Highlanders 2023
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
I think the difference between Matera and Burns is the capability of the players and those in the teams.
Matera is one of the best loose forwards in the world, being recruited into one of the best clubs in the world. In terms of options at 6/8 the Crusaders had All Blacks and future Junior All Blacks.
Burns is a player who isn't judged good enough to make his premiership match day squad. He is coming to a team that is in a dire state at 10. It has a few decent young players (Millar, Faleafaga and Hurley). But, the squad players are either struggling at this level, broken or inexperienced. Someone like Burns seems a decent shout despite probably not being up to it. It isn't like Finn Russell coming down at slotting into the Crusaders or the Blues.
Not strictly true. Burns would be wearing the 22 shirt of everyone's fit at Tigers. He's currently injured. He's back up to Pollard this season like he was back up to Ford last season, when he won a player of the month award and came off the bench in the final and scored the winning drop goal. I think the Highlanders fans will like him, he's definitely a character and likes to play attacking rugby (watch for the go to chip and chase move). His tactical kicking is good but he gets frustrated with the kick tennis that's more prevalent in the NH and tries something more innovative which doesn't always come off.
In regards to the Puma you've got I think he's been playing 15 for Bayonne who are doing alright in the Top 14 so might give more overall back three coverage.
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2023:
Concerning Burns, Fletcher Smith could have been a better option IMO. Instead, they let him head north to France.
i really rated Smith and thin he could have been a serious replacement for Ben or at 10 depending on how he developed....but i doubt going back to dunners was a coin flip to going and playing in europe
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@Nepia said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2023:
Makes me smile a bit with Burns getting a contract some people bagged the shit out of the Crusaders for signing Matera last season but it is ok to sign Burns.
Personally I say good on the Highlanders for signing Burns if it makes them stronger it is great for the Competition.
I reserve the right to bag the shit out of both South Island teams - and the Chiefs when they do it too.
We have a whole thread with posters complaining about players leaving yet we're giving spots to foreign test capped players.
Not sure this kind of signing encourages players to stay or go. I thinking money overseas helps, and also if players are in a team that is a little bit more successful will maybe help keep a few around?
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A few other Southlanders are training with the Highlanders:
Isaac Te Tamaki
Josh Bekhuis
Jacob PayneHayden Michaels must be part of the WTG.
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Bekhuis has been there and done that so good for short term but does nothing to help the long term
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Highlanders chair Peter Kean obviously putting money where mouth is, and also thinks World Club Champioship is a goer. Interesting times!
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'Been working really hard': All Blacks star to make stunning return from injury
Injured scrumhalf Folau Fakatava is “on track” to return for the Highlanders this preseason, after injuring his knee ahead of the All Blacks’ end-of-season tour last year.
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@Stargazer it turned out to not be as bad at they thought too from memory, a high grade tear rather than rupture, still a huge effort, pretty obvious he realises he needs to shine if he wants a sport on the plane come RWC time
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2023:
Highlanders chair Peter Kean obviously putting money where mouth is, and also thinks World Club Champioship is a goer. Interesting times!
Kean lifted his share to 29% of the Highlanders, with the remainder owned by Sydney-based director Ray Burke (29%), Shane Drummond (29%) and the Highlanders region provincial unions (13%)thats actually the most interesting paragraph, didn't realise that was the ownership breakdown
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@Kiwiwomble neither did I Kiwi, I thought maybe the provincial unions had a bigger share. Good though I think the fellas putting money in obviously see getting a return.
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@Dan54 from memory NZR kept a chunk when it was first floated, i remember the other franchises announcing their new owners etc and wondering what has happening with us and quite late in the piece it was announced the unions had got together but NZR was holding on to some
been out of NZ for a while and so must have missed as they managed to sell of more and more
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Sad to see confirmation the GOAT Aaron Smith is off. Even though we knew it was happening. He deserves the $$$ though. Sure we will see a few more one man victories before he clocks off.
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@Kiwiwomble Is the Shane Drummond that holds a 29% share of the Highlanders the same Shane Drummond that turned Ta$man's fortunes around?
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@Higgins said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Is the Shane Drummond that holds a 29% share of the Highlanders the same Shane Drummond that turned Ta$man's fortunes around?
considering i didn't know that was the ownership structure a couple of days ago...i have no idea
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@Higgins said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Is the Shane Drummond that holds a 29% share of the Highlanders the same Shane Drummond that turned Ta$man's fortunes around?
Yes.
Mitch Drummond's father.
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@KiwiMurph That was obvious, spitting image of each other! Spent a year in Nelson at the same Nelson RFC (NZ's oldest rugby club) in the late 80s where Shane Drummond was a prominent member. Can't help but mention the time when he led a rush trip back into town (think it might have been when we were playing Rangers out in Upper Moutere) when the playing jerseys were somehow left behind. Neither of the management team accepted responsibility for the necessity of that!
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squad for the preseason game against the Crusaders
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Highlanders squad for its pre-season clash against the Crusaders.
The only things I'd read into it is that it appears as if the second half backline is close to the top pick. Seems like Sam Gilbert has the inside running at fullback. Good to see a few youngsters getting a run as well.
FIRST HALF TEAM: Forwards: Ayden Johnstone, Andrew Makalio, Saula Mau, Will Tucker, Josh Bekhuis, Max Hicks, James Lentjes (c), Nikora Broughton. Backs: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Cam Millar, Mosese Dawai, Scott Gregory, Isaac Te Tamaki, Martin Bogado, Finn Hurley
SECOND HALF TEAM: Forwards: Rohan Wingham, Jack Taylor, Jermaine Ainsley, Paripari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Jacob Payne. Backs: James Arscott, Mitch Hunt (c), Jona Nareki, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert
