Highlanders 2025
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Is it confirmed that Renton is out for the whole season?
@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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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Just watching the Landers U20s from yesterday. I really like the look of Mika Muliaina. I reckon there are about six future Landers in that side.Can’t wait to see Mika, Pledger, Tengblad and Rangitutia running around in the highlanders jersey. Harvey as well could develop into a nice player. Some very talented players we need to make sure we hold on to.
As far as yesterday’s game, I posted that in the match thread. But just another thought, we need to win one of these games against the Brumbies or Force or else I fear the season could get away from us. With how many young guys we have in this team, it could result in heads dropping halfway through the season. Joseph will be well aware of the situation so let’s hope the players can bounce back.
Rangitutia will be interesting to track in the NPC. Should hopefully get a full season.
Otago will have a balancing act between Te Hiwi, TUJ, Whaanga, Nareki, Rangitutia, Gilbert and Hurley.
Shaun Kempton is a player that will be worth tracking. Probably needs to size up.
I reckon the guys to eventually end up with full contracts are one of the props, Kempton, Tengblad, Rutledge, Pledger, Muliaina, Harvey, and Rangitutia.
@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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@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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@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.
@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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@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
@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) -
@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?
@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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@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?
@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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@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.
@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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@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
@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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@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.
@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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@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.
@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.”
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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.”
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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.”
@frugby that presumes an awful lot given he's not exactly playing the house down.
Of course that's predicated on form meaning anything when it comes to selection.
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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?
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…
@Landers92 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?
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…Was from someone who is usually pretty reliable with this stuff. I’ll pass on the displeasure to them
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Joseph did mention that the first two scrum penalties were against de Groot. He was penalised three times and got a YC.
Tele'a has been dropped. "Tanielu made too many mistakes".
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
Joseph did mention that the first two scrum penalties were against de Groot. He was penalised three times and got a YC.
Tele'a has been dropped. "Tanielu made too many mistakes".
He's been playing with a broken middle finger since the MP preseason game.
Might explain some handling issues. -
@Landers92 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?
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…Was from someone who is usually pretty reliable with this stuff. I’ll pass on the displeasure to them
@KiwiInLondon displeasure? Lol. Just stating that there’s been some interesting rumors and conflicting reports.
