Highlanders 2021
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@kiwiwomble Ricky Jackson is the reserve hooker but he's been injured a lot. Has only played 16 games for Otago in 4 seasons, and only 1 for the Highlanders off the bench in 2019. Maybe he's not the answer, but Southland only have older players, I think in Greg Pleasants-Tate, Jason Rutledge and Seb Siataga? Possibly, the Highlanderes will have to look outside the catchment, unless there's a good one coming through? Can't remember how the two Harry's (Press and Hansen) from the Highlanders' U20s went.
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@stargazer i do like Ricky, the limited games hes had looked ok and he's only 22, injuries permitting hopefully he'll get more game time for otago this year
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@tim Nathan Vella, not exactly one for the future at 31
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@kiwiwomble Kianu Kereru-Symes? Stuck behind Ash Dixon in Hawke's Bay for one more season, but he was great for NZ U20s. Better than Jackson IMO and has already trained two seasons with the Canes on a development contract and one with the Blues on an injury replacment contract. There's also Tyrone Thompson, stuck in a queue in Wellington.
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@bovidae said in Highlanders 2021:
The Highlanders should be looking from within otherwise that doesn't help Otago or Southland in the long-term.
yeah, if Dixon goes then id be happy to look further afield as we'd want someone to step int the 23...but if we have another season or two with him and coltman then we're looking for a 3rd choice and so someone young and local would be preference
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@kiwiwomble Riccitelli might be a good short-term option if Coles stays on for a few more years and Dixon does finish. He's only the 3rd choice at the Canes and might prefer guaranteed playing time. He might also then do a Hammington and stay down there for the NPC.
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@bovidae hows his lineout? i have in my head he's "coltman like" and im not sure we can handle two
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@kiwiwomble Riccitelli's throwing is better than Coltman's, and he has the Ardie haircut to compensate for being a hobbit.
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@bovidae said in Highlanders 2021:
@kiwiwomble Riccitelli's throwing is better than Coltman's, and he has the Ardie haircut to compensate for being a hobbit.
I can't take Riccitelli seriously since someone described him as moving around the field like an angry toddler. It's so true. His little limbs moving at a hundred miles an hour crack me up.
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I'd say hooker is our big question moving forward.
Dixon might have another couple of seasons max left in him. Coltman has been struggling. Jackson is an ok mid-level potenitally bench hooker. But there's no one really jumping out to take over the 2 jersey when Dixon decides to call time.
Kereru-Symes is the guy I'd be targeting at the moment. But, I think we need to make a bit of a Fakatava kind of play at some of the young fellas. Make someone a long-term offer they can't refuse.
I think the 'Landers squad is looking quite nice going forward. Apart from overall forward depth, that hooker spot is so important and there just looks to be a big hole there.
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If only i hadn't blown my knee!
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@southernmann Yeah, Kereru-Symes is only 22 years old and has already played 3 seasons of NPC, learning from Dixon. He may be ready for the step up, although developing frontrowers seems to take more time than backs. James Parsons seemed to be impressed, when he talked about him after his time with the Blues. Could have a long future ahead of him.
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