Highlanders 2025
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@ARHS @Steven-Harris @upthelanders
50/50
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@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
Very few 10s become successful. I liked what I saw of Faleafaga when he played well.
It is always disappointing when a player that young doesn't live up to his perceived potential. I highly doubt Millar will amount to what some think either.
This is the problem around NZ Rugby where Super is a competition where kids are brought in very early. Sink or swim.
With Faleafaga, if he didn't settle in Dunedin. I can't see Japan being much different.
As for young 10s. We have one of the most highly regarded in the country coming through with Mika Muliaina.
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Tangitau is the big fish. I reckon this has been driven out of NZR to lock him down long-term. Don't want to have one of their future wingers getting big offers from overseas nearing the end of what is probably a relatively small contract.
It also wants to see contracts and timings wrapped up together. National, super and NPC. Gets messy otherwise.
I'd think they also don't want the Landers sitting down the bottom of the table. Not a good look for it. As a national body it needs the teams under its oversight to be successful. It needs to good players staying there..have a bad season. Fine. Don't have three or four in a row. Don't be full of guys who wouldn't get a look in elsewhere.
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Have heard that the highlanders have enquired about Fiti Sa from the Chiefs. Unsure on how long he’s currently contracted or if they would release him but if true could be a handy long term player alongside Holland
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@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.
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Have heard that the highlanders have enquired about Fiti Sa from the Chiefs. Unsure on how long he’s currently contracted or if they would release him but if true could be a handy long term player alongside Holland
@Fredsaua12 said in Highlanders 2025:
Have heard that the highlanders have enquired about Fiti Sa from the Chiefs.
Sa is contracted until 2026. He has only just returned from a long-term injury, and will be part of the succession plan at the Chiefs. Jimmy Tupou is off-contract so you would think that Sa will start to get more opportunities next year. Also doubts how long MSR is around. Surely Tengblad is involved from next season.
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@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
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@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
@Canes4life said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
If Nareki could stay fit, he, Hurley, JRK, and Tangitau + one more would be a pretty good outside back contingent.
Bailyn Sullivan is also a very good player who looks to be stuck behind a few others and being used as injury cover when he is good enough to start at the highlanders. -
@Canes4life said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
If Nareki could stay fit, he, Hurley, JRK, and Tangitau + one more would be a pretty good outside back contingent.
Bailyn Sullivan is also a very good player who looks to be stuck behind a few others and being used as injury cover when he is good enough to start at the highlanders.@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
If Nareki could stay fit, he, Hurley, JRK, and Tangitau + one more would be a pretty good outside back contingent.
Bailyn Sullivan is also a very good player who looks to be stuck behind a few others and being used as injury cover when he is good enough to start at the highlanders.He's recently just signed on with the Canes though so won't be shifting. I've just noted Godfrey has signed until 2027, however both Harkin and Clarke are un-signed for next year so would be handy targets.
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@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.
I'm with you, but equally if you are 18 and can learn from Dmac at the Chiefs, or from Barrett at the Blues, or go to the Landers and sink or swim with no senior players to learn from....
It's not like Jacomb doesn't get game time.
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@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.
I'm with you, but equally if you are 18 and can learn from Dmac at the Chiefs, or from Barrett at the Blues, or go to the Landers and sink or swim with no senior players to learn from....
It's not like Jacomb doesn't get game time.
@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@handa457 said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@gt12 There were some stories going around end of last year / early pre season that sounded like he had some significant attitude and coach-ability problems. Potentially if my memory serves me right that emerged particularly in NPC last year?
That would make sense, if they are moving him on.
Not to be too much of a dick about it, but the landers aren't exactly landing spot no. 1 for highly rated young 10s, so I find it interesting.
If I was one, they would be. Better than sitting in the stands behind McKenzie + Jacomb, or Love + Harkin + Godfrey, or Kemara + Reihana + O'Connor, or even Beauden + Perofeta.
I'm with you, but equally if you are 18 and can learn from Dmac at the Chiefs, or from Barrett at the Blues, or go to the Landers and sink or swim with no senior players to learn from....
It's not like Jacomb doesn't get game time.
Definitely a factor, particularly at 18 - but it depends on how you rate yourself, how much time you've spent already playing bit parts, and the coaching available.
Faleafaga is 22 I think - and while he hasn't done much yet - Jacomb at 23, Harkin 26, Godfrey 22 have arguably all shown enough now to play more minutes than they're likely to get (at 10). -
Fortunately we have a really good case of whether an 18-year-old 10 who is rated highly can develop well at the Landers. Mika Muliaina is exactly that player.
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The Highlanders need this, the Highlanders need that. All we really need is a really good first five and with injury luck, as this young squad gains experience, is comfortably in the top six.
If you dropped McKenzie into this Highlanders team, they’d probably be top six already.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
If Nareki could stay fit, he, Hurley, JRK, and Tangitau + one more would be a pretty good outside back contingent.
Bailyn Sullivan is also a very good player who looks to be stuck behind a few others and being used as injury cover when he is good enough to start at the highlanders.@reprobate said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
@reprobate said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:
Love + Harkin + Godfrey
If you add Cameron to that mix and with Jordie coming back, it's likely Harkin and Godfrey won't see as much gametime next year as they have this year. If I were the Landers I'd be going after those two. Godfrey under the roof in Dunners could be an even better option than Jacomb based on his early season form for the Canes before getting injured due to his superior running game.
Tjay Clarke, who hasn't been seen yet, but is on the Canes bench this week, is another player the Landers should target as a wing/fullback option to build depth. He was one of the top performers in the NPC last year.
A few players to target out there atm.
If Nareki could stay fit, he, Hurley, JRK, and Tangitau + one more would be a pretty good outside back contingent.
Bailyn Sullivan is also a very good player who looks to be stuck behind a few others and being used as injury cover when he is good enough to start at the highlanders.thats the problem though isn't it, all of those guys have had decent injuries in the last 12 months
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The Highlanders need this, the Highlanders need that. All we really need is a really good first five and with injury luck, as this young squad gains experience, is comfortably in the top six.
If you dropped McKenzie into this Highlanders team, they’d probably be top six already.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
they’d probably be top six already
not a flex. top 6 in an 11 team comp doesn't need a winning record.
fact is from the start of 2022 the Highlanders are 18-37, and have finished above another NZ team once in those four seasons.
And it's so very hard to see how they get better. Recruiting people to a losing team based down South can't be easy. But more importantly all their players will go home on Monday, and the Highlanders won't see them again until what, November? December?
And because of their form, very few of their players get to spend the next 6 months training with the ABs, they are off to play park football with semi pros. How exactly are they supposed to develop their players? Microsoft Teams? -
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
they’d probably be top six already
not a flex. top 6 in an 11 team comp doesn't need a winning record.
fact is from the start of 2022 the Highlanders are 18-37, and have finished above another NZ team once in those four seasons.
And it's so very hard to see how they get better. Recruiting people to a losing team based down South can't be easy. But more importantly all their players will go home on Monday, and the Highlanders won't see them again until what, November? December?
And because of their form, very few of their players get to spend the next 6 months training with the ABs, they are off to play park football with semi pros. How exactly are they supposed to develop their players? Microsoft Teams?@mariner4life thats the thing that worries me, a coach with a good rep looking to turn things around is the one thing that might attract the right players....but it hasnt worked this year
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
they’d probably be top six already
not a flex. top 6 in an 11 team comp doesn't need a winning record.
fact is from the start of 2022 the Highlanders are 18-37, and have finished above another NZ team once in those four seasons.
And it's so very hard to see how they get better. Recruiting people to a losing team based down South can't be easy. But more importantly all their players will go home on Monday, and the Highlanders won't see them again until what, November? December?
And because of their form, very few of their players get to spend the next 6 months training with the ABs, they are off to play park football with semi pros. How exactly are they supposed to develop their players? Microsoft Teams?@mariner4life said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
they’d probably be top six already
not a flex. top 6 in an 11 team comp doesn't need a winning record.
fact is from the start of 2022 the Highlanders are 18-37, and have finished above another NZ team once in those four seasons.
And it's so very hard to see how they get better. Recruiting people to a losing team based down South can't be easy. But more importantly all their players will go home on Monday, and the Highlanders won't see them again until what, November? December?
And because of their form, very few of their players get to spend the next 6 months training with the ABs, they are off to play park football with semi pros. How exactly are they supposed to develop their players? Microsoft Teams?I'd argue in large parts we already have the talent - they just need time. Things are cyclical. The Highlanders have been shit for back to back cycles, because our recruitment was just downright trash.
Our recruitment over the last two seasons, as a general rule has been very strong. We've brought in Tavatavanawai, Tele'a, Tangitau and JRK from outside the region which is the makings of a very good backline.
In the three years before that we brought in Gregory, Paea, Dawai and Koroi.
In the pack, in de Groot and Holland, you've got two All Blacks, and I think in time Haig and/or Howden develop to that level too. By retaining players, we'll naturally get better.
Have a look at the Chiefs side which went winless in SR Aotearoa.
