Highlanders 2024
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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.
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@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2024:
If the Highlanders brought over Tavatavanawai to only play him off the bench, they'd deserve every loss they get
The Crusaders got Levi Aumua to sit on the bench.
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@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2024:
The Crusaders can afford to play him off the bench
If the coaches believe Bogado can offer more as a starter is that a bad thing. If Tavantananawai is seen to be a player who can expose tired defences, should that be taken advantage of? It is a tactical game, where using players at the right time is important.
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Yes, I'd say it is a bad thing if they think Bogado offers more as a starter - I don't think we've seen anything that would suggest they're right (which is not to say Bogado is bad, but more that Tavatavanawai is very good).
I need to update my code before I can do some 2023 stat comparisons, but Tavatavanawai performs very well on every attacking measure. He made 72 tackle breaks last season. This is a ridiculous number, though not for him. He made 73 tackle breaks from 83 carries in 2022 - that means nearly each time he touches the ball he breaks a tackle (on average).
I'd say, based on this, he's pretty consistently exposing defenses that aren't yet tired, as well as those that are tired.
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@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2024:
If the Highlanders brought over Tavatavanawai to only play him off the bench, they'd deserve every loss they get
It's not that simple. There will be plenty of gametime to go around, if the coaches feel Bogado is looking a million bucks, more than happy to pick him.
I think it is nice that from the outside looking in, for the first time since 2019 we actually have some depth in the outside back department.
Kyan Rangitutia on Hudl
