Highlanders 2021

[Smudge]

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2021:

Once Tomkinson gets his red card the team list will be accurate.

As a Highlanders fan, it hurts me to like this post.

Not as much as Tomkinson's arm/shoulder will hurt a rival's head this season, mind you.

[Kiwiwomble]

well, that's a real bugger

[Kiwiwomble]

are we going to see Jamie Mackintosh get a call up if he's knocking around dunners

[Bovidae]

Johnstone received a head knock during the North-South game, as he went off not long after coming on as a sub. A worry if he is still having symptoms.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Bovidae yeah, what is it, 5 months?

[Bovidae]

@Kiwiwomble Sept 5, and he hasn't played since then.

[Tim]

@Kiwiwomble There are some solid props in the WTGs of the various squads, so it would be good to see one of them get some experience.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Tim would love to check them out, any idea where the TG's are listed?

it will be interesting as Ainsley and Johnstone where probably first string so might be a big step up for some young blokes

[mikey07]

@Kiwiwomble I don’t know if you have Instagram or not but look at the Chiefs and the Canes players they had in the pre season class on the weekend, the Blues are useless in this regard as they didn’t post the team lists.

[Bovidae]

The extra props used by the Highlanders in Temuka would be at the top of the list for replacements.

[Tim]

@Kiwiwomble Unfortunately teams are poor at updating this info.

The Harbour boys McElroy (LH), Mayhew (LH) (if fit), and Roots (TH) are worth looking at. McElroy is WTG for the Blues, and played club rugby in Dunedin as well as for Otago U19.

From Auckland there's Marco Fepuleai (Blues WTG, TH)

From Counties Lindenmuth (LH, Chiefs WTG)

From BOP Jordan Lay and Tevita Mafileo (TH, Hurricanes WTG)

From Ta$man there's Samuel Matenga (TH) and Ryan Coxon (LH).

Maybe someone from the Crusaders, Highlanders, or Chiefs WTG I haven't seen too.

[Bovidae]

Josh Iosefa-Scott is one of the Chiefs WTG props. Of course, he was in the Highlanders squad until this year. The other Chiefs prop not mentioned is Joe Apikotoa (TH, Hawke's).

[mikey07]

@Tim said in Highlanders 2021:
Tevita Mafileo (TH, Hurricanes WTG)

Mafileo has a full time contract with the Canes u til 2022

(https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/hurricanes-bolster-forward-pack-for-2021/)

[Stargazer]

@Tim The Crusaders may need a replacement for Oliver Jager.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Stargazer yeah, but if you're a young prop on the up where are you more likely to want to go....

[Stargazer]

Chris Eves is back in the country again, too. Came out of managed isolation last week.

[bobily2]

Rob Cobb is probably worth looking at too.

[Stargazer]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300235232/super-rugby-folau-fakatavas-rise-at-highlanders-to-take-load-off-aaron-smith

[Kiwiwomble]

so some thoughts after watching the pre season game on friday

Smith v Fakatava

im almost feeling like Fakatava should start, go nuts with fresh legs, and Smith come on later as the old/experienced head to close out a game

obviously i doubt it will, at least at the start of the season

a fun problem to have

[Bones]

@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:

so some thoughts after watching the pre season game on friday

Smith v Fakatava

im almost feeling like Fakatava should start, go nuts with fresh legs, and Smith come on later as the old/experienced head to close out a game

obviously i doubt it will, at least at the start of the season

a fun problem to have

Nah let Smith start with his guile and pass that beats 3 men. Fakatava with his running game and speed to pick holes will be even more dangerous.