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Highlanders 2025

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
highlanders
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  • S SBW1

    Are the Highlanders still a chance at making the 6?

    YeetyaahY Offline
    YeetyaahY Offline
    Yeetyaah
    wrote on last edited by
    #1497

    @SBW1 said in Highlanders 2025:

    Are the Highlanders still a chance at making the 6?

    No

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • C Offline
      C Offline
      cgrant
      wrote on last edited by
      #1498

      Selecting only two genuine locks for the whole squad has been hitting the Highlanders very hard this season . This is a position where four locks, at least, must be available. This was asking too much of Dunshea and Holland.

      1 Reply Last reply
      2
      • D darylmitchell

        Will Jamie Joseph ever take accountability for their current performances?

        He spends most of this interview going woe is me, not a great look.

        Landers92L Offline
        Landers92L Offline
        Landers92
        wrote on last edited by Landers92
        #1499

        @darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:

        Will Jamie Joseph ever take accountability for their current performances?

        He spends most of this interview going woe is me, not a great look.

        Thanks for the share, that was a great interview from Wheels.

        Jamie touches on a few interesting things there, I don’t take any of that as ‘woe is me’. Think they are all fair, honest and valid points.

        A 1 Reply Last reply
        1
        • S SBW1

          Are the Highlanders still a chance at making the 6?

          Canes4lifeC Offline
          Canes4lifeC Offline
          Canes4life
          wrote on last edited by
          #1500

          @SBW1 said in Highlanders 2025:

          Are the Highlanders still a chance at making the 6?

          No chance. Canes away, Crusaders away, Chiefs home. Don’t think they’ll win any of them the way they’ve been playing and can’t see them turning it around tbh.

          BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
          1
          • Canes4lifeC Canes4life

            @SBW1 said in Highlanders 2025:

            Are the Highlanders still a chance at making the 6?

            No chance. Canes away, Crusaders away, Chiefs home. Don’t think they’ll win any of them the way they’ve been playing and can’t see them turning it around tbh.

            BonesB Offline
            BonesB Offline
            Bones
            wrote on last edited by
            #1501

            @Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:

            @SBW1 said in Highlanders 2025:

            Are the Highlanders still a chance at making the 6?

            No chance. Canes away, Crusaders away, Chiefs home. Don’t think they’ll win any of them the way they’ve been playing and can’t see them turning it around tbh.

            Next you'll be saying Springer can't be described as mildly better than Jonah Lowe.

            1 Reply Last reply
            2
            • Landers92L Landers92

              @darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:

              Will Jamie Joseph ever take accountability for their current performances?

              He spends most of this interview going woe is me, not a great look.

              Thanks for the share, that was a great interview from Wheels.

              Jamie touches on a few interesting things there, I don’t take any of that as ‘woe is me’. Think they are all fair, honest and valid points.

              A Online
              A Online
              African Monkey
              wrote on last edited by
              #1502

              @Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

              @darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:

              Will Jamie Joseph ever take accountability for their current performances?

              He spends most of this interview going woe is me, not a great look.

              Thanks for the share, that was a great interview from Wheels.

              Jamie touches on a few interesting things there, I don’t take any of that as ‘woe is me’. Think they are all fair, honest and valid points.

              I usually can't stand Wheeler, but he does ok in these interviews. I actually didn'tmind watching that.

              1 Reply Last reply
              2
              • K Offline
                K Offline
                KiwiInLondon
                wrote on last edited by
                #1503

                Word on the street, and a fairly reliable word at that, is that the environment in the Highlanders squad is getting increasingly toxic. A large part of the squad are getting fed up with not getting coached properly and being asked to execute a game plan that they know doesn't work. It's resulted in a complete loss of belief in the camp.

                There is also apparently a big issue with some players about something that went down between De Groot and Renton that ended up in Renton getting the captaincy. Not many players respect him because of it and the leadership group is fractured. The assistant coaches are apparently just a bunch of yes men and don't add anything of significance and the only real coaching they've received is when Tony Brown has dropped in for a few sessions.

                Now you can go 'oh this is him being negative again etc etc' but this is pretty bloody reliable and things seem to be falling apart.

                Canes4lifeC BonesB F 3 Replies Last reply
                3
                • K KiwiInLondon

                  Word on the street, and a fairly reliable word at that, is that the environment in the Highlanders squad is getting increasingly toxic. A large part of the squad are getting fed up with not getting coached properly and being asked to execute a game plan that they know doesn't work. It's resulted in a complete loss of belief in the camp.

                  There is also apparently a big issue with some players about something that went down between De Groot and Renton that ended up in Renton getting the captaincy. Not many players respect him because of it and the leadership group is fractured. The assistant coaches are apparently just a bunch of yes men and don't add anything of significance and the only real coaching they've received is when Tony Brown has dropped in for a few sessions.

                  Now you can go 'oh this is him being negative again etc etc' but this is pretty bloody reliable and things seem to be falling apart.

                  Canes4lifeC Offline
                  Canes4lifeC Offline
                  Canes4life
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #1504

                  @KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

                  Word on the street, and a fairly reliable word at that, is that the environment in the Highlanders squad is getting increasingly toxic. A large part of the squad are getting fed up with not getting coached properly and being asked to execute a game plan that they know doesn't work. It's resulted in a complete loss of belief in the camp.

                  There is also apparently a big issue with some players about something that went down between De Groot and Renton that ended up in Renton getting the captaincy. Not many players respect him because of it and the leadership group is fractured. The assistant coaches are apparently just a bunch of yes men and don't add anything of significance and the only real coaching they've received is when Tony Brown has dropped in for a few sessions.

                  Now you can go 'oh this is him being negative again etc etc' but this is pretty bloody reliable and things seem to be falling apart.

                  That could get ugly then if players want out at the end of the year.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • K KiwiInLondon

                    Word on the street, and a fairly reliable word at that, is that the environment in the Highlanders squad is getting increasingly toxic. A large part of the squad are getting fed up with not getting coached properly and being asked to execute a game plan that they know doesn't work. It's resulted in a complete loss of belief in the camp.

                    There is also apparently a big issue with some players about something that went down between De Groot and Renton that ended up in Renton getting the captaincy. Not many players respect him because of it and the leadership group is fractured. The assistant coaches are apparently just a bunch of yes men and don't add anything of significance and the only real coaching they've received is when Tony Brown has dropped in for a few sessions.

                    Now you can go 'oh this is him being negative again etc etc' but this is pretty bloody reliable and things seem to be falling apart.

                    BonesB Offline
                    BonesB Offline
                    Bones
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #1505

                    @KiwiInLondon if you wanted to portray a more negative persona, you could change to KiwiNotInDunedin.

                    F 1 Reply Last reply
                    3
                    • K KiwiInLondon

                      Word on the street, and a fairly reliable word at that, is that the environment in the Highlanders squad is getting increasingly toxic. A large part of the squad are getting fed up with not getting coached properly and being asked to execute a game plan that they know doesn't work. It's resulted in a complete loss of belief in the camp.

                      There is also apparently a big issue with some players about something that went down between De Groot and Renton that ended up in Renton getting the captaincy. Not many players respect him because of it and the leadership group is fractured. The assistant coaches are apparently just a bunch of yes men and don't add anything of significance and the only real coaching they've received is when Tony Brown has dropped in for a few sessions.

                      Now you can go 'oh this is him being negative again etc etc' but this is pretty bloody reliable and things seem to be falling apart.

                      F Offline
                      F Offline
                      frugby
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #1506

                      @KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

                      Word on the street, and a fairly reliable word at that, is that the environment in the Highlanders squad is getting increasingly toxic. A large part of the squad are getting fed up with not getting coached properly and being asked to execute a game plan that they know doesn't work. It's resulted in a complete loss of belief in the camp.

                      There is also apparently a big issue with some players about something that went down between De Groot and Renton that ended up in Renton getting the captaincy. Not many players respect him because of it and the leadership group is fractured. The assistant coaches are apparently just a bunch of yes men and don't add anything of significance and the only real coaching they've received is when Tony Brown has dropped in for a few sessions.

                      Now you can go 'oh this is him being negative again etc etc' but this is pretty bloody reliable and things seem to be falling apart.

                      There was a scrap between Renton and De Groot, but they kissed and made up. I have heard some players have been a little confused around selection communication, but outside of that it is still a united camp.

                      As for the assistant coaches being yes men, that's hearsay if I have ever heard it. I think Corey Brown just sucks at his job, but that is hardly new news.

                      The likes of Fakatava, and JRK (Supposedly) wouldn't re-sign if what you are saying is true.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      4
                      • BonesB Bones

                        @KiwiInLondon if you wanted to portray a more negative persona, you could change to KiwiNotInDunedin.

                        F Offline
                        F Offline
                        frugby
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #1507

                        @Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

                        @KiwiInLondon if you wanted to portray a more negative persona, you could change to KiwiNotInDunedin.

                        Word on the street (from a reliable source).

                        BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • F frugby

                          @Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

                          @KiwiInLondon if you wanted to portray a more negative persona, you could change to KiwiNotInDunedin.

                          Word on the street (from a reliable source).

                          BonesB Offline
                          BonesB Offline
                          Bones
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #1508

                          @frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

                          @Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

                          @KiwiInLondon if you wanted to portray a more negative persona, you could change to KiwiNotInDunedin.

                          Word on the street (from a reliable source).

                          Baldwin.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          3
                          • KiwiwombleK Offline
                            KiwiwombleK Offline
                            Kiwiwomble
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #1509

                            im not going to completely buy in to the "word on the street"....but i dont think we're playing like a united team....part of that do ring true with what im seeing out on the pitch....and if they are united happy family...then why the poor results

                            H 1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • KiwiwombleK Kiwiwomble

                              im not going to completely buy in to the "word on the street"....but i dont think we're playing like a united team....part of that do ring true with what im seeing out on the pitch....and if they are united happy family...then why the poor results

                              H Offline
                              H Offline
                              handa457
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #1510

                              @Kiwiwomble could part of this be the same playing out as in 2013? JJ goes in one direction and the team fractures and splits under him as some buy into the plan early on - and others feel resentment over split loyalties and frustration at his style?

                              It's gotta be difficult seeing five or six young guys who were last season seen as key to the future of the team being shifted to the side (Falefaga, Wingham, Michaels) and then guys you're loyal too (Bell, Gilbert, Millar, Hastie, Te Hiwi) benched or not getting game as much time (regardless if merited or not).

                              Key thing in 2013 though was the exceptional leadership of Nasi Manu who went to JJ and challenged him that things needed to change - and he listened. Ben Smith & Nasi are both key parts of the highlanders camp now and players won't be unaware of the story.

                              Key thing will be if they care enough to go to him and find middle ground.

                              GrooterG 1 Reply Last reply
                              1
                              • Landers92L Offline
                                Landers92L Offline
                                Landers92
                                wrote on last edited by Landers92
                                #1511

                                Losing like we have been always blows things out of proportion. Yes there are obviously issues across the board, and with losing everything becomes magnified. I don’t think it is as bad as it seems in here.

                                I’m going to do some asking around on my end to see if I can find anything out, but as far as I’m aware and have been told a month or so ago the camp is all pretty happy and on good terms.

                                KiwiwombleK 1 Reply Last reply
                                3
                                • Landers92L Landers92

                                  Losing like we have been always blows things out of proportion. Yes there are obviously issues across the board, and with losing everything becomes magnified. I don’t think it is as bad as it seems in here.

                                  I’m going to do some asking around on my end to see if I can find anything out, but as far as I’m aware and have been told a month or so ago the camp is all pretty happy and on good terms.

                                  KiwiwombleK Offline
                                  KiwiwombleK Offline
                                  Kiwiwomble
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #1512

                                  @Landers92 i think im just a bit miserable about it, when i read

                                  "a month or so ago the camp is all pretty happy and on good terms"

                                  i couldn't help immediately switching to "They're too bloody complacent!"

                                  Landers92L 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • KiwiwombleK Kiwiwomble

                                    @Landers92 i think im just a bit miserable about it, when i read

                                    "a month or so ago the camp is all pretty happy and on good terms"

                                    i couldn't help immediately switching to "They're too bloody complacent!"

                                    Landers92L Offline
                                    Landers92L Offline
                                    Landers92
                                    wrote on last edited by Landers92
                                    #1513

                                    @Kiwiwomble bad wording on my end. I meant when I last asked(which was about 4 weeks ago, just before the Drua game post Aus tour) everything was fine. I’ll follow up again and see if anything has changed in that area

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    2
                                    • H handa457

                                      @Kiwiwomble could part of this be the same playing out as in 2013? JJ goes in one direction and the team fractures and splits under him as some buy into the plan early on - and others feel resentment over split loyalties and frustration at his style?

                                      It's gotta be difficult seeing five or six young guys who were last season seen as key to the future of the team being shifted to the side (Falefaga, Wingham, Michaels) and then guys you're loyal too (Bell, Gilbert, Millar, Hastie, Te Hiwi) benched or not getting game as much time (regardless if merited or not).

                                      Key thing in 2013 though was the exceptional leadership of Nasi Manu who went to JJ and challenged him that things needed to change - and he listened. Ben Smith & Nasi are both key parts of the highlanders camp now and players won't be unaware of the story.

                                      Key thing will be if they care enough to go to him and find middle ground.

                                      GrooterG Online
                                      GrooterG Online
                                      Grooter
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #1514

                                      @handa457 I could be wrong feel like Wingham didn't get on yesterday? If my memory serves correct it is odd 140kg prop like Ma'u to play 80

                                      H 1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • GrooterG Grooter

                                        @handa457 I could be wrong feel like Wingham didn't get on yesterday? If my memory serves correct it is odd 140kg prop like Ma'u to play 80

                                        H Offline
                                        H Offline
                                        handa457
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #1515

                                        @Grooter Nah he didn't. Which has got to suck for the young fella. Impressive for Ma'au though. I had him in fantasy which always helps.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • Landers92L Offline
                                          Landers92L Offline
                                          Landers92
                                          wrote on last edited by Landers92
                                          #1516

                                          I think the bye has came at a good time. Will be good to get 3 or 4 more influential players back from injury.

                                          I’ll put a side I’d like to see us run out for the last 3 games of the season below. Time to open it up and let these young guys just have a crack. No expectation, Canes, Crusaders and Chiefs will all be firing and pushing for a better finals spot so throw a cat amongst the pigeons and let some young lads go for it. Dumb down the game-plan if necessary.

                                          Something along these lines.

                                          1. EDG
                                          2. Jack Taylor
                                          3. Ma’u
                                          4. Holland
                                          5. Dunshea/Haig
                                          6. TK or Haig. TK is in good form so his for now
                                          7. Withy/Lasaqa
                                          8. Stodart/Withy
                                          9. Fakatava/Hastie
                                          10. Millar
                                          11. Nareki/Lowe/Manson
                                          12. Tavatavanawai
                                          13. TUJ(Tele’a if healthy)
                                          14. Tangitau
                                          15. JRK

                                          Bench
                                          16. Vikena
                                          17. Bartlett
                                          18. Kautai/Wingham
                                          19. Haig/Stodart
                                          20. Lasaqa/Stodart
                                          21. Hastie
                                          22. Robinson
                                          23. Tele’a if fit/Josh Whaanga

                                          A very green bench, some usuals in the starting 15 that I’m happy to leave in but guys like Renton can be put on the back burner for the rest of the year, injury sounds pretty bad so just let him rest up. Let the likes of Jack Taylor, Will Stodart, Cam Miller just go out there and play with young guys in Bartlett and Whaanga bringing fresh legs from the bench. Bugger it.

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