Highlanders 2022
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Generally quite happy with the squad. I hear one player omission is because a player won't get vaccinated.
I haven't heard about Max Hicks before. I would have liked to have seen Charles Alaimalo get that gig.
The lack of future planning around the hooking role is a touch concerning. No one aged under 29?
I think we can put out a really exciting backline that can test a lot of the top teams, should they all stay injury free.
Top team
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de Groot
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Coltman
3, Ainsley -
Dickson
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Selby-Rickett
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Frizzell
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Lentjes
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Tu'u
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Smith/Fakatava
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Hunt
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Dawai
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Umaga-Jensen
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Paea
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Alaimalo/Garden-Bachop
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Garden-Bachop/Gilbert
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Makalio/Marshall
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Johnstone
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Hohneck
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Evans
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Evans/Renton
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Smith/Fakatava
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Banks
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Alaimalo/Garden-Bachop/Gilert/Gregory/Tomkinson
While there are not many All Blacks, I expect this squad to sit in the top three of the NZ sides.
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@southernmann i started trying but...gave up
I'd be happy enough with yous, preference to not have frizzell mainly for non rugby reasons but i guess if we're paying him...
any idea who might have been the vax holdout?
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@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:
@southernmann i started trying but...gave up
I'd be happy enough with yous, preference to not have frizzell mainly for non rugby reasons but i guess if we're paying him...
any idea who might have been the vax holdout?
@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:
@southernmann i started trying but...gave up
I'd be happy enough with yous, preference to not have frizzell mainly for non rugby reasons but i guess if we're paying him...
any idea who might have been the vax holdout?
The rumoured vax hold out had a very good provincial campaign...
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@southernmann hmmmm...now you have me wondering if its one of those from the otago squad i thought had very good NPC seasons
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A lot of people have been asking about the player, especially considering the player who made the squad in the spot fans thought the player should have got. Don't want to mention the player's name, as it is just a rumour I have heard.
It is sad if it is the case, as he does have a lot of potential.
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@southernmann yeah, fair enough
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@southernmann not sure I'd be looking at Alaimalo at 13, don't think he has the defensive nous
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@southernmann not sure I'd be looking at Alaimalo at 13, don't think he has the defensive nous
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@taniwharugby as long as he doesn't clothesline or late tackle bloke then hes an improvement on Sio
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@taniwharugby My mistake with the team list. Had a comma where a full stop should have been, throwing it all out.
Top team
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de Groot
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Coltman
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Ainsley
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Dickson
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Selby-Rickett
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Frizzell
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Lentjes
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Tu'u
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Smith/Fakatava
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Hunt
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Dawai
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Umaga-Jensen
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Paea
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Alaimalo/Garden-Bachop
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Garden-Bachop/Gilbert
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Makalio/Marshall
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Johnstone
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Hohneck
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Evans
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Evans/Renton
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Smith/Fakatava
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Banks
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Alaimalo/Garden-Bachop/Gilert/Gregory/Tomkinson
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i was excited to see TUJ and Paea as a midfield last year, big and strong...i am again and really worried one will get an injury
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Still room for the odd surprise
The Highlanders have had the luxury of rolling the dice on a handful of new players for the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific competition. Most of the...
nice little write up
Five players from within the Highlanders region will be named to development contracts, meaning the likes of Otago lock Fabian Holland and first five Cam Millar could get a chance to be around the professional squad.That would be good news
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@stargazer was just going to post that, obviously dont want anyone to get injured....but i have often though he ended up taking a spot and stopping us doing something new
wonder if freedom will be called up?
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@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:
@stargazer was just going to post that, obviously dont want anyone to get injured....but i have often though he ended up taking a spot and stopping us doing something new
He comes across as having a bit of an attitude and has a habit of getting cards. Might be a top bloke off the field but on field could be a liability.
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@chimoaus said in Highlanders 2022:
@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:
@stargazer was just going to post that, obviously dont want anyone to get injured....but i have often though he ended up taking a spot and stopping us doing something new
He comes across as having a bit of an attitude and has a habit of getting cards. Might be a top bloke off the field but on field could be a liability.
Yeah he's had some challenges with tackle technique. He's a solid midfielder and has even covered wing. I guess Freedom Vahaakalo now?
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@themojoman you're more generous than i, even if he doesn't clothesline/shoulder charge/late tackle someone he always charges out of the line leaving big holes, every time i see him line someone up im holding my breath for either a card/penalty or them to break the line through the hole he's left
and offers very little on attack, a disproportionate number of his tries are just crash ball 5m out...he basically plays like a loosie but in midfield...and without the turnovers
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@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:
wonder if freedom will be called up?
Based on an earlier comment I am assuming there was a non-rugby reason why he wasn't selected.
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Always sad to read about a player suffering an injury that rules them out for a long period.
Although, this does open the door for a Paea and Umaga-Jensen to lock down the midfield.
I guess we will see if Vaha'akolo is available. As a fit and health wing/centre he is a viable replacement.
