Highlanders 2021
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@stargazer said in Highlanders 2021:
All good NPC players.
Fomai has represented Samoa in sevens, has been very good the last few seasons for the Magpies (at 13 and on the wing) and was in the Blues environment since preseason until about a month or so, ago. He has been with the Highlanders since.
Funaki played openside for Hawke's Bay, not at no. 8, but he probably can play all backrow positions. Really stepped up at the end of the 2020 NPC season with some great tries, esp. against Taranaki. Very physical, but green at SR level, of course. Has played sevens for Tonga. I saw him in a photo on instagram with Fomai and thought Fomai was back in the Bay haha; turns out Funaki was in Dunedin instead.
I can only remember seeing Timoci play for the Crusaders during preseason and he looked very promising. Strong winger.
Tim O'Malley has been a solid NPC players over the years. Always a bit on the fringes of SR selection.
The Stuff article @Bovidae is referring to, is this one:
Good summation. And you've generally made them sound like good pick-ups. But really, this is another illustration of our eroded depth. O'Malley as an example has been around for several seasons and is no better now than he has been every other season when he's been deemed not to be up to it.
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@stargazer he really has become the consummate professional, he's not even form down south but he genuinely seems to love the highlanders. There will be a huge whole (metaphorically because hes a small bloke) left in NZ rugby when he retires
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@stargazer said in Highlanders 2021:
All good NPC players.
Fomai has represented Samoa in sevens, has been very good the last few seasons for the Magpies (at 13 and on the wing) and was in the Blues environment since preseason until about a month or so, ago. He has been with the Highlanders since.
Funaki played openside for Hawke's Bay, not at no. 8, but he probably can play all backrow positions. Really stepped up at the end of the 2020 NPC season with some great tries, esp. against Taranaki. Very physical, but green at SR level, of course. Has played sevens for Tonga. I saw him in a photo on instagram with Fomai and thought Fomai was back in the Bay haha; turns out Funaki was in Dunedin instead.
I can only remember seeing Timoci play for the Crusaders during preseason and he looked very promising. Strong winger.
Tim O'Malley has been a solid NPC players over the years. Always a bit on the fringes of SR selection.
The Stuff article @Bovidae is referring to, is this one:
That photo just screams southern man beer commercial - is he from farming stock?..
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@nostrildamus he could be you know.
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@nostrildamus you don't say, think they got out of the orchard business just in time
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@stargazer I've watched it. I couldn't stop thinking about his disgraceful airport toilet encounter when they were all banging on about what a great bloke/husband/Dad he is.
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@shark said in Highlanders 2021:
@stargazer I've watched it. I couldn't stop thinking about his disgraceful airport toilet encounter when they were all banging on about what a great bloke/husband/Dad he is.
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Hunt confirmed on Wednesday that he had re-signed until the end of the 2023 season, joining Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava and Shannon Frizell in committing to the Highlanders until the next Rugby World Cup.
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@stargazer was just coming to post this, thats great news, has really settled into his role
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@duluth found an article thats just listed him as unknown
edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"
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The Canes should chase him hard if he's available. He's good enough to start at SR level
Maybe leaving Dunedin would be a good idea based on his last 12 months
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@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"
He only signed a one year extension with Otago last year. Doesn't mean he's leaving, but he was clearly keeping his options open
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@duluth for him yeah, you might be right, for us?....bugger
Was really hoping he would settle and grow like Sopoaga did, he had a few rough seasons early on too
@duluth said in Highlanders 2021:
@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"
He only signed a one year extension with Otago last year. Doesn't mean he's leaving, but he was clearly keeping his options open
yeah, not often a good sign
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@duluth said in Highlanders 2021:
@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"
He only signed a one year extension with Otago last year. Doesn't mean he's leaving, but he was clearly keeping his options open
Moana Pasifika
