Highlanders 2025

@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

@Bones his decision making is absolutely atrocious. The chip and cross fields kicks in pressure situations, the miss tackles. I could go on

I haven't been watching NPC unfortunately. The way it was phrased sounded more like dickhead off the field than awful decision maker.

He's a good Christian boy. Just a player learning his game. With fewer than 10 NPC games. Making mistakes on the field doesn't make him an idiot. Heck plenty of idiots have been flawless rugby players.

@SouthernMann idiot was more meant as idiotic decisions. Not a comment on his character

As I said. He has played fewer than 10 NPC games. There have been games where he has looked good. Others where he hasn't. He will be there next year. Good to see you have somewhat changed your tune on Hurley, after he was your initial whipping boy.

The more I watch of Millar, the more I think he actually might have the potential to be an All Black first five. Incredible goal kicker, and such a low error rate. Has added a bit of a running game, and has shown playmaking through passing.

After starting the year on fire for the Highlanders, Faleafaga has unfortunately just got worse and worse. I think he is the sort of player who would get better with time in the saddle, but with Millar in front, I don't see where he gets a chance unless there is an injury... I tend to agree that at this stage it would be crazy to go into the season relying on Faleafaga as your only viable backup.

@SouthernMann I still think he prone to brain farts that could prove costly but his running lines and kicking has been v good. Can’t fault him for that. Decision making is still a massive issue imo. I worry whether in a tight game against top opposition he has the cool head to close it out

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

The more I watch of Millar, the more I think he actually might have the potential to be an All Black first five. Incredible goal kicker, and such a low error rate. Has added a bit of a running game, and has shown playmaking through passing.

After starting the year on fire for the Highlanders, Faleafaga has unfortunately just got worse and worse. I think he is the sort of player who would get better with time in the saddle, but with Millar in front, I don't see where he gets a chance unless there is an injury... I tend to agree that at this stage it would be crazy to go into the season relying on Faleafaga as your only viable backup.

If Faleafaga comes right though, bloody good 1-2 punch, with good variety when it comes to horses for courses.

@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

The more I watch of Millar, the more I think he actually might have the potential to be an All Black first five. Incredible goal kicker, and such a low error rate. Has added a bit of a running game, and has shown playmaking through passing.

After starting the year on fire for the Highlanders, Faleafaga has unfortunately just got worse and worse. I think he is the sort of player who would get better with time in the saddle, but with Millar in front, I don't see where he gets a chance unless there is an injury... I tend to agree that at this stage it would be crazy to go into the season relying on Faleafaga as your only viable backup.

If Faleafaga comes right though, bloody good 1-2 punch, with good variety when it comes to horses for courses.

No doubt. I said earlier this year he reminded me a bit of Mo'unga with his eye for a gap and turn of pace. There was a reason why he bolted into the 10 jersey at the start of the year.

Joseph might be the man to nurture him... it took Sopoaga four years to fully grasp it, having been flung in at the same age, so definitely not writing him off.

If Michael Manson doesn’t get a Highlanders contract after that season, the scouting team must be blind and only see shitty Otago players.

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2025:

If Michael Manson doesn’t get a Highlanders contract after that season, the scouting team must be blind and only see shitty Otago players.

It'll probably depend on his American deal. I'd like to see him involved for the pre-season at least. Is similar to Jonah Lowe at his peak. Seeing as we now have Jonah Lowe well past his peak.

Could be injury cover for Lowe, but we are all signed up in the outside backs. Has good raw pace, but may lack a bit on defence and elsewhere. A more shrewd move, would be trying to steal Hutchinson from under the Crusaders nose, because if JRK were to head overseas at the end of next season, then we are left with Hurley...

Who was the counties right wing in the Roigard return game? Based purely off one try he looked bloody swift.

Blake Makiri

@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

Who was the counties right wing in the Roigard return game? Based purely off one try he looked bloody swift.

I thought the same thing from a Canes POV. Him and Mosese Leo look rapid and wouldn’t look out of place in Super.

@Canes4life Moses Leo off to Melbourne Storm

@mikedogz said in Highlanders 2025:

Blake Makiri

Just watched the rest of the highlights, he's definitely worth a look at SR.

hmmmm

@Kiwiwomble Definitely can't like that.

Be nice to think it's just giving every assistance to be ready for next sunday, but I somehow doubt it!

I think you'd know by now if it was bad. Famous last words, but at worst an MCL I reckon.

@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life Moses Leo off to Melbourne Storm

In 2026. Get him into an environment next season with the smallest of hopes of changing his mind about leaving. He’s a huge talent.

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life Moses Leo off to Melbourne Storm

In 2026. Get him into an environment next season with the smallest of hopes of changing his mind about leaving. He’s a huge talent.

27 year-old winger who has never played Super Rugby and is signed to the NRL... had the chance to play 15s a couple of years ago, and was supposedly all set to sign for the Highlanders but u-turned last minute. Can't remember who we got instead, might have been Jonah Lowe.