Highlanders 2025
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@SouthernMann yeah mate it really sounds like and points to an off shore prop coming in. Could we see a Japanese lad come in for a season perhaps. It’s not ideal, but the propping situation in NZ isn’t ideal right now so might have to be along those lines.
Some props off the top of my head below that could be looking around.
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Seb Calder(behind F.Newell and T.Williams at the Crusaders).
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Tevita Mafileo(Behind T.Lomax and P.Tosi at the Hurricanes, maybe more chance with Laukai but JJ wants experience. Feel like I’ve seen he was signed elsewhere, can’t remember).
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PJ Scheck(Behind M.Renata & A.Ta’avao at the Blues. Not much experience but has spent time with the Highlanders before).
I have no idea one those guys contract situations and it’s very likely they have already been snapped up but they are more or less 3rd choice tight head props in their franchises and the level of guys we would be grabbing. Either way, unless we go offshore, it’s going to be very slim pickings and without a tighthead that is ready for super rugby it can get ugly, fast. Wingham being a prime example.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann yeah mate it really sounds like and points to an off shore prop coming in. Could we see a Japanese lad come in for a season perhaps. It’s not ideal, but the propping situation in NZ isn’t ideal right now so might have to be along those lines.
Some props off the top of my head below that could be looking around.
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Seb Calder(behind F.Newell and T.Williams at the Crusaders).
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Tevita Mafileo(Behind T.Lomax and P.Tosi at the Hurricanes, maybe more chance with Laukai but JJ wants experience. Feel like I’ve seen he was signed elsewhere, can’t remember).
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PJ Scheck(Behind M.Renata & A.Ta’avao at the Blues. Not much experience but has spent time with the Highlanders before).
I have no idea one those guys contract situations and it’s very likely they have already been snapped up but they are more or less 3rd choice tight head props in their franchises and the level of guys we would be grabbing. Either way, unless we go offshore, it’s going to be very slim pickings and without a tighthead that is ready for super rugby it can get ugly, fast. Wingham being a prime example.
All of Mafileo, Lomax, Tosi and Lauaki are with the Canes next year.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:
Look at the NZ props who played in MLR. Most of those have plenty of NPC experience.
Any options need to be better than signed players. Looks like they are being earmarked to be a starting quality prop. I can't imagine anyone at MLR level are at that level.
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@SouthernMann yeah mate it really sounds like and points to an off shore prop coming in. Could we see a Japanese lad come in for a season perhaps. It’s not ideal, but the propping situation in NZ isn’t ideal right now so might have to be along those lines.
Some props off the top of my head below that could be looking around.
-
Seb Calder(behind F.Newell and T.Williams at the Crusaders).
-
Tevita Mafileo(Behind T.Lomax and P.Tosi at the Hurricanes, maybe more chance with Laukai but JJ wants experience. Feel like I’ve seen he was signed elsewhere, can’t remember).
-
PJ Scheck(Behind M.Renata & A.Ta’avao at the Blues. Not much experience but has spent time with the Highlanders before).
I have no idea one those guys contract situations and it’s very likely they have already been snapped up but they are more or less 3rd choice tight head props in their franchises and the level of guys we would be grabbing. Either way, unless we go offshore, it’s going to be very slim pickings and without a tighthead that is ready for super rugby it can get ugly, fast. Wingham being a prime example.
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@Landers92 Maybe Finlay Brewis from the Crusaders?
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@Tim yeah had that name in mind but was more looking at tight heads. To my knowledge Brewis plays loosehead.
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@Landers92 I thought he played both sides, but may be completely wrong.
@Tim said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 I thought he played both sides, but may be completely wrong.
No specialist LH.
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Hugh Renton and Finn Hurley to be confirmed for two years.
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Can finally shut down the Hurley chat and Renton to league speculation. Good to see both Hurley and Renton locked in on 2 year deals. Continuity and slowly building, good shit. Can’t wait to see what JJ can do with Renton.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Can finally shut down the Hurley chat and Renton to league speculation. Good to see both Hurley and Renton locked in on 2 year deals. Continuity and slowly building, good shit. Can’t wait to see what JJ can do with Renton.
My mate has now left the Highlanders as their videographer / social media guy but he was asked in a podcast who he thought was the most impressive athlete at the Highlanders. Aside from when A Smith was there, he said Renton by a long way. The preparation he does to get himself ready for match day is something else. Apparently he does extra hours after training finishes at the local gym and makes sure he manages his calorie intake to a t, on top of many other things. I can see him being the Highlanders captain next year.
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did i see Renton has left Ta$man? anyone know where he's going?
@Kiwiwomble Supposedly back to Hawkes Bay is the chat
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Can finally shut down the Hurley chat and Renton to league speculation. Good to see both Hurley and Renton locked in on 2 year deals. Continuity and slowly building, good shit. Can’t wait to see what JJ can do with Renton.
My mate has now left the Highlanders as their videographer / social media guy but he was asked in a podcast who he thought was the most impressive athlete at the Highlanders. Aside from when A Smith was there, he said Renton by a long way. The preparation he does to get himself ready for match day is something else. Apparently he does extra hours after training finishes at the local gym and makes sure he manages his calorie intake to a t, on top of many other things. I can see him being the Highlanders captain next year.
@Canes4life sorry to hear hes moved on, social stuff was definitely improving
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@Canes4life sorry to hear hes moved on, social stuff was definitely improving
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@Canes4life sorry to hear hes moved on, social stuff was definitely improving
Yeah he's gone back to freelancing. He helped shoot the ABs in Dunners before leaving which was a great opportunity. He really wants the AB job one day so hopefully he can get there.
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To carry on from @frugby post at the top of this thread regarding the 2025 squad, I’ve updated the squad below as well as contract updates I’m aware of.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Ayden Johnstone (?)
Saula Ma'u (?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2026)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)
Will Tucker (Off-Contract - Not yet re-signed)
Max Hicks (?)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Tom Sanders (2025)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (?)
Nikora Broughton (?)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2025)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (?)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)Midfielders:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Tanielu Tele'a (Off-Contract - Supposedly re-signed, no update)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
Matt Whaanga (No update yet, @frugby saying he’s heard he’s re-signed on a 2 year deal further up the thread.)
TUG( Supposedly Re-Signed, No update yet)Outside Backs:
Jona Nareki (2025)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026) -
clarification in Telea is definitely the next thing i am looking for
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clarification in Telea is definitely the next thing i am looking for
@Kiwiwomble yup agree. For me, a Tele’a extension is essential and an update around Dylan Pledger, either signed in some apprenticeship style capacity or even signed as the third halfback. Just do what we have to do keep him.
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@Kiwiwomble yup agree. For me, a Tele’a extension is essential and an update around Dylan Pledger, either signed in some apprenticeship style capacity or even signed as the third halfback. Just do what we have to do keep him.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble yup agree. For me, a Tele’a extension is essential and an update around Dylan Pledger, either signed in some apprenticeship style capacity or even signed as the third halfback. Just do what we have to do keep him.
With Pledger, I think it would be sensible for the team to pitch an article to either ODT or Cully to talk about long-term player development. Talk about how Pledger and others are in their programme. They have a plan with the guys. Some they have ear marked for future squad spots. That they are confident the players will be Highlanders. Pledger is only in the first year of the acadamey. We can all see that he is quality. It would just be helpful to be informed the club is making the right moves behind the scene
