Highlanders 2023
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@Kiwiwomble Why surprisingly haha!
Perhaps I was harsh on TUJ, I guess maybe I could sit him at 6.5 with Timu at 5.5. Feels harsh to punish Timu for being injured, because as an individual prior to injury he was fine, hence a 6 - Just him and TUJ a poor combo. In truth, Whaanga probably should have been N/A.
Thought our locks were pretty poor this year if I'm honest. If anything, I was tempted to go lower on Parkinson. Holland is probably more a 6.5/7 to be fair.
As for Hunt, I think it would be harsh to give anyone lower than a 4. He had his moments, and tbf to him, it isn't his fault that the coaches had to keep picking him, making him look even worse than he is. He can only give his best, which wasn't enough.
Think all good fans get their hopes up during pre-season, but for every year since 2020, my reaction to the squad has been one of ill feeling, and even though I then do get my hopes up, I'm generally proven to be right. Despite what Stuff are saying, I don't think the Landers get worse before they get better, partially because I fail to see how we get any worse! Frizell and MMT have been disappointing this year for varying reasons, and whilst a love Aaron Smith, his time has come, and in both positions we have already secured good replacements. Losing Burns is a bigger issue IMO, because by the end of the year felt like he was key to us looking competent. Hopefully Millar can make the step up, but ideally, we need to get another experienced head, e.g Sopoaga to guide him.
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@Duluth really sums it up, for the first 2/3 of the seasons our attack was so predictable, it really was just through the hands and crash ball, id love to see those stats per game as it felt like we did better in the last few games with some variety...not much but a little
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@friedrugby I read constantly on this thread that you want more players from the Highlanders catchment, and you have 7 players on your (yellow) wish list from outside the region, 5 of them from the Crusaders catchment?
Have all those departures in red been confirmed?
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Re Sopoaga, i think im burnt with the idea of a senior player to help blood the next generation, i just dont think the season is long enough to do it properly, we'll default to him starting most games because every win is important, i fear all we'll do is frustrate the next generation parking them behind someone that might be past it...baptism of fire time, go all youth for new signings cream will rise to the top and all that stuff
@Stargazer i think its more me thats normally pushing more local talent rather than @friedrugby
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
Re Sopoaga, i think im burnt with the idea of a senior player to help blood the next generation, i just dont think the season is long enough to do it properly, we'll default to him starting most games because every win is important, i fear all we'll do is frustrate the next generation parking them behind someone that might be past it...baptism of fire time, go all youth for new signings cream will rise to the top and all that stuff
At least Five is a NZer, better than defaulting to an aging Pom (International) journeyman.
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The Highlanders are yet to hit rock bottom, but their rise will be immense
The Highlanders have been methodical with their future planning, prioritising key positions when assembling their squad of the future.
sums up a lot of whats been said on here quite well i think
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Without knowing too much my thoughts are
- I reckon Hunt will be retained. He will be the experienced 10 cover, although unlikely to play in that position except off the bench.
- Gregory to potentially also be retained. It appears as if both of those guys are seen as good team men.
- It will be interesting to see whether Ajay Faleafaga performs well in the NPC. I expect he will be in the squad for next year.
- Also believe Rohan Wingham will be a loosehead replacement
- Wouldn't mind thinking they might try and get Solomon Pole back to Dunedin as well
- Locks will be fascinating. Don't see much floating around. I wouldn't be surprised if Max Hicks gets told he is a lock for next season.
- If Hicks is pushed into a locking role, they might bring Will Stodart in early.
- Midfield and outside backs will be fascinating. It looks like they have a lot of faith in the midget Hurley. Fihaki would be a decent get. Potentially two spots available. Some of the depth players in the Blues would be ideal. They would walk into our starting side. Just need some out and out pace.
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im not too worried if he kept Hunt as a 15 that covers 10 on occasion...but not as his primary postion
Midfield is what im most worried about
i also wish we'd kept Vahaakolo, had a knack for getting over the advantage line, given our below average midfield i think someone that can take coal and make slightly shiny coal would have been useful...rather than several "wings" that seem to require thing to be absolutely perfect
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Freedom is an interesting case. It seems as if something went on behind the scenes. I do think there is an opportunity for Bogado to give things a bit of a shake. I wonder if he is sticking around for the NZ domestic season? Interested to see how Jeremiah Asi potentially goes for Otago. I do wonder whether Oscar Schmidt-Uili will get a run for Otago. He has been fantastic in club rugby for three years. He out and out pace.
The key to any Highlanders turnaround will be focused on having a commanding 10, a quick centre, another strike winger alongside Nareki and a commanding fullback. Having some luck with injuries and managing the roster well.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
Freedom is an interesting case. It seems as if something went on behind the scenes. I do think there is an opportunity for Bogado to give things a bit of a shake. I wonder if he is sticking around for the NZ domestic season? Interested to see how Jeremiah Asi potentially goes for Otago. I do wonder whether Oscar Schmidt-Uili will get a run for Otago. He has been fantastic in club rugby for three years. He out and out pace.
The key to any Highlanders turnaround will be focused on having a commanding 10, a quick centre, another strike winger alongside Nareki and a commanding fullback. Having some luck with injuries and managing the roster well.
thats the Dunedin left wing? i watch the highlights when i can and he's scored some awesome tries
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Bang on. I understand there was talk of him focusing on his study for the last few years. Although it looks like he is available for the NPC. Is in one of the training groups.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
i also wish we'd kept Vahaakolo
I googled what he's up to and apparently he's playing club rugby league in Auckland now. I assume his rugby career is over?
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@Duluth i assume so, seemed like a good bloke, met him at the super round game last year, was wearing my old Dunedin RFC jersey and he and fakatava came over for a picture, one of those guys that wanted to earn his spot and didn;t think he was entitled too it. But yeah, feel there was some drama behind the scenes, hopefully nothing more than just not the right fit
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@Kiwiwomble wasnt he living rough a few years back, guess there may be other issues at play.
I think they have had a league background with his sister playing for NZ league (before coming to rugby)
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@taniwharugby the story was he was living rough or couch surfing before getting a scholarship to auckland grammer, from memory...so we're talking pre breaking it into professional rugby
