Highlanders 2025

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Love the 5 signings, all signings with an eye on the future and all come with pedigree.

Interesting to see how Lasaqa plays out, he was the Canes development team player of the year last season. Log ham of good loose forwards there so taken a chance elsewhere.

Stodart, Whaanga, Vikena and Tangitau all come with NZ u20s experience and big potential. Exciting signings and some of the better signings in regards to potential and current age in recent memory. Looking forward to watching them come NPC time.

I wonder if we have another 1 or 2 higher profile signings or if the spots will be filled by some NPC players like Jamie Joseph was saying in his interview. Hurley obviously being one.

Great pick up getting Lasaga, he has a young Ardie look about him, very mobile, big work-rate and has plenty of power which is something the Landers seem to be lacking in their loose forward mix, having called on the more hard grafting loosies instead. If the Hurricanes didn't have Lakai, Kirifi and Savea, they would have certainly snapped up Lasaga so a great signing indeed.

All of those signings are strong, the Highlanders are definitely going to be looking dangerous next year which is great to see. Please stay ahead of the Saders.

Soane Vikena is an interesting one. He's technically more experienced than the two guys they've already got but he's had such limited game time in the last few years. Is he a better long-term prospect than either Bell or Taylor? I'm not certain. Is he a better short-term option? The jury's out on that too. Still, not a bad signing by any means!

I do wonder what story the three external guys have been sold by JJ. Tangitau needs to be in the 23 each week. Lasaqa should be too. Vikena as a likely bench player?

@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:

Soane Vikena is an interesting one. He's technically more experienced than the two guys they've already got but he's had such limited game time in the last few years. Is he a better long-term prospect than either Bell or Taylor? I'm not certain. Is he a better short-term option? The jury's out on that too. Still, not a bad signing by any means!

The feeling is that he is coming down here with the aim of being the number one.

And at the end of the day, he was the #1 realistic option on the market and we have picked him up so I can't complain. The hooker market will be more interesting next year, because all three of these guys know that should they not perform, the chance of McAllister (or Bell though far less likely now that he has made the ABs) ending up at the Highlanders in 2026 is probably quite high if they don't step up.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

I do wonder what story the three external guys have been sold by JJ. Tangitau needs to be in the 23 each week. Lasaqa should be too. Vikena as a likely bench player?

Tangitau probably starts off in the 23 jersey because he can cover centre... though I have a theory that Nareki may well drift into 13, because he definitely has the skills to do it.

The hookers will come solely down to who does best in pre-season, though Bell surely has the inside running after a solid first season.

Lasaqa again it will come down to form, but I'm picking the Highlanders will run two loose forwards on the bench this year, with either Stodart or Haig covering lock, so there could be a spot for him. Holland and Dunshea at this stage are going to be our two best locks, then it will be absolute daylight.

The Lasaqa signing is a coup. I was stunned at his omission from super squads at starts of season. Great potential.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

I do wonder what story the three external guys have been sold by JJ. Tangitau needs to be in the 23 each week. Lasaqa should be too. Vikena as a likely bench player?

Tangitau probably starts off in the 23 jersey because he can cover centre... though I have a theory that Nareki may well drift into 13, because he definitely has the skills to do it.

The hookers will come solely down to who does best in pre-season, though Bell surely has the inside running after a solid first season.

Lasaqa again it will come down to form, but I'm picking the Highlanders will run two loose forwards on the bench this year, with either Stodart or Haig covering lock, so there could be a spot for him. Holland and Dunshea at this stage are going to be our two best locks, then it will be absolute daylight.

The Highlanders are building plenty of depth in the backfield. With Nareki, Tangitau, JRK and Tavatavanawai, that is plenty of firepower that will match any team in the comp next year.

@Canes4life hope youre right although we've had some weapons on the wing in the past, i issue has been getting the ball to them in a position to do something, huge improvement in recent years should help

@ARHS said in Highlanders 2025:

The Lasaqa signing is a coup. I was stunned at his omission from super squads at starts of season. Great potential.

I wonder if his smaller size put off the Chiefs when a specialist no.7 was needed this year. I first saw him play for TBC, and he was great over the ball.

I can't rmember a better group of outside backs. Even going back to 2015, we had the likes of the 38th man Trent Renata. Only bringing this group down is Jonah Lowe still drifting around on the third year of his deal. Josh Whaanga probably needs to get up to about 105kg to fill out his frame. Looks like we will probably go with three specialist locks. Stodart potentially filling the main no 19 spot. Interested to see whether Renton comes back in as the top 8, or if they try and push Broughton. Haig, Withy and Renton is a bit same-same. Swapping in Broughton adds a bit more as a wide running loosie.

On Vikena, he’s a player with potential. Been around for a few years now, started with Auckland and the Blues in 2020. Was also in the NZ 20s for 2 years. Still only 23 and has a higher ceiling than Henry Bell. Personally, I like Henry Bell and he had a good season but Vikena offers something different. Dont forget about Jack Taylor, he arguably has the highest ceiling of all 3. It’s a great position for the highlanders to be in.

It’s clear there has been a change of direction in recruitment, to get these 5 signed and all 5 are no older than 23 is a clear sign of that. Gone are the days of bringing in a bunch of guys in their mid to late 20. Going for the early 20’s with an idea of hopefully keeping them around long term great to see, as I said above all of these guys come with pedigree and they should all be pushing for a spot in the match day 23. That’s the kind of competition we need.

I understand a more experienced signing here and there is nice and I wouldn’t mind 1 being added, but to get these 5 and having an eye on the future, the Highlanders are following their word. Its a huge positive in my opinion.

The way I see it, is we've got to tick boxes in terms of a squad and a starting XV to compete for a Super Rugby title in 2026.

Prop: de Groot and Ma'u I think are good enough as a first choice pairing, but plenty of work to do in the depth department. Probably an area where you'll see movement in 2026. At this moment, all the backups are uninspiring, so you're always going to be weak off the bench

Hooker: We'll see. I'd reason that the Blues just won Super Rugby with Ricky Riccitelli, and the Highlanders won it with Coltman and Ash Dixon so your hooker doesn't need to be a world beater. Three good options locked in, in my mind

Lock: Holland and Dunshea are a class lock pairing, possibly better than anything we had during JJ's first tenure, and definitely good enough to compete for a title. Need depth. Will wait to see what they do here...

Loose Forwards: Great mix of young loosies IMO, I think there is enough there to compete for the title

Halfbacks: As long as we hold onto Fakatava we are fine in the interim. Lock in Pledger, and the backups are plenty good enough. Still holding out hope for Hastie too

First Fives: If nothing else, Millar and Faleafaga seem to be better than everyone else's young 10s, so that has to be a good sign?

Midfielders: Tele'a I think you could win a Super title with him as a starting 13, but he needs some support. J Whaanga will need a few years, Te Hiwi is a bit meh, Gilbert too. These are all backup guys. TUJ has never been able to stay fit and I don't see that changing. We'll be in the market for a blockbuster 12 come 2026, unless we coup someone out the NPC.

Outside Backs: Good group of players, I think good enough.

At this early stage, I'm expecting us to take more strides forward next year, as I don't really think any of our player losses are the end of the world. For all his upside, Harmon was never an All Black for a reason. Withy, Lasaqa etc. can replace him in time. The rest of them weren't anywhere near the 23 at the end of the season anyway...

2026, I think there is the makings of the squad for a title challenge, but that is reliant on young players reaching their potential, and signing a blockbuster 12. That second five could even be Faleafaga...

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Faleafaga

An absolute blockbuster. He seems to be more a Sopoaga than Nonu type.

@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Faleafaga

An absolute blockbuster. He seems to be more a Sopoaga than Nonu type.

By blockbuster, I meant superstar... and in the mould of a playmaking 12. If they can crash the ball up too, then great, but we kind of have Tele'a to do that.

I don't see Faleafaga as a 12. He is quite small compared to the sterotypical 12 running around in Super Rugby. I think we could see a very large midfield next year of TUJ and Tele'a. We still have a year left with Jonah Lowe too!

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

I don't see Faleafaga as a 12. He is quite small compared to the sterotypical 12 running around in Super Rugby. I think we could see a very large midfield next year of TUJ and Tele'a. We still have a year left with Jonah Lowe too!

Jonah Lowe is barely an adequate Super winger, let alone a Super level midfielder. Tele'a is an obvious starter in the midfield for the Landers, TUJ probably the obvious choice to partner him if he can stay fit.

@Canes4life come on mate, its fairly clear @SouthernMann is taking the piss re lowe, long established and accepted he not up to it

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life come on mate, its fairly clear @SouthernMann is taking the piss re lowe, long established and accepted he not up to it

Who's the fool that extended his contract this long? Crazy, he's not only not upto it, he's also a consistent food bill.

@Canes4life who are you arguing with?

it hasnt been extended, as far as i know, they just gave him a long one and if im honest when we signed him i was happy, he's just gone down hill

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life who are you arguing with?

it hasnt been extended, as far as i know, they just gave him a long one and if im honest when we signed him i was happy, he's just gone down hill

I'm not arguing with anyone I'm just stating the fact that if Lowe is signed for next year he must have a bloody good agent. He wasn't good enough when he was at the Canes and hasn't improved at the Highlanders. I'm just shocked at how he is able to pick up a contract year after year.

@Canes4life but your stating something everyone else discussed and accepted over a year ago, its just weird to come in and go on about it like anyone had a different opinion

He signed a three year deal. 23,24 and 25. Was never a good acquisition. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/129060018/highlanders-sign-chiefs-winger-jonah-lowe-and-otago-lock-fabian-holland

I think @Canes4life is just acknowledging Lowe isn’t up to standard. He isn’t trying to argue. Something may have been taken the wrong way there.

We can all agree he has been a flop for the Highlanders. Hopefully he can get healthy and find some kind of form he had at the chiefs, the form which got him into the Māori AB’s and signed to a 3 year contact in the first place(pretty big ask) but depth wise you could definitely do worse, he would now be the 4th choice winger you would think. The writing is on the wall though clearly…

Lowe and Tom Sanders are the two main passengers in the squad next year

@Landers92 its kind of like me coming in and saying "i dont care what you guys say smoking is bad for you!".....yeah, we know, cool story

i just went back to the Highlanders 2023 thread, people were all happy enough when we signed lowe, dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be

@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:

@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:

@Kiwiwomble anyways back to Lowe he'll be in our starting backline wearing 14, the other Jona at 11, now just need to sign a certain twin from wellington to wear 13 & things on paper will look much better than the season just gone.

Great pickup.

If the Chiefs haven't signed two really fucking good wingers, I'm going to be well pissed off.

Lowe was our best wing this year by a mile.

@Tim said in Highlanders 2023:

@Kiwiwomble Good signing. Has been sharp for the Chiefs. I wonder if they have signed a wing?

Jonah Lowe was set to leave a year early to Japan.
Deal fell through when he hurt his knee.
The Japanese club signed Connor in his place.
The Highlanders (good on em) still going to honour the last year of his contract.

i guess good on them...but part of me is also now we're keeping a guy that wanted to leave

Sio Tompkinson has been re-leased by his English club, wonder what his plans are now, still only 28

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@Landers92 its kind of like me coming in and saying "i dont care what you guys say smoking is bad for you!".....yeah, we know, cool story

i just went back to the Highlanders 2023 thread, people were all happy enough when we signed lowe, dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be

@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:

@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:

@Kiwiwomble anyways back to Lowe he'll be in our starting backline wearing 14, the other Jona at 11, now just need to sign a certain twin from wellington to wear 13 & things on paper will look much better than the season just gone.

Great pickup.

If the Chiefs haven't signed two really fucking good wingers, I'm going to be well pissed off.

Lowe was our best wing this year by a mile.

@Tim said in Highlanders 2023:

@Kiwiwomble Good signing. Has been sharp for the Chiefs. I wonder if they have signed a wing?

I think my 2 cents at the time was that signing him to a three year deal stunk of desperation. I'll stick with that.

Really excited by Tangitau, he has to be one of the best 'young' wingers in the country. I'd be very surprised if he isn't in our top back three.

There was an interesting line in Paul Cully's article on the signings, saying the Blues were miffed to lose Soane Vikena, which suggests he got a bit sick of waiting behind a couple of old war horses.

Watched some highlights of Lasaqa this afternoon, and he is that loosie that we need, someone to sit defenders and attackers on their arse. Just chuck his name into that 20 slot now.

Really positive signings.

Lowe was solid and reliable for the Chiefs. Maybe the Highlanders just stink?

@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:

Sio Tompkinson has been re-leased by his English club, wonder what his plans are now, still only 28

Doubt there is a midfield spot available. Te Hiwi, Gilbert, Whaanga (J), TUJ, tele'a and cover from Lowe (sadly). Timkinson also too similar to those guys. There are a few younger lads they are aiming to bring through. Still our weakest position.

When you have a Ferrari in the garage you use it.

Jamie Joseph will be the Highlanders Head Coach next year.

Dermody deciding on whether he wants to be forwards coach...

Donnelly and Flutey have had the chop.

Basically means an entirely new coaching group next year...

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life but your stating something everyone else discussed and accepted over a year ago, its just weird to come in and go on about it like anyone had a different opinion

You’re reading too much into it. I was just responding to someone’s post stating that I was surprised he was still contracted.

@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:

Sio Tompkinson has been re-leased by his English club, wonder what his plans are now, still only 28

I hope not….i was super bias towards him as an old boy but just couldn’t look past the shocking tackle technique and his tendency to fly out of the line (to try and put in a shocking tackle) which often left huge holes in our backline by the end of his time

The one thing that use to go down as a positive was his try scoring record….but I have this feeling a lot of them were smith hitting him 5m from the line and him just diving over….hardly inspiring from a midfielder

@Kiwiwomble

He was solid for us and a player who looked like they would be better with more game time. He’s a center / wing which is also great for the bench.

I agree with @Tim - maybe it is just that the Landers are a bit shit? Your midfield next year could be an entire level above this year if the right guys are re-signed and not injured. That would probably help a player like Lowe who isn’t really a creator.

@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:

@Kiwiwomble

He was solid for us and a player who looked like they would be better with more game time. He’s a center / wing which is also great for the bench.

I agree with @Tim - maybe it is just that the Landers are a bit shit? Your midfield next year could be an entire level above this year if the right guys are re-signed and not injured. That would probably help a player like Lowe who isn’t really a creator.

Lowe was the best outside back, a very average Landers set up could recruit at the back end of 2022, for the 2023 season. To get him across the line, they had to offer him a three year deal, which was ridiculous. He was the Mitch Hunt of our outside backs. The sort of player who looks decent when surrounded by good players. When he is expected to be a backline leader, it just didn't work.
I don't begrudge him for taking the three year deal. Just on reflection, it probably wasn't a good move for him or the Landers. Next year, he will be our fourth string winger and third/fourth string centre.
Can't be great for the lad going down as an experienced player, finishing his contract being well down the pecking order and coming back from a bad injury. There is a chance he might not even be back on the training paddock until January.

@Canes4life he is horribly overrated

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

To get him across the line, they had to offer him a three year deal, which was ridiculous.

And that was the difference as the Chiefs weren't going to offer Lowe a 3-yr deal. He's a player that can add depth to your squad but not a difference-maker.

Jonah Lowe looked rubbish just like the rest of our outside backs (bar Nareki) in 2023. I actually thought he looked bright in the brief time he spent on the wing before getting injured... wasn't ever convinced by him at 13.

When we signed him, they were already looking to build long-term, and my understanding Lowe was the only guy they could get who was willing to sign a three year deal. In that time AJ Lam 'turned us down', and I'm sure there were others they could have got had they not been so picky.

They've learned from that by giving Tele'a a one year deal (and now an extension). Recruitment above all else is key in Super Rugby, and it is something we did an appalling job of from 2019-2013. In that time, 60+ players made their debuts, and particularly 2019-2021, we signed some shockers.

@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:

@Kiwiwomble

He was solid for us and a player who looked like they would be better with more game time. He’s a center / wing which is also great for the bench.

I agree with @Tim - maybe it is just that the Landers are a bit shit? Your midfield next year could be an entire level above this year if the right guys are re-signed and not injured. That would probably help a player like Lowe who isn’t really a creator.

he's definitely gone down hill but i think we did little to help him in 2023 struggling to get the ball to our wings anywhere but on the back foot...and although our midfield improved this year i think he was already a bit broken....not sure what was needed anymore

@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

@Canes4life he is horribly overrated

who's rating him highly?