Highlanders 2021
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would be more than happy to see Dermody in the head coach role, even better if we could keep Brownie in an assistant/advisory role, seems to be where he shines, spend the off seasons traveling and come back to share what hes developed
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@southernmann said in Highlanders 2021:
While there will be questions marks over over Alaimalo, the third halfback, Mikaele-Tu'u, Dixon, Jackson and Thwaites.
WIth the loosies, Highlanders U20 Captain Sean Withy should be bought in. He seems an outstanding prospect. Lentjes can play six, With will be the third string openside. Is the future of the franchise. Depending on what they do with Mikaele-Tu'u there is the potential for another 6/8 to impress. I hope they keep him around, seems as if his off the field stuff has been a bit of a distraction to him this season. With the mix of Frizell, Squire, Renton and Harmon we have a good mix of talent as first string players. With a likely Frizell, Harmon and Renton starting trio and Squire coming off the bench.
Great write-up, but why would there be a question mark over Mikaele-Tu'u? They'd be absolutely nuts not to re-sign him!
"off the field stuff", you mean that one night at Josh Ioane's? Why would that have been a distraction? And why do you write it as if it affected him all season?
Do you realise he's been injured for most of the season? Yes, he had a bit of a quiet start to the season, not unlike other no. 8's like Sotutu or Grace. There's no reason to think he wouldn't have been able to lift his game like them, if he hadn't been injured.
At first five we are reasonably well set with Mitch Hunt. The question is will Josh Ioane want to stick around, or is he sick of being told off for being a dumb fluffybunny. It is liekly Vili Koroi will also be seen as a back up 10. But, if Ioane goes and Koroi is our back up 10. Do we look to sign a mid-level first five as a back up. Do we look towards a McClutchie or a Brett Cameron. Someone who is experienced and can do a role should Hunt go down injured. I'd be in favour of a signing like that.
I assume the Highlanders are more likely to sign Makene than McClutchie as a back-up 10, like they did this season.
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@stargazer Gilbert can play 10 cant he?
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@Stargazer; In terms of Mikaele-Tu'u, I've heard that he really enjoys the off field component of living in Dunedin. I'd really like for him to stick around. He's a very talented player at the top of his game. Just haven't read anything about him re-signing, although often you don't. He is the sort of player who might be targeted by Moana Pasifika, who may try to bring him in by guaranteeing him the no8 spot. Keeping him is the ideal situation, allowing the Highlanders to bounce between him and Renton at eight, depending on the opposition.
@Kiwiwomble; With Faddes, I'd expect to see him added alongside Tomkinson. Although, he could be another one that Moana Pasifika might try to woo.
There is a young lock down in Otago from Christchurch, Fabian Holland that could have a good season in the Building Supplies Provincial Championship. Very young, but might force his way in.
I'm hoping we do our best to keep Noah Hotham around. Nothing beats a top notch halfback one two punch.
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I'm expecting Gregory to have a massive season for Northland (assuming our coaches noticed that he has been playing where many were calling for him.to play since 2019 - midfield)
He came into the 2020 npc low on confidence after a poor super season and took several games to gain any confidence and even then, still came off the bench and not always in the midfield.
Whether he partners Tua or Ranger, I am hoping he will have a stormer, and then continues to press his case at the highlanders for 2022
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looks like NMS has at least been out in the community if not playing
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Did I see somewhere that Brett Cameron is heading off-shore? So one less Crusaders cast-off you can get your hands on.
Gilbert at least has some experience at 10 from schoolboy days, so could be an option there.
We all hope Alaimalo sorts himself out.
Eliott Dixon is back in NZ and based on a story in The Press today, open to playing NPC and SR. I'd love to see him make himself available for Canterbury this year given he's currently living in Ohoka and is a Cantab originally. But he could end up with the Highlanders again.
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talk about rigged @Stargazer r, you get upvotes when you dont even say anything!
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The Culture around the team has, for a long time, been one if the Highlanders best assets, Hopefully they've all got around him and given him the support he obviously needs right now, good on him for explaining, he didn't need too as its his business
