Highlanders 2025

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 (?)

View embedded content

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.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

edit and before anyone asks how do I know, parents were in earshot of the conversation and I know them obviously.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

Yeah. Completely up to him. He is clearly better long-term than the three halfbacks we have on our books. So, should get his opportunity at about 20 down in Dunedin. It would be a massive failure for Jamie Joseph if he lets the kid slip. You need to be constantly telling kids like this the story they need to be hearing. If he goes, it will mean we only keep the players Canterbury/Crusaders don't want. They will literally become the default top franchise in the SI. The top two players from the last five years schooled in Dunedin could spend their career in red and black. Canterbury wouldn't allow their elite players to go in the other direction.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

Yeah. Completely up to him. He is clearly better long-term than the three halfbacks we have on our books. So, should get his opportunity at about 20 down in Dunedin. It would be a massive failure for Jamie Joseph if he lets the kid slip. You need to be constantly telling kids like this the story they need to be hearing. If he goes, it will mean we only keep the players Canterbury/Crusaders don't want. They will literally become the default top franchise in the SI. The top two players from the last five years schooled in Dunedin could spend their career in red and black. Canterbury wouldn't allow their elite players to go in the other direction.

yeah true not to say he will go he may stay at the Highlanders.Crusaders may not be the only team sniffing around.
.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

Yeah. Completely up to him. He is clearly better long-term than the three halfbacks we have on our books. So, should get his opportunity at about 20 down in Dunedin. It would be a massive failure for Jamie Joseph if he lets the kid slip. You need to be constantly telling kids like this the story they need to be hearing. If he goes, it will mean we only keep the players Canterbury/Crusaders don't want. They will literally become the default top franchise in the SI. The top two players from the last five years schooled in Dunedin could spend their career in red and black. Canterbury wouldn't allow their elite players to go in the other direction.

yeah true not to say he will go he may stay at the Highlanders.Crusaders may not be the only team sniffing around.
.

Every team should be having a look. From a NZ rugby perspective if Pledger, Hotham, Roigard, Ratima and Funaki starting every week. It has to be good for the All Blacks. I also find it a bit shit domestic coaches use their role in national development programmss to scope for talent and to have conversations around signing players. That should be strongly discouraged while tournaments are being held or prepared for.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

Yeah. Completely up to him. He is clearly better long-term than the three halfbacks we have on our books. So, should get his opportunity at about 20 down in Dunedin. It would be a massive failure for Jamie Joseph if he lets the kid slip. You need to be constantly telling kids like this the story they need to be hearing. If he goes, it will mean we only keep the players Canterbury/Crusaders don't want. They will literally become the default top franchise in the SI. The top two players from the last five years schooled in Dunedin could spend their career in red and black. Canterbury wouldn't allow their elite players to go in the other direction.

yeah true not to say he will go he may stay at the Highlanders.Crusaders may not be the only team sniffing around.
.

Every team should be having a look. From a NZ rugby perspective if Pledger, Hotham, Roigard, Ratima and Funaki starting every week. It has to be good for the All Blacks. I also find it a bit shit domestic coaches use their role in national development programmss to scope for talent and to have conversations around signing players. That should be strongly discouraged while tournaments are being held or prepared for.

This as been happening for years every Franchise does it .

Crusaders/Canterbury are apparently interested in Rebels halfback Mason Gordon (Carter Gordon's younger brother) too.

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:

Crusaders/Canterbury are apparently interested in Rebels halfback Mason Gordon (Carter Gordon's younger brother) too.

For the NPC I Think.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

Yeah. Completely up to him. He is clearly better long-term than the three halfbacks we have on our books. So, should get his opportunity at about 20 down in Dunedin. It would be a massive failure for Jamie Joseph if he lets the kid slip. You need to be constantly telling kids like this the story they need to be hearing. If he goes, it will mean we only keep the players Canterbury/Crusaders don't want. They will literally become the default top franchise in the SI. The top two players from the last five years schooled in Dunedin could spend their career in red and black. Canterbury wouldn't allow their elite players to go in the other direction.

yeah true not to say he will go he may stay at the Highlanders.Crusaders may not be the only team sniffing around.
.

Every team should be having a look. From a NZ rugby perspective if Pledger, Hotham, Roigard, Ratima and Funaki starting every week. It has to be good for the All Blacks. I also find it a bit shit domestic coaches use their role in national development programmss to scope for talent and to have conversations around signing players. That should be strongly discouraged while tournaments are being held or prepared for.

This as been happening for years every Franchise does it .

It doesn't mean it is the right thing to do. From a principled perspective. Yes, most coaches have a franchise or provincial affiliations. We don't have a system were 18 year olds are generally signed to long-term deals like the NRL or football. Yet the lucky dip of who is coaching gets their province an advantage when chasing the top talent in the country. It does all come to the player's choice, but it should be that based on informed decisions, not because a provincial coach is in their ear for a month during an overseas tournament.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@Chris said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

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.

I did hear Craig Dunlea was having a bit of a chat to Pledger about a potential Pathway to NPC and SR during the U/20s campaign at the WC.

Trying to get him up to Canterbury. That would be very disappointing to see happen. Canterbury has the No2 halfback in the U20s. Crusaders have a guy debuting for the All Blacks this afternoon. Is it really necessary to be raiding someone else's honeypot.

I think they have a gap in their NPC team only Drummond atm and Crusaders only have 2 signed HBs atm.
So I guess giving the young man a chance to progress to the next levels instead of having to wait behind others.
In the end it his Dylans choice and when he wants and how fast he wants to progress.
I have do not exactly know what was said just that Pathways to NPC and SR was discussed.I don't even know if what was discussed had anything about where those pathways are etc.

Yeah. Completely up to him. He is clearly better long-term than the three halfbacks we have on our books. So, should get his opportunity at about 20 down in Dunedin. It would be a massive failure for Jamie Joseph if he lets the kid slip. You need to be constantly telling kids like this the story they need to be hearing. If he goes, it will mean we only keep the players Canterbury/Crusaders don't want. They will literally become the default top franchise in the SI. The top two players from the last five years schooled in Dunedin could spend their career in red and black. Canterbury wouldn't allow their elite players to go in the other direction.

yeah true not to say he will go he may stay at the Highlanders.Crusaders may not be the only team sniffing around.
.

Every team should be having a look. From a NZ rugby perspective if Pledger, Hotham, Roigard, Ratima and Funaki starting every week. It has to be good for the All Blacks. I also find it a bit shit domestic coaches use their role in national development programmss to scope for talent and to have conversations around signing players. That should be strongly discouraged while tournaments are being held or prepared for.

This as been happening for years every Franchise does it .

It doesn't mean it is the right thing to do. From a principled perspective. Yes, most coaches have a franchise or provincial affiliations. We don't have a system were 18 year olds are generally signed to long-term deals like the NRL or football. Yet the lucky dip of who is coaching gets their province an advantage when chasing the top talent in the country. It does all come to the player's choice, but it should be that based on informed decisions, not because a provincial coach is in their ear for a month during an overseas tournament.

Yeah I didn't say it was the right thing to do,Just that is as been happening for many years.

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:

Crusaders/Canterbury are apparently interested in Rebels halfback Mason Gordon (Carter Gordon's younger brother) too.

He's a 10/15.

@Chris Canty still has Joel Lam don't they?

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:

Crusaders/Canterbury are apparently interested in Rebels halfback Mason Gordon (Carter Gordon's younger brother) too.

He's a 10/15.

@Chris Canty still has Joel Lam don't they?

Carter's a 10 but pretty sure Mason played halfback for the Rebels this year?

Edit: Whoops no, I'm speaking out of my ass. Don't mind me!

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:

Crusaders/Canterbury are apparently interested in Rebels halfback Mason Gordon (Carter Gordon's younger brother) too.

He's a 10/15.

@Chris Canty still has Joel Lam don't they?

Yeah plus Nick Shearer the NZ u/19 HB from 2022

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2025:

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Canty still has Joel Lam don't they?

Yes. Has had a good club season and is in and around Crusaders training group(not contracted) with the idea he will benefit from it leading into NPC. Anyway, wrong thread for this chat haha.

Agree with @SouthernMann, if JJ lets Pledger slip away that would be a terrible start to his reign. Personally, I think he will be all over it, he knows how important a class 9 is and he used Aaron Smith as that guy when he recruited him back in 2011. Here’s hoping JJ has that same approach in mind with Pledger. It shouldn't take much convincing when 2 of the 3 in front of you are Arscott and Hastie…

This whole Pledger thing has me thinking about contract renewals because for the first time in a while we have loads of talent actually worth keeping hold of. All very well bringing in new guys, but hard to achieve anything if they don't stick around.

I'd like to see extensions for Holland, Dunshea, Fakatava, Tele'a, JRK, Nareki and Tavatavanawai all secured before we start next season. Reckon the first two will be easy, and JRK at his age should be relatively straight forward too. The others are a bit more complex.

Fakatava's future will depend on how the rest of this year goes... with the rate ABs halfbacks are dropping, he might just get a chance, and if he grasps it, then obviously he is back in the frame and will want to stay. This is however unlikely, and at this stage I expect him to leave at the end of next season as one of the ultimate what if players.

Tele'a is off-contract, so this is a real priority... reckon this is probably a case of no news is good news, because most of the players leaving have their futures sorted by now, so I'd assume they've signed him. Hopefully announced soon.

Nareki and Tavatavanawai will both be 27 when next season starts, so sort of that age for wingers... not sure they'll be in any rush with Tavatavanawai particularly, though he isn't heavily reliant on pace so he might age okay... he himself may want to head off-shore though. Nareki I think has all the ball-playing skills to suggest he could move into centre as he ages, so would be really keen to see him re-signed.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

This whole Pledger thing has me thinking about contract renewals because for the first time in a while we have loads of talent actually worth keeping hold of. All very well bringing in new guys, but hard to achieve anything if they don't stick around.

I'd like to see extensions for Holland, Dunshea, Fakatava, Tele'a, JRK, Nareki and Tavatavanawai all secured before we start next season. Reckon the first two will be easy, and JRK at his age should be relatively straight forward too. The others are a bit more complex.

Fakatava's future will depend on how the rest of this year goes... with the rate ABs halfbacks are dropping, he might just get a chance, and if he grasps it, then obviously he is back in the frame and will want to stay. This is however unlikely, and at this stage I expect him to leave at the end of next season as one of the ultimate what if players.

Tele'a is off-contract, so this is a real priority... reckon this is probably a case of no news is good news, because most of the players leaving have their futures sorted by now, so I'd assume they've signed him. Hopefully announced soon.

Nareki and Tavatavanawai will both be 27 when next season starts, so sort of that age for wingers... not sure they'll be in any rush with Tavatavanawai particularly, though he isn't heavily reliant on pace so he might age okay... he himself may want to head off-shore though. Nareki I think has all the ball-playing skills to suggest he could move into centre as he ages, so would be really keen to see him re-signed.

I'd fully expect one of the wingers to go, if not both. Tavatavanawai has said in a recent article he will re-evaluate after next season. Nareki I reckon will be gone after next year. I reckon Caleb Tangitau is the best winger we have signed since we nabbed Naholo from the Blues. I fully expect he will be the first winger written down by the end of the season. If we lose them both we might see a year with J Whaanga or Hurley as a winger while we wait for Kiseki Fifita, Kyan Rangitutia or Josh Augistine to get up to speed.
WIth halfback, I don't care which one of Arscott ot Fakatava leaves at the end of next year. One just has to for Pledger to come in.
Dunshea needs to be kept around for another couple of years. Josh Tengblad seems like a long-termer to play alongside Holland. He is massive at 2.04M. Will be a couple of years away. Should be getting to play provincial rugby next year. We need Dunshea to be around until Tengblad is ready. Aho is a possibility and so is big Reuben Palmer. Neither of which are over 2M though.
Let's just keep Tele'a on a year by year basis. Midfield is a big problem for us.

Reuben Palmer is "only" 1.97 m tall but he is very beefy. He could make a good combo with Holland.

@cgrant said in Highlanders 2025:

Reuben Palmer is "only" 1.97 m tall but he is very beefy. He could make a good combo with Holland.

Considering Haig and Stodart, who are potentially your 6&8 are 196 and 195. Another out and out 2M lock may not be needed. 4,5,6 and 8 will all be genuine lineout options. Tengblad at 2.04M is still a great long-term option.
.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@cgrant said in Highlanders 2025:

Reuben Palmer is "only" 1.97 m tall but he is very beefy. He could make a good combo with Holland.

Considering Haig and Stodart, who are potentially your 6&8 are 196 and 195. Another out and out 2M lock may not be needed. 4,5,6 and 8 will all be genuine lineout options. Tengblad at 2.04M is still a great long-term option.
.

Reckon in Super Rugby having two 2m locks can be a bit of a disadvantage, as the game is a bit quicker, so more mobility is needed (that obviously assumes you don't have two test quality 2m locks)

Certainly not a necessity...

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

This whole Pledger thing has me thinking about contract renewals because for the first time in a while we have loads of talent actually worth keeping hold of. All very well bringing in new guys, but hard to achieve anything if they don't stick around.

I'd like to see extensions for Holland, Dunshea, Fakatava, Tele'a, JRK, Nareki and Tavatavanawai all secured before we start next season. Reckon the first two will be easy, and JRK at his age should be relatively straight forward too. The others are a bit more complex.

Fakatava's future will depend on how the rest of this year goes... with the rate ABs halfbacks are dropping, he might just get a chance, and if he grasps it, then obviously he is back in the frame and will want to stay. This is however unlikely, and at this stage I expect him to leave at the end of next season as one of the ultimate what if players.

Tele'a is off-contract, so this is a real priority... reckon this is probably a case of no news is good news, because most of the players leaving have their futures sorted by now, so I'd assume they've signed him. Hopefully announced soon.

Nareki and Tavatavanawai will both be 27 when next season starts, so sort of that age for wingers... not sure they'll be in any rush with Tavatavanawai particularly, though he isn't heavily reliant on pace so he might age okay... he himself may want to head off-shore though. Nareki I think has all the ball-playing skills to suggest he could move into centre as he ages, so would be really keen to see him re-signed.

I'd fully expect one of the wingers to go, if not both. Tavatavanawai has said in a recent article he will re-evaluate after next season. Nareki I reckon will be gone after next year. I reckon Caleb Tangitau is the best winger we have signed since we nabbed Naholo from the Blues. I fully expect he will be the first winger written down by the end of the season. If we lose them both we might see a year with J Whaanga or Hurley as a winger while we wait for Kiseki Fifita, Kyan Rangitutia or Josh Augistine to get up to speed.
WIth halfback, I don't care which one of Arscott ot Fakatava leaves at the end of next year. One just has to for Pledger to come in.
Dunshea needs to be kept around for another couple of years. Josh Tengblad seems like a long-termer to play alongside Holland. He is massive at 2.04M. Will be a couple of years away. Should be getting to play provincial rugby next year. We need Dunshea to be around until Tengblad is ready. Aho is a possibility and so is big Reuben Palmer. Neither of which are over 2M though.
Let's just keep Tele'a on a year by year basis. Midfield is a big problem for us.

Midfield is a big problem, but I think Tele'a to be fair was very good at centre, and easily is the best available option. Need to consider giving these guys contract security too.

Highlanders recruit Cory Brown as new attack coach -
www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350363854/highlanders-recruit-cory-brown-new-attack-coach

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:

Highlanders recruit Cory Brown as new attack coach -
www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350363854/highlanders-recruit-cory-brown-new-attack-coach

On the balance of his knowledge, availability and fit. Probably the best option we'd have available. Hope he goes well.

They are grooming Bender... JJ rates him highly as a coach, they just don't want to rush him.

Reckon it is notable that he has moved on from Otago.

I wonder if Faletoi Peni may pop up in pre-season next year and force his way into the playing group. We are short on midfielders who break the gainline and he could be just the ticket. One to watch for the rest of the Sputhland season.

Paul Cullys post on Twitter a few days ago in regards to props that I thought was worth throwing in here. A couple names thrown out there to keep an eye on.

Weekly NPC prop update as Highlanders look for Super recruits.
1 Kershawl Sykes-Martin ( Ta$man). Rugged defender, now playing tighthead. Assuming he hasn’t already been signed by the Crusaders.
2 Benet Kumeroa (Bay of Plenty): Great carrier, explosive, high work rate.

@Landers92 Kumeroa is an interesting option. He has really stood out with his ball-carrying against Waikato and Counties, showing very swift feet. I also really liked how, as soon as more defenders started committing to tackling him, he started giving short passes to his outsides, leading to clean breaks.

The only real but considerable question is his scrummaging. He really struggled in the scrum playing for the Māori against the Japan XV. And while seasoned Super Rugby players like Renata and Rakete-Stones also had their troubles, Kumeroa’s form in the scrum stood out as needing work. His back was always bent rather than being straight and low, and he bound very high, leaving the Japanese loosehead with a lot of body to attack.

If there are issues with the NPC as a comp, it’s probably that obvious flaws like these will rarely be exposed. His opponents in the first two weeks – Norris and Latu – struggled throughout Super Rugby in the scrum, Norris even being dropped for a long time after being worked over by Toomaga-Allen against the Reds. These are not the guys who are going to show whether Kumeroa can hack it at the next level. I’d say there are probably only four looseheads who scrummage at a level representative of the best at Super level: Xavier Numia, Jordan Lay, Tevita Mafileo and Jared Proffit (maybe Hetet as well, but he plays for BOP so can’t serve as a test). It'll be interesting to see how Kumeroa goes against the North Harbour scrum this weekend. I presume it’ll say a lot about his chances of getting a Super contract.