Landers duo to miss trip
Two star Highlanders players will remain sidelined this week, but a third should be back on deck.
The Highlanders have three tough games remaining, starting with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night, as they bid to salvage something from their disappointing season — or at the very least avoid the wooden spoon.
No 8 Hugh Renton and winger Caleb Tangitau would ideally be playing major roles in the rescue mission.
Unfortunately for Highlanders fans, neither will be at the Cake Tin to challenge the Canes.
Co-captain Renton has played just five of the team's 11 games this year and it seems possible he will remain stuck on that number.
Highlanders forwards coach Clarke Dermody confirmed yesterday Renton would miss at least the Hurricanes game with his ongoing groin injury.
"He's been up with the specialist, just getting advice from them. He's out for the foreseeable future.
"He's pretty sore. It's important he gets it right."
Dermody has had a close association with Renton since the Tasman/Hawke's Bay man joined the Highlanders in 2021, and knows how much he means to the team.
"He's got an awesome presence among the boys.
"He's obviously been around a while now. He's a level-headed leader, a tough guy on the field and a pretty uncompromising player. We definitely miss that in the pack."
With Renton and fellow No 8 Nikora Broughton injured, and Lui Naeata unavailable, the Highlanders are running a little lean in the loose.
Otago loose forwards Harry Taylor (Southern) and Sam Fischli (Taieri) have joined the squad as cover.
Tangitau set his first season as a regular Super Rugby starter alight with some dazzling performances in the first half of the campaign.
However, he has not played since the loss to the Force in Perth on April 5, and his own groin injury remains infuriatingly reluctant to disappear.
"Not this week," Dermody said.
"It's a shame. He started the season really well, and he was in everyone's eyeline."
Fellow winger Jona Nareki is at least available after missing the past two games with a knee complaint.
All going well, the Fijian fisherman will play his 50th game for the Highlanders in their last game of the regular season.
"It's awesome to have his experience back among the group."
Dermody said the Highlanders, teetering at 10th in the 11-team competition, had enjoyed the opportunity to have the bye after eight consecutive weeks of competition.
"We're starting away on a Friday, so it's a pretty short week, and we're keeping our plans simple.
"You can see a definite change in energy around the boys, around training today, so hopefully we can take that through the week.
"While it's frustrating we're not getting the results, there has definitely been growth in the team, year on year, and now we get a chance against three of the better teams in the competition to give it a real crack."
Highlanders utility back Sam Gilbert confirmed on Friday night he was heading to Ireland after the NPC campaign with Otago.
Dermody hailed Gilbert's contribution to the Highlanders over his six seasons since first catching the eye of then-coach Tony Brown while playing for the Bravehearts.
"I think he's the ultimate Highlander man.
"He's made every post a winner, ended up vice-captain last year, over 50 games now, and a real glue guy in the team who can play anywhere in the backline bar No 9.
"Maybe to his detriment, we didn't really give him a chance to settle down in his favoured position, but that sums him up — being a team guy and being able to spread himself wherever he was needed.
"I can't really judge him because I did exactly the same thing at a similar age. I guess it's an opportunity to explore overseas and look after yourself before you finish.
"He's a guy we will definitely miss."
hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Capacity crowd tipped
Capacity crowds are expected at the Southland Stags v Otago match on August 2. Rugby Southland head of commercial and business development Jack King said about 3000 tickets had already been allocated and 30% of the capped crowd limit was already gone. "We've set a target of 10,000 fans because we want Stag Day to be a genuine celebration of Southland rugby." "With sold-out hospo and tickets tracking well, and the buzz around this game, it's almost certain to sell out. Mr King urged fans to buy tickets early to avoid missing out. "The sooner we hit that target, the more confident we can be investing in making this an unforgettable experience." Outgoing Stags coach Matt Saunders said the fans made the day special. "You can feel that Southland pride when Rugby Park is packed. It lifts the boys and reminds us all why we do this. "We're hoping the community turns out in force, because their support is our edge."
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Positives despite difficult season
That was probably not how Jamie Joseph imagined his first season back as Highlanders head coach would pan out. A wooden-spoon finish has given him plenty to chew on as he prepares for next season. Hayden Meikle asks Joseph for some final thoughts on the 2025 campaign. Cynics can spend as much time as they like looking for cracks in the Highlanders as they lick their wounds after finishing dead last in Super Rugby. It seems they will not easily find any. Jamie Joseph said an intensive week of meetings and player reviews following the end of their season had thrown up some common themes — the first being that the players liked each other, and liked being at the club. "The team is pretty tightly connected," Joseph told the Otago Daily Times . "They're all good mates. We had a lot of new boys in this year but also a lot of young boys who have been through the grades, whether it's in high school right up to here, then down to under-20. "There's a lot of positive connections around, so what that means is this week's been pretty positive. One-on-ones are really important for the players to take some information away from the season so they can improve." It will not be all fist pumps and best wishes for next season. Several Highlanders players will not be back, some by their own choosing and some because Joseph has deemed them surplus to requirements. "There are always difficult conversations when you're the head coach and you've got a finite number that you can select. "Especially with this group of players. They're all really young, and I'm conscientious about their rugby. When the time comes, there'll be difficult conversations, but that's kind of my role." Joseph said the other big takeaway from player reviews was that his men on the ground could see the potential in the team. They won just three of their 14 games this season, but seven of their losses were by seven points or fewer. Some key injuries — notably to No 8 Hugh Renton — contributed to the tumble down the standings, as did a sort of collective loss of confidence that manifested itself in games going haywire at key moments. "We didn't really lose our way," Joseph maintained. "We just couldn't win those tight games, and there were a lot of factors in that. So they will understand and see that, which then leads to a real positive outlook for the team. "I'm a competitive guy, like most rugby coaches, so what I find hard is where the players are. They've worked so hard and come so close to get no reward. "But the table doesn't mean too much to me. It's just where we are. "If we nailed a few of those games, even half of them, we would be in a totally different position. I think people can see that, and certainly our fans can see that." Indeed, the response from Highlanders fans has been uncommonly generous. The coach banked so much capital from his first stint with the team, which included a fairy-tale title run in 2015, that there was always going to be some latitude around public expectation this season. Joseph made no excuses when the Highlanders started losing this season but he did regularly point to the relatively young age of the squad as a factor. The club has invested heavily in youth in recent years and the hope is that will come to fruition when some of these youngsters really find their feet. He pointed out depth remained an issue for the Highlanders, who have just one current All Black though they should have at least one more in a couple of weeks, compared with the other New Zealand teams. Then there is the No 10 issue. Cameron Millar and Taine Robinson are still finding their way at Super Rugby level, and while either or both might go on to great things, the fact remains the Highlanders do not presently have a top-class operator in the most important jersey. "I think in different games, at different times, most of our players got their confidence smacked in the nose, basically," Joseph said. "But everyone gets to look at the 9s and the 10s because decision-making around controlling the game on attack and defence, particularly on attack, sort of relies back on the 9s and the 10s." Renton's absence for most of the season was also a cruel blow. He offered so much as a leader and an on-field figure of action and respect, Joseph said, and was not easily replaced. While the Highlanders' results were poor, they were often a decent watch. The coach felt their game plan was sound and their approach positive — two things that were important to show off the club as an attractive destination for potential new players. "I think, when I look at all the other teams, we've played a more forward-dominating kind of game plan in the last couple of years using pressure, and I think you can contain teams like that. "But it's a lot safer if you've got the forwards to be able to play that kind of game. We lost a few players this year, particularly in the tight five, so that's one reason I think we needed adjustments to the game. "If we're going to attract outside backs to Dunedin, we need to play a game of rugby they're excited to play and also the fans are excited to watch. "We made quite a few changes to the game. I think it's the kind of game that's going to put us in a better position going forward." Perhaps the final judgement on this Highlanders season has been made by the team's best players. And they are unanimous in wanting to stay. Timoci Tavatavanawai, Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Caleb Tangitau have all extended their contracts in a major show of faith in the team's direction. "I think the modern rugby player and the professional are really conscious about their futures and really understand what they need to take themselves forward in terms of being a professional rugby player with a long career," Joseph said. "So that's really, really promising for us that there are a number of guys that are all wanting to come back. "I think Sam Gilbert is the only guy that's chosen to go overseas and he's been here six years. So it's a promising future — we've just got to make sure that we improve on the small things that we have to get right this year." Joseph has effectively been on non-stop Highlanders duty for nine months. He is looking forward to a little bit of time away from rugby to clear the head before preparing in earnest for next season. "My job really is to try and create a team and a team environment where the players can be at their best. "To some extent, I feel I've achieved that, but clearly there's a lot of work to do."
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Loosies Howden, Lasaqa extend Landers contracts
Two more Highlanders have made the call to stay with the club. Loose forwards TK Howden and Veveni Lasaqa, both of whom joined the Highlanders from the Hurricanes this season, have extended their contracts. Both will remain in the South until at least the end of the 2027 campaign. Both flankers made an impact in their first season with the Highlanders. Lasaqa, memorably described by coach Jamie Joseph as a man who was ''small but plays big'', appeared in all 14 games, making 10 starts at openside flank. The bustling Fijian did a bit of everything and did it well, and at 23, his best years should be ahead of him. Howden — full name Te Kamaka — was a little slower to get started as he got to full fitness. By the end of the season, the 24-year-old from Manawatu was a dynamic presence on both sides of the ball, and an automatic starter on the blindside. "Te Kamaka has been immense for us this season — tough, driven, and a real competitor," Joseph said. "We're trying to build a team that can grow together, and Te Kamaka is a big part of that vision." Lasaqa was named rookie of the year at the recent Highlanders awards. "Veveni brings energy, excitement and a real edge to our loose forwards," Joseph said. "He's only scratched the surface of what he can become. We're thrilled he's backing himself and backing us." The retention of Lasaqa and Howden follows the re-signings of a bunch of top-line players including Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai. Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark welcomed the announcements, reinforcing the club's commitment to developing and retaining young talent. "These signings reflect our belief in the future of the Highlanders," Clark said. "Te Kamaka and Veveni are not just talented players — they're great young men with the mindset we value. ''This is another strong step forward for our squad."
