Highlanders 2025
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Well perhaps you guys are right. I’m just incredibly worried we’re pissing away the talent we have. See what happens for the rest of the season. But if the Landers guys for Otago during the NPC season don’t start dominating, I’d have real concern the players aren’t going anywhere
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That makes sense.
Prop, eight, 10 and 13 are our biggest problems. As well course with depth
There are some dynamic eights you can potentially pull from elsewhere in the country.
I've had a scan through the other NZ squads, and there is noone potentially available that will push the team along. The Chiefs will need to keep their midfield backs around with ALB going off shore. There are no 10s around. Props the same. Will be expensive, we just can't go backwards in the scrum like we have and run a full season flipping between Millar and Robinson waiting for them to be less bad than eachother.
If sourcing a 10 we need another level from the Patchell and Burns years. Also needs to be someone who could stick around for 2 - 3 years.
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That makes sense.
Prop, eight, 10 and 13 are our biggest problems. As well course with depth
There are some dynamic eights you can potentially pull from elsewhere in the country.
I've had a scan through the other NZ squads, and there is noone potentially available that will push the team along. The Chiefs will need to keep their midfield backs around with ALB going off shore. There are no 10s around. Props the same. Will be expensive, we just can't go backwards in the scrum like we have and run a full season flipping between Millar and Robinson waiting for them to be less bad than eachother.
If sourcing a 10 we need another level from the Patchell and Burns years. Also needs to be someone who could stick around for 2 - 3 years.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
That makes sense.
Prop, eight, 10 and 13 are our biggest problems. As well course with depth
There are some dynamic eights you can potentially pull from elsewhere in the country.
I've had a scan through the other NZ squads, and there is noone potentially available that will push the team along. The Chiefs will need to keep their midfield backs around with ALB going off shore. There are no 10s around. Props the same. Will be expensive, we just can't go backwards in the scrum like we have and run a full season flipping between Millar and Robinson waiting for them to be less bad than eachother.
If sourcing a 10 we need another level from the Patchell and Burns years. Also needs to be someone who could stick around for 2 - 3 years.
We've never really replaced Lima. Ioane had the skills but not the brain, the others had moments but nothing prolonged enough.
I still feel JJ and the coaching staff have things to answer for when it comes to Millar. That guy dropped back to back MOTM performances against Moana and the Crusaders last year, was a shining light for Otago, and then was just jettisoned, and we wonder why his confidence looks shot to bits... I just really struggle to see a way back for him. Robinson is limited, but has to come back for now.
As for who we could get from overseas, as I understand it there is no shortage of money, so I would not be surprised to see us chuck a fat stack of cash at someone.
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Two words … Josh Jacomb
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2025:
Two words … Josh Jacomb
He ain't leaving the Chiefs. Another McKenzie sabbatical, and plenty of options for him to start along the way. He is the future of the Chiefs.
Mika Muliaina is the kid they are watching down there. Sadly he is only just out of school.
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Two words … Josh Jacomb
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2025:
Two words … Josh Jacomb
The only 10’s you stand a genuine shot at convincing to come down are him(Jacomb) and Reihana. Sabbaticals will impact this obviously.
If they want to be get more exposure and playing opportunities then it’s pretty straight forward. As AB fans, we should want a guy like Jacomb starting week in week out, so should he and NZR.
Overall, I want NZ’s best players on the field every weekend. It benefits all parties as well as the competition. They are no good sitting in the stands getting 20-30min cameos with the odd spot start.
Whether that happens is a different story and not really one for now, it’s better suited for the off season. It is a rabbit hole you can go down and be said for a lot of players. For now you ride it out with what you have and hope you learn a lot about these players when things aren’t going their way. I still believe better days are ahead.
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Two words … Josh Jacomb
@CtownCowboy he's got at least 1 more year on his contract with the chiefs and he's in their 23 most weeks anyway, it's 1 of those things these days guys like James O'Connor and George Bower have openly admitted as long as they're in the matchday 23 they're happy. so who is the 1st five equivalent of Tangitau and Kneepkens in Auckland who is spending their Saturdays playing club rugby infront of 100 people?
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Fair enough lads , just hearing whispers . Nothing more nothing less . Go Landers !
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That makes sense.
Prop, eight, 10 and 13 are our biggest problems. As well course with depth
There are some dynamic eights you can potentially pull from elsewhere in the country.
I've had a scan through the other NZ squads, and there is noone potentially available that will push the team along. The Chiefs will need to keep their midfield backs around with ALB going off shore. There are no 10s around. Props the same. Will be expensive, we just can't go backwards in the scrum like we have and run a full season flipping between Millar and Robinson waiting for them to be less bad than eachother.
If sourcing a 10 we need another level from the Patchell and Burns years. Also needs to be someone who could stick around for 2 - 3 years.
Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
Maybe Fletcher Smith, Ihaia West & Tiaan Falcon are all still playing too right? Though none impress me.
Eight should have been a no brainer with Semesi Tupou, but just like Christian Lio Willie we like him go. I think Malachi Wrampling Gideon could be a good pickup. But he’s extremely green.
Prop’s a hard one. We need a good tighthead and Loosehead and they don’t grow on trees. Finley Brewis is one I like the look of but he’s always injured. Alex Fidow, Siate Tokahlahi or Oli Jager could be good shouts.
Thirteen - we should just bring back Malakai Fekitoa for a final season.
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Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
Maybe Fletcher Smith, Ihaia West & Tiaan Falcon are all still playing too right? Though none impress me.
Eight should have been a no brainer with Semesi Tupou, but just like Christian Lio Willie we like him go. I think Malachi Wrampling Gideon could be a good pickup. But he’s extremely green.
Prop’s a hard one. We need a good tighthead and Loosehead and they don’t grow on trees. Finley Brewis is one I like the look of but he’s always injured. Alex Fidow, Siate Tokahlahi or Oli Jager could be good shouts.
Thirteen - we should just bring back Malakai Fekitoa for a final season.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
Maybe Fletcher Smith, Ihaia West & Tiaan Falcon are all still playing too right? Though none impress me.
Eight should have been a no brainer with Semesi Tupou, but just like Christian Lio Willie we like him go. I think Malachi Wrampling Gideon could be a good pickup. But he’s extremely green.
Prop’s a hard one. We need a good tighthead and Loosehead and they don’t grow on trees. Finley Brewis is one I like the look of but he’s always injured. Alex Fidow, Siate Tokahlahi or Oli Jager could be good shouts.
Thirteen - we should just bring back Malakai Fekitoa for a final season.
When the various development contracts were being handed out that year, Semesi had obvious shortcomings. Can’t really blame the landers for passing him up.
Ihaia west has been killing it in France and won’t pass up on his French salary for Dunedin.
The most realistic hope would be a good Aussie 10 that’s sitting on the bench somewhere. We won’t get high quality European 10s over here
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
Maybe Fletcher Smith, Ihaia West & Tiaan Falcon are all still playing too right? Though none impress me.
Eight should have been a no brainer with Semesi Tupou, but just like Christian Lio Willie we like him go. I think Malachi Wrampling Gideon could be a good pickup. But he’s extremely green.
Prop’s a hard one. We need a good tighthead and Loosehead and they don’t grow on trees. Finley Brewis is one I like the look of but he’s always injured. Alex Fidow, Siate Tokahlahi or Oli Jager could be good shouts.
Thirteen - we should just bring back Malakai Fekitoa for a final season.
When the various development contracts were being handed out that year, Semesi had obvious shortcomings. Can’t really blame the landers for passing him up.
Ihaia west has been killing it in France and won’t pass up on his French salary for Dunedin.
The most realistic hope would be a good Aussie 10 that’s sitting on the bench somewhere. We won’t get high quality European 10s over here
@KiwiInLondon do you mind elaborating on his shortcomings?
It’s a bit hard (outside looking in) to understand how a bloke who dominated NPC, was 21 and in a position we critically needed was overlooked. Especially with how he’s kicked on.
Obviously factors I’m probably not seeing. But interested to hear more.
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@KiwiInLondon do you mind elaborating on his shortcomings?
It’s a bit hard (outside looking in) to understand how a bloke who dominated NPC, was 21 and in a position we critically needed was overlooked. Especially with how he’s kicked on.
Obviously factors I’m probably not seeing. But interested to hear more.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon do you mind elaborating on his shortcomings?
It’s a bit hard (outside looking in) to understand how a bloke who dominated NPC, was 21 and in a position we critically needed was overlooked. Especially with how he’s kicked on.
Obviously factors I’m probably not seeing. But interested to hear more.
The criticism was that he is too short to be a top level 8, is one dimensional, a poor trainer and doesn't get involved enough. Several of those criticisms have been disproven this year
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Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
Maybe Fletcher Smith, Ihaia West & Tiaan Falcon are all still playing too right? Though none impress me.
Eight should have been a no brainer with Semesi Tupou, but just like Christian Lio Willie we like him go. I think Malachi Wrampling Gideon could be a good pickup. But he’s extremely green.
Prop’s a hard one. We need a good tighthead and Loosehead and they don’t grow on trees. Finley Brewis is one I like the look of but he’s always injured. Alex Fidow, Siate Tokahlahi or Oli Jager could be good shouts.
Thirteen - we should just bring back Malakai Fekitoa for a final season.
@handa457 Alex Fidow was last spotted playing rugby league. Siate Tokolahis best days were done before he even left the Highlanders so won’t be near it now. Oli Jager… he went back home to Ireland so he could play test footy for them. You could safely put a line through those 3 I’d say.
Off shore will probably be an option for a couple clubs when it comes to tight head so recruitment won’t be easy. Especially when you consider how valued they are in the northern hemisphere.
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Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
Maybe Fletcher Smith, Ihaia West & Tiaan Falcon are all still playing too right? Though none impress me.
Eight should have been a no brainer with Semesi Tupou, but just like Christian Lio Willie we like him go. I think Malachi Wrampling Gideon could be a good pickup. But he’s extremely green.
Prop’s a hard one. We need a good tighthead and Loosehead and they don’t grow on trees. Finley Brewis is one I like the look of but he’s always injured. Alex Fidow, Siate Tokahlahi or Oli Jager could be good shouts.
Thirteen - we should just bring back Malakai Fekitoa for a final season.
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
You can also put a line through Fergus Burke right now. He’s just left the Crusaders for Saracens and has commited himself to playing for Scotland. Why would he come back and for for the Highlanders.
Unfortunately, any 10 we sign will likely be in a mentor type of role at the back end of his career. To be honest with you, can’t really say I’m on board with it seeing how Burns and Patchell turned out…
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
You can also put a line through Fergus Burke right now. He’s just left the Crusaders for Saracens and has commited himself to playing for Scotland. Why would he come back and for for the Highlanders.
Unfortunately, any 10 we sign will likely be in a mentor type of role at the back end of his career. To be honest with you, can’t really say I’m on board with it seeing how Burns and Patchell turned out…
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
Who offshore is in the conversation? Otere Black could be one. Presumably Lima’s a bit long in the tooth. Bryn Gatland could be a good pickup. Or Fergus Bruke
You can also put a line through Fergus Burke right now. He’s just left the Crusaders for Saracens and has commited himself to playing for Scotland. Why would he come back and for for the Highlanders.
Unfortunately, any 10 we sign will likely be in a mentor type of role at the back end of his career. To be honest with you, can’t really say I’m on board with it seeing how Burns and Patchell turned out…
I'd put money on a prop being Georgian, Argentinian or South African.
I doubt any of the potential overseas guys will be returning NZers.
There is a reason why most of these guys are gone already. None of the guys mentioned by others would offer any improvement.
Any guy brought in from overseas needs to be a massive improvement on what we have. I wonder if there are guys in the South African provincial sides playing up north who could be interested in two or three years down in NZ.
Like you I don't see the benefit of another Patchell or Burns one and done.
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We've done alright out of Saffa cricketers, should be able to rustle up a prop from there at least.
Reihana looked pretty comfortable last week and has potential. He and Jacomb look to be it locally really, unless you want to chase young Spencer or Cashmore based on pedigree - haven't really seen them play myself..
Miller I don't mind but he needs to do some serious weight training, he's having the ball ripper out of his arms regularly. He also stands too deep, which may be partially because he's physically outmatched. He's undoubtedly got some very good skills, but he looks kinda like a skinny kid playing against adults. -
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon do you mind elaborating on his shortcomings?
It’s a bit hard (outside looking in) to understand how a bloke who dominated NPC, was 21 and in a position we critically needed was overlooked. Especially with how he’s kicked on.
Obviously factors I’m probably not seeing. But interested to hear more.
The criticism was that he is too short to be a top level 8, is one dimensional, a poor trainer and doesn't get involved enough. Several of those criticisms have been disproven this year
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@handa457 said in Highlanders 2025:
@KiwiInLondon do you mind elaborating on his shortcomings?
It’s a bit hard (outside looking in) to understand how a bloke who dominated NPC, was 21 and in a position we critically needed was overlooked. Especially with how he’s kicked on.
Obviously factors I’m probably not seeing. But interested to hear more.
The criticism was that he is too short to be a top level 8, is one dimensional, a poor trainer and doesn't get involved enough. Several of those criticisms have been disproven this year
Sav has had a crack about the Highlanders' snubbing of Semesi, with those famous maroon-and-gold tinted glasses on.
The inability to snap up 21-year-old No 8 Semisi Tupou Taeiloa, when he was right under the noses of the Highlanders decision-makers, is a shocker.
There are sure to be some red faces whenever the name Semisi Tupou Taeiloa gets a mention at the moment.
Tupou Taeiloa was one of the Southland Stags’ best in 2024, and Stags coach Matt Saunders urged the Highlanders to include him in their mix.
The strong ball-carrying No 8 is the sort of player the Highlanders need right now, but on top of that, at 21, he would have provided a long-term Nasi Manu-type option for the Highlanders.
Even a wider contract would have been enough to lock him in when the Highlanders had their chance, but instead it was the sound of crickets from Highlanders HQ.
They showed no interest in the powerhouse loose forward.
Saunders and Rugby Southland then turned their focus to Moana Pasifika to try to find Tupou Taeiloa another Super Rugby opportunity.
It was initially just a short-term training opportunity, but the Moana Pasifika decision makers quickly loved what they saw.
The Southland Stag hasn’t just remained in the Moana Pasifika setup beyond the preseason but has turned out to be one of their best players to date.
Unfortunately for those at the Highlanders, the horse - or should we say the Stag - has now bolted. The Tribune understands Moana Pasifika has locked in Tupou Taeiloa long-term.
