Highlanders 2024
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Kereru-Symes... no thanks. He was meant to be the next big thing. If he was any good, he'd be with the Canes now. On the understanding that we have signed two young hookers, we'll either want an established player (Thompson) or an older player (Coltman). Kereru-Symes is neither of those two categories.
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Article says it won't be Coltman
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@friedrugby Kereru-Symes has been set back by injuries; he missed almost the entire 2021 season. That gave our third-ranked hooker Devery the chance to get a lot of game time (behind Ash Dixon) in 2021 and that's how he ended up at the Canes instead of KKS. The Canes didn't have anymore spots. There's no doubt he's better than Devery though. Possibly overtaken by Thompson, which is no surprise, but KKS has just been unlucky. As I said, the Highlanders signed Apisai, which is really ridiculous if someone like KKS is available.
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@Stargazer Apisai was a poor signing, but KKS wasn't the answer either. They should have signed Bell, the local player. We don't need another injury prone player lol.
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@SouthernMann Realise that. Coltman was an example, though I wouldn't write it off either, because Hayden Meikle never really seems to be on the pulse. This is the same outfit which claimed MMT was going to offer plenty in 2024, only for him to sign overseas the next day. I'm not saying Coltman will sign for the Landers - and I never did either, but I'm 99% confident he is not returning to Lyon next season.
That leaves three realistic options.
A) Takes up in a contract in Japan, and his family stays in NZ
He Signs for the Highlanders
C) He retires/only plays NPC -
I think it more inferred that Clark said he won't be back. I think the likely thing for a guy like Coltman is that he just retires.
I have no idea who our third hooker will be. Could be anyone, is an absolute lottery. Will likely be alongside Benn and Taylor though.
Some of the guys I'd be keen for us to chase are the lads who made the All Blacks XV who aren't regularly starting for other franchises.
It would have been Tyrone Thompson, but I would think he has probably already turned us down. Same with AJ Lam. I'd be keen to hear about the availability of Bailyn Sullivan, playing too much footy for Wainui for someone of his talent.
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@Stargazer what a waste. Should be playing underlights each week. Not in the Hutt Valley
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@SouthernMann The Canes will have a new head coach, next season. It will be interesting to see whether and how things change. Sullivan has been injured a lot in 2023, too.
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One positive, is that we might have snaffled the two of the best hookers on the market. The only two others who are potentially available are Thompson and Moananu. I'd guess one ends up at the Blues, and the other at the Chiefs, but I'd think we will also be in the running, unless they are happy with Bell and Taylor, and are looking for a more experienced option.
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Good news (maybe?), we can rule out Tuipulotu you'd think because Phoenix Karaka (his wife) has re-signed with the Mystics in the ANZ Premiership.
Leaves Hodgman, A. Ioane or Mark Telea... (or of course the rumour is horseshit, but what fun is there in that?!)
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Good news (maybe?), we can rule out Tuipulotu you'd think because Phoenix Karaka (his wife) has re-signed with the Mystics in the ANZ Premiership.
Leaves Hodgman, A. Ioane or Mark Telea... (or of course the rumour is horseshit, but what fun is there in that?!)
i thought someone confirmed talea had resigned with the Blues....i might be a pessimist.....but i just cant see us managing to lure a current first choice AB...somethign would have had to have gone very wrong in auckland
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@Kiwiwomble Haha, there is no way we sign Telea. I just add it in, because seriously, I'd rather we didn't sign A Ioane or Hodgman... I think it is entirely possible that we've signed a New Zealand XV player and there is a slight miscommunication. AJ Lam, sitting on the bench - the Chris Boyd link through his brother and we have tried to get him before.
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NZ XV players who don't start for their franchises are the players we should be targeting.
