Highlanders 2025
-
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just done a deep dive and here’s where the squad is at based off the information we have been given. If anyone knows more then feel free to chime in.
Props:
Ethan de Groot (2026)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (2025)
Josh Bartlett(?)
Saula Ma'u (2025? Signed with otago in 2022 on a 3 year deal, assuming Highlanders is the same.)
Sefo Kautai(?)
Rohan Wingham (?)Hookers:
Henry Bell (2025)
Jack Taylor (2026)
Soane Vikena (2026)Locks:
Fabian Holland (2025)
Mitch Dunshea (2025)Loose Forwards:
Oliver Haig (2026)
Hugh Renton (2026)
Hayden Michaels (2026)
Veveni Lasaqa (2026)
Sean Withy (Signed with the Stags for 3 seasons, assuming Landers is similar or close to it. 2026?)
Nikora Broughton (2025?)
Lui Naeata(2025, one and done).
TK Howden(2025?)
Will Stodart(2026)Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava (2027)
Nathan Hastie (2026)
James Arscott (Gone after this season by what’s been said on here)First Fives:
Cam Millar (2026)
Ajay Faleafaga (2026)
Taine Robinson (2026)Midfielders:
Jake Te Hiwi (2026)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (2025)
Tanielu Tele'a (2025?)
Josh Whaanga (2027)
TUJ(2025?)Outside Backs:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Jona Nareki (2025)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2025)
Jonah Lowe (2025)
Finn Hurley (2026)
Caleb Tangitau (2026)
Michael Manson(2025?)Quite a few coming off contract with only 1 in season extension so far in Fakatava. Hopefully Holland, Ma’u, JRK and Tavatavanawai are the next extensions we see.
Don’t forget tangitau is back to Auckland next year
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Has this been reported yet?
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/sam-gilbert-joins-connacht-rugby/bp3419/ -
@Tim said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Tai Cribb.
Apparently he is going to play for Auckland this year, but the Blues should have four locks and two lock/six players in their squad too. Worth signing?
He looks a short lock who hasn't filled out yet. We have guys like Stodart, Haig and Howden who are all similar heights and have filled out. Would just seem like bringing in another guy of the same variation.
Haven't seen much of Makiri @Bones. How does he go. I reckon there could be an NPC outside or two who could play their way in. We could be looking for up to three outside backs with Gilbert leaving, likely Lowe and a question mark over Nareki...
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Tim said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
Tai Cribb.
Apparently he is going to play for Auckland this year, but the Blues should have four locks and two lock/six players in their squad too. Worth signing?
He looks a short lock who hasn't filled out yet.
Cribb's best position is 6, but he has got by as a lock at U20 and NPC level.
-
Joesph needs to take the blame for his original squad selections at lock. Naeata was his choice. James Thompson, for example, wasn't retained by the Blues and could have been a solid squad member to provide depth at lock. He did well in his brief appearances. He is now in the Chiefs WTG instead. Players will probably move for a full contract but aren't going to swap one WTG contract for another as easily.
@Bovidae I agree, but that also assumes these guys wanted to come. Not signing Will Tucker was a fuck up, but also, the bigger issues was Haig & Naeta, who were probably the two down to cover lock, have been unavailable for most of the season.
Hard to say whether not contracting locks is the issue, because we have refused to play our loose forwards there, which was presumably the plan.
There is a long-term plan, I would not be surprised if someone like James Thompson said no to a one-year deal.
-
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
Sam Gilbert (?)
Has this been reported yet?
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/sam-gilbert-joins-connacht-rugby/bp3419/@Daffy-Jaffy yeah, whole discussion just above your post
i agree there are similarities between gilbert and Collins just with their positions switched, Gilbert was growing nicely at 15 and then got moved to the midfield (and every other backline position) when we were short and never quite kicked on...collins was the other way, a very handy midfielder...that got shuffled out to 15 and then got a lot of shit for not being a 15. it maddening in a world where ive seen people have heated debates about the idea of a 13 playing 12....we shuffle other guys around that showed some promise like cheese pieces and then critique them form for not getting better
-
@Daffy-Jaffy yeah, whole discussion just above your post
i agree there are similarities between gilbert and Collins just with their positions switched, Gilbert was growing nicely at 15 and then got moved to the midfield (and every other backline position) when we were short and never quite kicked on...collins was the other way, a very handy midfielder...that got shuffled out to 15 and then got a lot of shit for not being a 15. it maddening in a world where ive seen people have heated debates about the idea of a 13 playing 12....we shuffle other guys around that showed some promise like cheese pieces and then critique them form for not getting better
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
-
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
Specialist no 23.
-
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
Specialist no 23.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
Specialist no 23.
Ah, the Manson clause contract, I believe it's now called in rugby circles.
-
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
Specialist no 23.
Ah, the Manson clause contract, I believe it's now called in rugby circles.
-
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble It will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing at Connacht.
They don't have a full back next season so probably there. They had cordero from Argentina but he was poor in defence and poor tactical kicking. If sams goal kicking is over 75% they will love him.
-
Injury update.
Nikora Broughton (knee MCL / 2-3 weeks)
Caleb Tangitau (TBC)
James Arscott (Shoulder / TBC)
Hugh Renton (Groin / TBC)
Finn Hurley (Quad / Season)
Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / Season)
Ajay Faleafaga (Broken hand / Season)Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
Renton also with a TBC, with the kind of issue he’s got I’d put him on ice for the rest of the season. No need to make the issue worse with the season all but over. Also gets these younger guys extra minutes.
-
Injury update.
Nikora Broughton (knee MCL / 2-3 weeks)
Caleb Tangitau (TBC)
James Arscott (Shoulder / TBC)
Hugh Renton (Groin / TBC)
Finn Hurley (Quad / Season)
Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / Season)
Ajay Faleafaga (Broken hand / Season)Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
Renton also with a TBC, with the kind of issue he’s got I’d put him on ice for the rest of the season. No need to make the issue worse with the season all but over. Also gets these younger guys extra minutes.
@Landers92 I hope I’m wrong, but it feels like Renton’s body has just totally given up on him.
-
Injury update.
Nikora Broughton (knee MCL / 2-3 weeks)
Caleb Tangitau (TBC)
James Arscott (Shoulder / TBC)
Hugh Renton (Groin / TBC)
Finn Hurley (Quad / Season)
Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / Season)
Ajay Faleafaga (Broken hand / Season)Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
Renton also with a TBC, with the kind of issue he’s got I’d put him on ice for the rest of the season. No need to make the issue worse with the season all but over. Also gets these younger guys extra minutes.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
This was posted in the match thread:
@Nogusta said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:
Tangitau not likely to play again this SR season.
Hearing he may need surgery -
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
This was posted in the match thread:
@Nogusta said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:
Tangitau not likely to play again this SR season.
Hearing he may need surgery@Duluth said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
This was posted in the match thread:
@Nogusta said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:
Tangitau not likely to play again this SR season.
Hearing he may need surgeryThere was chat that could be the case… didn’t want to believe it. Incredibly disappointing if it ends up happening. Feel like he was ready for the next step up too. Groin injuries are nothing to mess with so hope he gets it right.
-
@Duluth said in Highlanders 2025:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
Concerning to see Tangitau upgraded to a ‘TBC’.
This was posted in the match thread:
@Nogusta said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:
Tangitau not likely to play again this SR season.
Hearing he may need surgeryThere was chat that could be the case… didn’t want to believe it. Incredibly disappointing if it ends up happening. Feel like he was ready for the next step up too. Groin injuries are nothing to mess with so hope he gets it right.
-
@handa457 said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:
@SouthernMann is it confirmed he's gone end of this season? Know he's off contract but it'd be just like the Landers to sign him for another two years while letting some serious talent slip away
I'll bring this across to the main thread. I'd prefer if he did move on. End of contract etc. I can just see a world where the old consistent devil you know is better than the young guy you don't know and are taking a risk on. There are not many guys jumping out. Say if we lose Nareki overseas that would mean we potentially say goodbye to him, Gilbert and have Lowe off contract. Leaving JRK, Hurley, Tangitau and Manson. Potentially having three spots open in the outside backs. Whaanga and Tayne Harvey while primarily midfield backs, can play in the back three. With Lowe's experience, he would be better than those two options. Kyan Rangitutia is another, just more.of a WTG option at this stage. Will probably need to do some outside shopping during the NPC.
-
As a general rule here, if Nogusta posts it, it’s real.
I think you are in the game too so different to punks like me, so sorry if I’m pointing out the obvious.
@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:
As a general rule here, if Nogusta posts it, it’s real.
I think you are in the game too so different to punks like me, so sorry if I’m pointing out the obvious.
Yeah mate. I was just piggy backing off that as I had heard the same just didn’t want to believe it as the guy who mentioned it can be a little hit and miss at times. Maybe the highlanders glasses prevented me from wanting to believe it haha.
It’s a shame because groins are no joke, especially for a winger who relies heavily on speed.
-
@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:
As a general rule here, if Nogusta posts it, it’s real.
I think you are in the game too so different to punks like me, so sorry if I’m pointing out the obvious.
Yeah mate. I was just piggy backing off that as I had heard the same just didn’t want to believe it as the guy who mentioned it can be a little hit and miss at times. Maybe the highlanders glasses prevented me from wanting to believe it haha.
It’s a shame because groins are no joke, especially for a winger who relies heavily on speed.
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:
@gt12 said in Highlanders 2025:
As a general rule here, if Nogusta posts it, it’s real.
I think you are in the game too so different to punks like me, so sorry if I’m pointing out the obvious.
Yeah mate. I was just piggy backing off that as I had heard the same just didn’t want to believe it as the guy who mentioned it can be a little hit and miss at times. Maybe the highlanders glasses prevented me from wanting to believe it haha.
It’s a shame because groins are no joke, especially for a winger who relies heavily on speed.
Yeah, pretty shit news, regardless of whether it is surgery or not.
-
Further to something I posted in the match thread last night - Tanielu Tele'a is massively underrated.
The Highlanders Heaviest Defeats in the Last Two Seasons (The Midfield):
2025: Away v Chiefs: 10-46 (Tavatavanawai, Umaga-Jensen)
2025: Away v Blues: 13-47 (Te Hiwi, Tele'a)
2025: Home v Hurricanes: 12-47 (Gilbert, Lowe)
2025: Home v Crusaders: 10-43 (Te Hiwi, Umaga-Jensen)
2025: Away v Reds: 0-31 (Gilbert, Tele'a)
2025: Away v Hurricanes: 14-41 (Gilbert, M Whaanga)
2025: Away QF v Brumbies: 16-32 (Gilbert, Te Hiwi)
2025: Away v Rebels: 31-47 (Gilbert, Lowe)
2025: Away v Force: 20-29 (Tavatavanawai, Umaga-Jensen)Keeping in mind Tele'a has started 16/27 in this time, winning 7/16. Of the 11 he has not started, we have won just two games. The Force at home last year (7-6, what a game that was), and the Drua at home this year.
Of those nine heaviest defeats, he started just two of them. On paper, one might say he has missed derby matches. Outside of the matches listed above he started:
2024: Super Round v Blues: 29-37
2024: Away v Chiefs: 21-28 (Granted he did get sent-off with us well behind the eight ball)
2024: Home v Crusaders: 32-29
2025: Home v Blues: 29-21
2025: Home v Hurricanes: 18-20
2025: Away v Hurricanes: 20-24This guy is so clearly underrated, he is on a different level to Umaga-Jensen, and it is time he got the credit for it. He has to be a priority re-signing if he is not already.
-
What do we think are the biggest questions we think need to be answered about this team for next season? It seems like it’s a never ending cycle of mediocrity and promises which don’t seem to be delivered on …
