Highlanders 2021
-
Haha! Well I got owned huh.
I guess that's it then. Walden wasn't the best back besides Smith/Ioane and the Highlanders are much better off without him. Where we will struggle is replacing the massive impact Thompson had this year.
Here's hoping whoever replaces Mauger can step up to match his sterling selection policy and guidance.
-
Just saw on the socials we havent offered Ash Dixon a new contract.....
-
@Kiwiwomble What the hell is going on down there?
-
@Tim did Hammett implement a culture change on his way out?
-
hope its wrong...but yeah...thats what i want to know
this season our stand outs were ash and our loosies....Dillon hunt gone and maybe ash plus some talk of Frizell going
area of weakness was midfield until collins came in and even then we'd only say it performed....let two midfielders go, one of witch didn't play so cant be held at fault and the other has a rare bad season...but we've kept one of the two who played, sio, who can firmly be blamed for poor form and loads of cards/penalties
i hope we havent done t because we havent appointed a new coach...i don't think any new coach would mind having Ash on board
-
That all sounds a bit fucked up. The Highlanders seem to punch above their weight , sum of the parts, etc. Which would imply that the culture is pretty good.
-
the culture has always been something that was talked about as a reason positive at the Highlanders, i think at least some of it comes from having so many out of towners so they support each other
-
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
Just saw on the socials we havent offered Ash Dixon a new contract.....
WTF? Probably the best performing hooker in SRA. And, if he continues his current form, also Mitre 10 Cup.
-
-
I think I just heard Tony Johnson say in his commentary during the Ta$man v BOP game that Liam Squire will return to NZ rugby next year. I assume he meant Super Rugby. Are there any rumours of him re-signing with the Highlanders? I sure hope he's not going to keep Mikaele-Tu'u out of the 8 jersey ... Or could it be another franchise?
-
@Stargazer I heard it too. He'd be bloody handy to have on the bench or as back up at 6/8 but maybe the canes could do with a 6 of his calibre to start.
-
@Bones I don't think the Canes need another loosie. The starting and bench spots are basically already filled with who they have, even if Evans doesn't return (no idea whether he will). I was more thinking of the Chiefs, if not the Landers.
-
Not that I assume he's on huge money, but could it be money related? If a franchise was in the shit for cash, I could see them passing on established players and trying to get 'value' out of up and comers (especially, when i think they still have Coltman).
It's literally the only reason I can think of not to sign him.
-
@gt12 im sure you're right, im just worried we're focusing on developing the wrong areas
-
@Bones a loose forward trio of Squire, Savea and Flanders would go well.
-
a contributing factor might be if Frizell heads to the Saders as has been mentioned, without him and experienced 6 would be welcome
-
@Kiwiwomble That could result in a Highlanders backrow of Squire, Mikaele-Tu'u and Lentjes. Not bad at all, although Squire has become a bit injury prone, the last few years.
-
@Stargazer dont get me wrong, i would rather keep Frizell....but beggers etc
I'm worried Lentjes is getting past it, not in the best form for a while before getting injured, if we can get/keep some experience at 6 then i wouldn't mind running someone young/new at 7
-
He's going to the Canes to play lock, heard it here first.
-
@Yeetyaah atleast it will be an improvement.
-
-
@Kiwiwomble Himeno can also played 6 - played there at times during RWC.
-
@Kiwiwomble Hmm, that would be a surprise signing. As to the Highlanders number 8s, IIRC, MMT is off-contract, but somehow I can't see him going anywhere else, unless there is a serious culture issue. This year, he was the first choice no. 8; I don't think there's a chance he could get that much game time anywhere else.
Misiloi is off-contract, too, and was injured all season. Not sure about TBN.
-
@Stargazer misiloi fit again, played on the weekend as did Ben-nicolas
i wasn't up to date with the contract status so maybe some people are moving on and just not announced
-
The news is correct. Kazuki Himeno will join the Highlanders for the 2021 season.
There's an announcement on the Toyota Verblitz website: http://sports.gazoo.com/verblitz/news/2020/10/007696.html
Steve Hansen's Toyota is one of the Japanese clubs who have signed several New Zealand players this year. Maybe some kind of deal between Toyoata V and NZR? The announcement sounds like he's going with their blessing and to get some overseas' experience that will benefit Japanese rugby.
-
Shit signing. We have so many great young loose forwards and they opt for a Japanese international. Last time a Super team signed a Japanese team it was Ata'ata Moeakiola for the Chiefs and he did sweet fuck all.
-
@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2021:
Shit signing. We have so many great young loose forwards and they opt for a Japanese international. Last time a Super team signed a Japanese team it was Ata'ata Moeakiola for the Chiefs and he did sweet fuck all.
He was awesome in the RWC. Reckon that’s a great signing myself
-
@Billy-Tell not doubting his ability at all.
-
@Billy-Tell said in Highlanders 2021:
@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2021:
Shit signing. We have so many great young loose forwards and they opt for a Japanese international. Last time a Super team signed a Japanese team it was Ata'ata Moeakiola for the Chiefs and he did sweet fuck all.
He was awesome in the RWC. Reckon that’s a great signing myself
In a team with several glaring weaknesses and limited resources available in NZ, blindside is the last place I'd be looking overseas.
-
oh well, welcome aboard! at very least we're not likely to be worse than last year when it comes to loosies
woudn't mind a head coach
-
Great signing... unnecessary but a great signing none the less. An absolute weapon at RWC.
-
@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2021:
@Kiwiwomble Hmm, that would be a surprise signing. As to the Highlanders number 8s, IIRC, MMT is off-contract, but somehow I can't see him going anywhere else, unless there is a serious culture issue. This year, he was the first choice no. 8; I don't think there's a chance he could get that much game time anywhere else.
Misiloi is off-contract, too, and was injured all season. Not sure about TBN.
Hope the Crusaders are sniffing around MMT if he is off contract. I reckon he would get a regular start there as a 8.
-
@Crazy-Horse If they keep Cullen Grace at 6, yes. MMT is definitely better than Douglas. But I understand from the media that the Crusaders will fill all holes in their squad from their own academy.
-
@Stargazer if that's the case I hope they have a good one squirreled away. Apart from Blackadder (who seems to be injury prone), Grace is the only loosie I am excited about. But this is a Highlanders thread so I will leave it there.
-
@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2021:
@Crazy-Horse If they keep Cullen Grace at 6, yes. MMT is definitely better than Douglas. But I understand from the media that the Crusaders will fill all holes in their squad from their own academy.
Yeah that was quoted in the media and I believe from sources that’s their preferred option now.
the academy players from both regions spend alot of time around the Crusaders training being simulated into the culture,therefore are ready to slip into the squad. -
This suggests that Frizell isn't going anywhere and ... that Ash Dixon has indeed not been offered a contract. Are they nuts?
The Highlanders have already bolstered their stocks by bringing in former Crusaders teammates Billy Harmon and Fetuli Paea, both of whom will aide the departures of new Blues flanker Dillon Hunt and out-of-contract trio Ash Dixon, Teihorangi Walden and Josh McKay.
Experienced midfielder Rob Thompson has also confirmed he has ended his time with the Highlanders, while head coach of the past three seasons Aaron Mauger wasn’t offered a contract renewal following this year’s campaign.
Predominantly a No. 8, Himeno will have stern competition for a starting role given the rise of Marino Mikaele-Tu’u this season, while the franchise also boasts All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell in what is looking a strong loose forward contingent.
-
nothing actually on the Highlanders socials...top notch communication once again
when i look at this list of departing players i can only assume we're looking to save some money and fill the ranks from locallygutted about Ash but Ricky Jackson has been pretty handy for Otago....hopefully Paea is what we've been looking for in midfield...thats where im most worried
edit:
I see a "7" on his back in one of those pics, might also where we see him filling in
-
Are we sure Dixon wants to continue? Some of his recent comments about milestones seem to suggest he is thinking of retiring.
-
@Bovidae i wouldn't be surprised, we havent exactly been the best at announcing anything, previously there wold have been some fanfare, loyal servant departing etc
Post 244 of 869