Highlanders 2025

@frugby just doesn't match how I've seen him play. With that body composition, he is an offloading target, a guy to run off. Buckman tended to run off players, instead of being a provider. Buckman
was guy who ran at holes. Instesd of busting through tackles. With Buckman was the smaller guy who took advantage of the space provided by the bigger backline members. Whaanga will be one of the bigger backline members. Whaanga is also a kick-pass target, who can go over the top of defenders in the air. His height is probably his biggest advantage. Very different styles and strengths.

Ideally Hurley is replaced asap with a bigger, better, more level headed, less prone to stupid kicks, can make sensible decisions kind of fullback. Suspect he will be a 1-2 season wonder

Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his side 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.

@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.

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be

Ahem

@mariner4life said in Highlanders 2025:

Now guys like Lowe and havili are left undefended

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?

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?

@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.

@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..

Coaching changes to be confirmed at 3 PM. @frugby talked about it further up in the thread

so....4mins away?

Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!

NO WAY!!!!

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!

That's one way to remain the top team in the South.

What about the fate of Donnelly, Dillon and Flutey?

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.

Now all we need is the Crusaders to extend Penney and we all could consider that a perfect offseason.

@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

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

NO WAY!!!!

you lucky bastards.
(I hope that isn't the kiss of death over the top optimism.)

@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!

That's one way to remain the top team in the South.

Subtlety! Unexpected!

Good read below. Key points being the 4 open spots in next years squad and JJ wanting to fill those spots with 2 locks and 2 props.

As we know it’s limited pickings around NZ for props. Tight head may be the position we are forced to look offshore? Who knows.

Sounds like Will Tucker is a long-term injury. Seems he is wanting a starting quality tighthead prop. I can't imagine there are many of those around in the NPC above the level we currently have. That player will have to come from overseas. At lock, the starting combination will be Dunshea and Holland, so will be looking for someone around the level of Will Tucker, if he is unavailable.

Can some one here confirm that Jamie has signed a three year contract and not a one year contract as initially reported? I heard on the news last night that he's signed a three year contract but keen to clarify.

@Canes4life i really hope its more than one year

@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:

Can some on here confirm that Jamie has signed a three year contract and not a one year contract as initially reported? I heard on the news last night that he's signed a three year contract but keen to clarify.

He signed a four year deal as HoR. The role has now been disestablished, now he is head coach. It all indicates the term of contract is transferred across to the head coach role.

@SouthernMann when did that start again, was it only at the start of this year so has 3 to go?

@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.

@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.

• 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 but they are more or less 3rd choice tight head props in their franchises. 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.

Calder has I believe signed for the Crusaders replacing Franks.

Look at the NZ props who played in MLR. Most of those have plenty of NPC experience.

@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.

• 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.

All of Mafileo, Lomax, Tosi and Lauaki are with the Canes next year.

@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.

Well there you go. Extremely thin pickings, yikes. It’ll be a real ‘journeyman’ you’d assume. Hopefully JJ can work some magic and convince an overseas starter to come over for a couple years while Ma’u and Wingham develop.

If you need a starting TH prop Sefo Kautai could be an option, unless he has re-signed for the Brumbies.

@Landers92 Maybe Finlay Brewis from the Crusaders?