Highlanders 2025
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@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?
@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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@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?
@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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ok, has anyone heard or know this has been a thing for any other super rugby team in the past?
@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?
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@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?
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- Manson in on a One year Deal
- The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
- Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
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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 season️
That’s the info I’d been told so that’s what I’ve given everyone.@upthelanders I am convinced you’re his mother.
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- Manson in on a One year Deal
- The new lock is a Polynesian from Japan
- Dylan Pledger is in for Nathan Hastie
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Not sure about that promised bench spot though
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@Kiwidom said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby Possibly Lui Naeata, but he's more of a blindside
So Hugo Plummer released? I wonder if he’s coming home to play for the Canes. Had a very good NPC.
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Lui Naeta was the obvious one, but would be mental if true, that we are only carrying three locks, one of whom is just an average sized blindside.
Joseph is happy enough that we can call someone in, but in the event Holland was injured I assumed we would want another tall lock in the squad.
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I know he’s not Polynesian but I did see an article somewhere about NZ born Japanese lock Warner Dearns wanting to play super rugby moving forward
Now that would be a couple massive 6’8 lineout targets if Dearns & Holland were on the field at the same time . -
I know he’s not Polynesian but I did see an article somewhere about NZ born Japanese lock Warner Dearns wanting to play super rugby moving forward
Now that would be a couple massive 6’8 lineout targets if Dearns & Holland were on the field at the same time .@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2025:
I know he’s not Polynesian but I did see an article somewhere about NZ born Japanese lock Warner Dearns wanting to play super rugby moving forward
Now that would be a couple massive 6’8 lineout targets if Dearns & Holland were on the field at the same time .Dearns is a good player, shame the ABs can't have him.
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Can confirm Lui Naeata has signed with the Landers.
@upthelanders said in Highlanders 2025:
Can confirm Lui Naeata has signed with the Landers.
This would go down as an all time flop. Jamie Joseph had him around a Japanese camp but didn’t select him because he just couldn’t get the laziness out of his game and to top it off had some off field issues.
When he arrived for Otago he barely lit it up for them too… hope this signing isn’t true, would be a backwards step. Would much rather Hugo Plummer.
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So we only have two locks..
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No mention of the fabled b word
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No mention of the fabled b word
@Wurzel said in Highlanders 2025:
No mention of the fabled b word
Another undersized back is exactly what the team needs
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No mention of the fabled b word
@Wurzel said in Highlanders 2025:
A shame to read Semisi Tupou is heading up to Moana to train with them. Thought having him around could have added to the squad depth at 8. Good for him though for heading back up there and giving it a crack with them.
