Highlanders 2025
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@mariner4life He'd be struggling with his Crusaders having a bad season and the Blues winning it would have hurt him just as much, along with Akira Ioane lifting the trophy haha.
Imagine the fights he'd have on here if he read the Jonah Lowe criticism? He'd probably have a meltdown too at the Landers choosing to sign Rhys Patchell ahead of his other idol Lincoln McClutchie.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach
Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.
He's 10cm taller and at the moment 10kg heavier. He will probably end up around 100 - 105kg. Most similar in build to a Jordie Barrett or a SBW. A long way from a Buckman.
Just because he has a different body type doesn't mean he can't fill the same role of being a hard tackling, hard running workhorse.
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@frugby just doesn't match how I've seen him play. With that body composition, he is an offloading target, a guy to run off. Buckman tended to run off players, instead of being a provider. Buckman
was guy who ran at holes. Instesd of busting through tackles. With Buckman was the smaller guy who took advantage of the space provided by the bigger backline members. Whaanga will be one of the bigger backline members. Whaanga is also a kick-pass target, who can go over the top of defenders in the air. His height is probably his biggest advantage. Very different styles and strengths. -
Ideally Hurley is replaced asap with a bigger, better, more level headed, less prone to stupid kicks, can make sensible decisions kind of fullback. Suspect he will be a 1-2 season wonder
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Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his side but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.
He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.
He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his size but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.
He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.
He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.
Nailed it. Hurley has some bloody good skills. He is quick, has a strong passing game, is showing great improvement under the high ball and his defence has come on leaps and bounds. The half he played marking Caleb Clarke was a top display. He was all over Clarke. He got himself a bit lost with the ball and defensively with Otago last year. I'd certainly expect this year to be a much improved campaign. There are a lot of people who back him. I like the idea of him coming off the bench for the Landers next year, if that is an impact option they are looking at.
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@SouthernMann he doesn’t make sensible decisions, a lot of his decision making is incredibly poor, even at a club level.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be
Ahem
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Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
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im not a huge Matt Whaanga fan, has Journeyman written allover him
im getting lost, whats the deal with Tele'a? hes back next year?
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.
Yes sir. Certainly wasn't saying Josh Whaanga. Was just throwing around theories. I still wouldn't be surprised if Jonah Lowe needs cover going into the season..
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Coaching changes to be confirmed at 3 PM. @frugby talked about it further up in the thread
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so....4mins away?
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Jamie Joseph Head Coach
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NO WAY!!!!
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'Keen to get stuck in': Jamie Joseph returns as Highlanders head coach
Jamie Joseph will return as head coach of the Highlanders next season. The widely respected coach, who led the Highlanders to their only Super...
