Highlanders 2025
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@Kiwiwomble not huge losses given limited game time both are getting. Given we’re unsure if Michael’s will even be back next season this could be curtains on his super rugby career.
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not a huge loss to the first string but season ending injuries mean we just dont have the bodies to give our first string a chop out with bringing in new people...but then theyre often not up too it
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
just read Hayden michaels and Faleafaga are both out for the rest of the season
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Whether they are regulars or not. The squad is quite thin at the moment. If Broughton and Howden are still out. We are in a real tight spot with loose forwards. With only four fit guys available, if Stodart is primarily seen as a lock.
Not sure who can br brought in as 10 cover. Gilbert may need to reprise that role. Seemed like he came on for Millar at the weekend?
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@SouthernMann In theory if none of those who were out are back, then the loosies/locks who were in the 23 are the only ones left fit.
I’m expecting Dunshea, Tangitau & Vikena to be back, but Howden looked pretty ginger on Saturday.
Considering there is only six games left, I doubt they replace Faleafaga unless we get another injury… we may need loose forward cover this week though.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann In theory if none of those who were out are back, then the loosies/locks who were in the 23 are the only ones left fit.
I’m expecting Dunshea, Tangitau & Vikena to be back, but Howden looked pretty ginger on Saturday.
Considering there is only six games left, I doubt they replace Faleafaga unless we get another injury… we may need loose forward cover this week though.
Be interesting to know the extend of Broughton's injury and when it occurred. Must have been fairly limiting if the choice was him or a bloke who played club footy in the afternoon, and they chose the lad who played club footy.
Dunshea comes back and Stodart drops to the bench. That adds to some cover at 6/8.
Hopefully Vikena in for a straight swap for Bell. Same for Tangitau.
Can't imagine there are too many viable replacements for Ajay running around. Probably the best option is the 10 for Harbour in Dunedin Club who has moved down from Wellington. Rique Miln. Some decent wraps on the kid.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann In theory if none of those who were out are back, then the loosies/locks who were in the 23 are the only ones left fit.
I’m expecting Dunshea, Tangitau & Vikena to be back, but Howden looked pretty ginger on Saturday.
Considering there is only six games left, I doubt they replace Faleafaga unless we get another injury… we may need loose forward cover this week though.
Be interesting to know the extend of Broughton's injury and when it occurred. Must have been fairly limiting if the choice was him or a bloke who played club footy in the afternoon, and they chose the lad who played club footy.
Broughton went down in the warmup right in front of me… looked in agony and could hardly walk… was tough to see but looked a muscle injury so doubt you’ll see him before the bye.
Dunshea comes back and Stodart drops to the bench. That adds to some cover at 6/8.
I’d be tempted to have Dunshea finish the game… Cribb drops out regardless.
Hopefully Vikena in for a straight swap for Bell. Same for Tangitau.
Would imagine so. Think they were really just resting niggles
Can't imagine there are too many viable replacements for Ajay running around. Probably the best option is the 10 for Harbour in Dunedin Club who has moved down from Wellington. Rique Miln. Some decent wraps on the kid.
If we really got another injury they’d probably look for someone like Koller or Harford, but seems unlikely.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann In theory if none of those who were out are back, then the loosies/locks who were in the 23 are the only ones left fit.
I’m expecting Dunshea, Tangitau & Vikena to be back, but Howden looked pretty ginger on Saturday.
Considering there is only six games left, I doubt they replace Faleafaga unless we get another injury… we may need loose forward cover this week though.
Be interesting to know the extend of Broughton's injury and when it occurred. Must have been fairly limiting if the choice was him or a bloke who played club footy in the afternoon, and they chose the lad who played club footy.
Broughton went down in the warmup right in front of me… looked in agony and could hardly walk… was tough to see but looked a muscle injury so doubt you’ll see him before the bye.
Dunshea comes back and Stodart drops to the bench. That adds to some cover at 6/8.
I’d be tempted to have Dunshea finish the game… Cribb drops out regardless.
Hopefully Vikena in for a straight swap for Bell. Same for Tangitau.
Would imagine so. Think they were really just resting niggles
Can't imagine there are too many viable replacements for Ajay running around. Probably the best option is the 10 for Harbour in Dunedin Club who has moved down from Wellington. Rique Miln. Some decent wraps on the kid.
If we really got another injury they’d probably look for someone like Koller or Harford, but seems unlikely.
With the 10s. It is all hypothetical. But Miln has been a part of the Bravehearts. I think they will probably bring him in for a look. Not to play. But to have a look.
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@SouthernMann What happened to Jack Leslie Otago 10/12, injured or left the region?
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@MacDazzler said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann What happened to Jack Leslie Otago 10/12, injured or left the region?
Still around I believe. Been injured a lot. Hasn't been listed for Southern this year.
Good indication the right players are standing out in one of the Dunedin Club form sides from the weekend.
Form backline was Hastie, Robinson, Cockburn (Taieri winger), Te Hiwi, J Whaanga, Rangitutia and Manson.
Elevate Analysis
Here's our Round 3 Otago Rugby Metropolitan Premier Men Division 1 Team of the week Alhambra-Union Rugby Football Club | Dunedin Sharks | Green Island Rugby Football Club | Harbour Hawks | Kaikorai...
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann In theory if none of those who were out are back, then the loosies/locks who were in the 23 are the only ones left fit.
I’m expecting Dunshea, Tangitau & Vikena to be back, but Howden looked pretty ginger on Saturday.
Considering there is only six games left, I doubt they replace Faleafaga unless we get another injury… we may need loose forward cover this week though.
Be interesting to know the extend of Broughton's injury and when it occurred. Must have been fairly limiting if the choice was him or a bloke who played club footy in the afternoon, and they chose the lad who played club footy.
Dunshea comes back and Stodart drops to the bench. That adds to some cover at 6/8.
Hopefully Vikena in for a straight swap for Bell. Same for Tangitau.
Can't imagine there are too many viable replacements for Ajay running around. Probably the best option is the 10 for Harbour in Dunedin Club who has moved down from Wellington. Rique Miln. Some decent wraps on the kid.
Broughtons injury happened against the Reds. It’s a rib injury. Unsure of what it is exactly but if it’s a rib cartilage injury then they are pretty debilitating and there’s nothing he can do but rest, would have known in the warm ups if we was ready or not. Hopefully the injury @frugby is talking about in pre game isn’t something else.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann In theory if none of those who were out are back, then the loosies/locks who were in the 23 are the only ones left fit.
I’m expecting Dunshea, Tangitau & Vikena to be back, but Howden looked pretty ginger on Saturday.
Considering there is only six games left, I doubt they replace Faleafaga unless we get another injury… we may need loose forward cover this week though.
Be interesting to know the extend of Broughton's injury and when it occurred. Must have been fairly limiting if the choice was him or a bloke who played club footy in the afternoon, and they chose the lad who played club footy.
Dunshea comes back and Stodart drops to the bench. That adds to some cover at 6/8.
Hopefully Vikena in for a straight swap for Bell. Same for Tangitau.
Can't imagine there are too many viable replacements for Ajay running around. Probably the best option is the 10 for Harbour in Dunedin Club who has moved down from Wellington. Rique Miln. Some decent wraps on the kid.
Broughtons injury happened against the Reds. It’s a rib injury. Unsure of what it is exactly but if it’s a rib cartilage injury then they are pretty debilitating and there’s nothing he can do but rest, would have known in the warm ups if we was ready or not. Hopefully the injury @frugby is talking about in pre game isn’t something else.
Looked like something different to me… would be a strange reaction to a rib injury to be clutching at your leg in pain.
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Re. Millar and the struggles with the physicality. Website has him at 185cm and 85kgs. That’s borderline underweight for an athlete of 6 foot. It’s seems very strange to me that no one in the strength and conditioning team since 2021 (NPC debut) has worked with him to put on 4-5kgs of muscle. It would make the world of difference. At that age, weight, and height, physiologically that is incredibly easy.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Re. Millar and the struggles with the physicality. Website has him at 185cm and 85kgs. That’s borderline underweight for an athlete of 6 foot. It’s seems very strange to me that no one in the strength and conditioning team since 2021 (NPC debut) has worked with him to put on 4-5kgs of muscle. It would make the world of difference. At that age, weight, and height, physiologically that is incredibly easy.
Comparing the pictures from 2021 to now. He does look bigger. He also needs to take responsibility around his playing style and ball security. He is the guy out there doing it.
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Yeah, I would be very surprised if Millar was only 85kg….
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
Yeah, I would be very surprised if Millar was only 85kg….
Cam Millar is a bit of a protected species amongst some fans, I find.
While the kid's goal kicking is too notch, there is a lot to be desired around other parts of his game. At the moment there is very little between him and Robinson. Both players have strengths that the other player doesn't. But there are glaring weaknesses with both.
When Hurley has a shocker he gets slammed. When Millar doesn't play well people tend to find excuses as to why. Just seems like there is a weird protective dynamic with him. That other players aren't given.
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@SouthernMann some awkward moments for Cam upon return against the Drua yes, however quite often he has been motm for the landers last yr vs the Crusaders and Moana. was Otagos best several games last yr against Manawatu, Canterbury. Taine Robinson just doesn't have the same influence from what I have seen. Happy to be proven wrong
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann some awkward moments for Cam upon return against the Drua yes, however quite often he has been motm for the landers last yr vs the Crusaders and Moana. was Otagos best several games last yr against Manawatu, Canterbury. Taine Robinson just doesn't have the same influence from what I have seen. Happy to be proven wrong
As mentioned. I think he is an ok player. He is our best choice for the foreseeable future. Probably seeing the trjacteory of Mika Muliaina, until he is ready in a good few seasons time. Millar is a limited player though. Kicks well. Passed well. Isn't overly quick. Not a great lateral mover. Not overly strong. Not a great defender If he is our guy for the next three to five seasons. We need to run a style that plays to his strengths. If we are to play a high tempo running game. We need to consider whether his style matches that strategy.
It was more a comment on him being protected from criticism than having a go at his game. As I've said. I think he is the best choice out of a limited pool for the foreseeable future
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I think some of Millar's weaknesses have been a little overstated. It is said he doesn't have a running game, but I also don't remember Taine Robinson making a single break this season. Millar showed vast improvements in the NPC, so I think it is a little odd he was totally done away with.
This season might do him good in the long run, but I also think this is a little bit of a case of Jamie wanting to make a point, and then being overly stubborn.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I think some of Millar's weaknesses have been a little overstated. It is said he doesn't have a running game, but I also don't remember Taine Robinson making a single break this season. Millar showed vast improvements in the NPC, so I think it is a little odd he was totally done away with.
This season might do him good in the long run, but I also think this is a little bit of a case of Jamie wanting to make a point, and then being overly stubborn.
I'm not arguing for Robinson. Just more saying that Millar is a protected player. For quite a few fans. He doesn't get the same level of scrutiny as other developing players.
As I've mentioned, he is the best of a reasonably average group of 10s. But he is what we have. Let's work out how to have the team fit around him. May be not have him get isolated defensively on the wing. May be ensure he does have forward support in contact. Have a big bopper beside him as a get out of jail option if he needs it. Promote his skills and hide his limitations.
