Highlanders 2025

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby i have my doubts re Hurley but as someone (you?) pointed out he got the nod in the QF so you would think that has to be a sign he is considered positively

Agreed. I do wonder if JJ becoming head coach changes that though?

Look at the backs we have signed since Jamie got involved:

Tavatavanawai
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Tangitau
Tele'a
J Whaanga
Patchell

All these guys are big.

It could be that the rumour of him being signed was rubbish, and more that Dermody/Lynn rated him? They went off Bogado big time, and the only other fit back was Garden-Bachop, but he dropped a stinker and was hooked against the Canes. Almost a case of last man standing?

@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach

Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.

I'd just saying the 'announcement', or a lack there of Finn Hurley is a bit of an oversight. It has been clearly signaled by members of the team's management, that it just has potentially been forgotten to have been officially done publicly.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

I'd just saying the 'announcement', or a lack there of Finn Hurley is a bit of an oversight. It has been clearly signaled by members of the team's management, that it just has potentially been forgotten to have been officially done publicly.

Just seems a little odd though? Last year for example, they announced all those young fellas twice, including Cam Millar who had already been upgraded into the squad for 2023.

for all we know his plans may have changed, if someone in Japan spotted him and if the Highlanders only see him as a squad guy covering 15/10 then he might have asked to leave before it was announced, we just dont know until they say one way or the other

this place just isn't the same since the Magpie Massive chucked their toys out of the cot and left because their union has a drug problem.

Now guys like Lowe and havili are left undefended

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach

Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.

He's 10cm taller and at the moment 10kg heavier. He will probably end up around 100 - 105kg. Most similar in build to a Jordie Barrett or a SBW. A long way from a Buckman.

@mariner4life He'd be struggling with his Crusaders having a bad season and the Blues winning it would have hurt him just as much, along with Akira Ioane lifting the trophy haha.

Imagine the fights he'd have on here if he read the Jonah Lowe criticism? He'd probably have a meltdown too at the Landers choosing to sign Rhys Patchell ahead of his other idol Lincoln McClutchie.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby JJ's historic style is strong front up stuff....not really a delicate touch approach

Correct. My tip is you'll see Josh Whaanga tried at 12 by Otago with a view of him playing their for the Highlanders. He could be your Richard Buckman type.

He's 10cm taller and at the moment 10kg heavier. He will probably end up around 100 - 105kg. Most similar in build to a Jordie Barrett or a SBW. A long way from a Buckman.

Just because he has a different body type doesn't mean he can't fill the same role of being a hard tackling, hard running workhorse.

@frugby just doesn't match how I've seen him play. With that body composition, he is an offloading target, a guy to run off. Buckman tended to run off players, instead of being a provider. Buckman
was guy who ran at holes. Instesd of busting through tackles. With Buckman was the smaller guy who took advantage of the space provided by the bigger backline members. Whaanga will be one of the bigger backline members. Whaanga is also a kick-pass target, who can go over the top of defenders in the air. His height is probably his biggest advantage. Very different styles and strengths.

Ideally Hurley is replaced asap with a bigger, better, more level headed, less prone to stupid kicks, can make sensible decisions kind of fullback. Suspect he will be a 1-2 season wonder

Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his side but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.

He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.

He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Christ. It was Hurleys first year in professional footy and the lad has only just turned 21. Yes, size isn’t on his size but I’ll cut the young fella some slack, he batted well above his weight this season and you can see potential.

He’s not a starter for us next season so you could be doing a lot worse if you’re looking for a squad player in the outside backs. Some players from the past for example that we’ve had to deal with. Mosese Dawai, Kuridrani, Nabura(flying boot to the face), even Vereniki Tikoisolomone was called in a few years back.

He’s an upgrade for us at the back end of the roster that might get a game here and there. Looking forward to seeing what he can do for Otago.

Nailed it. Hurley has some bloody good skills. He is quick, has a strong passing game, is showing great improvement under the high ball and his defence has come on leaps and bounds. The half he played marking Caleb Clarke was a top display. He was all over Clarke. He got himself a bit lost with the ball and defensively with Otago last year. I'd certainly expect this year to be a much improved campaign. There are a lot of people who back him. I like the idea of him coming off the bench for the Landers next year, if that is an impact option they are looking at.

@SouthernMann he doesn’t make sensible decisions, a lot of his decision making is incredibly poor, even at a club level.

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:

dont believe anyone on here thought he would be as poor as he has turned out to be

Ahem

@mariner4life said in Highlanders 2025:

Now guys like Lowe and havili are left undefended

Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...

So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.

I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?

im not a huge Matt Whaanga fan, has Journeyman written allover him

im getting lost, whats the deal with Tele'a? hes back next year?

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...

So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.

I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?

Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...

So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.

I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?

Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.

M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:

Hearing M Whaanga is signed for 2025, and J Whaanga being viewed as a wing option at this stage...

So if Hurley is signed that would leave us with no backs spot remaining for next year.

I suppose it is possible they banked on Lowe leaving as well as CGB (RIP), but then Lowe got injured, so it is now only CGB leaving?

Wouldn't be surprised if Whaanga is an injury replacement for Lowe. I'd doubt Lowe is training properly until at least Feb. Between the two Whaanga boys, they cover his squad role.

M Whaanga on a two year deal so not an injury replacement. J Whaanga was signed end of 2023/start of 2024 timeline, so he isn't an injury replacement either.

Yes sir. Certainly wasn't saying Josh Whaanga. Was just throwing around theories. I still wouldn't be surprised if Jonah Lowe needs cover going into the season..

Coaching changes to be confirmed at 3 PM. @frugby talked about it further up in the thread

so....4mins away?

Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!

NO WAY!!!!

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Jamie fucking Joseph!!!! Absolutely thrilled!

That's one way to remain the top team in the South.

What about the fate of Donnelly, Dillon and Flutey?

Quickly spoke to someone after seeing this and as you could probably figure out, Tom Donelly has supposedly been the one relieved of his duties according to him(fairly reliable contact). Will be interesting how they word that if that info gets released.

Now all we need is the Crusaders to extend Penney and we all could consider that a perfect offseason.

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Quickly spoke to someone after seeing this and as you could probably figure out, Tom Donelly has supposedly been the one relieved of his duties according to him(fairly reliable contact). Will be interesting how they word that if that info gets released.

Dermody’s expertise around the set-piece and Joseph’s proven track record of building a hard-nosed pack means that forwards Tom Donnelly will be moving on.

Joseph said that was another tough call given Donnelly’s service to the Highlanders and Otago as a player and coach.

“With two forwards coaches there, there isn't a space available for Tom, unfortunately,” Joseph said.

“He’s a quality coach, but with the board deciding that I was becoming the head coach then essentially we had three specialist forward coaches.”

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