Highlanders 2025
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@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad, I just don’t think we thought it would go quite as it has and not be a threat week in week out. The inconsistencies are the real killer because the flashes are there and you can see the promise which in turn makes it even more frustrating.
The last 3 games of this season could be rough but it’s hopefully a very good learning point for this squad.
I’m already excited thinking about 2026.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad,
Explain how they finished 6th last season with the same squad (bar Harmon) & no Kautai, Vikena, Tangitau, Howden (and Holland injured a lot) under a different head coach?
Maybe Joseph (the new head coach) is the problem here?
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad,
Explain how they finished 6th last season with the same squad (bar Harmon) & no Kautai, Vikena, Tangitau, Howden (and Holland injured a lot) under a different head coach?
Maybe Joseph (the new head coach) is the problem here?
@darylmitchell 4 out 5 Australian teams that were pretty average and a Crusaders team that was ravaged by injuries was helpful to the 2024 Highlanders .
Much tougher teams across the board including MP
Gives a bit balance to how tough the 2025 comp is -
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad,
Explain how they finished 6th last season with the same squad (bar Harmon) & no Kautai, Vikena, Tangitau, Howden (and Holland injured a lot) under a different head coach?
Maybe Joseph (the new head coach) is the problem here?
@darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s the key is keeping these young guys around while continuing to bring younger guys like Pledger and Tengbald through.
It was never about this season for Highlanders fans, we knew the reality with the current squad,
Explain how they finished 6th last season with the same squad (bar Harmon) & no Kautai, Vikena, Tangitau, Howden (and Holland injured a lot) under a different head coach?
Maybe Joseph (the new head coach) is the problem here?
Shit let me see. Howden, Haig, Kautai who have missed half of this season, add Nareki, Tangitau, Broughton and Renton to that list.
Having a solid 10 in Patchell who managed the team well, a good scrummaging tighthead prop in Ainsley. Let’s not forget captain and Mr consistent Billy Harmon. That’s a lot of starters, leadership, and experience missing and the guys you more or less relied on to fill important spots have been out injured so young guys are playing a lot more than anticipated. But yes sure thing, Joseph is the problem.
The competition has also gone up a level, you can’t discount that.
End of the day, we knew the reality with thing young squad. That’s my opinion on it anyway. If you want to disagree and blame Joseph then go ahead, you’ve already got your mind made up.
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Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
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Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
@darylmitchell it's a grim reality we all know this, as a landers tragic it pains me knowing if 2 closing moments of games were managed by the players better we would be in the top 6... Robinson being charged down and Gilbert's dropgoal missing against the Canes, tough the lads didn't nail key moments but is that really on Joseph?
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Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
@darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:
Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
Jumping through hoops? Not at all. Just answered your question mate, that’s all, lol. If you’ve read this thread and match threads you’ll know I’m honest and critical when it comes to this seasons team and been on record saying it isn’t good enough. Well aware of the table position, it’s ugly stuff
It is what it is unfortunately, but you won’t see me blaming Jamie Joseph for how everything has gone.
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@darylmitchell said in Highlanders 2025:
Sounds like you're jumping through a few hoops trying to defend their current 2nd to bottom standing compared to their 6th place finish under Clarke Dermody in 2024, lol.
And you realize they've got Canes, Chiefs, Blues next - so are likely to finish last in 2025?
Jumping through hoops? Not at all. Just answered your question mate, that’s all, lol. If you’ve read this thread and match threads you’ll know I’m honest and critical when it comes to this seasons team and been on record saying it isn’t good enough. Well aware of the table position, it’s ugly stuff
It is what it is unfortunately, but you won’t see me blaming Jamie Joseph for how everything has gone.
@Landers92 pretty tough to judge if Penney is a super amazing coach or one of the worst ever, going off dazza's position on the table criteria if you look at this year and last year.
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I think what had probably happened is you have a young squad who has lost a bit of a confidence. JJ cops a portion of the blame for that, because I don’t think he has got the best out of Millar particularly, who showed at the end of last year he can be solid enough.
That said, everything we do is so static, because we aren’t getting front foot ball, so that is tough for any first five. None of our forwards are consistently carrying over the gain line. Holland can do that, but he has played wayyyy too many minutes, which is a floor in squad building. Haig also can, but he hasn’t yet shaken that injury. I wouldn’t really say we have any other dynamic carriers in the squad.
We could probably do with one at lock next to Holland, and one at eight. Front foot ball, with Fakatava spreading it out quickly, and our attack would look better, though I still think our shaping is not as good as it could be.
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Ainsley was probably a bigger loss than we anticipated and Billy Harmon's move to no8 last year papered over the issues we have there.
I think there are a few guys in the squad whose measurables are really good as youth players. Good motor, jumps well, appear to be statistically good defenders at lower levels. It is just they lack the punch and X factor required in Super Rugby right now. It is not to say that won't change. Just not clicking right now.
Paul Cully did an article around who we might target. For the first time I somewhat disagree, as it seems he is focused on who we can get here. I do agree at one point of giving Howden a run at 8.
The only guys from NZ I eould be pushing for are Grindlay out of the Blues, Alec-Wrampling or Basson out of Manawatu. Both stuck behind a long line or quality loosies and really talented.
Harkin isn't the solution at 10. Frizzell is a bit of a bandaid.
We are in a bit of a cycle. When you don't perform well, you can't recruit easily, when you can't recruit well you generally don't perform well.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360676844/highlanders-need-size-class-and-experience-squad-limitations-are-exposedIn terms of all the chat about a grumpy team. I'm sure plenty of us have played on amatuer where you lose a fair bit. It sucks. You get a bit snippy at your team mates. Dial it up by about 1000 when you are playing in front of 10k people, and in a high profile competition. It isn't easy to be overly positive when the general public and the media tells you that you're shit at your job.
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We have bemoaned the ball carriers that we don't have. There were a few that we could have easily had running around.
No8s the Landers have had leave from within the region in the last few years
Semisi Tupou - well known his journey out.
Sean Jansen - Dunedin schooled now playing at Connacht. Never got a chance with Otago.
Arese Poliko - seven games for Southland. Now holding tackle bags at the Canes.
Lio-Willie - we mucked him around and Razor pounced.
Any of those lads could have added value.
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Just done a deep dive and here’s where the squad is at based off the information we have been given. If anyone knows more then feel free to chime in.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Josh Bartlett(?)
Saula Ma'u (2025? Signed with otago in 2022 on a 3 year deal, assuming Highlanders is the same.)
Sefo Kautai(?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2025)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (Signed with the Stags for 3 seasons, assuming Landers is similar or close to it. 2026?)
Nikora Broughton (2025?)
Lui Naeata(2025, one and done).
TK Howden(2025?)
Will Stodart(2026)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (Gone after this season by what’s been said on here)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)
Taine Robinson (2026)Midfielders:
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Tanielu Tele'a (2025?)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
TUJ(2025?)Outside Backs:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jona Nareki (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026)
Michael Manson(2025?)Quite a few coming off contract with only 1 in season extension so far in Fakatava. Hopefully Holland, Ma’u, JRK and Tavatavanawai are the next extensions we see.
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Just done a deep dive and here’s where the squad is at based off the information we have been given. If anyone knows more then feel free to chime in.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Josh Bartlett(?)
Saula Ma'u (2025? Signed with otago in 2022 on a 3 year deal, assuming Highlanders is the same.)
Sefo Kautai(?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2025)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (Signed with the Stags for 3 seasons, assuming Landers is similar or close to it. 2026?)
Nikora Broughton (2025?)
Lui Naeata(2025, one and done).
TK Howden(2025?)
Will Stodart(2026)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (Gone after this season by what’s been said on here)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)
Taine Robinson (2026)Midfielders:
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Tanielu Tele'a (2025?)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
TUJ(2025?)Outside Backs:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jona Nareki (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026)
Michael Manson(2025?)Quite a few coming off contract with only 1 in season extension so far in Fakatava. Hopefully Holland, Ma’u, JRK and Tavatavanawai are the next extensions we see.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just done a deep dive and here’s where the squad is at based off the information we have been given. If anyone knows more then feel free to chime in.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Josh Bartlett(?)
Saula Ma'u (2025? Signed with otago in 2022 on a 3 year deal, assuming Highlanders is the same.)
Sefo Kautai(?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2025)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (Signed with the Stags for 3 seasons, assuming Landers is similar or close to it. 2026?)
Nikora Broughton (2025?)
Lui Naeata(2025, one and done).
TK Howden(2025?)
Will Stodart(2026)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (Gone after this season by what’s been said on here)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)
Taine Robinson (2026)Midfielders:
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Tanielu Tele'a (2025?)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
TUJ(2025?)Outside Backs:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jona Nareki (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026)
Michael Manson(2025?)Quite a few coming off contract with only 1 in season extension so far in Fakatava. Hopefully Holland, Ma’u, JRK and Tavatavanawai are the next extensions we see.
Don’t forget tangitau is back to Auckland next year
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Only a guess, but I reckon DLB is the only off-contract prop - but they are looking to get ride of Wingham. The trend for us has been to give those young guys multi-year deals.
Other than that, I heard nobody major was definitely leaving yet, except maybe Nareki who was looking offshore (though that was about 9 months ago and have heard nobody more)
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According to the ODT the worst number of wins in a season for the Highlanders is 3 (1997, 2008, 2010 & 2013)
They currently have 3 and have the Hurricanes (away), Crusaders (away) & Chiefs (in Dunedin)
Any optimism for at least one more win?
@Duluth said in Highlanders 2025:
According to the ODT the worst number of wins in a season for the Highlanders is 3 (1997, 2008, 2010 & 2013)
They currently have 3 and have the Hurricanes (away), Crusaders (away) & Chiefs (in Dunedin)
Any optimism for at least one more win?
No more wins on current form. The optimist inside me says we cpuld steal one against the Chiefs if they lock in top of the table and rest a few players though.
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What is the rationale behind converting Wingham into a TH? He hasn't even learnt his trade at NPC level yet.
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After six years of service and 56 games Highlander #295 Sam Gilbert will be departing our shores to play for Connacht in Ireland at the end of this year’s NPC.
Sam made his debut for the club in 2020 and has been our go to man many times over the last six seasons having played every position in the backline apart from halfback.
We wish him all the very best in the next chapter of his rugby story.
