Highlanders 2024
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ive said this before i think, Harmon is in the same group of players as people like Ash Dixon, i think if they had got their shot at the Black Jersey they wouldnt have let it down, worst case i think they would have a solid game...and there is a chance they wold have really kicked on
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Harmon's weakness isn't his running game. He is regularly used as a midfield target, runs direct lines off short balls and is probably the primary loosie when running set plays on attack. He may not be a distributing loosie, or could lack a bit of ball security. But, his running game, I'd say is a big strength. I think he played most of the NPC at eight for Canterbury as well.
ODT ran an article about Tom Sanders' suspension as well. He received a post game two match suspension in the last game of the season. SANZAR won't let him serve it in pre-season, but also won't let him play pre-season. So ends up being a five game ban. For a two game suspension.
Good to see the ODT run the hooker story I was keen on too.
Competition hots up for No 2 jersey
Three into one for No 2 will not go. Two final weeks of auditioning for the most contestable jersey in the Highlanders will begin with the...
Competition hots up for No 2 jersey
Three into one for No 2 will not go.
Two final weeks of auditioning for the most contestable jersey in the Highlanders will begin with the preseason game against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.
The strongest Highlanders XV is starting to become reasonably clear.
Ethan de Groot and Jermaine Ainsley are an excellent propping combination, Pari Pari Parkinson and Fabian Holland will anchor the second row, and captain Billy Harmon will be joined by Sean Withy and Hugh Renton in the loose forward trio.
Folau Fakatava and Rhys Patchell will be the starting 9-10, Sam Gilbert will get a full season at second five alongside a rotating cast of centres, and the best back three will be Jona Nareki alongside newcomers Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
That leaves hooker — and it appears to be wide open.
Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody made the bold decision to wipe the slate clean, and experienced but moderately performing rakes Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall and Leni Apisai have all departed.
Ricky Jackson
Ricky Jackson
In come Ricky Jackson, the veteran at 25 with a handful of appearances for the Crusaders under his belt, Otago rookie Henry Bell and Southland tyro Jack Taylor.
There is no clear-cut leader in the race for the No 2 jersey, and the trio will all be watched closely over the next couple of weeks to see who wants it most."They all have been challenging each other, right from day one of preseason," Dermody said.
"They’ve been pushing really hard.
"It’s nice to see them working on their game together. They throw every day together, and I think they understand that spot is going to be hotly contested.
Bell, whose younger brother George has turned heads at the Crusaders, has moved quickly up the ranks since impressing for Otago in 2022.
He followed an NPC campaign with an unexpected season in Major League Rugby, and is now living the dream — he grew up in East Otago
and attended John McGlashan College, so wearing a Highlanders jersey has long been a goal."I remember Carisbrook, as a nipper, going there with the old man to plenty of games," Bell said.
"I loved the Highlanders. I had the Highlanders kit. I’ve been a fan my whole life, and my family are from the region as well.
"I’m loving it. It’s been a cool preseason, my first one in the Super Rugby environment, so it’s been awesome.
"The coaching staff have got a pretty good vibe going on."
Bell is up for the challenge of competing with the two other newbies to play hooker for the Highlanders.
"I think we’ve got a pretty cool opportunity.
"We’re all quite young, and get along quite well, and we’ve actually played a bit of footy together.
"We’re all vying for that No 1 spot but I think we’ve got a good relationship where we can push each other . . . and be constructive with it."
Bell has beefed up to about 108kg while staying keenly aware of the need to retain his mobility around the field.
Jack Taylor
Jack Taylor
Lineout throwing, of course, is the trade’s bread and butter, and he and brother George do plenty of extra-curricular work in classic heartland fashion at the family farm on the Pigroot in the offseason.
"Me and the bro have got a bit of a set-up at home."It’s a big net hung up off the side of the house, and we’ve got an electric fence standard poking out and then a bit of binding twine attached to a dog bowl.
"The bowl has sort of been flattened, so it makes a ‘ting’ when you hit it.
"Normally, whoever wins doesn’t do the dishes, so there’s a bit on it."
American rugby is enduring some growing pains — two Major League teams have just folded — but Bell does not regret his spell with the Utah Warriors.
"I got out of my comfort zone after doing high school and University in Dunedin, and I was able to just throw and scrum under pressure and develop a lot with time in the saddle."
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Irish Paul said on X that Jack Taylor did a 4.35 Bronco. Pretty sharp for a frontrower
That is bullshit quick for a fatty. Which helps us understand that the laws and adjudication of the game haven't kept up with the game.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
If Harmon's weakness isn't his running game, then what is it? Tackling machine, great at the breakdown, if he is good at all this, then he must be better than Ardie, Cane and Dalton.
He got an opportunity too late. He is a very good player. Have the other guys done anything wrong, no, tough luck Harmon.
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I love Harmon, if I was selecting he's my AB openside
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A few interviews pre and post game from yesterday. Particularly impressed with Kenny Lynn. Think he is a great addition. https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/landers-chat-highlanders-vs-hurricanes-preseason
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So one pre-season game to go then. I'd expect pretty much the best side to start the game and to play a good 60 minutes.
Blindside flanker I think it probably the main position of interest in the starting side. The way our attacking patterns were set up, I do wonder if maybe they are leaning towards using Haig to work in the wider channels.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby not quite sure of the younger players in the Landers, but the bloke with the longish hair had a good game on Saturday. Was that Haig?
Yes. Played for the very good U20s side which one the Oceania thing in the COVID year. Didn't play NPC last year because the Highlanders ordered him to get an operation. Makes you wonder if they are happy to chuck him in at the deep end.
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I'm a massive Haig fan, but think they will start the year off with Withy. Haig can come off the bench.
I think back up first five, or a decision not to pick one could occur. Both Faleafaga and Millar could easily take the spot. However, I think they could be tempted to pick both CGB and Whaanga with Gilbert covering 10.
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Of all the young talent coming through at the Landers, after Holland, I think Haig has the highest ceiling.
I think they will be reticent to play Gilbert at 10, and will want to give Millar time in the saddle. They'd probably also rather have Gilbert go back to 15 in the case of an outside back injury, than have Gilbert go to 10 in the case of a Patchell injury.
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I wouldn't be surprised with Haig if he has a few big games whether we see stories popping up about him being eligible for Australia and England as well.
I want them to play Millar or Faleafaga. I just see the idea of having Whaanga and CGB on the bench as being quite tempting. CGB looked the best I've seen him in years.
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The highly-touted Gore-product competing to become the Highlanders' next 10
There were more players from Gore in the 2022 New Zealand Under 20s than there were from Auckland including Cam Miller.
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so, a question for those more closely connect to the region
i FEELS like we're getting more "local" (see anyone coming through the system south of the Waitaki) getting a sniff than we have in a long time
if true, do we think we're doing a better job developing them or a better job spotting them?
ie did the Highlanders spend too long looking at imports and just ignore local talent or was the talent just not there for a long time before?
