Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
Pasitoa being viewed as 10/midfield cover off the bench, which would allow them to have a wing/fullback on the bench.
I think Cribb and Solomon getting close to a full 80 would suggest they aren't viewed as in the frame for R1, and are unlikely to see big minutes next week.
Agree about Cribb. Not on Solomon. I think they will be eyeing him up to play the role planned for Hurley prior to his injury as a 30 minute man covering fullback/wing.
That's all well and good but you better hope that he creates more points than he leaks through his somewhat flimsy tackling.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@handa457 I fancy Lavanini will be used off the bench to start with. People underestimating Dunshea.
Renton also far from guaranteed to start, the guy has hardly played in the last 12 months.
We went into 2025 with two locks and paid the consequences. Holland will have his workload managed and injuries will happen, all three locks will play similar minutes.
What is clear from last year is we need to be more confident using our squad. Not set in a top team mentality. It isn't good to be having guys play every minute of every game.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
Surprised it hasn’t been shared on here yet. A box ticked for some of us on here who didn’t want him landing at another franchise, especially this early on.
How he is utilised behind Muliaina will be an interesting watch.
I expect he will do a fairbit of switching between 10 and fullback. Will he be elevated to the top squad in 28?
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Good article in the ODT this morning with injury updates:
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Jim is not far away and has resumed full contact training. Just needs to get his loads up (I guess that has him touch & go for R1)
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Hugh Renton will have his first full block of training next week (I guess that makes him unlikely to be a starter in R1?)
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Saula Ma’u is still a few weeks away after dislocating his shoulder for Otago.
Given no mentions to the others not missing, think we can assume they are small niggles
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The guy who I have kept thinking of after this game has been Reesjan Pasitoa. I think he can be our first five.
I would like to see him get a decent chance in our next pre-season. Make him kick for touch. Kick at goal. See if he can nail those. I just think inside the attacking half he will create more opportunities.
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Paywalled article on Pasitoa.
Few key points
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Wants to play first five
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Doesn't plan on returning to Australia
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Trained between 10 and 12 prior to Christmas. Solely at 10 after Christmas.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
Paywalled article on Pasitoa.
Few key points
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Wants to play first five
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Doesn't plan on returning to Australia
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Trained between 10 and 12 prior to Christmas. Solely at 10 after Christmas.
I like it’s a 2 year deal he’s signed and not just a 1 year stop gap type thing.
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I think people are getting way too far ahead of themselves with Pasitoa.
It’s like Robinson from last year all over again.
Everyone to a T on here calling for Lennox’s head (Which in itself is an overreaction), yet then are quite happy to say Millar was poor?
What do you expect him to do, work miracles?
I actually thought he was reasonable given the circumstances.
Pasitoa presents an option up the back pocket if Millar doesn’t work, but it should not be the first option.
FWIW, if Jim isn’t ready next week, I think it is highly likely you’ll see him at 12 anyway.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
I think people are getting way too far ahead of themselves with Pasitoa.
It’s like Robinson from last year all over again.
Everyone to a T on here calling for Lennox’s head (Which in itself is an overreaction), yet then are quite happy to say Millar was poor?
What do you expect him to do, work miracles?
I actually thought he was reasonable given the circumstances.
Pasitoa presents an option up the back pocket if Millar doesn’t work, but it should not be the first option.
FWIW, if Jim isn’t ready next week, I think it is highly likely you’ll see him at 12 anyway.
Nah.
Nothing like Robinson, who had never played Super before last year. Wasn't even a starting player for his NPC team.
Pasitoa has not been plucked from obscurity. He has been in rated highly and in high performance systems for several years. Was wrecked by injuries and lost confidence.
If, he can show that he can drive the team around with the boot he should be seen as a very strong option to start.
I think only one person said Millar was poor. I thought he was serviceable. Which reflects his skillset. It was a tough half into the wind.
JJ and the coaching staff have never been big fans of Cam. By going off previous selections. It is highly unlikely that he will be around next year. He also doesn't suit how the rest of the backline plays.
No one will.complain if Cam is starting in round 1. I just think it is worthwhile giving Pasitoa another run to see whether his kicking and game management is sufficient. His running, passing and vision seems at a higher level.
He has also played more Super than Millar.
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Come Round One, I really hope we can get our bench right. We struggled to close games out last year, so that is an area to sharpen up.
I just think Vikena is unselectable, so Bell gets the nod in 16, with Bartlett in 17. I favour Ta'avao and Lavanini to come on as finishers at 18 and 19. Lasaqa is a ball of energy, so I think on reflection I'd have him in 20.
In those early rounds, I suspect a 5-3 split might be favoured, given various guys coming back from injuries/building up fitness.
Lennox did not cover himself in glory, but other than being energetic, I didn't think Shearer was particularly sharp either, with some fairly loose passing. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt to take 21. Depending on Jim's level of fitness, I would not mind seeing him build up his loads off the bench in 22, with Pasitoa starting at 12, and covering first five. Tito-Harris looks the business to me, so I'd have him in 23.
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Everything seems to hinge on 10.
I think if you’re starting Millar you’re playing a slower tactical bruising game and a 6 - 2 Split with Lasanga, Haig & Lavinini on the bench makes sense with Lennox & Pasetoa (or Lowe if Big Jim is out and Pasetoa is midfield cover)
If you’re playing Pasetoa at 10 you want a faster power bench of Veveni, Lavinini, Shearer, Millar & Tito Harris.
I’m leaning towards our starting midfield being Telea and Lowe for round 1 and Big Jim out.
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@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:
Everything seems to hinge on 10.
I think if you’re starting Millar you’re playing a slower tactical bruising game and a 6 - 2 Split with Lasanga, Haig & Lavinini on the bench makes sense with Lennox & Pasetoa (or Lowe if Big Jim is out and Pasetoa is midfield cover)
If you’re playing Pasetoa at 10 you want a faster power bench of Veveni, Lavinini, Shearer, Millar & Tito Harris.
I’m leaning towards our starting midfield being Telea and Lowe for round 1 and Big Jim out.
The tactics need to reflect a game plan that can beat the Crusaders. Playing a faster power bench will just be a lite version of what the Crusaders do.
