Highlanders 2021
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@Bones As the 3rd hooker instead of Ricky Jackson? Nah, both Dixon and Coltman are already 30+, GPT is 29. They need the 3rd hooker to be a young one. With my one eye I just wished they'd signed Kereru-Symes, who I think is better than Jackson, but you can't blame the Landers for selecting a young player from their catchment for that 3rd spot.
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didn't we play him a couple of times on the left wing after the shocker and he looked much better
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@Kiwiwomble he certainly looks more comfortable on the wing than FB.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2021:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
good to "hear" Brownie say some of the things we've been talking about
“I know we’ve got Aaron Smith as our All Black and our starting nine, but I think with the way Folau’s playing, he’s going to start to put a lot of pressure on Aaron Smith, and I think he’ll get a lot more game time, and potentially might see him coming on at the backend of games and being a real threat with ball in hand.”
Tony Brown hints at how the Highlanders will line-up in 2021 with new signings and returning stars
Other notable additions to the pack include Maori All Blacks prop Josh Hohneck, three-test Wallabies prop front-rower Jermaine Ainsley, and two-cap All Blacks lock Bryn Evans, both returning to New Zealand after stints overseas.
this is what they propose, not bad on paper
- Ayden Johnstone
- Ash Dixon (cc)
- Jermaine Ainsley
- Pari Pari Parkinson
- Josh Dickson
Kazuki HimenoFrizzelJames LentjesHarmon- Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
- Aaron Smith (cc)
- Josh Ioane
- Jona Nareki
- Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Fetuli PaeaCollinsSolomon AlaimaloGregoryMitch HuntAlaimalo
Reserves:- Liam Coltman
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Josh Hohneck
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Billy HarmonHimeno- Folau Fakatava
Michael CollinsHuntVilimoni KoroiPaea
Think that's what I'd do...
Himeno was one of the best players of the last RWC. It will be interesting to see who gets the starting spot. And what about Squire ?
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@taniwharugby said in Highlanders 2021:
@Bones I think Gregory will be good on the wing, good place to regain some confidence, he is strong, quick enough, goes looking for work and is a strong defender, but his future is in the mid-field, which is where was listed as being signed for.
But what is clear, is he is not a FB.
I think his future should be sevens. He kinda went from hero to zero, from sevens to being stuck in as a 15, and that horror match. Not very fair on the kid.
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I think he has played very well on the wing also. Great big boot clears well off kickoffs
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@cgrant said in Highlanders 2021:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2021:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:
good to "hear" Brownie say some of the things we've been talking about
“I know we’ve got Aaron Smith as our All Black and our starting nine, but I think with the way Folau’s playing, he’s going to start to put a lot of pressure on Aaron Smith, and I think he’ll get a lot more game time, and potentially might see him coming on at the backend of games and being a real threat with ball in hand.”
Tony Brown hints at how the Highlanders will line-up in 2021 with new signings and returning stars
Other notable additions to the pack include Maori All Blacks prop Josh Hohneck, three-test Wallabies prop front-rower Jermaine Ainsley, and two-cap All Blacks lock Bryn Evans, both returning to New Zealand after stints overseas.
this is what they propose, not bad on paper
- Ayden Johnstone
- Ash Dixon (cc)
- Jermaine Ainsley
- Pari Pari Parkinson
- Josh Dickson
Kazuki HimenoFrizzelJames LentjesHarmon- Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
- Aaron Smith (cc)
- Josh Ioane
- Jona Nareki
- Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Fetuli PaeaCollinsSolomon AlaimaloGregoryMitch HuntAlaimalo
Reserves:- Liam Coltman
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Josh Hohneck
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Billy HarmonHimeno- Folau Fakatava
Michael CollinsHuntVilimoni KoroiPaea
Think that's what I'd do...
Himeno was one of the best players of the last RWC. It will be interesting to see who gets the starting spot. And what about Squire ?
I wouldn't be averse to Himeno being thrown the 7 jersey.
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I think he had a couple of games at 7 at the world cup, ive checked some highlights, looks more like a 6 to me but I could see him playing more of a tight defensive 7 than a ranging kind of one, cover the inside channel
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I got one (two) of the "Landers Army" ones from last year
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That was an interesting interview, it was classic when he said he's a bit of a dick when he's injured. He's clearly still just a regular guy who enjoys a beer and loves rugby, and it was very interesting to hear his ideas (I've only met him once at a BBQ, but he was a funny bugger then and clearly a nice guy who wasn't up himself at all).
He big-upped Evans and Squire, so it will be very interesting to see how they go, and he clearly hinted that Alaimalo will have first go at 15.
No hesitation in saying that the first player he'd poach is Richie Mo'unga, and from the discussion, it sounds like there is some pressure on Joane too - fitness etc were mentioned so he clearly needs to step up.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2021:
Yeah I hope we get SRA Joane and not NPC Joane.
Same, hoping some pressure on him now Hunt can concentrate on 10 will do him some good
This is the first time in a while I feel we have some healthy competition in most positions...just hope brownie has the balls to swap out those not performing
@gt12 thanks for the summary
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I understand that Kazuke Himeno is still stuck in Japan because of COVID (there is a state of emergency in parts of Japan - the greater Tokyo area - at least until 7 February). So it may take a while before he joins the Highlanders ... (no idea, how long).
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@Stargazer bugger, I’d imagine anyone coming from a different comp/country would need a little longer getting their eye in
If we plan it right we might have him coming with fresh leg later in the season...being optimistic
