Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann your dislike of Renton is glowing neon. He's been one of the best ball runners in the pack the last couple of years.
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann your dislike of Renton is glowing neon. He's been one of the best ball runners in the pack the last couple of years.
Nah. I think he is a fantastic player. Really like the way he plays. It is just what the balance of the team needs to be. I'd expect him to start. It is just my preference to go for a quicker player.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann hard to disagree with that. It would be nice to see the team coached by a decent coach as well.
With the pack, it is worthwhile asking who our genuine ball carriers are. You'd probably want to have at least three or four on the field at any one time. The guys who can bend the line are Vikena, Holland, Howden, the big lad from the Brumbies, Lasaqa (running wide), Haig if he is used in the right way and Broughton. De Groot is good for a run or two, Ma'u is good in close and Jack Taylor will beat guys on the outside. The first group though, can get the team on the front foot. Lads like Dunshea, Withy, Renton amongst others are less likely to make yards but are great glue players. I think there is a possibility of seeing Holland and Dunshea replace eachother in games. With a Howden, Haig, Stodart or Naeata starting alongside one of them. Running four loosies. JJ in the presser talked about being used to playing 6'1 locks in Japan. He doesn't care for having two traditional locks. He is after mobility and impact.
@SouthernMann It has been pointed out to me that the Highlanders improved ten-fold when Dunshea came back last year - and that is true.
I expect that where possible (and there is no intent to rest) that he definitely starts, with Stodart I think likely the guy to finish games at lock.
@Bones Renton has been one of our best, but I agree that he can be improved upon. He has been the best of a bad a bunch, missed most of last season too. Broughton is coming in off a stellar NPC, and IMO is more dynamic than Renton. Renton is good for the hard yards, but if Withy/Dunshea can give you that, then they will look to Broughton to offer something a bit extra, because Renton has a tendency to die with the ball in contact.
At the end of the day, outside of a lack of depth at lock, the pack looks good to me, and with some decent wingers, and a first five who kicks his goals, I’d back us to take more steps forward this year.
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@SouthernMann It has been pointed out to me that the Highlanders improved ten-fold when Dunshea came back last year - and that is true.
I expect that where possible (and there is no intent to rest) that he definitely starts, with Stodart I think likely the guy to finish games at lock.
@Bones Renton has been one of our best, but I agree that he can be improved upon. He has been the best of a bad a bunch, missed most of last season too. Broughton is coming in off a stellar NPC, and IMO is more dynamic than Renton. Renton is good for the hard yards, but if Withy/Dunshea can give you that, then they will look to Broughton to offer something a bit extra, because Renton has a tendency to die with the ball in contact.
At the end of the day, outside of a lack of depth at lock, the pack looks good to me, and with some decent wingers, and a first five who kicks his goals, I’d back us to take more steps forward this year.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
but if
And therein lies the rub.
By but if, I am referring to the fact that they can. When Renton played 8 for us, we largely had Parkinson and Dickson at lock, both of whom couldn't/didn't carry.
Withy has bulked up a lot, and Dunshea has the grunt to do the hard yards. I think that eventually Broughton displaces Renton as he is far more dynamic. Renton may well start the season, but if we want to progress, I think he gets replaced as a starter.
You compare him to Sotutu, Sititi, Iose and Lio-Willie, he simply doesn't have the ball skills that they have. If Broughton can continue his form from the end of the season and NPC, I believe he does give you that.
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Article from the Southland tribune states Tayne Harvey and Shaun Kempton have NDCs. While Josh Augustine, Gregor Rutledge, and Mika Muliaina are scheduled to spend some time training with the Highlanders from January. Jack Sexton will train with the squad too
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Article from the Southland tribune states Tayne Harvey and Shaun Kempton have NDCs. While Josh Augustine, Gregor Rutledge, and Mika Muliaina are scheduled to spend some time training with the Highlanders from January. Jack Sexton will train with the squad too
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Mika Muliaina
Any relation to Mils?
Answered my own question, nephew.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/350073814/highlanders-have-southland-boys-standouts-their-sightsThe former is a nephew of former All Black Mils Muliaina
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Mika Muliaina
Any relation to Mils?
Answered my own question, nephew.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/350073814/highlanders-have-southland-boys-standouts-their-sightsThe former is a nephew of former All Black Mils Muliaina
@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
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@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
@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.
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Mika was a Y13 this year. Rico is the older brother.
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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.
@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...
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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.
@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.
I guess they have had their eye on him for a while. I know they want rid of Faleafaga, so probably good to lock another one in.
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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.
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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.
@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.
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@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.
@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.
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@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.
@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.
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Looks like there is a new jersey for this season. Not a lot of change but slight design change and collar change. Posted highlanders shop link below if you want to check it out.
https://shop.nzsuperrugbyclubs.co.nz/products/highlanders-mens-2025-home-jersey
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@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.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@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.
Holland won't be there on day one as I believe there is a mandatory three week stand down for anyone with the All Blacks, so I would be surprised if someone doesn't pop up. I'd expect Fischli to be there during pre-season, but I kind of think there will be someone.
On the locking situation, I was told that they didn't want anyone who they saw as either injury prone or just not that good, because they feel having big locks is not crucial to Super Rugby.
My read on the situation from that, was that we definitely chased other locks, but couldn't get anything done, and I would not be surprised if part of it is that they couldn't get anyone worth while on a one-year deal as they see Tengbald potentially being ready next year.
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Surely Fishchli is out to go back to the US.
