Highlanders 2022

Stargazer

@Davies No, there are not. He's still signed with NZ Rugby for 2023 and he wants to be an All Black (and has a good chance becoming one). I can't see him leave NZ in the near future. Fortunately.

Davies

Thanks for that it didn’t sound right when it was mentioned .

Grooter

read that De Groot is on abs rest week for the Tahs game and Mitch hunt probably won't be in the 23, the good news is Denny Solomona is available & Shannon Frizell will be ready for quarter final time

Smudge

This is quite nice.

https://fb.watch/d3RIBHs0pC/

Kiwiwomble

@Smudge i love the stories of blokes just turning up and trying to play some rugby, reminds me of tanaka coming down to dunedin, no promises, just come and play and see how you go

Kiwiwomble

love or hate him he's been a true stalwart and loyal servant

SouthernMann

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:

love or hate him he's been a true stalwart and loyal servant

And yet we haven't yet invested in a quality young hooker.

Bones

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2022:

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:

love or hate him he's been a true stalwart and loyal servant

And yet we haven't yet invested in a quality young hooker.

We'll get one of the ones being blooded at the other franchises! Thomson or Vikena will turn up in a season or two I'm sure...

Stargazer

@Bones Thompson? I seriously doubt that. I can see him overtake Slater at the Chiefs, next season. One of the many hookers used by the Hurricanes is more likely.

Kiwiwomble

i actually thought ricky jackson looked much better in last years npc and henry bell looked very promising

Bones

@Stargazer you read it here first!

Grooter

@Kiwiwomble they'll have high hopes for Jack Taylor as if I'm not mistaken he's on the same high performance program that has seen Ma'u, Withy & Holland complete

SouthernMann

Next year Taylor will be in year two of his initial three year contract. He will be turning 20. Probably won't be filling the immediate hole. I think they will be aiming for these academy players to potentially make the step up in year three, if they are capable. Also bearing in mind the other two hookers are older as well. We might be needing a full set of hookers within the next couple of years. There has been a lack of forward planning regarding the hooking position.

macmanus

@SouthernMann Ricky Jackson is not contracted for 2023… Henry Bell can be the 3 hooker next year, also Taylor. Southern boys

KiwiMurph

@Bones said in Highlanders 2022:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2022:

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:

love or hate him he's been a true stalwart and loyal servant

And yet we haven't yet invested in a quality young hooker.

We'll get one of the ones being blooded at the other franchises! Thomson or Vikena will turn up in a season or two I'm sure...

The one you really want is Riccitelli.....

Bones

@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2022:

@Bones said in Highlanders 2022:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2022:

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:

love or hate him he's been a true stalwart and loyal servant

And yet we haven't yet invested in a quality young hooker.

We'll get one of the ones being blooded at the other franchises! Thomson or Vikena will turn up in a season or two I'm sure...

The one you really want is Riccitelli.....

I riccitellyou you're wrong

SouthernMann

@macmanus said in Highlanders 2022:

@SouthernMann Ricky Jackson is not contracted for 2023… Henry Bell can be the 3 hooker next year, also Taylor. Southern boys

Ricky Jackson, Henry Bell and a young fella from Southland who hasn't played first class rugby doesn't inspire me.

Bovidae

It is strange that the Highlanders don't appear to have a succession plan at hooker, as Marshall (who replaced Jackson) is the youngest of the current three at 29.

Flynn Thomas was highly rated as an age-group player. I doubt you'll get Bell back from the Crusaders now.

Grooter

@Bovidae bell venturing off to the red & blacks stings almost as bad as Corey Flynn🙂

macmanus

@Bovidae George Bell is a great prospect. He’s better than McAlister and Klein

The Silver Fern

Highlanders 2022