Highlanders 2025
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Oscar Koller could be a good recruit. He has a massive left boot and does the basics well. He is not a running 1st Five but is that what the Landers need ?
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2025:
Oscar Koller could be a good recruit. He has a massive left boot and does the basics well. He is not a running 1st Five but is that what the Landers need ?
Might as well stick with Cam Millar in that case (which I don't think is a bad idea regardless).
Better off trying to bring down a Kaleb Trask or Stephen Perofeta.
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2025:
Oscar Koller could be a good recruit. He has a massive left boot and does the basics well. He is not a running 1st Five but is that what the Landers need ?
Might as well stick with Cam Millar in that case (which I don't think is a bad idea regardless).
Better off trying to bring down a Kaleb Trask or Stephen Perofeta.
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2025:
Oscar Koller could be a good recruit. He has a massive left boot and does the basics well. He is not a running 1st Five but is that what the Landers need ?
Might as well stick with Cam Millar in that case (which I don't think is a bad idea regardless).
Better off trying to bring down a Kaleb Trask or Stephen Perofeta.
Trask never seems to be not injured. He would be a risk.
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The Highlanders don’t need backs. We might need a max of an outside back and a first five - maybe a midfielder too.
Tayne Harvey will be the midfield, Rangitutia would probably be the outside back, and whoever would be the 10, but these guys would be making up the numbers in case of injury.
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I was talking of him as a replacement for Faleafaga. I don't think Perofeta will leave the Blues for the Highlanders.
I forgot about Trask but he is more a fullback than a 1st Five. -
Is Shanon Frizell likely to return to the Highlanders next year or before the next world cup?
@SBW1 said in Highlanders 2025:
Is Shanon Frizell likely to return to the Highlanders next year or before the next world cup?
Doubt it. TK Howden(24) and Oli Haig(23) show more than enough promise to feel good about the 6 jersey. Shannon Frizzell is already 31, I just can’t see that happening.
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Is Shanon Frizell likely to return to the Highlanders next year or before the next world cup?
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Is Shanon Frizell likely to return to the Highlanders next year or before the next world cup?
@SBW1 said in Highlanders 2025:
Is Shanon Frizell likely to return to the Highlanders next year or before the next world cup?
I hope not, other than being the tail end of his carrier….was a fluffybunny I’m happy left
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Sean Withy banned for three weeks -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360646752/highlanders-no-8-sean-withy-banned-three-weeks-kneeing-opponent-face -
@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
with my app even if it select from start it only goes to maybe 45mins behind live
Ok that's weird, mine I can go to the start even during a live game.
Same, but my coverage cuts out when the live coverage finishes and I have to start again, fast forwarding to where I was.
@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2025:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
with my app even if it select from start it only goes to maybe 45mins behind live
Ok that's weird, mine I can go to the start even during a live game.
Same, but my coverage cuts out when the live coverage finishes and I have to start again, fast forwarding to where I was.
Mine used to do that. I think when casting from the phone. Doesn't any more. I think it was down to casting from the phone (then) as opposed to having the app on the chromecast or TB. Maybe.
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Probably not the info I should be sharing but I’m going to anyway.
Renton has had some injections in his hips, can only assume these are cortisone injections to help get through whatever is going on in the hip/groin area. The fact he’s been seen training recently is a good sign and hopefully named to play this weekend.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get too much more detail around it all but thought that info was worthy of a share.
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Sean Withy banned for three weeks -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360646752/highlanders-no-8-sean-withy-banned-three-weeks-kneeing-opponent-face@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
Sean Withy banned for three weeks -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360646752/highlanders-no-8-sean-withy-banned-three-weeks-kneeing-opponent-faceHave read the match thread, what was the consensus among posters?
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
If he is to be a Super centre. He probably needs to be playing at about 110kg.
What makes you say 110kg just out of curiosity? That is the extreme end of weight for a 13. Levi Aumua isn’t even listed at that weight(granted not always accurate). In recent times, 12’s are generally your larger/heavier midfielder.
J.Whaanga is already a big unit, he’s around 6ft 4 and 100kg. If he were to go to 110kg that could potentially ruin him. 102-105 be the sweet spot for his style of play, he isn’t exactly a bash it up consistently type of midfielder.
Maybe they requested he play wing on the weekend so he can the next guy up behind Manson if another winger to go down. After what we saw last night, I wouldn't be mad if he surpassed Manson in the pecking order until Whaanga shows otherwise.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
If he is to be a Super centre. He probably needs to be playing at about 110kg.
What makes you say 110kg just out of curiosity? That is the extreme end of weight for a 13. Levi Aumua isn’t even listed at that weight(granted not always accurate). In recent times, 12’s are generally your larger/heavier midfielder.
J.Whaanga is already a big unit, he’s around 6ft 4 and 100kg. If he were to go to 110kg that could potentially ruin him. 102-105 be the sweet spot for his style of play, he isn’t exactly a bash it up consistently type of midfielder.
Maybe they requested he play wing on the weekend so he can the next guy up behind Manson if another winger to go down. After what we saw last night, I wouldn't be mad if he surpassed Manson in the pecking order until Whaanga shows otherwise.
I have been meaning to come back to this. Just stayed out of this thread for a few days, as it became a bit of a dumpster fire.
I settled on that size for whaanga due to his height. He'd be the second tallest midfield back in the country. Tallest at the moment, as he is only shorter than Jordie Barrett at 196.
I think his body composition is similar to SBW. Big, tall and lean. Not saying I think he will be anywhere near there talent wise. But thay end weight of SBW makes sense. So between that 108 to 110.
With Whaanga's height his biggest attribute will be his ability to stand in the tackle and get his arms free to offload. To be able to do that he will need to bulk and strength to not be taken down.
His height just makes him, even at 100kg a bit of a weed. I wouldn't want him getting as bulky as say TUJ. But that SBW frame is what would be ideal.
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Injury update:
Finn Hurley (Quad / Season End)
Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / TBC)
Soane Vikena (AC Joint / 1-2 weeks)
TK Howden (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)
Mitch Dunshea (Knee / 1-2 weeks)
Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks)
Sean Withy(Suspension 3 weeks, down to 2 with World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme) -
Given the performance from Taneila Filimome tonight I wonder if he gets a full contract next year? Certainly space available for him.
Tail Crib presumably in the mix too.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Given the performance from Taneila Filimome tonight I wonder if he gets a full contract next year? Certainly space available for him.
Tail Crib presumably in the mix too.
Needs to learn his defensive positioning. Got caught up in the midfield way too much.
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Was an interesting performance especially with the returning guys and the lads who have had limited game time.
Oli Haig: Looking like he has done a lot of gym work while off with a broken foot. Looked gassed though. Playing a full 80 coming back from a broken foot isn't ideal. Was good in the tight, got exposed by the Drua a few times covering 20m outwide by himself. Will have benefited from the run.
Cam Millar: not too worried about his shit goal kicking. It is the best part of his game. It'll come right. More concerned about him being bossed around in contact, having the ball stripped, and missing tackles when defending out on the wing. If he is our guy. We need to plan our style around his limitations.
JRK: Awesome he came back against a physical side, and didn't look nervous. Looked back to his normal playing self. Just a bit of rust around some of his field kicking.
Hugh Renton: Such a strong glue like player. From a sheer talent perspective doesn't match what the other squads have. He is, however, just what we need as a follow me type of leader. Has been missed. Was a tough shift having a play a full 80.
Filimone: Looks a decent squad option going into next year. Probably not someone you want starting week in and out. Does winger basics well. Got caught out a few times.
Henry Bell: Showed himself as a very enthusiastic provincial level hooker. Couple of bad misses defensively. Jack Taylor had his best game off the bench. Hopefully Vikena is back again to start next week.
Tai Cribb: a lot shorter than I hoped.
Stodart had his best game. Showed his well capable of starting at lock.
I won't be sad to see the back of DLB at the end of the season. Hopefully.
From what I can see Landers that played club rugby yesterday were Loft, Wingham, Te Hiwi, Hastie, Robinson, Manson (four tries), Josh Whaanga, Faleafaga and Jonah Lowe
Will be a tough one up in Hamilton next week!
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Was an interesting performance especially with the returning guys and the lads who have had limited game time.
Oli Haig: Looking like he has done a lot of gym work while off with a broken foot. Looked gassed though. Playing a full 80 coming back from a broken foot isn't ideal. Was good in the tight, got exposed by the Drua a few times covering 20m outwide by himself. Will have benefited from the run.
Cam Millar: not too worried about his shit goal kicking. It is the best part of his game. It'll come right. More concerned about him being bossed around in contact, having the ball stripped, and missing tackles when defending out on the wing. If he is our guy. We need to plan our style around his limitations.
JRK: Awesome he came back against a physical side, and didn't look nervous. Looked back to his normal playing self. Just a bit of rust around some of his field kicking.
Hugh Renton: Such a strong glue like player. From a sheer talent perspective doesn't match what the other squads have. He is, however, just what we need as a follow me type of leader. Has been missed. Was a tough shift having a play a full 80.
Filimone: Looks a decent squad option going into next year. Probably not someone you want starting week in and out. Does winger basics well. Got caught out a few times.
Henry Bell: Showed himself as a very enthusiastic provincial level hooker. Couple of bad misses defensively. Jack Taylor had his best game off the bench. Hopefully Vikena is back again to start next week.
Tai Cribb: a lot shorter than I hoped.
Stodart had his best game. Showed his well capable of starting at lock.
I won't be sad to see the back of DLB at the end of the season. Hopefully.
From what I can see Landers that played club rugby yesterday were Loft, Wingham, Te Hiwi, Hastie, Robinson, Manson (four tries), Josh Whaanga, Faleafaga and Jonah Lowe
Will be a tough one up in Hamilton next week!
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Potential team v the Chiefs?
- de Groot
- Vikena (Bell)
- Kautai
- Stodart
- Holland
- Haig
- Lasaqa
- Renton
- Fakatava
- Millar
- Nareki
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele'a
- Tangitau (Filimone)
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
- Taylor
- Bartlett
- Ma'u
- Dunshea
- Howden (Loft)
- Broughton (Umaga-Jensen)
- Hastie
- Gilbert
I'd go for the 6-2 split personally... we still need to work out a platform to finish games strongly, because our second half drop-offs are noticeable. Renton and Haig were both gassed, part of which will be due to a lack of game time.
