Highlanders 2025
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@frugby a bit wild we're letting Hastie slip through the cracks. His box kicking has been impressive as has his offloading and sniping around the rucks. You'd have to feel he's the sort of guy who could at least make All Blacks XV in a season or two. I'd probably carry him over Lennox who I've yet to see do much at this level.
Sounds like JJ is planning on cutting some contracts short next season. Wonder if Michaels, Wingham, Falefaga and Hastie all get cut?
Here's a left field pick too - I wonder if Bell gets cut and Ioane Mounau from the crusaders gets picked up?
@handa457 Hastie's big issue is he drifts out of the game so much, to the point others have to fill in at halfback. Which makes me wonder if his communication isn't very good either. You can't carry a halfback if he's that remiss in his core role.
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Injury update.
Caleb Tangitau (Groin / 1-2 weeks)
James Arscott (Shoulder / TBC)
Nikora Broughton (Knee MCL/ TBC)
Tanielu Tele’a (Hamstring / 2-3 weeks)
Finn Hurley (Quad / Season)
Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / Season)
Ajay Faleafaga (Broken hand / Season) -
This Tangitau chat by George is the Roigard rumour part 2. Classic stuff.
@Canes4life well, Stick by this 1, nogusta, look at his rumour, Sullivan, Funaki, both back and were always going to be, I can take the heat,
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble contract, he most likely had a lot of options in it when he signed for this season, Blues aren't stupid they were never going to let him walk away, for more than 1 year, the time has been put into him since he was 18, game time massive for him, Talea moving, and that was always on the cards, after not signing on last season.
That doesn’t actually answer my question though…and raises another
2 year contract with highlanders yes/no?
If no, are you saying he has an existing contract with the blues including some sort of sabbatical? If no then what do you mean by the blues won’t let him walk away? Explain the situation where an organisation has any control without a contract
Also, if no 2 year deal with the highlanders, why did he say he signed one?
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble contract, he most likely had a lot of options in it when he signed for this season, Blues aren't stupid they were never going to let him walk away, for more than 1 year, the time has been put into him since he was 18, game time massive for him, Talea moving, and that was always on the cards, after not signing on last season.
That doesn’t actually answer my question though…and raises another
2 year contract with highlanders yes/no?
If no, are you saying he has an existing contract with the blues including some sort of sabbatical? If no then what do you mean by the blues won’t let him walk away? Explain the situation where an organisation has any control without a contract
Also, if no 2 year deal with the highlanders, why did he say he signed one?
@george33 can you answer my questions?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble contract, he most likely had a lot of options in it when he signed for this season, Blues aren't stupid they were never going to let him walk away, for more than 1 year, the time has been put into him since he was 18, game time massive for him, Talea moving, and that was always on the cards, after not signing on last season.
That doesn’t actually answer my question though…and raises another
2 year contract with highlanders yes/no?
If no, are you saying he has an existing contract with the blues including some sort of sabbatical? If no then what do you mean by the blues won’t let him walk away? Explain the situation where an organisation has any control without a contract
Also, if no 2 year deal with the highlanders, why did he say he signed one?
@george33 can you answer my questions?
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@Canes4life well, Stick by this 1, nogusta, look at his rumour, Sullivan, Funaki, both back and were always going to be, I can take the heat,
@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life well, Stick by this 1, nogusta, look at his rumour, Sullivan, Funaki, both back and were always going to be, I can take the heat,
Wait...How come I'm catching strays here?
Leave me out of your convos please -
@Kiwiwomble No, to much abuse, said what I said.
@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble No, to much abuse, said what I said.
I haven’t abused you, simply asked questions when you said that you would answer any that were asked
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life well, Stick by this 1, nogusta, look at his rumour, Sullivan, Funaki, both back and were always going to be, I can take the heat,
Wait...How come I'm catching strays here?
Leave me out of your convos please -
@handa457 Hastie's big issue is he drifts out of the game so much, to the point others have to fill in at halfback. Which makes me wonder if his communication isn't very good either. You can't carry a halfback if he's that remiss in his core role.
@Bones agree he fades in games. But just wonder if that's inexperience at this level more than anything else. Normally a young guy like Hastie would be spending 2 - 3 seasons getting twenty minutes off the bench at the end of games. Feel like he's been thrown in the deep end, and then thrown to the wolves for a pretty reasonable set of teething problems.
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@george33 stray bullets? Never mind champ...I wasn't sure why I had the honor of getting a mention by you.
@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2025:
@george33 stray bullets? Never mind champ...I wasn't sure why I had the honor of getting a mention by you.
You've got some of the best intel on this forum. Hardly ever get stuff wrong. Always look forward to spotting your posts!
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@Nogusta said in Highlanders 2025:
@george33 stray bullets? Never mind champ...I wasn't sure why I had the honor of getting a mention by you.
You've got some of the best intel on this forum. Hardly ever get stuff wrong. Always look forward to spotting your posts!
@SouthernMann Hearing Nogusta say he hasn’t heard anything fills you with confidence.
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@handa457 Hastie's big issue is he drifts out of the game so much, to the point others have to fill in at halfback. Which makes me wonder if his communication isn't very good either. You can't carry a halfback if he's that remiss in his core role.
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 Hastie's big issue is he drifts out of the game so much, to the point others have to fill in at halfback. Which makes me wonder if his communication isn't very good either. You can't carry a halfback if he's that remiss in his core role.
Too slow to the breakdown for all his upside… Lennox, Fakatava and Pledger all quicker with a better pass - can see why Hastie would get let go.
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@frugby a bit wild we're letting Hastie slip through the cracks. His box kicking has been impressive as has his offloading and sniping around the rucks. You'd have to feel he's the sort of guy who could at least make All Blacks XV in a season or two. I'd probably carry him over Lennox who I've yet to see do much at this level.
Sounds like JJ is planning on cutting some contracts short next season. Wonder if Michaels, Wingham, Falefaga and Hastie all get cut?
Here's a left field pick too - I wonder if Bell gets cut and Ioane Mounau from the crusaders gets picked up?
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Sounds like JJ is planning on cutting some contracts short next season. Wonder if Michaels, Wingham, Falefaga and Hastie all get cut?
Faleafaga going to Japan so I hear… Michaels and Wingham clearly aren’t rated, but may depend on if they can get someone better
Here's a left field pick too - I wonder if Bell gets cut and Ioane Mounau from the crusaders gets picked up?
Both signed to their respective sides till 2026. The fact Bell has been picked over Taylor this week I think is telling. Offers more grunt work at this moment in time… I think hooker would be the least of our worries.
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Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
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Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
Can’t see you guys beating us at home with our best side on the park. Maybe a bonus point defeat would be a fair estimate.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
Can’t see you guys beating us at home with our best side on the park. Maybe a bonus point defeat would be a fair estimate.
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
Can’t see you guys beating us at home with our best side on the park. Maybe a bonus point defeat would be a fair estimate.
It’s the second “easiest” game on the highlanders schedule. So it is a must win. Hurricanes have been far from convincing and the best players have been flaky. Think it will be a bit closer than you think.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
Can’t see you guys beating us at home with our best side on the park. Maybe a bonus point defeat would be a fair estimate.
It’s the second “easiest” game on the highlanders schedule. So it is a must win. Hurricanes have been far from convincing and the best players have been flaky. Think it will be a bit closer than you think.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
Can’t see you guys beating us at home with our best side on the park. Maybe a bonus point defeat would be a fair estimate.
It’s the second “easiest” game on the highlanders schedule. So it is a must win. Hurricanes have been far from convincing and the best players have been flaky. Think it will be a bit closer than you think.
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Perhaps to get the thread back on track (not hypocritical at all). We still have what seems like an obvious route to the top six. It will require the team to really step up but injured players are coming back and the top 23 is finally insight.
Can we beat the chiefs this weekend? Maybe. But a loosing bonus point and no injures is a must.
Crusaders at home. Definitely vulnerable and at home, the highlanders have a real chance and I back them. Close win
Moana: this has to be a bonus point win.
Bye: perfect timing after three big games. Injured players are back, a good rest before the final three games
Hurricanes: a must win. Back the team to do it. Close win
Crusaders: tougher at home. Has to be a bonus point loss at least
Chiefs: Chiefs will likely be fighting for a top 2 finish in this game so will come out firing. Tough one at home, bonus point loss.
Leaves the Highlanders with 33 points with hopefully a positive points differential. May be enough to sneak into 6.
Can’t see you guys beating us at home with our best side on the park. Maybe a bonus point defeat would be a fair estimate.
It’s the second “easiest” game on the highlanders schedule. So it is a must win. Hurricanes have been far from convincing and the best players have been flaky. Think it will be a bit closer than you think.
The Canes have been unconvincing yes but we haven’t had our best team on the park this year yet after being shafted with injuries from the get go. I’m predicting the Canes to be a much better side by the time that fixture comes around. You’ll find it will end up being one of the harder games to win on that remaining fixture list once the likes of Aumua, Lomax etc get into form. Am I saying it will be a hiding, no, but it won’t be easy as you’re suggesting. The Landers are also on a horrible losing streak to the Canes so that has to be factored in as well.
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@KiwiInLondon they will just select Petone Jesus from now on and win the RWC.
@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon they will just select Petone Jesus from now on and win the RWC.
We already do, he plays no 8.
