Highlanders 2023
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Lock crisis looming for Highlanders
Tom Donnelly is not yet reaching for his own boots but the Highlanders are nudging closer to another injury crisis in a specific position. It has...
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at the start of the season lock was probably our strongest position, the one we didn't have to worry about, scrambling to address this just means we wont be working on other areas of weakness
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as I said either earlier in this thread or in another, this is where the Highlanders (or other teams in similar predicament) should be able to draw on other teams WTG players (or even nominate some within thier main squads available as 'pool players') it is in the best interest of NZ rugby for players to gain experience playing at a higher level.
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i mean, our season is gone pretty much gone, even if we were to sneak into the playoff we're almost certainly going to get a hiding so do we just give some young guys or club rugby stand outs a shot
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Bit of oil for those that are interested... Joseph definitely has not signed any contract for after WC, Definitely has not signed with Yamaha … that was fake news. Will he take a role with Landers? ( very friendly with Peter Keen, the major shareholder ) Could he be a director of rugby, would seemingly suit him lifestyle-wise.
The Landers are actively looking for some decent backs … they are acutely aware of their shortcomings... the description was that we only have three good backs. Smith, Fakatava and Gilbert.
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@friedrugby TUJ and Nareki? not rated or not contracted?
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If you compare our squad to others, most of our first pick players would be considered depth players, and our depth players wouldn't make their squads.
It will be interesting to see whether we go a full cleanout or take a gradual approach. Also, to see what sort of players we can lure south.
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@SouthernMann we have also had horrible injuries meaning we have to dig into that player depth (or lack of) so we should look at our conditioning, are we doing something wrong
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@friedrugby TUJ and Nareki? not rated or not contracted?
Think the comment was probably slightly extreme. Nareki publicly announced as signed to 2025, I imagine being injured all the time probably meant he wasn't considered.
As for TUJ, if we are really honest he is extremely limited. A great ball carrier, but his other skills lack.
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@SouthernMann It won't be a full scale cleanout, because in a pragmatic sense it isn't possible... you are also better off keeping a crap player and working with him, then going to find a new crap player. If I was to have a guess, this is what they are looking like for 24'
Props:
EDG
DLB
Inch
Ainsley
Ma'u
NEW
NEWHookers:
Marshall/Makalio
Bell
TaylorLocks:
Parkinson
Holland
Tucker
Hicks
NEW (Assuming Dickson goes overseas)Loose Forwards:
Harmon
Withy
Michaels
Broughton
Haig
Mikaele-Tu'u
Renton (Not signed yet, doesn't seem to be anyone else on the radar atm)Halfbacks:
Fakatava
Hastie
ArscottFirst Fives:
NEW (Probably an Older Guy)
Millar
FaleafagaMidfielders:
NEW
NEW
Te Hiwi
TUJ (If not overseas)
Timu (?)Outside Backs:
Gilbert
Nareki
Bogado
Lowe
NEWProbably only have seven spots to fill (At the most)... In some ways you are guaranteed a cleanout, because we have already announced at least four new signings, whilst Taylor and Bell seems to be the oil, which could make for 13, but the starting side remains largely intact, so I wouldn't really say a full cleanout, merely spring cleaning.
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I think Thomas Umaga Jensen is a 12 who needs an absolute gun of a centre outside of him. Someone like Bailyn Sullivan would probably go well outside TUJ. Fast. If TUJ stays, you want someone who can take advantage of the space he provides. There are some other guys who are probably starters in a couple of years, but we may be able to guarantee them starts.
Timu is a heck of a decent depth player. Probably not a game breaker.
As for wingers, Nareki, Bogado and Lowe are all around for next year. Someone like Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens would be a cool addition.
What should be for sure is that this year should hopefully be the end of the road for Gregory, Banks, Paea, Hunt and Koroi.
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i might be in the minority but i would love to see CGB hang around
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann It won't be a full scale cleanout, because in a pragmatic sense it isn't possible... you are also better off keeping a crap player and working with him, then going to find a new crap player. If I was to have a guess, this is what they are looking like for 24'
Props:
EDG
DLB
Inch
Ainsley
Ma'u
NEW
NEWHookers:
Marshall/Makalio
Bell
TaylorLocks:
Parkinson
Holland
Tucker
Hicks
NEW (Assuming Dickson goes overseas)Loose Forwards:
Harmon
Withy
Michaels
Broughton
Haig
Mikaele-Tu'u
Renton (Not signed yet, doesn't seem to be anyone else on the radar atm)Halfbacks:
Fakatava
Hastie
ArscottFirst Fives:
NEW (Probably an Older Guy)
Millar
FaleafagaMidfielders:
NEW
NEW
Te Hiwi
TUJ (If not overseas)
Timu (?)Outside Backs:
Gilbert
Nareki
Bogado
Lowe
NEWProbably only have seven spots to fill (At the most)... In some ways you are guaranteed a cleanout, because we have already announced at least four new signings, whilst Taylor and Bell seems to be the oil, which could make for 13, but the starting side remains largely intact, so I wouldn't really say a full cleanout, merely spring cleaning.
I think Dickson's future will depend on the health of his brother. If the health issues are ongoing, heading overseas might be a tough option for him.
In terms of starting team changes. We are looking at a new 10, probably hooker mid season. An elevation for Fabian Holland. A new six. A new halfback in Fakatava. Potentially a new midfield. May be a winger and fullback (depending on if Gilbert is a 15 or 12).
