The Silver Fern

@george33 stray bullets? Never mind champ...I wasn't sure why I had the honor of getting a mention by you.

@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life well, Stick by this 1, nogusta, look at his rumour, Sullivan, Funaki, both back and were always going to be, I can take the heat,

Wait...How come I'm catching strays here?
Leave me out of your convos please

Tele'a was down to start but got injured in the team run yesterday (hammy)

@Landers92 phargggg that was painful...hard not to think ol Siaosi isn't taking the piss - just rarking up the Landers supporters....iin any case....it's not happening. Not next year anyway.

Hurley was definitely rushed back too early...the lads were a bit miffed w JJs comments around Hurleys injury insinuating it was his (Hurley) decision to play against the Reds.
They're getting the same vibe with JRK in that there's a little bit of 'unspoken' pressure for him to get back on the grass.

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

Joseph did mention that the first two scrum penalties were against de Groot. He was penalised three times and got a YC.

Tele'a has been dropped. "Tanielu made too many mistakes".

He's been playing with a broken middle finger since the MP preseason game.
Might explain some handling issues.

Tangitau hurt his groin on Saturday
Fingers crossed not too bad

@antipodean said in Highlanders v Reds:

Hurley was bog average but the game was lost by the second half performance of the Highlanders props.

Harley reinjured the quad, pretty badly too apparently
That might be his season

Suafoa will be on the bench tonight

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

"Suafoa isn't listed as injured so I guess he comes onto the bench"

Suafoa is not available either

@Duluth Funaki opted not to go under the knife but try and rehab the shoulder - 8 week return time-frame if all goes well
Think already mentioned but Sullivan likely out of SR with lisfranc injury

I've heard Proctors foot injury is a very complicated one that has medicos stumped as in what to do/how to treat. Not entirely sure what that means but what Ive heard is it's an unusual injury and maybe even career threatening.
I'd love to be wrong with this one.

@Steven-Harris looks like the Blues are doubling down on Cotter ball

@Landers92 he was definitely on rubber leg street after copping a Naeata forearm on the chin tryna tackle him.
Maybe he passed the head knock protocol checks? 🤷

@Nepia dropped for not performing as well as the coach would have liked

@Nepia dropped, 'rested' rotated out of the match day 23 for a game whatever you want to call it.
The coach himself said he was dropped for a game in the team meeting and gave him his list of work ons.
Hastie was KOd in the team run so Landers could be scraping the halfback barrel if Hastie & FF are ruled out

@frugby Renton was just straight dropped. But will be back after the bye. Fakatava is 50/50. Strained hammy today apparently.

@Daffy-Jaffy they had rings made as well after the trans Ta$man trophy win in...2021?

They won't be beat on fitness this season

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.