Highlanders 2025
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I’d anticipate us fielding our most experienced line up to start the season with big pressure a lot of players from up and coming lads.
In my mind DLB and Henry Bell don’t make the 23 at all, while Nareki, Gilbert and Arscott probably only make it because of experience / injuries.
- Ethan De Groot
- Soanne Vikenna
- Saula Ma’au
- Fabian Holland
- Mitchell Dunshea
- Hugh Renton
- Sean Withy
- Nikora Broughton
- Folau Fakatava
- Cam Millar
- Jona Nareki
- Thomas Umunga Jensen
- Tanelea Telea
- Timcoi T
- Sam Gilbert
- Jack Taylor
- Josh Bartlett
- Sefo Kauitau
- TK Howden
- Venevui Lasaqua
- James Arscott
- Finn Hurley
- Caleb Tangitau
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Rather bemused at the discounting of Nareki - if he's playing to the best of his abilities, he's AB quality.
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Rather bemused at the discounting of Nareki - if he's playing to the best of his abilities, he's AB quality.
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
Rather bemused at the discounting of Nareki - if he's playing to the best of his abilities, he's AB quality.
Agreed. Our best and most consistent back for years on end and all of a sudden he’s out of the 23… The joys of pre season conversations.
Week 1 can’t come soon enough.
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@Bones wouldn’t disagree but he’s also seemingly had a lot of injuries the last few years and seems to need a good spell of games to find good form. I suspect an in form Tangitau may surplant him this season.
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@Bones Tangitau has a high ceiling but he's raw. He has AB potential if he smooths out his rough edges so I hope he does. Seems a player that would benefit with consistent game time.
@KiwiMurph this is my feeling too. He’s 21 and I think he’s got every chance of being an all black in the next few years. Huge ceiling - but raw.
If the rumours that Nareki is leaving at the end of this season are true wonder if Jamie will roll the dice with him this season and push for a lot of game time.
Of the young bucks I’m expecting Taylor, Tangitau, Hurley and Howden to really cement themselves in the 23 this season. Feel like I haven’t seen enough of Lasaqua too make a call, and Stodart may have to bide his time.
Long term with the rise of Tengblad, Broughton, Howden, Haig and the continued form of Dunshea and Holland I wonder how much game time Stodart will see barr an injury crisis
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With Nareki it is the likelihood that this may be his last year with the team, as well as how injury prone he has been. Certainly keen to see him get some good gametime and know he will be an asset when on the field. I feel sorry for the bloke a bit, he had several seasons where the tactic was pretty much throw it to Nareki and hope he does something.
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Team is out today. From what I observed when I drove past at training yesterday, expecting to see something along the lines of:
- de Groot
- Bell
- Ma'u
- Dunshea
- Holland
- Howden
- Lasaqa
- Renton
- Fakatava
- Millar
- Nareki
- Te Hiwi
- Tele'a
- Tavatavanawai
- Gilbert
Manson, Hurley and Tangitau were training as the opposite back three, so that is a bit of a clue Gilbert will be in 15.
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Withy has been training mostly at 7, so that looks to be the position he'll be playing.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/360563287/withy-excited-invercargill-return-highlanders
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Tavatavanawai to start in the 12 jersey on Thursday. Very interesting. This could be fun
@Landers92 dont hate the idea of keeping in in the action, loves a ruck, no sign of TUJ?
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@Landers92 dont hate the idea of keeping in in the action, loves a ruck, no sign of TUJ?
@Kiwiwomble yeah hope it’s nothing serious with him. Will try and get some insight around that tomorrow
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@Landers92 dont hate the idea of keeping in in the action, loves a ruck, no sign of TUJ?
@Kiwiwomble Injured - believe it is the shoulder from the NPC
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Tavatavanawai to start in the 12 jersey on Thursday. Very interesting. This could be fun
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Tavatavanawai to start in the 12 jersey on Thursday. Very interesting. This could be fun
I like it. Gets Tangitau into the team.
Interesting Tengblad named on the bench again.
Players not named, Wingham, Jack Taylor, Hayden Michaels, Bartlett, Faleafaga, Arscott, Whaanga, Loft, Stodart, Umaga-Jensen.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
love the 4 x T midfield...really high "quad T"?....eh....eh...get it?
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Tavatavanawai to start in the 12 jersey on Thursday. Very interesting. This could be fun
I like it. Gets Tangitau into the team.
Interesting Tengblad named on the bench again.
Players not named, Wingham, Jack Taylor, Hayden Michaels, Bartlett, Faleafaga, Arscott, Whaanga, Loft, Stodart, Umaga-Jensen.
@SouthernMann just to add to that list. Taniela Filimone who we signed from the NOLA Gold in the MLR didn’t play last week and isn’t named again this week. A strange signing but he has been training so makes me wonder if he’s in the WTG and being lined up with Otago. Would have thought he’d get a shot in pre season though.
