The Silver Fern

@Chris said in Black Caps vs England Series:

@MN5 said in Black Caps vs England Series:

@Crazy-Horse said in Black Caps vs England Series:

O'Rouke just needs some luck with the injury gods. Surely a Black Cap pace bowler is due some?

The thought of him, the ever improving Henry and a fit Jamieson fills me with all sorts of hope.

That trio might be an upgrade on Southee/Boult/Wags

What, you backing a Canterbury pace bowling trio.

Zak Foulkes knocking at the door too. Plenty of red n black talent coming through!

@MN5 said in Black Caps vs England Series:

@Donsteppa said in Black Caps vs England Series:

There are some seriously ordinary names in that list.

In saying that Glenn Turner scored a truckload at county level. A real shame he didn’t play much more for NZ.

I can’t believe how many Marshall, Rutherford and Patel got !!!

Seeing how cricket is going. I'd be very surprised if any players who aren't on the list make it on. Dipak Patel played more than 350 first class games. Hamish Marshall 250. In the modern cricket environment, no one will get near those numbers in the future. Sad to think these records are unlikely to be achievable for our young players

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann Not sure I would go that far. More said he will do what the team needs, but there was no direct indication he will play lock.

Howden thinks of himself as a specialist blindside but he played a bit of lock in his younger days and is aware he might spend some time in the Highlanders’ second row.

"Jamie wants a fast, versatile team. If I have to push to lock, so be it. I’m down here to just to be on the rugby field and playing good footy."

I think you are being a bit pedantic. Joseph has talked about his versatility. We only have two specialist locks. He will spend time there.

Article on TK Howden (in ODT) which says he will likely play a bit of lock during the season. Will be interesting to see who gets the six shirt and who is the lock replacement out of him and Haig

Blundell playing a career saving knock in a batting effort where there is absolutely no pressure. Great. Another 10 tests for him.

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

I am assuming it is Salabiau. He's still young and was playing for the Waikato U19s before making his debut in the NPC playoffs. He's very quick. He also played for the Fiji U20s at the WC.

If he is U20 and sticking around down there. I wonder if they will try and get him to play for the Landers U20s.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@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!

I'm not too bothered by Cooke. He does a job. Will hold a tackle bag well. I'm interested in this Fijian winger. Seems we will be playing a bit of winger idol over the next year, working out who may be taking over from Nareki and Tavatavanawai if they both leave.

Acadamey: Tayne Harvey, Shaun Kempton, Kyan Rangitutia. Other players: Joe Cooke, Michael Loft and Adam Lennox. Other guys I've seen mentioned are Jack Sexton, Josh Tengblad, Josh Augistine, Gregor Rutledge, Mika Muliaina. Dylan Pledger will be there too.

Wellington on a slightly above average day today. Bit cloudy, not a lot of wind. That ripped through yesterday. Win the toss and bowl.

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.

@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.

@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

@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

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

If Sam Fishcli is the answer. The question cannot be, who is a viable locking option to be called in to play Super Rugby...

I don't think anyone is suggesting he is. I was more just making the point that I would expect him to be a WTG member for pre-season.

If it is just for pre-season it makes more sense being players who will actually be Super players in a year or two. Instead of him...

If Sam Fishcli is the answer. The question cannot be, who is a viable locking option to be called in to play Super Rugby...

Surely Fishchli is out to go back to the US.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Pre-season must start next week I guess? Be intrigued to see who pops up with the squad as to whether it is literally just local guys to hold tackle bags, or whether we do have the odd other train-on.

There will be a lock (one at least) as Holland will not be back. Unless it is Shneil Singh or Josh Bekhuis, it'll have to be someone from out of the region.

Highly likely it will be Josh Tengblad, who must surely be on a NDC.

Tengbald is training with them, but they are going to need someone who they can actually pick this season. Tengbald is seen as too young.

I doubt they will bring someone down then. We are just acknowledging we are screwed at lock this year.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Pre-season must start next week I guess? Be intrigued to see who pops up with the squad as to whether it is literally just local guys to hold tackle bags, or whether we do have the odd other train-on.

There will be a lock (one at least) as Holland will not be back. Unless it is Shneil Singh or Josh Bekhuis, it'll have to be someone from out of the region.

Highly likely it will be Josh Tengblad, who must surely be on a NDC.

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Found out tonight that Taine Robinson has been signed on a 2 year deal. Thought that was an interesting bit of info and also good to know it’s not just a 1 year prove it deal.

Is he any good? I'm just a bit cautious of Ta$man 10/15s after the last one...

@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2025:

@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

Mika Muliaina

Any relation to Mils?

He's the son of Mils' brother I believe

Really highly down south I understand. Him and Jimmy Taylor appear to be the young backs Southland rugby fans push. I thought Mika Muliaina was still in school. Jimmy Taylor will be in his final year next year. He's the brother of Harry and Jack Taylor.