Highlanders 2025
-
We have a lot of blindside flankers
-
Some players not named yet that I wouldnāt be mad seeing named very soon.
- Isaac Hutchinson
- Jone Rova
- Callum Harkin
With JRK out we need a fullback/wing and Hutchinson fills that need.
Rova would add to midfield depth which is quite often an injured position for us. As I said in the crusader thread heās still young with plenty of talent. Can play 12 and 13.
Harkin would be an outside chance but we need a 3rd 10. As far as we know we only have Millar and Faleafaga. Definitely wouldnāt be mad if we landed him.
Otago wise, if Hastie is gone I hope Dylan Pledger is the one who has replaced him.
@Landers92 I am not sold on Hutchinson just yet. I thought he looked ineffective on the wing and besides that one outstanding game he had 15, I thought he still had a lot of developing to do. At this stage he looks about Josh McKay level to me.
-
We have a lot of blindside flankers
@SouthernMann and two locks ...
-
We have a lot of blindside flankers
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
We have a lot of blindside flankers
If history is any judge they'll be AB starters soon
-
Okay so first thing on Hastie, could be a similar case to Luca Inch last year, where he gets cut later onā¦ there is definitely something there, perhaps the miscommunication is that he is definitely gone for 2026, but will hold my hands up and will say I was wrong.
Bartlett in for Johnstone a nice one. All in all pack looks good, but the backline honks a little. Robinson a nice pickup I reckon.
-
@Landers92 I am not sold on Hutchinson just yet. I thought he looked ineffective on the wing and besides that one outstanding game he had 15, I thought he still had a lot of developing to do. At this stage he looks about Josh McKay level to me.
@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 I am not sold on Hutchinson just yet. I thought he looked ineffective on the wing and besides that one outstanding game he had 15, I thought he still had a lot of developing to do. At this stage he looks about Josh McKay level to me.
Yeah I agree not ready yet IMO.
-
We have a lot of blindside flankers
@SouthernMann hope the highlanders coaches haveānt been blindsided by these selections ..
-
All Iāll say is Rome wasnāt built in a day. 100% have done well to solidify the front row, great loose forward mix. Calculated risk at lock, but at SR Level, tend to think we could get away with someone like Stodart at lock so long as Holland/Dunshea are next to them.
Midfield looks better I think, and outside backs also. The last few squad members are always going to be a little poor, this is an improved squadā¦ a lot hinges on JRK though, fullback could be a real Achilles heel, so will be keen to see what injury cover we have there
-
we've definitely got the stock for old school JJ ball...ie strong up front, hit those rucks, get them to commit or go backwards
-
Okay so first thing on Hastie, could be a similar case to Luca Inch last year, where he gets cut later onā¦ there is definitely something there, perhaps the miscommunication is that he is definitely gone for 2026, but will hold my hands up and will say I was wrong.
Bartlett in for Johnstone a nice one. All in all pack looks good, but the backline honks a little. Robinson a nice pickup I reckon.
-
@frugby interesting comparison. What actually happened to Luca Inch? I heard he withdraw from the squad but was suprised to have never heard from him again. Including not seeing him at Ta$man. Was there an off field incident?
@handa457 yeah, just seems to have disappeared
-
Naeata is the selection that just really confuses me. Especially not having a third genuine locks in the squad. Which sugessts any of Haig, Howden, Naeata and Stodart will have time from 50 - 80 mins at lock. While they will also be required to start some games. Surely we could habe just picked up someone like Hugo Plummer as a safe option. Instead of looking to go all in with the four loose forwards option. It isn't like Dunshea and Holland are injury free players.
-
And a commercial story on the Highlanders by one of the best reporters in NZ ... https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360483433/highlanders-applies-liquidate-sponsor-over-120000-payment
-
jeez, thats awkward....not exactly high profile (i recognised them)...but that seems like a lot of money
-
I was feeling confident when JJ got announced as coach but this squad has completely knocked that out of me. Is Dunedin so unappealing that no decent players want to move there?
-
@game_film said in Highlanders 2025:
Where did Pari-Pari move on to? Canāt believe heās 28
Japan mate. Tokatsu Green Rockets
-
Pari Pari was nothing short of a big passenger. Tha k you for your service and enjoy smashing little blokes in Japan. @KiwiInLondon don't be too disheartened. A lot of guys arw still improving. Just a couple of weird selections. Especially Naeata. I don't know what other players they could have gone after.
