out with a rolled ankle for 3 - 4 weeks and TK Howden has strained his hamstring. Unknown what his recovery timeframe will be.
Presumably this means Tangitau will be starting. I’d assume they’ll want some experienced outside backs so likely big Timoci will be on the other wing, and maybe Te Hiwi at 12?
In the forwards assuming Renton will shift to six and Broughton will slot in at 8. We might see Tengblad debut given the injury.
Also Matt Whaanga is back training with the team due to TUJ injury.
Tangitau could be a great pick for any of you Fantasy players. He’s really cheap and could explode onto the scene against the Tahs.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann apparently Nareki is out with a rolled ankle for 3 - 4 weeks and TK Howden has strained his hamstring. Unknown what his recovery timeframe will be.
Presumably this means Tangitau will be starting. I’d assume they’ll want some experienced outside backs so likely big Timoci will be on the other wing, and maybe Te Hiwi at 12?
In the forwards assuming Renton will shift to six and Broughton will slot in at 8. We might see Tengblad debut given the injury.
Also Matt Whaanga is back training with the team due to TUJ injury.
Tangitau could be a great pick for any of you Fantasy players. He’s really cheap and could explode onto the scene against the Tahs.
On that basis, he'll be a dud.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann apparently Nareki is out with a rolled ankle for 3 - 4 weeks and TK Howden has strained his hamstring. Unknown what his recovery timeframe will be.
Presumably this means Tangitau will be starting. I’d assume they’ll want some experienced outside backs so likely big Timoci will be on the other wing, and maybe Te Hiwi at 12?
Manson will start on the right wing I think. Although circumstances has forced it, would not be surprised if the Tavatavanawai position change is a more permanent one considering his age and skillset
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@frugby I’d be a little suprised if both Tangitau and Manson get starts this coming week given the comparative lack of experience at this level.
My sense would be Tangitau, Te Hiwi, Telea, BIg Jim, Gilbert Backline with (and I hate to say it given this subs fascination with it) but Hurely and Mason on the bench with Gilbert as 10 cover.
Then in a couple of weeks once they’re both settled shift big Jim to the centres full time, and balance Mason, Tangitau and then Nareki between the wings with Hurley as gamebreaker later on.
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Audio Interview with JJ -
Super Rugby 2025: Highlanders gearing up for another season
We're less than a week away from the start of the 2025 Super Rugby season - and the Highlanders are hoping to build off of last year's momentum. Highlander
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann apparently Nareki is out with a rolled ankle for 3 - 4 weeks and TK Howden has strained his hamstring. Unknown what his recovery timeframe will be.
TK 3-4 weeks
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@handa457 Manson, though far from perfect has had a good pre-season. I don't think Jamie really thinks about experience - he thinks about ability, and this is somewhere where we have gone wrong.
If they rated Te Hiwi, he would have got the start last week.
Hurley has unfortunately not stepped up from what I have seen/heard. He was woeful in his cameo in Invercargill, and it was notable he didn't get on until the last 20. If he is on the bench, it will only be because of injuries.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hurley has unfortunately not stepped up from what I have seen/heard. He was woeful in his cameo in Invercargill, and it was notable he didn't get on until the last 20. If he is on the bench, it will only be because of injuries.
What makes you say Hurley was woeful? IMO he came on and did his core roles well while also adding a bit of something to the attack with some tired defenders on the field. Can’t expect the world when given 20mins in a pre season game. He’s a good player to have on the bench, can break things open and if someone goes down early then you could be doing a lot worse than bringing him on. I don’t mind him on the bench at all.
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@Landers92 Threw a couple of shocking passes, one straight into touch, and a hospital pass from a sideline throw which as it happened we ended up making a break from.
I really want to like him, but I think the fact Gilbert is being favoured speaks volumes.
