Tevita Li to Highlanders

nzzp

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11665013'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11665013</a>
 
Well, didn't see that one coming.
 
Tana having a clean out. Hopefully Li starts listening, skills up and turns into a phenomenon. Either that or they have realised that you can't buy a place in auckland on only 200k/year :|

mimic

interesting.. i think most blues supporters were wondering how he got to start game after game.. 
i for one am bloody relieved.. all the best for tevita li..

SouthernMan

I'm going to cross my fingers he will end up like the other Blues rejects.

Canes4life

Those house prices will get yah!!

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="592584" data-time="1467094770">interesting.. i think most blues supporters were wondering how he got to start game after game.. 
i for one am bloody relieved.. all the best for tevita li..</blockquote>
Yeah odd to be jettisoning the guy who couldn't be dropped.

Dice

Does this mean we've signed Tim Nanai-Williams?
 
I think the Highlanders is a good fit for Li. Guys like the two Smiths and Sopoaga are winger-friendly type players, which should hopefully help him play at a higher level.
 
He didn't live up to the hype over here, but he seems like a good kid, so I wish him all the best.

hydro11

Osborne, Naholo, Buckman and Faddes are all far better players than Li right now. Didn't see this one coming at all.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="592600" data-time="1467096588">Osborne, Naholo, Buckman and Faddes are all far better players than Li right now. Didn't see this one coming at all.</blockquote>
I'd even take Wilson over him.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="592596" data-time="1467096216">
<div>
Does this mean we've signed Tim Nanai-Williams?
 
I think the Highlanders is a good fit for Li. Guys like the two Smiths and Sopoaga are winger-friendly type players, which should hopefully help him play at a higher level.
 
He didn't live up to the hype over here, but he seems like a good kid, so I wish him all the best.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Id say so. Nanai Williams and Sonny Bill Williams are like two peas in a pod so id suggest he will follow suit!!

African Monkey

Not too upset by this tbh. Hope he does well but didn't really kick on with us. I can't see him being anymore than a solid super rugby player at best.

Immenso Rapido

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="592600" data-time="1467096588">
Osborne, Naholo, Buckman and Faddes are all far better players than Li right now. Didn't see this one coming at all.</blockquote>
 
Osborne probably going. 
He played for Fiji this June, usually sign that a dual qualified guy is planing ahead to a stint in Europe.

SouthernMan

Osborne has re-signed with the Highlanders for next year. Although I do see Li as a good long term replacement for him. Faddes may play quite a bit of centre, while Naholo is also a prospect there. So the squad is starting to look midfield heavy, even though a substantial number can play on the wing.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="592615" data-time="1467098819">
<div>
Osborne probably going. 
He played for Fiji this June, usually sign that a dual qualified guy is planing ahead to a stint in Europe.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
No, Osborne has re-signed with the Landers in May. I expect Tongia to leave ...

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="592620" data-time="1467099386">
<div>
No, Osborne has re-signed with the Landers in May. I expect Tongia to leave ...
</div>
</blockquote>
Tongia reminds me of Telusa Veainu where he's more than good enough to play at Super Rugby level but just can't buy an opportunity to show what he's made of.

Steven Harris

i am hearing Tim Nanai Williams will be a lock in for the Blues in 2017,given its been a postion they have struggled with in 2016,which makes sence,the guy who will need to lift his game in the the last few rounds of the season is Lolagi Visnia,hailed as the next best thing when he came through Kelston Boys,has all the skills to be a top fullback,but lacks real intelligence in terms of identifying space and setting up outsides.The less said about Matt Duffie,an unknown player that i understand the Chiefs are looking at is Solomon Alaimalo who has just been signed by Northland,Solomon has come out of the Canterbury and Crusaders structure,a very tall strapping winger with very good pace and a very good skill set,also has an ability to play fullback,has been ripping up in a very poor club team.
I am wondering given that Tevita Li is moving on,if the Blues are looking at Alaimalo as well,The Blues should still have some reasonable cover in the outside backs with Reiko Ioane,Nemani Nanai,Ben Lam and Rene Ranger as a wing option.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Steven Harris" data-cid="592623" data-time="1467100337">
<div>
i am hearing Tim Nanai Williams will be a lock in for the Blues in 2017,given its been a postion they have struggled with in 2016,which makes sence,the guy who will need to lift his game in the the last few rounds of the season is Lolagi Visnia,hailed as the next best thing when he came through Kelston Boys,has all the skills to be a top fullback,but lacks real intelligence in terms of identifying space and setting up outsides.The less said about Matt Duffie,an unknown player that i understand the Chiefs are looking at is Solomon Alaimalo who has just been signed by Northland,Solomon has come out of the Canterbury and Crusaders structure,a very tall strapping winger with very good pace and a very good skill set,also has an ability to play fullback,has been ripping up in a very poor club team.
I am wondering given that Tevita Li is moving on,if the Blues are looking at Alaimalo as well,The Blues should still have some reasonable cover in the outside backs with Reiko Ioane,Nemani Nanai,Ben Lam and Rene Ranger as a wing option.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
was hoping he'd be playing last Friday.

Dice

If TNW is signed, when are we going to announce that Counties is back with the Blues?

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="592600" data-time="1467096588">
<div>
Osborne, Naholo, Buckman and Faddes are all far better players than Li right now. Didn't see this one coming at all.
</div>
</blockquote>
I'd be gutted if I was Ryan Tongia too - not given many chances and now they sign someone else

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="592630" data-time="1467103198">
<div>
If TNW is signed, when are we going to announce that Counties is back with the Blues?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
If that reasoning was always followed, Hawke's Bay would be part of the Chiefs or Highlanders area.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="592638" data-time="1467104679">
<div>
I'd be gutted if I was Ryan Tongia too - not given many chances and now they sign someone else
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Tongia is a funny one. He was top try scorer in the ITM Cup a few seasons ago which would lead us to think he would at least get a fair go at Super Rugby. I think most here were shocked that Faddes got picked over him. However, Faddes has been terrific for the Highlanders. Then Wilson got picked ahead of Tongia and was great too. Obviously, the Highlanders who see Tongia week in week out and watch him train don't rate him as much as the other guys. I don't know if it is attitude or that he lacks the all round skills but there must be some reason he's missing out.

The Silver Fern

Tevita Li to Highlanders