Highlanders 2025
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his size but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.
He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.
He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.
Nailed it. Hurley has some bloody good skills. He is quick, has a strong passing game, is showing great improvement under the high ball and his defence has come on leaps and bounds. The half he played marking Caleb Clarke was a top display. He was all over Clarke. He got himself a bit lost with the ball and defensively with Otago last year. I'd certainly expect this year to be a much improved campaign. There are a lot of people who back him. I like the idea of him coming off the bench for the Landers next year, if that is an impact option they are looking at.
@SouthernMann he doesn’t make sensible decisions, a lot of his decision making is incredibly poor, even at a club level.
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@Landers92 its kind of like me coming in and saying "i dont care what you guys say smoking is bad for you!".....yeah, we know, cool story
i just went back to the Highlanders 2023 thread, people were all happy enough when we signed lowe, dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be
@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:
@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble anyways back to Lowe he'll be in our starting backline wearing 14, the other Jona at 11, now just need to sign a certain twin from wellington to wear 13 & things on paper will look much better than the season just gone.
Great pickup.
If the Chiefs haven't signed two really fucking good wingers, I'm going to be well pissed off.
Lowe was our best wing this year by a mile.
@Tim said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Good signing. Has been sharp for the Chiefs. I wonder if they have signed a wing?
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be
Ahem
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this place just isn't the same since the Magpie Massive chucked their toys out of the cot and left because their union has a drug problem.
Now guys like Lowe and havili are left undefended
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Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
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im not a huge Matt Whaanga fan, has Journeyman written allover him
im getting lost, whats the deal with Tele'a? hes back next year?
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Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...
So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.
I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?
Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.
M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.
Yes sir. Certainly wasn't saying Josh Whaanga. Was just throwing around theories. I still wouldn't be surprised if Jonah Lowe needs cover going into the season..
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Coaching changes to be confirmed at 3 PM. @frugby talked about it further up in the thread
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so....4mins away?
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Jamie Joseph Head Coach
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Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!
That's one way to remain the top team in the South.
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Quickly spoke to someone after seeing this and as you could probably figure out, Tom Donelly has supposedly been the one relieved of his duties according to him(fairly reliable contact). Will be interesting how they word that if that info gets released.
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Now all we need is the Crusaders to extend Penney and we all could consider that a perfect offseason.
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Quickly spoke to someone after seeing this and as you could probably figure out, Tom Donelly has supposedly been the one relieved of his duties according to him(fairly reliable contact). Will be interesting how they word that if that info gets released.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Quickly spoke to someone after seeing this and as you could probably figure out, Tom Donelly has supposedly been the one relieved of his duties according to him(fairly reliable contact). Will be interesting how they word that if that info gets released.
Dermody’s expertise around the set-piece and Joseph’s proven track record of building a hard-nosed pack means that forwards Tom Donnelly will be moving on. Joseph said that was another tough call given Donnelly’s service to the Highlanders and Otago as a player and coach. “With two forwards coaches there, there isn't a space available for Tom, unfortunately,” Joseph said. “He’s a quality coach, but with the board deciding that I was becoming the head coach then essentially we had three specialist forward coaches.” -
i think the most important thing for me is its happened early, he has the longest possible time to change any cultural things that might be needed
