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?
@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.
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.
@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)
@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.