Highlanders 2025

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?

@Tim yeah had that name in mind but was more looking at tight heads. To my knowledge Brewis plays loosehead.

@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.

Hugh Renton and Finn Hurley to be confirmed for two years.

did i see Renton has left Ta$man? anyone know where he's going?

@Kiwiwomble Supposedly back to Hawkes Bay is the chat

@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.

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

@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

@Landers92 M Whaanga heading into the second year of a two year deal.

You would have to assume that Hicks is out the door if we need two locks... unless Sanders has taken an early release. If we need two props, then I would guess Johnstone is off-contract/Wingham has not actually got a contract for next season yet.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@Landers92 M Whaanga heading into the second year of a two year deal.

You would have to assume that Hicks is out the door if we need two locks... unless Sanders has taken an early release. If we need two props, then I would guess Johnstone is off-contract/Wingham has not actually got a contract for next season yet.

Wingham was named by Jospeh in the interview he did with Cully. So was DLB, Ma'u and de Groot. No mention of Johnstone. He also name checked Tucker, saying he has had major injury issues. Not saying he is in or out though.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@Landers92 M Whaanga heading into the second year of a two year deal.

You would have to assume that Hicks is out the door if we need two locks... unless Sanders has taken an early release. If we need two props, then I would guess Johnstone is off-contract/Wingham has not actually got a contract for next season yet.

Wingham was named by Jospeh in the interview he did with Cully. So was DLB, Ma'u and de Groot. No mention of Johnstone. He also name checked Tucker, saying he has had major injury issues. Not saying he is in or out though.

Tucker has been battling with a foot issue all year... he currently does not have a contract for next year, but I'm guessing they are keeping an open mind on him should his latest surgery correct the issue.

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Max Hicks (?)

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Max Hicks (?)

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Good luck to him. A player like him should be a starting player somewhere. It just wasn't going to be at the Landers. 2024 was a moving year for him, either he was going to be locking down a starting role at lock or six, or it was time to go. He quickly slipped behind Haig as a six and wasn't going to get past Holland or Dunshea.

@SouthernMann I mean, if he couldn’t consistently start for the Highlanders he wouldn’t be able to start for any other super team haha.

Good for him, wish him all the best. Can’t help but feel like this is another Manaaki Selby-Rickit kind of player that has all the potential but for one reason or another hasn’t quite clicked.

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann I mean, if he couldn’t consistently start for the Highlanders he wouldn’t be able to start for any other super team haha.

Good for him, wish him all the best. Can’t help but feel like this is another Manaaki Selby-Rickit kind of player that has all the potential but for one reason or another hasn’t quite clicked.

By a starting player somewhere, I meant including outside of NZ. He has all the attributes. Tall, athletic and capable. Just was probably a touch soft. Hopefully he gets plenty of rugby over in France and gets to enjoy the lifestyle.

Really interested to see how the Landers manage the trio of halfbacks currently on the books to have a spot open for Dylan Pledger in the coming years. Hastie is contracted until the end of 2026. Fakatava until the end of 2025. Arscott's initial contract ran out at the end this year. I wouldn't be surprised, if he got a one year extension. To have both him and Fakatava off-contract at the end of next year. Fakatava goes, Arscott is re-signed. Fakatava stays, Arscott stays. Either way, spot opens up for Pledger. Fakatava is now, at best the sixth best halfback in NZ. It is a long way to fight back into contention from there. Pledger still has anorher year in Highlanders ans NZ U20s. He should be an even more dominant player in those trams next season.