Highlanders 2024

SouthernMann

@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:

Ah ok I see what you mean, but that implies to me you rate Gilbert over TUJ!

I think it implies that we need to have a strong distributing 12 to play alongside an inexperienced 10. Playing Gilbert also means he can shoulder the goal keeping. While Millar is a very good goalkicker. Having someone managing that responsibility would take a bit of pressure off.

The back end of 2022 also says the Highlanders coaching staff likes the idea of Gilbert starting at TUJ coming off the bench.

Kiwiwomble

@nostrildamus i rate TUJ over Gilbert at 12 but i can see what @SouthernMann is talking about here, especially if we have an inexperienced 10...more reliable Gilbert at 12 would be good

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

I think most people would... Landers want a ball-playing 12 as a first option.

dont know about "most"...in my experience

nostrildamus

thanks, all. I'd just like to see the twins play together at some stage (and have a good run without major injuries!)

SBW1

I thought the Landers were starting to go allright towards the end of the season. I am quietly hopeful that they will get some good signings for next year.

Kiwiwomble

@SBW1 i think we looked SLIGHTLY better in the last couple of game but a lot of that was to do with freddie burns...who isn;t back

frugby

Highlanders announcing a new signing tomorrow. Short odds on JRK or PUJ, because there is a bit of hype on it. I think probably the latter.

Longers Odds on Jack Taylor, Ajay Faleafaga and Henry Bell.

george33

JRK

Kiwiwomble

whats this hype you speak of? nothing on their socials

frugby

Sorry, I'm in a secret service members facebook group, where we get advanced news. Believe they are posting a departure list later which hypes it up.

frugby

@george33 Do you know this?

My gut instinct is that Social Media Activity suggests it will be Peter Umaga-Jensen.

george33

It's been mentioned B4 on JRK

frugby

What do you mean?

I know we have signed both, but they are announcing one tomorrow. Are you saying you know it is JRK, because in all honesty I don't think that is the sort of thing that would get leaked out unless you know the social media guy haha.

Kiwiwomble

that confirms some things

Kiwiwomble

@frugby George isn;t the best at full sentences

george33

@frugby have u signed both ? I'm aware of 1

Bovidae

No Ayden Johnstone on that list.

george33

@Kiwiwomble sorry about that try my best lots happening

Stargazer

@Kiwiwomble So indeed all three hookers. Dawai is a bit of a surprise to me.

SouthernMann

16 players gooooone is certainly a cleanout.

All of our 2023 hookers, first fives, a lot of squad players who didn't get a lot of game time. Apart from Frizzell, Dickson and of course Smith no one that isn't easily replaceable.

I'm glad they kept CGB around.

Gives us a squad of something like;

15 JRK
14 Bogado (should be continue to improve)
13 PUJ/??
12 Gilbert
11 Nareki
10 ???
9 Fakatava

8 Renton
7 Harmon
6 Withy
5 Holland
4 Parkinson
3 Ainsley
2 ??
1 de Groot

16 ??
17 DLB/Johnstone
18 Ma'u
19 Tucker/Hicks
20 Haig/Broughton
21 Hastie
22 ??
23 Umaga-Jensen

SouthernMann

@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:

@Kiwiwomble So indeed all three hookers. Dawai is a bit of a surprise to me.

Dawai just simply wasn't good enough.

The Silver Fern

Highlanders 2024