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Highlanders 2025

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
highlanders
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  • SmudgeS Smudge

    Again, I'm sure literally no one is GUARANTEED a bench spot. No one would be told that (not even a surefire starter in the event their form fell off a cliff). That's the most unbelievable part of this all. Unless you're a moron, surely you realise that distinction?

    Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.

    nostrildamusN Offline
    nostrildamusN Offline
    nostrildamus
    wrote on last edited by
    #453

    @Smudge said in Highlanders 2025:

    Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.

    "You promised me a bench spot!"
    "Yeah, in the stadium, here's a free ticket."

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    • SmudgeS Smudge

      Again, I'm sure literally no one is GUARANTEED a bench spot. No one would be told that (not even a surefire starter in the event their form fell off a cliff). That's the most unbelievable part of this all. Unless you're a moron, surely you realise that distinction?

      Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.

      Canes4lifeC Online
      Canes4lifeC Online
      Canes4life
      wrote on last edited by
      #454

      @Smudge said in Highlanders 2025:

      Again, I'm sure literally no one is GUARANTEED a bench spot. No one would be told that (not even a surefire starter in the event their form fell off a cliff). That's the most unbelievable part of this all. Unless you're a moron, surely you realise that distinction?

      Even if they are "promised" a bench spot, that reeks of an employment dispute waiting to happen if his form dropped away badly but he still expected to be named.

      I agree, why would you promise an unproven Super player a bench spot, that’s just asking for trouble. He may look hot shit at NPC level but we all know the NPC is a few cogs down from Super these days.

      Unless he’s the Messi of Rugby and is bringing copious amounts of eyeballs or revenue to the Highlanders there really is no incentive for the Highlanders to offer Manson a bench spot (at the very least).

      If other players got wind of this the Highlanders will be spending more time dealing with player employment disputes than focusing on rugby next year.

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      • KiwiwombleK Offline
        KiwiwombleK Offline
        Kiwiwomble
        wrote on last edited by
        #455

        ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

        S HigginsH 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • W Online
          W Online
          WoodysRFC
          wrote on last edited by
          #456

          I do believe he has the tools to be successful at Super level, I expect him to be similar in style to Corey Toole.

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          1
          • KiwiwombleK Kiwiwomble

            ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

            S Offline
            S Offline
            SouthernMann
            wrote on last edited by
            #457

            @Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

            ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

            Every player will get sold a pitch when signing into a team. JRK last year would have been told he is our starting fullback. The younger guys be told they are there to learn year 1 and then potentially be a regular after players X and Y leave. With the caveat they need to improve in certain areas. I'm sure Manson has been sold a pitch y the Highlanders. He will know he isn't the first pick. But will have been informed there will be gametime for him next year. Could easily be the case that him and Tangitau are the starting wingers in 26

            KiwiwombleK 1 Reply Last reply
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            • S SouthernMann

              @Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

              ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

              Every player will get sold a pitch when signing into a team. JRK last year would have been told he is our starting fullback. The younger guys be told they are there to learn year 1 and then potentially be a regular after players X and Y leave. With the caveat they need to improve in certain areas. I'm sure Manson has been sold a pitch y the Highlanders. He will know he isn't the first pick. But will have been informed there will be gametime for him next year. Could easily be the case that him and Tangitau are the starting wingers in 26

              KiwiwombleK Offline
              KiwiwombleK Offline
              Kiwiwomble
              wrote on last edited by
              #458

              @SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about

              S 1 Reply Last reply
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              • KiwiwombleK Kiwiwomble

                @SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about

                S Offline
                S Offline
                SouthernMann
                wrote on last edited by SouthernMann
                #459

                @Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

                @SouthernMann of course players will be sold a vison on where the coach sees them fitting in or working towards, i feel thats different to the "definitive bench spots" thats been talked about

                The definitive bench spot just sounds like Chinese whispers. I've signed on to the Landers. Have been promised some time off the bench... turns into four chains down the line have you heard Mike is going going to be the bench outside back everyweek!

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                • F Offline
                  F Offline
                  frugby
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #460
                  • Manson in on a One year Deal
                  • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                  • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
                  S BovidaeB M K 4 Replies Last reply
                  7
                  • F frugby
                    • Manson in on a One year Deal
                    • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                    • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
                    S Offline
                    S Offline
                    SouthernMann
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #461

                    @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                    • Manson in on a One year Deal
                    • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                    • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie

                    Is Hastie just being paid out?

                    F 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • F frugby
                      • Manson in on a One year Deal
                      • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                      • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
                      BovidaeB Offline
                      BovidaeB Offline
                      Bovidae
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #462

                      @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                      • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan

                      That narrows down the choices!! 🤣

                      I assume not a current Japanese player?

                      A F 2 Replies Last reply
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                      • BovidaeB Bovidae

                        @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                        • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan

                        That narrows down the choices!! 🤣

                        I assume not a current Japanese player?

                        A Offline
                        A Offline
                        African Monkey
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #463

                        @Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

                        @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                        • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan

                        That narrows down the choices!! 🤣

                        I assume not a current Japanese player?

                        Uwe Helu?

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • S SouthernMann

                          @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                          • Manson in on a One year Deal
                          • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                          • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie

                          Is Hastie just being paid out?

                          F Offline
                          F Offline
                          frugby
                          wrote on last edited by frugby
                          #464

                          @SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

                          @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                          • Manson in on a One year Deal
                          • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                          • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie

                          Is Hastie just being paid out?

                          I don't know, but I am guessing so. Slight tweak from my source is that he is not 100% that it is Pledger, just know Hastie is gone, and Pledger is signed (so either from next year or 2026)...

                          I wonder if the Highlanders said your in from 2025 as a sweetner to ensure he signed.

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                          • BovidaeB Bovidae

                            @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                            • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan

                            That narrows down the choices!! 🤣

                            I assume not a current Japanese player?

                            F Offline
                            F Offline
                            frugby
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #465

                            @Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

                            @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                            • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan

                            That narrows down the choices!! 🤣

                            I assume not a current Japanese player?

                            I have literally no idea. I thought my likely a Kiwi of Polynesian/Maori heritage (Jackson Hemopo springs to mind) but nothing other than my thoughts on that.

                            I guess it narrows it down in the sense it is not Plummer or Shalfoon.

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                            • KiwiwombleK Kiwiwomble

                              ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

                              HigginsH Offline
                              HigginsH Offline
                              Higgins
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #466

                              @Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

                              ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

                              James Blackwell?

                              BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • HigginsH Higgins

                                @Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

                                ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?

                                James Blackwell?

                                BonesB Offline
                                BonesB Offline
                                Bones
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #467

                                @Higgins do not besmirch captain Blackwell.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • F frugby
                                  • Manson in on a One year Deal
                                  • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                                  • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
                                  M Online
                                  M Online
                                  Mr Fish
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #468

                                  @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                                  • Manson in on a One year Deal
                                  • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                                  • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie

                                  Do we know who is guaranteed bench spots?

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • U upthelanders

                                    Just thought I’d pass on the information that I had been told from a very close source 🤷‍♂️

                                    He had originally signed in the US but with a change of plans had offers from the Hurricanes, Chiefs, NZ Sevens and Highlanders, so took on the landers deal..
                                    what I heard is there is something to do with being promised atleast a bench spot for the season 🤷‍♂️
                                    That’s the info I’d been told so that’s what I’ve given everyone.

                                    K Offline
                                    K Offline
                                    KiwiInLondon
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #469

                                    @upthelanders I am convinced you’re his mother.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • F frugby
                                      • Manson in on a One year Deal
                                      • The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
                                      • Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
                                      K Offline
                                      K Offline
                                      Kiwidom
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #470

                                      @frugby Possibly Lui Naeata, but he's more of a blindside

                                      Canes4lifeC 1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • U Offline
                                        U Offline
                                        upthelanders
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #471

                                        Can confirm Lui Naeata has signed with the Landers.

                                        Landers92L 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • U Offline
                                          U Offline
                                          upthelanders
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #472

                                          Not sure about that promised bench spot though 🤣🤣

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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