Highlanders 2021
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hope its wrong...but yeah...thats what i want to know
this season our stand outs were ash and our loosies....Dillon hunt gone and maybe ash plus some talk of Frizell going
area of weakness was midfield until collins came in and even then we'd only say it performed....let two midfielders go, one of witch didn't play so cant be held at fault and the other has a rare bad season...but we've kept one of the two who played, sio, who can firmly be blamed for poor form and loads of cards/penalties
i hope we havent done t because we havent appointed a new coach...i don't think any new coach would mind having Ash on board
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the culture has always been something that was talked about as a reason positive at the Highlanders, i think at least some of it comes from having so many out of towners so they support each other
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
Just saw on the socials we havent offered Ash Dixon a new contract.....
WTF? Probably the best performing hooker in SRA. And, if he continues his current form, also Mitre 10 Cup.
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I think I just heard Tony Johnson say in his commentary during the Ta$man v BOP game that Liam Squire will return to NZ rugby next year. I assume he meant Super Rugby. Are there any rumours of him re-signing with the Highlanders? I sure hope he's not going to keep Mikaele-Tu'u out of the 8 jersey ... Or could it be another franchise?
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@Stargazer I heard it too. He'd be bloody handy to have on the bench or as back up at 6/8 but maybe the canes could do with a 6 of his calibre to start.
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@Bones I don't think the Canes need another loosie. The starting and bench spots are basically already filled with who they have, even if Evans doesn't return (no idea whether he will). I was more thinking of the Chiefs, if not the Landers.
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Not that I assume he's on huge money, but could it be money related? If a franchise was in the shit for cash, I could see them passing on established players and trying to get 'value' out of up and comers (especially, when i think they still have Coltman).
It's literally the only reason I can think of not to sign him.
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a contributing factor might be if Frizell heads to the Saders as has been mentioned, without him and experienced 6 would be welcome
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@Kiwiwomble That could result in a Highlanders backrow of Squire, Mikaele-Tu'u and Lentjes. Not bad at all, although Squire has become a bit injury prone, the last few years.
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@Stargazer dont get me wrong, i would rather keep Frizell....but beggers etc
I'm worried Lentjes is getting past it, not in the best form for a while before getting injured, if we can get/keep some experience at 6 then i wouldn't mind running someone young/new at 7
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this seems a bit out of the blue, havent seen anything offical
i dont know whos making these signings, we havent announced a head coach
also not sure No8 is where we're light, we have MMT, Misiloi and Ben-Nicolas plays there too...and thats just off the top of my head
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@Kiwiwomble Himeno can also played 6 - played there at times during RWC.
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@Kiwiwomble Hmm, that would be a surprise signing. As to the Highlanders number 8s, IIRC, MMT is off-contract, but somehow I can't see him going anywhere else, unless there is a serious culture issue. This year, he was the first choice no. 8; I don't think there's a chance he could get that much game time anywhere else.
Misiloi is off-contract, too, and was injured all season. Not sure about TBN.
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@Stargazer misiloi fit again, played on the weekend as did Ben-nicolas
i wasn't up to date with the contract status so maybe some people are moving on and just not announced
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The news is correct. Kazuki Himeno will join the Highlanders for the 2021 season.
There's an announcement on the Toyota Verblitz website: http://sports.gazoo.com/verblitz/news/2020/10/007696.html
Steve Hansen's Toyota is one of the Japanese clubs who have signed several New Zealand players this year. Maybe some kind of deal between Toyoata V and NZR? The announcement sounds like he's going with their blessing and to get some overseas' experience that will benefit Japanese rugby.
