Highlanders 2025
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:
Re. Millar and the struggles with the physicality. Website has him at 185cm and 85kgs. That’s borderline underweight for an athlete of 6 foot. It’s seems very strange to me that no one in the strength and conditioning team since 2021 (NPC debut) has worked with him to put on 4-5kgs of muscle. It would make the world of difference. At that age, weight, and height, physiologically that is incredibly easy.
Comparing the pictures from 2021 to now. He does look bigger. He also needs to take responsibility around his playing style and ball security. He is the guy out there doing it.
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Yeah, I would be very surprised if Millar was only 85kg….
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
Yeah, I would be very surprised if Millar was only 85kg….
Cam Millar is a bit of a protected species amongst some fans, I find.
While the kid's goal kicking is too notch, there is a lot to be desired around other parts of his game. At the moment there is very little between him and Robinson. Both players have strengths that the other player doesn't. But there are glaring weaknesses with both.
When Hurley has a shocker he gets slammed. When Millar doesn't play well people tend to find excuses as to why. Just seems like there is a weird protective dynamic with him. That other players aren't given.
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@SouthernMann some awkward moments for Cam upon return against the Drua yes, however quite often he has been motm for the landers last yr vs the Crusaders and Moana. was Otagos best several games last yr against Manawatu, Canterbury. Taine Robinson just doesn't have the same influence from what I have seen. Happy to be proven wrong
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@Grooter said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann some awkward moments for Cam upon return against the Drua yes, however quite often he has been motm for the landers last yr vs the Crusaders and Moana. was Otagos best several games last yr against Manawatu, Canterbury. Taine Robinson just doesn't have the same influence from what I have seen. Happy to be proven wrong
As mentioned. I think he is an ok player. He is our best choice for the foreseeable future. Probably seeing the trjacteory of Mika Muliaina, until he is ready in a good few seasons time. Millar is a limited player though. Kicks well. Passed well. Isn't overly quick. Not a great lateral mover. Not overly strong. Not a great defender If he is our guy for the next three to five seasons. We need to run a style that plays to his strengths. If we are to play a high tempo running game. We need to consider whether his style matches that strategy.
It was more a comment on him being protected from criticism than having a go at his game. As I've said. I think he is the best choice out of a limited pool for the foreseeable future
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I think some of Millar's weaknesses have been a little overstated. It is said he doesn't have a running game, but I also don't remember Taine Robinson making a single break this season. Millar showed vast improvements in the NPC, so I think it is a little odd he was totally done away with.
This season might do him good in the long run, but I also think this is a little bit of a case of Jamie wanting to make a point, and then being overly stubborn.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I think some of Millar's weaknesses have been a little overstated. It is said he doesn't have a running game, but I also don't remember Taine Robinson making a single break this season. Millar showed vast improvements in the NPC, so I think it is a little odd he was totally done away with.
This season might do him good in the long run, but I also think this is a little bit of a case of Jamie wanting to make a point, and then being overly stubborn.
I'm not arguing for Robinson. Just more saying that Millar is a protected player. For quite a few fans. He doesn't get the same level of scrutiny as other developing players.
As I've mentioned, he is the best of a reasonably average group of 10s. But he is what we have. Let's work out how to have the team fit around him. May be not have him get isolated defensively on the wing. May be ensure he does have forward support in contact. Have a big bopper beside him as a get out of jail option if he needs it. Promote his skills and hide his limitations.
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
Tangitau returning to the Blues, just might happen, contract details, have a side issue, but damn confident,
Would be piss weak of NZ Rugby to allow an under contract player stomp his feet and fuck off a year early. If they want the Highlanders to succeed. They can't let this happen. He just has a two year contract. Make him stick to it. For all intents and purposes he is under contract for 2026.
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
Tangitau returning to the Blues, just might happen, contract details, have a side issue, but damn confident,
When you say contract details, do you mean he has agreed a contract with the blues or he’s unhappy with something in his current contract?
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@george33 this isn't the Crusaders allowing their 3rd choice hooker McAlister to leave a year early for game time. Tangitau is Joseph's 1st choice wing. so much so he encouraged Tavatavanawai to move into 12 so their was a Starting spot for him. Finish the length of the contract then be free to do an Izzy dagg
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@Grooter I look at is Blues basically let him go for a season, all parties agreed, game time, other wise he would have have stayed at Blues, Clarke, Talea, , but he was always going to return, now Talea moving on, it's most likely will happen.
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@george33 so if Eklund or Riccitelli were to head off shore would Vikena be back to the Blues halfway through his contract too? Didn't know 1 season loans were a thing in Super. suppose if Mo'unga returns to the Crusaders in 2027 Kemara will do a loan spell at the landers
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Grooter I look at is Blues basically let him go for a season, all parties agreed, game time, other wise he would have have stayed at Blues, Clarke, Talea, , but he was always going to return, now Talea moving on, it's most likely will happen.
That is not correct. He was an off contract player. He wasn't let go. He then signed a contract for 25&26. Adults sign employment contracts. He signed an employment contract for two years. He has a responsibility and an obligation to see out his employment contract. After 26. Do what he wants. Heck, even potentially stay. Next year. Fulfill your employment obligation.
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@SouthernMann ok, let's just see how it plays out, of contract yes, didn't sign, yes 2 year contract said who.
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann ok, let's just see how it plays out, of contract yes, didn't sign, yes 2 year contract said who.
For someone who talks a lot of shit. You are unable to fact check. He has said it himself. Here is the official announcement
HIGHLANDERS CONFIRM FIVE PLAYERS FOR 2025 | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
The Highlanders continue to build for the future with the confirmed signings of five talented young players. Adding to the home-grown talents of Will Stodart and Josh Whaanga, joining the Highlanders in 2025 will be two more New Zealand Under 20s representatives in Caleb Tangitau and Soana Vikena...
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@SouthernMann haha ok I actually no the kid , that was last season.
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@george33 right. Gotta feel for young winger Harlyn Saunoa hear he's been making every post a winner training with the Blues and being selected for the NZ 20s but I guess he will have to look elsewhere with Tangitau heading back to the Blues as you say.
