Highlanders 2019 Discussion

[Nepia]

@Chris-B Settle down grandpa , I was well out of school when that unholy mess was forced on the province by the NZRU (who promptly ensured it would fail) and I don't know of any HB fan who was a supporter of the concept.

By the second year it was basically just a HB team with the high paid Manawatu imports (like Cullen etc).

You can rationalise it now but I'm sure the hatred between Nelson and Malborough was equal to or eclipsed by HB v Poo hatred. However, you guys have accepted that you're being propped up by your big brother Canterbury in the Crusaders who can't import all the players they want under the current rules so you guys are the chief beneficiary, and have made peace with it. Ta$man, a franchise within a franchise.

[mariner4life]

@Nepia said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

You can rationalise it now but I'm sure the hatred between Nelson and Malborough was equal to or eclipsed by HB v Poo hatred. However, you guys have accepted that you're being propped up by your big brother Canterbury in the Crusaders who can't import all the players they want under the current rules so you guys are the chief beneficiary, and have made peace with it. Ta$man, a franchise within a franchise.

[Chris B.]

@Nepia Almost entirely unnoticed the Ta$man Illuminati have taken over New Zealand rugby - all the key positions are now held by Tasmanites and our puppets.

Note how Leon, KK and former Ta$man Assistant Coach Hammer's disciple, Ieremia have acquired the Blues franchise.

It's deeper than you think - A franchise, within a franchise, within a franchise...

You'll turn around later this week and find Special Agent Pete Samu studiously ignoring you....

[Bones]

I'd be mildly surprised if Parkinson is the starting lock at the beginning of the season.

[Stargazer]

Preseason: Highlanders v Waratahs (Fri 1 Feb, 6.00pm, Molyneux Park, Alexandra)

Waratahs
1 Harry Johnson-Holmes
2 Andrew Tuala
3 Shambeckler Vui
4 Jed Holloway (Vice Captain)
5 Ryan McCauley
6 Lachlan Swinton
7 Will Miller (Captain)
8 Hugh Sinclair
9 Mitch Short
10 Mack Mason
11 Cameron Clark
12 Karmichael Hunt
13 Lalakai Foketi
14 Curtis Rona
15 Alex Newsome

Bench
16 JP Sauni
17 Rory O’Connor
18 Chris Talakai
19 Le Roux Roets
20 BJ Edwards
21 Pat Tafa
22 Jake Gordon
23 Ben Donaldson
24 Will Harrison
25 Richard Woolf
26 Will Harris
27 Cody Walker

http://www.nswwaratahs.com.au/news/news-article/articleid/18318/new-faces-in-nsw-waratahs-team

[shark]

Holy crap, admittedly I don't follow the Waratahs much at all but there are so few names in that line up that I recognise, it's crazy.

[shark]

Oh and funkiest name on the block?

Shambeckler

[Stargazer]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/110276831/riki-flutey-brings-uk-kicking-guru-dave-alreds-methods-to-the-highlanders

[Stargazer]

Highlanders team for preseason game v Waratahs

Team for the first 30 minute period:

Ayden Johnstone
Liam Coltman
Josh Iosefa-Scott
Pari Pari Parkinson
Josh Dickson
Marino Mikaele Tu’u
Dillon Hunt
Luke Whitelock (C)
Folau Fakatava
Josh Ioane
Tevita Li
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Rob Thompson
Matt Faddes
Josh McKay

Squad Forwards Reserves: Ray Niuia, Sef Fa’agase, Tyrel Lomax , Jackson Hemopo, James Lentjes, Ash Dixon, Joe Apikotoa, Jack Whetton, Ethan De Groot, Manaaki Selby-Rickett, Ricky Jackson

Squad Backs Reserves: Kayne Hammington, Bryn Gatland, Tevita Nabura, Marty Banks, Teihorangi Walden, Sio Tomkinson, Josh Timu

Not Playing: Elliot Dixon, Daniel Lienert -Brown, Tom Franklin, Richard Buckman, Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

Injured: Siate Tokolahi

The whole squad will be in attendance at the game however the All Blacks having only just returned will not be involved in the match.

The game will be played in 3 x 30 minute periods and will be an ideal opportunity for both teams with the competition proper starting in just two weeks’ time.

News | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

Keep up to date and get breaking Highlanders news first! See the latest scores, team standings and player news.

[mariner4life]

@shark said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

Holy crap, admittedly I don't follow the Waratahs much at all but there are so few names in that line up that I recognise, it's crazy.

most interesting for the 'tahs, only one double-barreled surname.

[KiwiMurph]

@shark said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

Holy crap, admittedly I don't follow the Waratahs much at all but there are so few names in that line up that I recognise, it's crazy.

perhaps this is why

RESTED: Michael Hooper, Israel Folau, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Jack Dempsey, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Damian Fitzpatrick (calf), Adam Ashley-Cooper.

[Dice]

Is Banks favorite to be the starter at 10 this season?

I'm a bit of a fan of Ioane. I think he's really rounded out his game nicely. He is somewhat similar to Sopoaga, but he attacks the line a bit more than Sopoaga did.

[Bones]

@Dice his shocker in the finals will not be forgotten anytime soon...

[cgrant]

Some players lose their confidence after such displays. I hope Banks is not among them. He's a good all round player and his kicking from tee is second to none in the Highlanders squad.

[Bones]

@cgrant Banks? I meant Ioane...

[cgrant]

Ah ah ! I was referring to Banks's disastrous final against Canterbury two years ago.

[Crucial]

@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

@shark said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

Holy crap, admittedly I don't follow the Waratahs much at all but there are so few names in that line up that I recognise, it's crazy.

perhaps this is why

RESTED: Michael Hooper, Israel Folau, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Jack Dempsey, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Damian Fitzpatrick (calf), Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Taking a rest from getting soundly beaten?

[Stargazer]

Dammit. Only just now I discovered that the PS game is livestreamed!

Can't be bothered to see if the Landers have another link.

http://www.nswwaratahs.com.au/livestream

[Stargazer]

Okay, easy to find. On the Highlanders FB page:

[Stargazer]

Terrible quality stream.