Highlanders 2023
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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
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
We know about Jonah Lowe
I don't know what we know. What do we know?
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
Selby-Rickit off to the Chiefs I hear. Tucker to replace him.
Will be interesting to see if he gets gametime for the Chiefs. Will be tough to see him punching past their three ABs. On the otherside I doubt the Landers will be too cut up about losing him. The top three locks are quite handy and probably sitting ahead of Selby-Rickett now.
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@SouthernMann Don't think the coaches were ever that fond of MSR... as we know, a bit of a special record off the field.
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris Don't forget Lord is probably out injured most of the season, and Ah Kuoi and Va'ai might both be more suited to playing 6.
Is not Lord back for start of SR.Yep I can see AH Kuoi being used at 6 with Bay Of Plenty using him there for NPC.
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann Don't think the coaches were ever that fond of MSR... as we know, a bit of a special record off the field.
From a Highlanders perspevtive. You have Dickson who has been in the All Black set up. Then Holland is just an absolute sponge and keeps on improving everytime he steps on the field. We know what PPP can do when he is on. Max Hicks is also a solid bench option. So not phased by MSR going.
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@SouthernMann I think an MSR/Dickson combo is excellent. A bit of a "lite" version of Retallick/Whitelock.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann I think an MSR/Dickson combo is excellent. A bit of a "lite" version of Retallick/Whitelock.
Skill wise Holland blows them both out of the water. Dickson is the mongrel, Holland just can do everything. The guy is young though. Only in his second year out of school. There is no way he can or should play every week. Plenty of rotation between him, PPP and Dickson is in order. Think Max Hicks can add a fair bit coming on late too. Really like the idea of him, Withy, Fakatava, Ma'u and hopefully Pole bringing aome heat off the bench.
