Highlanders 2023
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With only a few players futures seemingly still in the balance, just did the old Instagram check on TUJ, and discovered he follows the Shizuoka Bluerevs. Now, I'm not making any claims here, but seems a little random that he would follow them if there wasn't something going on there. Maybe he was always going to the, 'Blues' all along (Just a different team in Japan lol).
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@Canes4life my feeling...if we're going to have sub standard players...i'd rather have local sub standard players rather than feeling like we're paying a premium to bring these other guys down south and the dont give a shit, the guys we attract down need to first string...or we should look local in my mind
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2023:
(Ignore my name I need to change it haha)
Is Lima Sopoaga actually a realistic option for the Highlanders next year as he is off contract with Lyon..
on Twitter when he said goodbye/paid respects on 26 May to Aaron Smith he also said it was a great club and city, so, it doesn't sound like he hates Dunedin/Otago...
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2023:
Maybe the Leiua link? Or Bryn Hall, since he was probably pretty active amongst the players?
Tuialii is a coach there too.
My guess is Malo Tuitama, who was from Scots college?
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2023:
Has Jermaine Pepe kicked on? He looked like a decent winger when I watched him at schoolboy level.
Google tells me he and Wingham were loaned to North Otago last year.
I suspect both him and Jeremiah Asi will get opportunities for Otago this year. So should see where theirceilings are.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@SBW1 kenny Lynn? dermody is around next year isn;t he?
Dermody will remain head coach, the assumption is that Kenny Lynn (who has signed) will replace Richard Whiffin as the attack coach.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2023:
Has Jermaine Pepe kicked on? He looked like a decent winger when I watched him at schoolboy level.
Google tells me he and Wingham were loaned to North Otago last year.
I suspect both him and Jeremiah Asi will get opportunities for Otago this year. So should see where theirceilings are.
Having watched both, can't say either are very impressive and to me don't look like Super Rugby talents... Asi certainly anyway. I think he was probably largely signed to help us sign Faleafaga, which could prove a masterstroke in the long run.
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@friedrugby
There are plenty of guys who don't completely set the world on fire and then do at the higher level.
I'm happy for the likes of them, Ulli-Schmidt, Mefi Tupou, these two to have a run and see how they go.
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@SouthernMann yeah, sometimes they just need that full time training to step up
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@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2023:
Maybe the Leiua link? Or Bryn Hall, since he was probably pretty active amongst the players?
Tuialii is a coach there too.
My guess is Malo Tuitama, who was from Scots college?
Hah, I'd skipped him as for some reason I thought he was from Northland.
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@SBW1 kenny Lynn? dermody is around next year isn;t he?
Dermody will remain head coach, the assumption is that Kenny Lynn (who has signed) will replace Richard Whiffin as the attack coach.
Yep, signed as assistant for 2024, I have high hopes for Kenny Lynn.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@friedrugby
There are plenty of guys who don't completely set the world on fire and then do at the higher level.
I'm happy for the likes of them, Ulli-Schmidt, Mefi Tupou, these two to have a run and see how they go.
I mean maybe, but I think you are dreaming if they are going to be anything better than the current lot. They might have different strengths, but we are looking for Star Quality.
We kind of more or less have our squad filled out I think, we are looking for our starters... and even at Otago those guys struggle to get a game I'd think, though I've just had a look at the ORFU Player Profiles, and it appears Koroi and Ioane might well have taken early releases. At the moment the Golden O looks something like:
- Hastie
- Millar
- Nareki
- Faleafaga
- TUJ
- Te Hiwi
- Gilbert
Spares: Arscott and Timu.
On top of that, Bogado might be there, though he could take a rest/play for Southland, and Te Hiwi and Timu might well be injured - so the chances could be there for these guys to push for a WTG spot.
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I think we need to keep players in the positions they are going to be playing in long-term.
- Te Hiwi is a centre. Should be playing there.
- Gilbert is now a 12.
- Faleafaga is probably primarily a 10 who can play 12. So should be on the bench.
Focus on building the players for the future. Not getting the seven best players on the paddock. There is enough perceived depth across the squad. That way we are using the right players in their specialist positions.
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@SouthernMann Just started an Otago thread, this was merely an exercise of filling in a 15 with the players we had contracted... I expect Gilbert to play 15 for Otago, and do wonder whether Faleafaga may well end up being a 12. It might be that the Landers decide they like his skillset, and see that being a good spot for him, because they are clearly looking for a ball player with a good kicking game, and in theory he has that.
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yeah, im not sold on gilbert being seen as a 12 quite yet, plays better at 15 and still kind of feel he was moved to 12 because we had fullback covers but injuries in the midfield
