Highlanders 2021
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Thought I'd just move that CGB discussion to this thread.
I just want our Highlanders playing as much rugby as possible.
When looking at the Highlanders outside backs
Sam Gilbert (Otago)
Freedom Vahaakolo (Otago)
Jona Nareki (Otago)
Vili Koroi (Otago)
Josh Ioane (Otago, but likely 10)
Solomon Alaimalo (Southland, if he comes back)
Connor Garden-Bachop (who knows at this stage)With Otago; We have Koroi and Gilbert who can play fullback. While I rate CGB as a better footy player. I just believe from a Highlanders perspective it is important to have our players playing as much as possible.
Vahaakolo and Nareki as natural wingers.
Ioane will play 10. TUG will hopefully play 12. Josh Timu or Sio Tomkinson will likely slot in at 13.
It doesn't look like there's any natural competition for Garden-Bachop at fullback for Wellington? Unless they put Love there and play the other Garden-Bachop at 10. @Canes4life might know?
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@southernmann I'm thinking Wellington will want to play Love at 10 which will open up the fullback slot for C Garden-Bachop considering there is no other out and out fullback option in Wellington atm. Love may get game time at FB though as we also have Aiden Morgan signed as a 10 and I'd say the Canes will want to look at him aswell.
On his bro JGB, I think he's out for the year from what I've heard.
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@Canes4life @SouthernMann fair enough...damn you both and your logic!
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Don't get me wrong.
I'd love to have CGB playing for his third province in four years. This time blue and gold.
But, I just want to see him playing rugby.
Although a backline of (if we could snag CGB) would be awesome.
Garden-Bachop
Vahaakolo
Tomkinson/Timu/Gilbert (I think with his size he could be a good midfielder)
Umaga-Jensen
Nareki
Ioane
Hammington21 Arscott
22 Koroi
23 Tomkinson/Timu/GilbertInjury free that would be the best Otago backline we've had in years.
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The 32-year-old has again been one of the Highlanders’ most consistent players in Super Rugby and when their season concludes he will head back to Hawke’s Bay for another provincial campaign, with the defence of the Ranfurly Shield a priority.
Before then, however, Dixon will decide whether to stay with the Highlanders and likely lead the Māori All Blacks in their two clashes with Manu Samoa. On his Highlanders future, he appears to be leaning towards staying in Dunedin.
“We’ll just wait and see,” Dixon said. “I just try and take it bit by bit. Obviously, my family means a lot to me here, and that’s a huge influence on my decision. -
more than happy for him to say, the last couple of seasons have been some of his best, a succession plan would be good for both him and Coltman would be good though, start giving someone else minute off the bench
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@kiwiwomble Ricky Jackson is the reserve hooker but he's been injured a lot. Has only played 16 games for Otago in 4 seasons, and only 1 for the Highlanders off the bench in 2019. Maybe he's not the answer, but Southland only have older players, I think in Greg Pleasants-Tate, Jason Rutledge and Seb Siataga? Possibly, the Highlanderes will have to look outside the catchment, unless there's a good one coming through? Can't remember how the two Harry's (Press and Hansen) from the Highlanders' U20s went.
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@stargazer i do like Ricky, the limited games hes had looked ok and he's only 22, injuries permitting hopefully he'll get more game time for otago this year
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@tim Nathan Vella, not exactly one for the future at 31
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@kiwiwomble Kianu Kereru-Symes? Stuck behind Ash Dixon in Hawke's Bay for one more season, but he was great for NZ U20s. Better than Jackson IMO and has already trained two seasons with the Canes on a development contract and one with the Blues on an injury replacment contract. There's also Tyrone Thompson, stuck in a queue in Wellington.
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@bovidae said in Highlanders 2021:
The Highlanders should be looking from within otherwise that doesn't help Otago or Southland in the long-term.
yeah, if Dixon goes then id be happy to look further afield as we'd want someone to step int the 23...but if we have another season or two with him and coltman then we're looking for a 3rd choice and so someone young and local would be preference
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@kiwiwomble Riccitelli might be a good short-term option if Coles stays on for a few more years and Dixon does finish. He's only the 3rd choice at the Canes and might prefer guaranteed playing time. He might also then do a Hammington and stay down there for the NPC.
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@bovidae hows his lineout? i have in my head he's "coltman like" and im not sure we can handle two
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@kiwiwomble Riccitelli's throwing is better than Coltman's, and he has the Ardie haircut to compensate for being a hobbit.
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@bovidae said in Highlanders 2021:
@kiwiwomble Riccitelli's throwing is better than Coltman's, and he has the Ardie haircut to compensate for being a hobbit.
I can't take Riccitelli seriously since someone described him as moving around the field like an angry toddler. It's so true. His little limbs moving at a hundred miles an hour crack me up.
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I'd say hooker is our big question moving forward.
Dixon might have another couple of seasons max left in him. Coltman has been struggling. Jackson is an ok mid-level potenitally bench hooker. But there's no one really jumping out to take over the 2 jersey when Dixon decides to call time.
Kereru-Symes is the guy I'd be targeting at the moment. But, I think we need to make a bit of a Fakatava kind of play at some of the young fellas. Make someone a long-term offer they can't refuse.
I think the 'Landers squad is looking quite nice going forward. Apart from overall forward depth, that hooker spot is so important and there just looks to be a big hole there.
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If only i hadn't blown my knee!
