Highlanders 2024
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Is Quintin related to Fabien?
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@SouthernMann Well, #f&ckerdyf@ck, the Highlanders have poached another one of our best young players! Another one lost to the HB Academy! Happy for Josh Augustine to get the opportunity, but it shouldn't have been in Dunedin.
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@Crazy-Horse Yes, younger brother.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2024:
Is Quintin related to Fabien?
He's a smaller version of his big brother.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann Well, #f&ckerdyf@ck, the Highlanders have poached another one of our best young players! Another one lost to the HB Academy! Happy for Josh Augustine to get the opportunity, but it shouldn't have been in Dunedin.
Irish Paul reckons two may be tied to Southland. So he couple be a stag! The question is, would the Hurricanes have given him the same acadamey opportunity the 'Landers have?
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2024:
@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2024:
Is Quintin related to Fabien?
He's a smaller version of his big brother.
so still quite sizeable for a flanker https://www.therugbyagents.com/player/620102108a7ed
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann Well, #f&ckerdyf@ck, the Highlanders have poached another one of our best young players! Another one lost to the HB Academy! Happy for Josh Augustine to get the opportunity, but it shouldn't have been in Dunedin.
surely just following in a long line of HB players who get their shot down south?
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2024:
@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2024:
Is Quintin related to Fabien?
He's a smaller version of his big brother.
so still quite sizeable for a flanker https://www.therugbyagents.com/player/620102108a7ed
Looking at the CV and age, doesn't appear to be this Holland
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@Kiwiwomble Hopefully, he'll return to play for HB once he is ready for playing NPC. I have nothing against him playing for the Highlanders in SR.
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@Stargazer thats fair, has he signed for otago or anything?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Stargazer thats fair, has he signed for otago or anything?
All of the players will be signed to either Otago or Southland. Irish Paul said two will be going to Stag country.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby it’s exciting in some areas, but unfortunately the reality is we are going to be looking at a very similar season to last season, if not worse.
An injury to one of the very few key players we now have left and we are in trouble.
In saying that, I am excited by what is being built and the key here is making sure we retain the young talent being invested in. Sprinkled with a signing here and there and who knows where we could be in another year or 2. Let’s hope!
I don't think it is a season like last. If we keep the key signings fit, we'll go fine, because our issue has never been in the forwards, it has been the backs and an inability to score tries.
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Hey team, just an update on the Highlanders player signings. I’m almost certain they’ve signed 118kg Tongan Flanker Lui Naeata. 29 years old, played most of his rugby in Japan.
Cheers.
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Daffy Jaffyreplied to HLD2023Champions on 6 Nov 2023, 11:41 last edited by Daffy Jaffy 6 Nov 2023, 12:26
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@Daffy-Jaffy 30s of the intro is him standing with hands on hips, then cut to after a try and him throwing the ball, but we don't get to see the try. That's as far as I got. I'm disappointed I gave the creator a click.
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@Bones You are a bit tough on an amateur uploader with 40 subscribers making an editing mistake. I didn't realise you were a youngster from the Tiktok no attention span generation. A pity because you missed some nice highlights of a player new to most of us.
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@Daffy-Jaffy sorry bro no offence 😉
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@Bones I'm not offended on behalf of an uploader from 3 years ago but I am sure he is livid right now!
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Not sure if any Highlanders fans noticed that Nogusta mentioned in the Blues thread a few days ago that Edward Annandale the Auckland Lock may be going to the Landers. Another rumour for ya.
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Will Tucker is out for the year with turf toe so we need two more now... Annandale and this Naeata could easily be the two.
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:
Hey team, just an update on the Highlanders player signings. I’m almost certain they’ve signed 118kg Tongan Flanker Lui Naeata. 29 years old, played most of his rugby in Japan.
Cheers.
Will probably explain why he played for NZ Barbarians against NZ Heartland on Saturday amongst a number of Otago club players.
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@frugby the Highlanders social media guy/videographer is a former colleague of mine. I’ve asked him if they are the new jerseys. Will let you know when he confirms.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby the Highlanders social media guy/videographer is a former colleague of mine. I’ve asked him if they are the new jerseys. Will let you know when he confirms.
Jesus mate, you belong in an asylum. That's not how it's done.
We want extremely vague details you can roll back or say were meaning the opposite of what they appeared to mean.
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New Landers jerseys will be red yellow and black to help them bring some mana. I asked my cousin who confirmed that the Wahs are winning a premiership in 2024 and he said yeah g.
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@frugby can confirm the jerseys in the cartoon above are not the new jerseys. He was just playing around and having a bit of fun.
He also said that they've done some content with the new jerseys, and they are apparently looking slick.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Could be totally overthinking this, but what are the odds that these images are based off the new kits. Seems like we might be heading back towards a proper royal blue rather than the navy that has been used from 2014 onwards. I think we are also going to be seeing names on the back of shirts...
Where was the posted?
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@Kiwiwomble Socials
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble Socials
obviously, i meant specifically as i hadnt seen it, have found it now
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The ODT has an article about the gaps in the Highlanders squad, but it's behind a paywall. Maybe someone here pays for this content so can summarise.
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The article reads like a stitch together of this forum's rumours https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders-2024-—-filling-gaps
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
Highlanders 2024 — filling in the gaps
By Hayden Meikle
0 0
Sport Rugby
Young Otago backs Jake Te Hiwi (with ball) and Ajay Faleafaga will tomorrow be named in the...
Young Otago backs Jake Te Hiwi (with ball) and Ajay Faleafaga will tomorrow be named in the Highlanders. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
The Highlanders unveil their squad tomorrow, and while most of the contracts have long been in place, there should still be a new face or three. Hayden Meikle does his best to fill in the gaps.
Hookers
The position of greatest change at the Highlanders as veterans Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall and Leni Apisai have all been let go.Rookie rakes Henry Bell (Otago) and Jack Taylor (Southland) have been signed, leaving one place up for grabs.
It is understood the Highlanders were keen to sign Taranaki hooker Bradley Slater, but he appears to be staying with the Chiefs.
There does not seem to be much point investing in an overseas hooker just to be one of three options, so expect to see Otago reserve Ricky Jackson — who already has Super Rugby experience — in the squad.
Props
Ethan de Groot, Jermaine Ainsley and Saula Ma’u — now there is a good start.The ageless Daniel Lienert-Brown and Ayden Johnstone will return, while Luca Inch will be eager to stay healthy after completing an NPC campaign for Ta$man, albeit largely on the bench.
Jeff Thwaites has gone so there is a place to fill. And while there are always some solid fill-in options around the country, it would be a shame if rising Otago star Rohan Wingham was not given a chance. Or could there be a fairytale rise for Stags veteran Morgan Mitchell?
Locks
This looked straightforward but we hear there are complications.Josh Dickson has gone to Japan — and leaves a big hole, though he did not play regularly in 2023 due to personal circumstances.
The Highlanders signed former Crusaders lock Mitchell Dunshea on a two-year deal but he suffered a ruptured Achilles in an NPC game and could miss the entire Super Rugby season.
There is also some talk Will Tucker could have a niggle.
Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland and Max Hicks are strong options, but there will need to be another lock in the mix.
Josh Hill has Super Rugby experience. Or could the Highlanders get some more juice out of a Hawke’s Bay lock, either Tom Parsons or Geoff Cridge?
Loose forwards
You would expect seven to be named, and it would appear that seven is well set as the Highlanders had to move early to replace departing veterans Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.Star men Billy Harmon and Hugh Renton will again be joined by Sean Withy and Nikora Broughton.
Young fellows Oliver Haig and Hayden Michaels have been given contracts, and there will be another former Crusader in the form of Tom Sanders.
Taranaki outside back Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is joining the Highlanders.
Taranaki outside back Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is joining the Highlanders.
It is too soon for Otago prospect Will Stodart, and there probably just isn’t room for Stags player of the year Blair Ryall.
Halfbacks
Aaron Smith has gone. There will be tears for a while yet.There will be no surprises here as the Highlanders retain the dynamic Folau Fakatava and the reliable James Arscott, and have added exciting Otago halfback Nathan Hastie.
First fives
Another area of real change as No 1 option Mitch Hunt, English import Freddie Burns and veteran Marty Banks have departed.Cam Millar is back for a second campaign and there will be huge interest in his development if he can have better luck with injuries.
Ajay Faleafaga is a prospect who can also cover 12, while Welsh veteran Rhys Patchell comes in to play the senior professional role performed so well by Burns this year.
Midfielders
Questions — lots of questions.Fetuli Paea and Scott Gregory have gone, and Thomas Umaga-Jensen is going to be out for a chunk of the season after having knee surgery.
Josh Timu is back but has just missed the entire NPC, and Jake Te Hiwi is contracted but is still very inexperienced at the top level.
The other wildcard is whether Sam Gilbert, who was excellent in 2023 in a variety of positions, will effectively be converted into a permanent midfield back.
One or two new faces will be named. It is probably too soon for Otago rookie Josh Whaanga but it would be nice to see older brother Matt rewarded for his efforts and reliability for the Stags.
Levi Aumua (Moana Pasifika to Crusaders) and Billy Proctor (Hurricanes to Rebels) would have been welcome additions had they not chosen alternative destinations.
There is some talk Blues midfielder Tanielu Tele’a could be interested in a fresh start in the South, while Taranaki midfielder Meihana Grindlay could be a contender.
Outside backs
It has not always been a position of strength for the Highlanders but their recruitment for 2024 cannot really be faulted.Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Blues) and Timoci Tavatavanawai (Moana Pasifika) are exciting additions, and will form a deadly trio with Jona Nareki.
Gilbert, Martin Bogado, Jonah Lowe and Connor Garden-Bachop add plenty of depth and versatility. Vilimoni Koroi and Mosese Dawai have gone.
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The good oil has Tiaan Falcon at the Landers next year.
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Quite a meh signing
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@Nogusta if this is true I would be stoked. Far from a ‘meh’ signing as stated above. Before he left for Japan he was touted as a player of the future for NZ rugby.
If we can have him for a year or 2, we may have our future 10 moving forward on our hands. Don’t get me wrong, I want Miller and Faleaafaga to succeed just as much as the next man, but another quality player offering competition won’t hurt at all, especially at 10!
Hope it’s true.
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Could Tom Franklin be an option at lock ?
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@Landers92 Agree, it would be a great signing for the Landers. Not sure it's true, unless it's a recent development. Falcon wasn't on the lists of players who was announced as leaving Toyota Verblitz and he's still on the squad page.
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@Stargazer does he have to be leaving? can play both cant they?
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