Highlanders 2026
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Interesting to hear that Renton is back next season. I'm quite surprised given the woeful run of injuries he's had. Good experience to have around the squad.
End of 2026 at the very least I'd like to see us move Vikenna along. Ionae Monau is an obvious pickup for us in that position. Bell had a great NPC, and Soucheon should provide some depth if he goes down injured.
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The trouble area for the side will be the 10-12-13 backline axis.
We are behind other NZ sides in that area. Which will be magnified if we get injuries.
I also wonder about Whaanga's pace. There have been two instances where you'd expect he should have scored, but just looked like he didn't have the pace to get there. One against Waikato or was it BoP? where he cut in instead of going for the corner and then the break he made against Canterbury on the weekend. The wind he was running into against Canterbury was a factor. It does seem like he doesn't have the pace and potentially knows it. He was always going to fill out over the last couple of years and is probably over 105kg. There needs to be a balance between that and even a 10 - 15m burst of speed to mix in with the size advantage he has.
On Te Hiwi. Injury prone yes, I do think before getting injured (again), he ws on for a bit of a breakout NPC campaign. He came back from injury off the bench and stepped in well once TUJ became unavailable.
Tele'a is a bit on an anomaly at NPC level. Looks great at Super level slips into a poorly performing Auckland team sits on the bench. Rotates onto the wing and fills in where needed. Can just never judge his form for Auckland.
It is just there are quite a few similar midfielders on our books. Big, not overly quick. Jim and Pasitoa are the points of difference from the others who are primarily carriers.
Vikena is a massive concern. That guy just looks like he has lost all confidence. I really want to see 10 - 15kg go on Kempton his ball skills are just out of the box for a hooker.
Broughton is an interesting one. Great skills. Just can't seem to bulk up. May be we may see a focus on his size this upcoming pre-season. He should be coming into his prime years.
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Now take this with a grain of salt, but I’m hearing some chat about a player arriving into Dunedin last week and had a medical check done before looking to sign on. This player is/was playing France.
Can’t tell you if the player is French or if it’s a kiwi possibly looking to return. Shit it might all be Chinese whispers but as you all know I don’t share it unless the source is at least half decent…
A situation to keep an eye on anyway. Hope I’m not having my leg pulled and end up looking like an idiot haha
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@Landers92 if you're going to try to out the rat in your organisation, this is a pretty good scheme...
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 if you're going to try to out the rat in your organisation, this is a pretty good scheme...
Not sure what you mean by this? Im lost.
Edit: im with you now. Yeah good point. Been reliable enough so far anyway so thought it was worth a share
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@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Would be a doozy if it's true and we've picked up a hooker from Lyon...
Roxey good addition very nimble.
Not sure who that is but the one I'm thinking of rhymes with Riam Roltman.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Would be a doozy if it's true and we've picked up a hooker from Lyon...
Roxey good addition very nimble.
Not sure who that is but the one I'm thinking of rhymes with Riam Roltman.
Ok I didn’t realise he hooked in his spare time
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@Landers92 Could this not just be Tomas Lavanini, or is it definitely someone different?
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@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Would be a doozy if it's true and we've picked up a hooker from Lyon...
Roxey good addition very nimble.
Not sure who that is but the one I'm thinking of rhymes with Riam Roltman.
Ok I didn’t realise he hooked in his spare time
Occasionally throws to his own lineout too.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
The trouble area for the side will be the 10-12-13 backline axis.
We are behind other NZ sides in that area. Which will be magnified if we get injuries.
I also wonder about Whaanga's pace. There have been two instances where you'd expect he should have scored, but just looked like he didn't have the pace to get there. One against Waikato or was it BoP? where he cut in instead of going for the corner and then the break he made against Canterbury on the weekend. The wind he was running into against Canterbury was a factor. It does seem like he doesn't have the pace and potentially knows it. He was always going to fill out over the last couple of years and is probably over 105kg. There needs to be a balance between that and even a 10 - 15m burst of speed to mix in with the size advantage he has.
On Te Hiwi. Injury prone yes, I do think before getting injured (again), he ws on for a bit of a breakout NPC campaign. He came back from injury off the bench and stepped in well once TUJ became unavailable.
Tele'a is a bit on an anomaly at NPC level. Looks great at Super level slips into a poorly performing Auckland team sits on the bench. Rotates onto the wing and fills in where needed. Can just never judge his form for Auckland.
It is just there are quite a few similar midfielders on our books. Big, not overly quick. Jim and Pasitoa are the points of difference from the others who are primarily carriers.
Vikena is a massive concern. That guy just looks like he has lost all confidence. I really want to see 10 - 15kg go on Kempton his ball skills are just out of the box for a hooker.
Broughton is an interesting one. Great skills. Just can't seem to bulk up. May be we may see a focus on his size this upcoming pre-season. He should be coming into his prime years.
I’d be happy with a 13 that is good defensively, both in contact and positioning. We don’t need a ball carrying centre, just one that can pass and tackle well. The 12-13—14 defensive axis last season was shocking. Needs a glue guy at 13 at the least
