Highlanders 2024

[Stargazer]

Players have been released early from their contracts before. Can't be 100% sure it isn't a player who's signed with the Blues for 2024 (and beyond), although unlikely.

[frugby]

Without knowing for sure... Patrick Tuipulotu could be the player, potentially because his wife Phoenix Karaka is moving back to the Southern Steel?

[SouthernMann]

@friedrugby fantastic addition, potentially. Not the can excitement machine we are hoping for. But engine room grunt is good.

[frugby]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@friedrugby fantastic addition, potentially. Not the can excitement machine we are hoping for. But engine room grunt is good.

And further to this, his Japanese team was Toyota... who just so happen to have Steve Hansen as a head honcho, who is good mates with Peter Keen (Nature Strip)... Himeno came from there, Smith and Dickson going there. All signs lead to Paddy,

[frugby]

And to add to that, the Blues have supposedly heavily chasing a lock.

[frugby]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@friedrugby fantastic addition, potentially. Not the can excitement machine we are hoping for. But engine room grunt is good.

An yes, this is true... though it is an excitement machine we are truly after. Anyone got a theory as to why it could be Ioane, Clarke, Telea etc.

[Tim]

Enjoying the Kremlinology.

[SouthernMann]

@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2024:

And to add to that, the Blues have supposedly heavily chasing a lock.

Just hope not one of our locks

[Tim]

@SouthernMann McWhannell has been talked about in the media.

[george33]

@Tim haven't herd about those boys but Beehre must go close

[george33]

@friedrugby think this is all rumors as those 3 are all locked in at blues not sure on Caleb tangitau tho currently in the U20 and Blues but can't say if he's signed for 24 but I would imagine he is

[SouthernMann]

@george33 you don't need alll those outside backs though do you...

[george33]

@SouthernMann Perofeta will shift into 10 for Beauden and RTS moving on not sure on JRK status he may b looking for more game time

[frugby]

@george33 Tangitau is locked into the Blues... I think it is entirely reasonable that a change in family circumstances (which would likely be the main driver unless we have signed Telea or Lam (NZ XV)) would mean a player could change teams and the Blues wouldn't stand in their way.

[Bovidae]

Getting back to the ownership of the Highlanders, Mitch Drummond's father is the Highlanders’ biggest shareholder with Peter Kean.

[frugby]

@Bovidae Yep, there was a school of thought around the time Fakatava was being chased by the Crusaders that Drummond would come the other way.

[Tim]

Any rumours of MP players going to the Highlanders? Some of their backs are pretty handy.

[frugby]

At this stage none of the three hookers from last year are signed, and unless there is a U-Turn they won't be back. Not necessarily directly related, Coltman is leaving Lyon and is returning to Dunedin.

[Stargazer]

@friedrugby Is Coltman leaving Lyon early? He had signed a two-year contract. Only done one year.

[frugby]

@Stargazer The word is he is leaving early, presumably never settled.