Highlanders 2020
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@Nepia said in Highlanders 2020:
@shark said in Highlanders 2020:
The point I'm making in opposition to the idea that wing is a tried and true path to player development into other positions, is that it hasn't been the case all that often. It's a lot different to how Australian RL fullbacks often drift successfuly into five-eighth, or another good Australian example is batsmen coming in at 5 and especially 6 then successfuly moving up to 3 or 4 in the test side.
I think across NZ rugby (@Bones didn't specify AB level) that a decent number of fullbacks (Dagg probably debuted at wing for the Magpies) would start out at wing, and probably a few centres (like your mention of ALB, Bunce, Clarke, and Innes at AB level etc).
That makes sense. Positionally fullback is much harder and needs to be a communicator to the wings. In much the same way centre takes experience to play well.
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@shark said in Highlanders 2020:
@Rapido I'll grant you Clarke for Auckland in 1991 and the ABs in 1992, but Tana was a winger for several years as opposed to starting out there, and was he a midfielder prior?
Tana was League centre before that. (for Wainuioamata, Wellington and Junior Kiwis)
Shoved into the 'easy' development position of wing, for the start of his union career. Took 5 years to shake that off. -
Getting all 1990s and sub-AB level.
Brendan Laney. George Konia, Rico Gear.
Centres, especially in the lower division provinces where they started. Then wingers when move to first division or Super 12 level, for a good half decade or so. Then eventually back to midfield. Although my memory is fuzzy on Laney.
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I think Craig Innes is the best example in support of the 'tried and true path' argument. A centre at age grade level up to NZ Colts who then played wing on the 1989 EOYT before supplanting Smoking Joe in 1990. But that was only at AB level, briefly, and in a pretty damn good AB side too. Tana is a decent example but he was playing wing because he was new to union, as opposed to easing his way in at a higher level, out of position.
Sam Gilbert, a 10/15 playing wing for a slightly messed-up SR franchise, doesn't appeal as a similar success story.
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@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2020:
@shark said in Highlanders 2020:
I'm trying to think of All Blacks who weren't wingers but started out there at provincial or SR level. Maybe Colin Slade. Shane Philpott. Daryl Gibson. ALB debuted on the wing for the Chiefs I think, for a game or two. Not a lot of "tried and true" stories there.
Mils started as a winger for the Blues in 2002.
I remember Mils on the wing for John Boe's NZ U19 team in 2000.
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Ainsley is unlikely to be the last arrival or departure at the Highlanders before next season.
They have already added Nehe Milner-Skudder, Sam Gilbert and injury replacement Tom Florence (in for Sione Misiloi) for Super Rugby Aotearoa, and coach Aaron Mauger last week reveal that some players "were playing for contracts".
Iosefa-Scott, Michael Collins, Tevita Nabura and Josh McKay are among those coming off contract and there is plenty of heat for spots in the outside backs with Connor Garden-Bachop set to available in 2021 after injury ruined his campaign this year before it even started.
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@Duluth said in Highlanders 2020:
Hope he goes to the Chiefs
fuck you.
Actually, he's worked with Rangi in the past so Blues is probably more likely.
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@Duluth said in Highlanders 2020:
Hope he goes to the Chiefs
Makes sense as we need a head coach for next year don't we?
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@Duluth said in Highlanders 2020:
Hope he goes to the Chiefs
Blues fans have got very chippy after a few wins.
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