Highlanders 2023
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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
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@gt12 like most year...if we can avoid serious injuries that squad can plays some good code...but fully expect someone to come out of this game with a multi week injury
the more i think about it i think its just a result of having a lower average skill level than other teams, our guys always have to be at or above their capabilities to compete and trying to keep that up is just begging for injuries, from memory, people like smith and smith...our real stars...were generally pretty good on the injury front...i think just because playing so well was still well within their capabilities
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@Kiwiwomble the starters are always going to be competitive. The problem with our squad is there are probably about eight guys in the squad who would not make other squads. Due to the lack of capability in the squad they will likely play a bit of code during the season.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble the starters are always going to be competitive. The problem with our squad is there are probably about eight guys in the squad who would not make other squads. Due to the lack of capability in the squad they will likely play a bit of code during the season.
You have a decent 23 or 26 I reckon then yep it drops off.When those top 23 are able to be picked the Landers will be a handful.
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Highlanders recruit Burns eager to play alongside 'some of the world's best'
Highlanders recruit Freddie Burns is looking forward to playing alongside some of the “world’s best players” in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
