Highlanders 2024
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Highlanders more optimistic about de Groot and Hicks
Highlanders forwards Ethan de Groot and Max Hicks could be back in action sooner than expected. The pair were invalided out of the game against the...
de Groot recovering well from the head knock and Hicks is just a wrist sprain
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby reckon Taylor deserves another crack at starting.
Tight call. I do think though, Bell earned the starting role through those first three games and was merely rested last week.
Taylor certainly well clear of Jackson though imo.
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Certainly has been an interesting start to the season. Lots of promise, but probably not quite the output we'd like?
Notable that Parkinson is the only player who started for us in Hamilton last year, who will do so again on Saturday. This is still a really new side adapting to new combinations, so to expect it to always be perfect was probably a little optimistic. de Groot, Parkinson, Harmon, Renton & Gilbert (eight of his starts were also at fullback) were the only players to start over half our games last year who are still nailed on starters.
The next two games are going to really show if we just had an easy draw to start and other sides are rusty, or whether we are genuinely going to be able to challenge for the places between 3-6.
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I feel Nareki firing could be whats missing, been good on D but havent seen that threat with ball in hand yet
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
I feel Nareki firing could be whats missing, been good on D but havent seen that threat with ball in hand yet
Definitely part of it. Some of it is also just a few general teething issues I think. Certainly we are guilty of rushing things, which is what you get with loads of younger players.
This is why I do think it is key having Patchell at 10 rather than one of the younger two at this stage to provide some balance and patience.
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thats actually why id be tempted to start Ajay, him coming on late when guys like nareki are already gassed just doesnt excite me, shock and awe early in the game and getting a lead would be awesome...and then steady hand patchell comes on to close
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
thats actually why id be tempted to start Ajay, him coming on late when guys like nareki are already gassed just doesnt excite me, shock and awe early in the game and getting a lead would be awesome...and then steady hand patchell comes on to close
At this stage of Faleafaga's career though, he just simply isn't a better player than Patchell.
Patchell beats him in the playmaking and kicking department quite comfortably.
Faleafaga has provided great impact off the bench the last few games, because his extra pace is handy at exploiting tired opposition forwards... this is not to say he couldn't do it from the start, but I think the Highlanders have looked at their best overall with Fakatava and Patchell combining at 9 and 10.
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@SouthernMann bang on mate, I a Canes man, but I impressed with what Highlanders are doing with their youngsters. I know Withy was in U20s in '21 and not '22, but look at way he going along with Holland, Haigh's another good youngun coming on great there, as well as Taylor at hooker etc. They got a few young backs they bleeding into team nicely I think!
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
I feel Nareki firing could be whats missing, been good on D but havent seen that threat with ball in hand yet
Yeah although I'm reminded of his earlier career - it took him a good season or so to really hit his peak... bugger.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
I feel Nareki firing could be whats missing, been good on D but havent seen that threat with ball in hand yet
Yeah although I'm reminded of his earlier career - it took him a good season or so to really hit his peak... bugger.
He's affected by the injuries I think... not trusting his body enough to burst through or around contact like he once did, so has reverted to the chip kick.
I actually think it is only a mental hurdle, to the eye at least he looks just as quick, and just as elusive.
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Who’s likely to start at centre for the Landers now that Tele’a will likely get a couple weeks off?
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@Canes4life Te Hiwi I think. Timu has only just come back, and M Whaanga is injured I believe.
If not those, then they're either chucking J Whaanga in at the deep end, or playing Nareki/Tavatavanawai there as they did at the end of the Chiefs game.
Jonah Lowe the other option, but he was so diabolical against the Tahs that they seem to have done away with that idea.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby almost exactly what i was thinking...something tells me Lowe might get a run
That is my fear... though he did play wing for the Bravehearts, so fingers crossed they have dumped that idea.
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@frugby i dont hate the idea in general as i thought he has some sixe and could have been good at getting that front foot ball....but they needed to spend the entire pre season turning him into a 13 (rather than just playing a wing at 13)....and they dont seem to have done that
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby i dont hate the idea in general as i thought he has some sixe and could have been good at getting that front foot ball....but they needed to spend the entire pre season turning him into a 13 (rather than just playing a wing at 13)....and they dont seem to have done that
His defence for that Waratahs try gave me nightmares. If you offered that much space on the outside to Procter/Moorby etc. we might as well not turn up. It is the exact reason we got destroyed time after time by the Kiwi sides last year.
Telea'a's defence (simply by being in the right spot) has improved us massively. I'd argue in many ways because of the lack of depth behind him, he is our most important player.
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@Kiwiwomble Lowe at 13 won't cut it unfortunately, the guy is a bit of a one trick pony, looks good on the edges when he has space but put him up against a strong defensive system and he goes missing. He's been doing it for years and it's unlikely to change. He's also not a line breaker so probably not the best idea putting him at centre.
It's a shame the Highlanders didn't pick up Peter Umaga-Jensen. Once again he's pretty much sitting on the sidelines at the Canes, I'm surprised he hasn't made the shift. He would be starting down there for sure.
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@Canes4life why would he want to leave the best canes team ever?
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Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a suspended for three weeks
Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a has been suspended for three weeks and won’t be available to return until April 19.
