Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann I'd like to see more of Hurley, but those mistakes yesterday weren't your standard mistake. Many were howlers.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann I'd like to see more of Hurley, but those mistakes yesterday weren't your standard mistake. Many were howlers.
I completely agree. Dropping a ball a high school fullback should take is very poor. Same with kicking for touch and missing it. The number of mistakes he's making are coming down. Being at fullback his mistakes are highly visible too.
Salu Ma'u on the other hard. Jeez that was a sad watch.
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Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
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@SouthernMann Rutledge is pretty small yeah? I feel like we need some size on the next few Loose forwards we sign. I love him as a player but I'd like to see a big ball carrying number eight and a large seven picked up over Ratcliffe or Rutledge.
I've yet to see enough of Takaka to get a sense if he's the next cab off the rank. But young Jack Sexton could be a good shout. Wouldn't be surprised if we see someone outside the region get the next propping spot though.
I feel Tengblad and Pledger and lock ins for 2026 While Rangitura and Harvey are 50/50 maybe leaning towards 2027 singings. Kempton, Rutledge and Muliana presumably would be 2028 season.
In terms of guys outside the region assuming we loose DLB, Naeeta, Lowe, Nareki, Fakatava and Falefaga next season and pickup Pledger and Tengblad. Then I'd like to see Adam Lennox signed. Reckon I'd be wise to chase Zarn Sullivan for the 10 slot. Finley Brewis is off contract at the Crusaders, and could be chasing some game time at Loosehead prop. While I'd be trying to tempt Macca Springer south too given Reece, Fainganuku and Fihaki are all on the books for 2026 at the Crusaders.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
travelling with the team apparently so your source might have been looking at someone else?
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Injury update.
Oliver Haig (Foot / 2 weeks ),
Jonah Lowe (ACL / 1-2 weeks ),
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 2-3 weeks),
Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks),
Finn Hurley (Quad / TBC),
Nikora Broughton (Rib Injury / 1-2 weeks) Hugh Renton (Groin /1-2 weeks) -
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
travelling with the team apparently so your source might have been looking at someone else?
Yeah he has definitely travelled with the team. Guessing he’s a good chance to play next week, they wouldn’t waste a spot on someone who can’t play. Some interesting rumours being thrown around by a couple people here…
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
travelling with the team apparently so your source might have been looking at someone else?
I've also heard he has been really struggling with his body, but he has travelled - both can be true. May be a case of he has decided to just get on with the job.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
travelling with the team apparently so your source might have been looking at someone else?
I've also heard he has been really struggling with his body, but he has travelled - both can be true. May be a case of he has decided to just get on with the job.
come on being able to push through is very different to "hardly walk" and his season is over
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
Have they named the extra players in the touring party?
No, but it will be Wingham, Taylor, Arscott + One other, which I don't imagine is Renton, so would assume Michaels.
Fakatava has been week to week since the Canes game, but if fit will likely fly over to Perth with EDG... JRK a smokey for that one, but more likely for the game after - Haig also set to be back for the Drua. Renton I'm assuming will also be back for the Force game, but maybe they just want his leadership.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
First time I’ve heard that. Latest report was that he was 1/2 weeks away.
Heard he can hardly walk and it’s a lot more serious than initially thought. Best to wait for confirmation but don’t think it will be good
travelling with the team apparently so your source might have been looking at someone else?
I've also heard he has been really struggling with his body, but he has travelled - both can be true. May be a case of he has decided to just get on with the job.
come on being able to push through is very different to "hardly walk"
What I heard, was he had a few niggles the week he got dropped... a few niggles then turned into him being in a moonboot at the start of the week of the Canes game. Having all sorts of issues, it isn't just the groin - as I say, he may just have travelled due to the leadership be can bring, because there are a few things going wrong.
I've no source on this, but you'd have to think de Groot has been dropped, because would seem bizarre to rest him in the circumstances.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
I've no source on this, but you'd have to think de Groot has been dropped, because would seem bizarre to rest him in the circumstances.
Not true in the slightest. Watch the latest Jamie Joseph interview regarding team naming, he explains it in that. He’s very careful with what he says but it’s fairly clear it’s load management and it seems it’s something he isn’t on board with but has to oblige.
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@Landers92 Maybe it really is just that simple, but feels bizarre. Was pointed out on 1 News, he has started back to back games, but prior to that he had a bye and a bench appearance.
I've always felt EDG benefitted from getting games under his belt, and after our scrum struggles last week, I would have thought they'd want him this week.
If they were going to rest him for one of these two games, would it not have made more sense to do it next week, avoiding a trip to Perth?
ADDED: This quote from a 1 News article reads funny to me: “He’s got a massive year ahead of him, being our only All Black. I’m mindful of that and mindful that we’ve only played five games of footy. He gets a rest this week and then hopefully he comes into consideration the following week.”
