Highlanders 2023
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones he's solid for sure but I would potentially swap him and Gilbert around. There seems to be a trend across most franchises that there is a need to recruit outside backs. It will be interesting to see who lands where.
I don't want Hunt getting in the way. He's like a lowlight reel of Mounga/Dmac when he's at ten.
Heck I'd throw Smith or Fakatava there first.
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I really like the optimism. Sadly, there isn't the cattle to back it up. I still think how many of our players would start for other franchises. I can only think of seven; EDG, two of our locks, Frizzell, both halfbacks and TUG (if at his best and fit). Lowe and Nareki can be quality wingers. But are they any better than what others have? Probably not. We are in a world of pain if the tractor Gregory is going to be our centre. Timu is a scrapper, not a world beater. At the moment he is our first choice centre. We don't have a 10. Rumour is Leni Apisai has already been signed as a third hooker. That rules out the stand out performer in Henry Bell. Our 2021 first string fullback can't even start for Wellington. Then we.have Mitch Hunt who hasn't even stripped during the NPC due to lingering concussion issues. We will be scrapping for the 7/8 spots in the quarter finals.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
I really like the optimism. Sadly, there isn't the cattle to back it up. I still think how many of our players would start for other franchises. I can only think of seven; EDG, two of our locks, Frizzell, both halfbacks and TUG (if at his best and fit). Lowe and Nareki can be quality wingers. But are they any better than what others have? Probably not. We are in a world of pain if the tractor Gregory is going to be our centre. Timu is a scrapper, not a world beater. At the moment he is our first choice centre. We don't have a 10. Rumour is Leni Apisai has already been signed as a third hooker. That rules out the stand out performer in Henry Bell. Our 2021 first string fullback can't even start for Wellington. Then we.have Mitch Hunt who hasn't even stripped during the NPC due to lingering concussion issues. We will be scrapping for the 7/8 spots in the quarter finals.
all i took from that is your right!....we forgot CGB!...straight in to 15 and hunt to the bench....W'RE GOING TO WIN IT ALL!
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@Kiwiwomble I didn't forget cgb...
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones oh, not a fan?
Only if you feel like it, you could take a few seconds to read the post where I loosely name my starting sure.
Only if you feel like it.
It's just after the one where c4l asks me what my team would be.
If you have time.
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@Bones wow, the sarcasm is strong with this one, i just missed him at 14 in your list and when you said you hadnt missed him i thought you meant deliberately dropped him, apologies
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones wow, the sarcasm is strong with this one, i just missed him at 14 in your list and when you said you hadnt missed him i thought you meant deliberately dropped him, apologies
Yeah yeah you probably didn't even see the whole post
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@FakatavaAllBlack i think thats pretty much what id go for given our squad
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Typical highlanders. Let Henry Bell bugger off, he is heading over the MLR in the US. Looks a sure thing that Leni Apisai is with the Landers next year. What a joke. Sounds like he has signed on for 2024 for two years for the Highlanders. Which just shows the franchise screwed up, and was surprised by his form.
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/warriors-sign-henry-bell/
I have a feeling Fetuli Paea won't be back. He originally only signed a two year contract originally. Will be interesting to see who our midfield options are. I suspect Umaga-Jensen, Timu and the tractor Gregory are locked in. So just after a fourth. Also remembering Jake Te Hiwi will be joining the team in 2024. So either the last midfielder is just a year contract. Or someone like Gregory could be on borrowed time.
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fuck that pisses me off...bloody criminal
wish we did something more like football where we sign them up but then can loan them, so we can lock him in but if we want him to work on something we can send him off to somewhere like MLR
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
fuck that pisses me off...bloody criminal
wish we did something more like football where we sign them up but then can loan them, so we can lock him in but if we want him to work on something we can send him off to somewhere like MLR
Seems that is what is happening. Off to be looked after by uncle coops. He is just better than what we have signed
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
Selby-Rickit off to the Chiefs I hear. Tucker to replace him.
That’s a surprise the Chiefs must be letting a lock go as they had
Retallick
Lord
Vai
Ahkoui
McWannell -
I'm interested to know which positions have been filled over the last couple of months. Have heard Leni Apisai as the third hooker. Which is pushing Henry Bell to MLR.
We know about Jonah Lowe.
The forwards are generally fine; locks are good, same with props, starting loosies very good, lack a bit of depth. Big problem is hooker. Our stock seems a bit rubbish. Although, Marshall has been good for Waikato.
First five is a big problem. Hunt hasn't played footy in months due to concussion. That leaves Banks and Koroi as our contracted first fives. Cam Millar doesn't start his contract until 2024. Sam Gilbert may find himself playing a bit of footy in the 10 jersey.
Midfield may be interesting. Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Josh Timu are locks. The tractor Scott Gregory should get in there too, on the basis of no one else being around. Tomkinson goooone, Punivai and Paea probably not coming back. Probably two spots available in the midfield rotation.
Outside backs might be interesting. CGB, Gilbert, Lowe and Nareki will be there. Will Dawai be back? Alaimalo is long goone. He will need a replacement. Will Koroi be classified as a 10?
Annnnd, the big question; Will the Highlanders be beggers not choosers and have to draft in Jackson Garden-Bachop?
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@Chris Maybe the Blues have enticed one to replace Goodhue. McWhannell please.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris Maybe the Blues are looking for one to replace Goodhue.
makes sense if they are
