Highlanders 2024
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Yeah that's pretty much what I wrote up just before.
Hooker, looking for a fort holder for a year or two, to sit on the bench and give the young guys decent runs.
Have heard some good things about Aone Lolofie, sadly he missed the majority of the club season with a broken jaw. But, sounds like a robust ball carrier and one for the future.
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@Kiwiwomble I think in fairness we all looked at the squad and assumed we would have Nareki fit and firing. Had we had him all year, reckon there is probably 2-3 extra wins right there, and with that we easily make the finals.
This squad continues to improve in the front row, improves in the tight five (Dunshea a slight upgrade on Dickson + hopefully Holland holds fit), holds true in the loose (Frizell shite for Landers in 23' + MMT a bench player. Excited to see what Broughton and Haig can do next year).
Steps back, but only in depth at halfback. Reckon Fakatava will be our player of the year next year without the worry of looking over his shoulder. He was SHARP for the NZ XV. First Five is raw but exciting. Need a steady hand, though wouldn't be cross if Millar gets the keys - they're all an upgrade on Hunt there. Improves in midfield, because well, could you get any worse? PUJ/Crotty improves us no end.
Finally, JRK and fingers crossed another exciting outside put Mosese and and Gregory to shame.
A better squad, with a settled coach... it will be a good season from an objective viewpoint as long as we don't have bad injuries.
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@SouthernMann Perhaps, but if he is handy, suspect it ends up like the Hotham situation. Can't carry three youngish hookers, they'll always want someone a little older. I suspect they see Taylor and Bell as a 1-2 punch all going well through 25'-27'... though I reckon they'll have one last throw of the kitchen sink at George Bell, but I think that ship has unfortunately sailed.
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i am refusing to get excited about JRK, i got all excited when alaimalo came south, that he was going to be the spark needed to lift some of our more workmen like players....
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
i am refusing to get excited about JRK, i got all excited when alaimalo came south, that he was going to be the spark needed to lift some of our more workmen like players....
Haha, I said this the other day. Think that was probably the case of right signing, but at the wrong time. He clearly had plenty going on, and we needed way too much from him. The way his career has fallen off a cliff is quite sad.
As for JRK, he has the goods, we have all seen it. He stays fit, stays settled, and we have a couple of quality wingers.
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this is when i do miss the old days of playing locally, some of these guys would have signed with southland and otago and we could see them locally
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Even if we sign four shitters (which I don't think we will), this is already a handy top 23:
- de Groot
- H Bell
- Ainsley
- Holland
- Dunshea
- Withy
- Harmon
- Renton/Broughton/Sanders
- Fakatava
- Millar
- Nareki
- Gilbert
- T Umaga-Jensen
- Bogado
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
- Taylor
- Lienert-Brown
- Ma'u
- Parkinson
- Broughton/Sanders
- Hastie
- Faleafaga
- Te Hiwi
Without having any oil on exact names, from what I have heard I'd guess you'll see PUJ and Patchell take up the spots in 10/22 and 13/23. The hooker situation will depend on who they can get, but suspect Taylor will be eased in as he is so young... Hika Elliot might be available, probably worked with Dave Dillon at the Steamers. Would be a good laugh. Then the winger, I expect to be announced tomorrow and I'm hopeful of Fihaki or Tavatavanawai, who would both start at 14. Otherwise, it will be a backup guy, but I think Martin could well light it up next year.
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Anyway, main thing to note is that Jonah Lowe's three year contract is the last of the dumb signings during the disastrous 2020-23 era. Can't really complain about any of the recruitment for 2024. Sanders would be the only one I'd question thus far, and even that is a fairly solid addition.
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An all Fijian back three will be pretty cool under the roof.
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All Fijian, who would the full back be, Jona 11, Timoci 14, ?? 15
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@NateHill74 said in Highlanders 2024:
All Fijian, who would the full back be, Jona 11, Timoci 14, ?? 15
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is half Fijian
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@FakatavaABXV Right okay
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Former Crusader winger Manasa Mataele is leaving the Force. Still only 26, could be an outside back option?
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@Daffy-Jaffy He used to be a Crusader and last year played for Canterbury in the NPC.
