Highlanders 2024
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The big issue with our competition is there are too many good players in the better squads holding tackle bags on game days. It says a lot for their systems that they'd rather be paid to watch than play. From a Highlander's perspective we only have ourselves to blame. Players are more likely to maintain their worth not playing for a good team than getting smoked with the Landers. Then the more we lose the harder it is to recruit. It is a ghastly cycle. While the franchise's are their own entities, NZR's goal should be to have the best seven or eight players in each position getting regular gametime.
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One of the best examples of how unattractive we were for a number of years was our post Lima Sopoaga recruitment at 10. We had the best halfback NZ has ever produced. All we could land was a procession of some of NZ's most average first fives, with the best being a midget with a high school level kicking game. Mitch Hunt was a great team man and once hit a stunning drop goal. It is just he is the classic case study to show our complete inability to recruit.
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@SouthernMann In fairness 10 was probably one position we did actually land some players who were in theory quite good... none of them ever quite delivered granted, partially due to ability, but also due to the shambles surrounding.
Also speaks to the lack of 10 depth in general. Recruiting in the outside backs and midfield has been difficult... Nareki the only top end player we have signed in that department since 2017 IMO.
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I see that Will Stodart has been promoted to the main squad on a full contract as lock cover.
And four NDC players have been named.
EXPERIENCE KEY FOR DEVELOPING NEXT GENERATION | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
The Highlanders are proud to announce their four National Development Contract (NDC) players for 2024. These players will train full time with the Super Rugby Squad and experience professional rugby during the pre-season before settling into an individualised part-time programme for the duration of...
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann In fairness 10 was probably one position we did actually land some players who were in theory quite good... none of them ever quite delivered granted, partially due to ability, but also due to the shambles surrounding.
Also speaks to the lack of 10 depth in general. Recruiting in the outside backs and midfield has been difficult... Nareki the only top end player we have signed in that department since 2017 IMO.
We were desperate enough to bring Marty Banks back, twice. We ran through Gatland, Banks, Ioane, Hunt, Gilbert and Burns. None of which, apart from a brief period of Ioane, stamped their mark on the team. The reason I cited first five was because we had the best nine this country has ever produced. Could not lure anyone to play alongside him. The other positions were flow ons. Nareki was signed out of high school, he was a punt like Koroi and others. He just came good.
Stoked to see Stodart get the injury replacement spot. He is a top prospect. I'm really interested to see the development of A-One Lolofie.
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:
Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.
And I don't think it is a huge concern that he is on the shorter side as a lock. Especially if we are running a pack in a few years with the like of Oli Haig and Will Stodart in the mix. Both big loosies and lineout options. The only question is whether we will have the mobility.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:
Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.
And I don't think it is a huge concern that he is on the shorter side as a lock. Especially if we are running a pack in a few years with the like of Oli Haig and Will Stodart in the mix. Both big loosies and lineout options. The only question is whether we will have the mobility.
If a few of those guys in the junior program work out, you could have some real weapons.
I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.
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I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.
I haven't seen him play but I know he is out of St Johns College Hamilton last year, first year Uni down your way, made the NZ U18 Barbarians. The name stood out because he came through my club Te Rapa as a junior and his dad coached and brother played with my son.
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@gt12 said in Highlanders 2024:
I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.
He went to St John's. Still young enough to play for the U20s for the next few seasons.
The funny thing about Palmer is that he sometimes played prop for TBC. As you can imagine his height meant be really struggled despite the bulk. His younger brother is a decent size too.
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@gt12 said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:
Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.
And I don't think it is a huge concern that he is on the shorter side as a lock. Especially if we are running a pack in a few years with the like of Oli Haig and Will Stodart in the mix. Both big loosies and lineout options. The only question is whether we will have the mobility.
If a few of those guys in the junior program work out, you could have some real weapons.
I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.
I'm confident our pack will be dominant. The lack of backs is scary.
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I a Canes man, but my take of the Clan for this season(and particularly the the seasons after) is I like it. I like the lok of front row De Groot and both hookers I keen on. I make no secret of the fact I a hige fan of Holland at lock, Parkinson I still hoping will show us the promise he has seemed to have. Really like the loosies, Harmon is a real gun at super level, I reckon both Withy and Broughton are the type of players I love at this level too, they both got a lot of potential. Backs as has been said by others, Nugget a loss, a huge improvement at 10, and could cause some problems out wide. Not suggesting top 5 or anything , but I seeing an imorvement for 24 going up even more over next few years.
I will enjoy watching them I think. -
Is it only up from here? The big questions for the Highlanders to answer in 2024
No Super Rugby team has had the turnover in talent that the Highlanders have had heading into the 2024 season.
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I am fascinated to see what Patchell can do. I expect he will have Gilbert outside him as a big 12 and a second playmaker. Tele'a will add some size to the midfield as well. Same with Tavatavanawai. The forward pack should lay a decent platform. If we can secure a couple of wins against NZ sides at home. That is an improvement. Same with beating all the overseas teams.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Same with beating all the overseas teams.
Highlanders would be over the moon if they could do this. Brumbies should be in the mix at the pointy end as usual and Reds are a team to watch with new coach Les Kiss at the helm.
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@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2024:
Highlanders would be over the moon if they could do this. Brumbies should be in the mix at the pointy end as usual and Reds are a team to watch with new coach Les Kiss at the helm.
I'll say at least once.
I think breaking down the season. If we can beat MP at home, Brumbies at home, Rebels away, Reds away, Force at home, MP away, Fijian Dura at home. One or two of the games against NZ sides. That'll be eight or nine wins. Would be very happy with that season.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
I am fascinated to see what Patchell can do. I expect he will have Gilbert outside him as a big 12 and a second playmaker. Tele'a will add some size to the midfield as well. Same with Tavatavanawai. The forward pack should lay a decent platform. If we can secure a couple of wins against NZ sides at home. That is an improvement. Same with beating all the overseas teams.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
I am fascinated to see what Patchell can do. I expect he will have Gilbert outside him as a big 12 and a second playmaker. Tele'a will add some size to the midfield as well. Same with Tavatavanawai. The forward pack should lay a decent platform. If we can secure a couple of wins against NZ sides at home. That is an improvement. Same with beating all the overseas teams.
Hearing Gilbert will play 12 as expected. Telea'a 13. JRK will play fullback to start with.
Not a foregone conclusion as to who starts in 14, wouldn't be shocked if they begin with Bogado. They rate him highly.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
I am fascinated to see what Patchell can do. I expect he will have Gilbert outside him as a big 12 and a second playmaker. Tele'a will add some size to the midfield as well. Same with Tavatavanawai. The forward pack should lay a decent platform. If we can secure a couple of wins against NZ sides at home. That is an improvement. Same with beating all the overseas teams.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
I am fascinated to see what Patchell can do. I expect he will have Gilbert outside him as a big 12 and a second playmaker. Tele'a will add some size to the midfield as well. Same with Tavatavanawai. The forward pack should lay a decent platform. If we can secure a couple of wins against NZ sides at home. That is an improvement. Same with beating all the overseas teams.
Hearing Gilbert will play 12 as expected. Telea'a 13. JRK will play fullback to start with.
Not a foregone conclusion as to who starts in 14, wouldn't be shocked if they begin with Bogado. They rate him highly.
I wouldn't mind the point of difference with what Bogado brings to the table. Lanky fellow and nearly 100kg. If that is the case, I wouldn't be surprised if Gilbert is the back up 10 in the 23. With Tavatavanawai being a 25 minute winger and Te Hiwi/Whaanga/Timu covering the midfield off the bench.
Kyan Rangitutia on Hudl
