Highlanders 2026
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@SouthernMann I believe Robertson is staying, but if JJ does become All Blacks coach, I can’t see how he could stay on with us this season, given some of the alleged biases Robertson had.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@WoodysRFC said in Highlanders 2026:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@WoodysRFC said in Highlanders 2026:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2026:
Kane Jury. He coached the NZ Schools when they last beat Aust (twice).
Be a big step up having never coached at NPC level.
what is the step before NPC now days? what do we think is the minimum to have before your first NPC gig?
Seems the entirety of our current super coaches all have significant experience coaching overseas.
yeah super level....but i feel expecting NPC coaches to have international experience might be a stretch
Apologies, I may not be following the discussion, thought we were considering JJs replacement?
no, if corey brown stepped up, just for ease due to having worked with so many of the squad recently.....who comes in to otago
Gotcha!
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too be clear, i feel mostly likely very little changes with the AB's
BUT....to fill in a boring afternoon at work....some wild speculation and chat
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
too be clear, i feel mostly likely very little changes with the AB's
BUT....to fill in a boring afternoon at work....some wild speculation and chat
Is my thinking too
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann I believe Robertson is staying, but if JJ does become All Blacks coach, I can’t see how he could stay on with us this season, given some of the alleged biases Robertson had.
I just don't think, even in a wildly speculative world you can pull a coach out two weeks from the first pre-season fame for a team that doesn't play for five months.
Also a different calibre of players between the Crusaders and Landers. He goes and selects Withy as his 7, Jim as his 12 and Jack Taylor I'm sure there would be some eyebrows raised. I just can't see it.
His selections for the ABXV were also clear of bias. He picked Boshier over a few Highlanders options.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
too be clear, i feel mostly likely very little changes with the AB's
BUT....to fill in a boring afternoon at work....some wild speculation and chat
You poor bugger being at work. I've been on the golf course and at the pub. Still another week before the office calls.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann I believe Robertson is staying, but if JJ does become All Blacks coach, I can’t see how he could stay on with us this season, given some of the alleged biases Robertson had.
I just don't think, even in a wildly speculative world you can pull a coach out two weeks from the first pre-season fame for a team that doesn't play for five months.
Also a different calibre of players between the Crusaders and Landers. He goes and selects Withy as his 7, Jim as his 12 and Jack Taylor I'm sure there would be some eyebrows raised. I just can't see it.
His selections for the ABXV were also clear of bias. He picked Boshier over a few Highlanders options.
i think in a normal world i would agree with you....but ive lost faith NZR would weigh up the impact it would have on the Highlanders....if they want someone.....
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
@SouthernMann I believe Robertson is staying, but if JJ does become All Blacks coach, I can’t see how he could stay on with us this season, given some of the alleged biases Robertson had.
I just don't think, even in a wildly speculative world you can pull a coach out two weeks from the first pre-season fame for a team that doesn't play for five months.
Also a different calibre of players between the Crusaders and Landers. He goes and selects Withy as his 7, Jim as his 12 and Jack Taylor I'm sure there would be some eyebrows raised. I just can't see it.
His selections for the ABXV were also clear of bias. He picked Boshier over a few Highlanders options.
It's a deep squad considering matches against provincial sides, I'm not sure it'd be controversial to play a handful of those players listed, not as though they're not amongst the best in their position anyway.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
All will be revealed tomorrow, but if hypothetically Razor goes and JJ replaces him, given the Springbok Tour I can’t see him steering us through the season - though I would expect him to have some involvement through a handover period - but how will they replace him?
Dermody has previously failed, Kidwell isn’t a Union man, Bender has never head coached ever… Corey Brown?
you would think thats a likely outcome off the back of such a good season...just sad/annoying that Otago will end up with another change rather than building on last year
Think you have your wires crossed. Mark Brown is the Otago coach. Corey Brown is already the Highlanders attack coach.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2026:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2026:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2026:
All will be revealed tomorrow, but if hypothetically Razor goes and JJ replaces him, given the Springbok Tour I can’t see him steering us through the season - though I would expect him to have some involvement through a handover period - but how will they replace him?
Dermody has previously failed, Kidwell isn’t a Union man, Bender has never head coached ever… Corey Brown?
you would think thats a likely outcome off the back of such a good season...just sad/annoying that Otago will end up with another change rather than building on last year
Think you have your wires crossed. Mark Brown is the Otago coach. Corey Brown is already the Highlanders attack coach.
of course, ignore me, just glad tony isn't around at the moment
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Razor to serve out his contract leading the landers to SR victory.
Not without the messiah Dylan Pledger.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Razor to serve out his contract leading the landers to SR victory.
Not without the messiah Dylan Pledger.
Considering he won multiple titles without even considering Higgins for his squad, he'll cope.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:
Razor to serve out his contract leading the landers to SR victory.
Not without the messiah Dylan Pledger.
Considering he won multiple titles without even considering Higgins for his squad, he'll cope.
Definitely a risky move, despite it paying dividends.
