Highlanders 2019 Discussion
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Personal issues sideline Liam Squire
All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire will miss the Highlanders' upcoming tour of South Africa to deal with personal issues. Squire was meant to make his Super Rugby season debut yesterday, off the bench against the Jaguares, but he was a late withdrawal as the Highlanders claimed a 32-27 victory. Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger explained that Squire's absence was due to personal matters. "Definitely Liam was a bit of a blow ... he's just dealing with some personal family issues at the moment. "He won't come back on tour with us - at least for the first week, but as it stands it's likely to be the duration of the tour. "It's important that our boys are in a space to play the games and at the moment Liam's got to attend to a few things that he needs to deal to." Squire has yet to play for the Highlanders in 2019, after first having a hip injury that kept him out for the opening month. Just as he was back into full training, he tore the medial ligament in his knee, and now the earliest he will be able to return is in the Highlanders' penultimate game of the regular season.It's not the only All Blacks blow the Highlanders are going to suffer from, with Jackson Hemopo also not available to play in their games against the Lions and the Stormers due to a knee injury. "We need to take fresh bodies, he won't be available for the first game against the Lions, so we want to make sure we've got fully fit bodies on the field," said Mauger. Winger Tevita Li is also a doubt for the touring side after suffering a hamstring injury in the win yesterday, but he will be evaluated before the squad is named this morning. In better news for the Highlanders, All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo will be included in the 27-man squad after recovering from an ACL injury, while Teihorangi Walden will also return to the squad and be available for selection. -
I wonder why Whetton went to the Highlanders who are pretty well equipped with locks (Franklin, Hemopo, Dickson, Parkinson) while teams like the Chiefs and the Canes are struggling to find locks who are standing above 1.95 m. He could have got more game time there.
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
I wonder why Whetton went to the Highlanders who are pretty well equipped with locks (Franklin, Hemopo, Dickson, Parkinson) while teams like the Chiefs and the Canes are struggling to find locks who are standing above 1.95 m. He could have got more game time there.
Last year there were rumours that he was going to the Canes. That would have the best decision
He was named to start against the Crusaders but that was the cancelled game. He’s barely made the bench since then
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@Duluth said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
I wonder why Whetton went to the Highlanders who are pretty well equipped with locks (Franklin, Hemopo, Dickson, Parkinson) while teams like the Chiefs and the Canes are struggling to find locks who are standing above 1.95 m. He could have got more game time there.
Last year there were rumours that he was going to the Canes. That would have the best decision
He was named to start against the Crusaders but that was the cancelled game. He’s barely made the bench since then
So he could sit on the bench or in the stands with the other locks over 1.90m watching the midget play?
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The Highlanders don't have to look far in their squad for a like for like replacement in Josh McKay. He has a similar build to Smith and seems like a smart, elusive footballer from what I've seen.
The Highlanders may also go after the likes of Peter Umaga-Jensen and Jonah Lowe who have struggled for minutes at the Canes.
Collins though....bahahahah
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Agreed. There is plenty of younger talent around - even at the Saders - to try to sign before Collins!
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The Finisher, The Playmaker and The Leader: The three players who could replace Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo and Matt Faddes
OPINION: With 2020 shaping up to be a tumultuous season for the Highlanders due to a raft of star players heading overseas, could a number of local talents be lured to the Super Rugby side to bolster their stocks?
If McKay is an out-and-out goal-kicking speedster, Nareki a freakish finisher and Koroi an electric playmaking option, then Collins brings solidity, maturity, experience and highly-valued communication skills of which Umaga lauded during his time as Blues head coach. -
@Duluth said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
The Finisher, The Playmaker and The Leader: The three players who could replace Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo and Matt Faddes
OPINION: With 2020 shaping up to be a tumultuous season for the Highlanders due to a raft of star players heading overseas, could a number of local talents be lured to the Super Rugby side to bolster their stocks?
If McKay is an out-and-out goal-kicking speedster, Nareki a freakish finisher and Koroi an electric playmaking option, then Collins brings solidity, maturity, experience and highly-valued communication skills of which Umaga lauded during his time as Blues head coach.Solidity in that he has bricks for hands.
Maturity in that having him in your side gets old fast.
Experience of being mediocre.
And that highly-valued communication that keeps the score board ticking over and comes up with the big plays. -
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12233906
This was written a couple of days ago. Mauger might get demoted
