@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@jimmyb said in Highlanders 2026:
Are we completely injury free leading up to pre season or have any players been confirmed to miss a few rounds/season?
Jim is a couple of weeks away, I imagine Te Hiwi and Ma’u won’t be ready till after Christmas
Renton is out till the back end of January
I think Tavatavanawai has just had or is about to have surgery on his knee?
You can't say its "DP's decision" unless you have some evidence that Razor actually picked him and DP said no.
Razor: "Dalton I've picked you for the All Blacks"
DP: "No thanks.
Nailed it bruv
Got the 'call up' whilst with the ABXVs
Said thanks but no thanks.
Won't play for a coach he has lost respect for
NZRU considering sanction/fine of some
kind.
He got shafted last year around the time of the Northern tour and again this year.
Was it (this years shafting) to do with his non selection? Yes and no.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Nogusta said in All Blacks 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Net impacts per 80 minutes
( Postive impacts minus negative impacts )
11.42 Dalton Papali'iA productive 15 minutes for Papali’i - 4 carries for 19 metres, 1 defender beaten, 1 tackle (it was deemed dominant), 2 passes, 1 lineout win, 0 turnovers won or lost,
DP will not play for the ABs as long as Robertson is coach.
DPs decision.Wtf are you talking about? He came in and played at the start of the year when the opportunity was provided. He's not being selected by Robertson.
OK let me rephrase that.
He won't play for the ABs AGAIN whilst Robertson is coach.
No need to be a fwit
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Net impacts per 80 minutes
( Postive impacts minus negative impacts )
11.42 Dalton Papali'iA productive 15 minutes for Papali’i - 4 carries for 19 metres, 1 defender beaten, 1 tackle (it was deemed dominant), 2 passes, 1 lineout win, 0 turnovers won or lost,
DP will not play for the ABs as long as Robertson is coach.
DPs decision.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
Spoken to a mate about this Jacomb news and he’s said it’s likely Reesjan Pasitoa has signed the dotted line also but won’t be announced just yet
Having heard TUJ is going offshore, and Peni is off to MP, this would seem to line up.
The only remaining question is the makeup of the loose forwards, and props.
Think that is the backline all sorted.
TUJ heading to Japan.
Meihana Grindley heading to Dunedin. Dunno whether its a full or WTG.
@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v Otago:
Well there's no defending that from Simpson. That was woeful.
Had all year to get the kick away ffs
@canefan said in All Blacks XV 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks XV 2025:
Will he have an assistant? Should send Cotter along and maybe someone good with backs
Same asst coaches Macintosh, Hill & Jane
@MacDazzler said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
Auckland look poorly coached. Simpson while promising at schoolboy and u20 levels doesnt look ready yet at this level.
Definitely has got some talent but theyve just thrown him in there hoping 'he'll come right'.
@MacDazzler said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
@Nogusta . What's happened to Perofeta?
Hammys just given up on him. He had a calf issue which came right but the hammy took a hammering overcompensating. Medicos recommended just complete rest and reset as it wasn't responding to any treatment
@hikastags said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
Hickey is absolutely in love with Taele and especially Simpson. They can do no wrong.
Hes (Hickey) not really well liked by most of the playing group.Both Taele & Simpson try do too much and end up making a shit load of errors. The optics are gross.
I think Simpson would benefit massively from getting out of Auckland.
Taele is a decent defender at least, Simpson is an absolute turnstile.
@hikastags said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
@brodean said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
The defence has been shocking. Same problem as the the ABs. Poor coaching and loose forwards not doing enough
It's abysmal. This is supposed to be some of NZs best young talent too.
As I type this our 2024 NZ U20 captain Taele gets steamrolled and HB scores.
Hickey is absolutely in love with Taele and especially Simpson. They can do no wrong.
Hes (Hickey) not really well liked by most of the playing group.
@Tim said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
@Nogusta Anyone else available from club rugby? Losing Plummer and Harford was quite tough.
And Perofeta
Pretty slim pickings to be fair
Could do worse than play Taele there.
@Grooter said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:
Simpson having a stinker feel for the young guy
been having stinkers every week
@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland:
Weren't a few guys meant to be returning from injury this week? Perofeta, Tele'a etc?
Anyone heard anything about the injuries?
Perofetas leg injuries not responding to treatment, probably won't play at all this season.
Telea was all set to return against Wgtn but got a head knock during the week. Likely back for Rd 7 vs Manawatu.
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
@Nogusta DMac signed a new contract until 2029.
Ok.
Well yea apparently he has a get out clause specifically based around Mo'ungas return and it's likely impact on his AB playing opportunities.
There is a REAL concern on the part of the Chiefs that Dmac will seek an early release from his contract (i dunno how long hes currently signed for) with Mounga returning.
I believe he has a clause in his contract which allows him to.
@Bones catch/pass no good, not a 'both sides of the ball' player. Unfortunately if you don't tick the 'both sides of the ball' box these days you don't get a look in no matter what your strengths or how good other parts of your game are
@Bones probably not gonna happen. Telea has a narrative attached to him around around certain parts of his game. Top brass don't rate him at all. Reason why he never got much of a run at the Blues even when he was fit. Tana was a fan of his, McDonald didn't rate him.
Crusaders – H (season opener Friday 13.02.26)
Chiefs - H
Reds – A
Force – H
Crusaders – A
Canes – H
MP – A
Bye - Easter weekend
Brumbies – H
Blues – A
MP – Super Round (on Sunday)
Drua – A
Tahs – H
Chiefs - A
Canes - A