Highlanders 2021
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@macmanus said in Highlanders 2021:
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Johnstone
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Dixon
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Tokolahi
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PariPari
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Dickson
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Fizell/Squire
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Lentjes/ Harmon
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MMT
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Smith
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Ioane
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Nareki
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TUJ
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Pae
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Punivai
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Alaimalo
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Coltman
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DLB
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Hohneck
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MSR
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Squire/Frizell
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Fakatava
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Hunt
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Collins
Damn, not sure if change much, maybe collins, either starts or doesn’t play for me, not sure he offers enough, maybe koroi or nms
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@macmanus said in Highlanders 2021:
@Kiwiwomble 2 days ago...
A chance he has an opportunity in Aus or something?
Are wider trading groups still a thing
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@Kiwiwomble I may be wrong but I think the (wider) training group consists - at least - of:
- players on a full contract
- players on a development contract
- All Blacks replacements (first month of preseason)
- injury replacements (for the duration of the injury of the player they're replacing)
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@Stargazer that was my thought, when he's played for Otago he's looked ok, MMT is going to first choice 8
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No Josh timu? I thought he played very well for otago,very unlucky I think
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@family-man oh yeah! think I would have preferred him to Sio I think
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@Stargazer Who will be in the WTG?
Tucker, Nu’u, Arscott, McDowall, Vahaakolo??
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Looking at the balance of the loosies:
The opensides are clearly Lentjes and Harmon, but all other loosies can play both 6 and 8, as far as I know. Frizell has been used at lock in the past, too.
You'd have to assume that these players will be starters:
6 Frizell, 7 Lentjes, 8 Mikaele-Tu'u
So what will be the pecking order for the bench spot? I don't expect Misiloi to see much game time, he's right at the bottom, I think.
I assume they're more likely to go for a 6/8 than for an openside? So Harmon only for rotation and in case of injury to Lentjes?
Squire is the most experienced; Himeno will have to adapt to the NZ set-up/culture etc, but they'll play him at some stage as they need to justify signing an overseas' player. So it will be between Squire and TBN for the 20 jersey, in the first instance? -
Lentjes is a bit of an known, injured for so long and already fighting for the 7 jersey with Hunt, id be interested to see Harmon play
think someone said Himeno has also played at 7 quite a bit so we might have him more in line for 6/7
yes, Frizell has played a lot of lock for Ta$man, not as much for us
There is a lot of fixability in these loosies , my money is on 6. frizell 8. MMT and Squire on the bench to start the season
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@KiwiMurph he was before getting injured, some of us were a but surprised because we thought Hunt was as good if not better when both 100%, he's not now and so will have a fight on his hands
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@macmanus said in Highlanders 2021:
@Stargazer Who will be in the WTG?
Tucker, Nu’u, Arscott, McDowall, Vahaakolo??
Nel and Charles Alaimalo also for loosies. Surely Timu is one the backs.
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Absolutely flabbergasted that the Highlanders and NZ Rugby would sign a 36 year old former All Black Lock who could not hold a place in the match day 23 for Hawkes Bay while a 23 year old by the name of Sam Caird who was outstanding for the Northland Taniwha , and I mean outstanding..has to go to the Waratahs to pick up a contract ..even Jack Whetton would have been a much better option ..
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Some snippets from the article below about Folau Fakatava, which is behind a pay-wall:
While he's loved his two years down south absorbing Smith's vast knowledge, Fakatava knows his path to a regular start is blocked. When the time comes to decide where to next, there will be no shortage of suitors for the future All Blacks halfback. "I have one more year with the Landers and we'll see what happens from there," Fakatava said as he prepares to link with Highlanders playmaker Josh Ioane for Moana Pasifika. "I'll look around for somewhere I can play some footy but I don't know yet."It's good to learn from Aaron but at the end of the day I need game time. You can't argue with that because he's the best but I'll hang around next year and see what happens. They reckon they'll give me more game time next year but we'll see.He seems to be interested in the new Pasifika team that might be joining the SR competition in 2022.
Liam Napier calls him a future All Black, and many of us would like to see that happen sooner rather than later, but it's still a big question which country he'll want to represent at test level.
The chance to represent Tonga, where Fakatava grew up before gaining a scholarship to Hastings' Boys High School, is close to his heart.Oh, and the mullet might go at the end of the year.
The next Aaron Smith? The rising Super Rugby star set to be in hot demand
Standout player will be in hot demand with NZ Super teams next year.
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@Stargazer if we loose him to someone like the Pasifika team then thats not bad, would be cool to see him head back to his roots, will be a bit disappointed if we cant put up as good an offer as other NZ teams, nuggy is getting on, surely we'll look to the future
