Highlanders 2023
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@Crucial said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2023:
@Crucial you're a Vegas local, don't pretend you don't know the reference.
Honestly don’t. Assumed Stokes Valley?
Have lived in the Hutt Valley for three years. Only driven through Stokes Valley once. Certainly seems like some great kiwis have come from the suburb though. I know one thing for sure, some top footy players come from the Hutt Valley and they are more than welcome down at the Highlanders. Me personally, I'll stick to my lower end of Lower Hutt
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@macmanus said in Highlanders 2023:
“For me becoming a Highlander has been a dream of mine since I was four years old and pulled on my first pair of boots for Timaru Celtic. Being an ex-Otago Boys High pupil, coming through the Otago Academy, Highlanders High Performance system and playing for my Club Green Island gives me a deep appreciation for this region and the people in it. It really does mean everything to me”.
One thing that jumps out here is that young players dream of playing for the Super teams - NPC being all that is for old fucks (like me) who tend to post on here (even though I can't give a piss about Waikato, go Chiefs!).
It might be something to consider as some on here don't consider Super sides to have any history.
It's all of his life and his dream...
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@gt12 Not sure that's the case. This was an interview or request for a comment related to his Highlanders' signing. Maybe if they'd asked him for a comment when he first signed with Otago, he'd have said the same thing. I still hear young kids in the Bay say they want to become a Magpie.
Edit: Of course, it may be different for provinces where a SR franchise is based. The smaller provinces don't have that base, so kids may focus more on their NPC team, because they never get to see their SR teams live.
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He's 21, spent the last few years of school in Dunedin. He would have grown up watching golden era Highlanders rugby, Smith's, Naholo, Fekitoa, Manu etc.
That's the stage he would have wanted. Same with the other kids out there.
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@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:
@macmanus said in Highlanders 2023:
“For me becoming a Highlander has been a dream of mine since I was four years old and pulled on my first pair of boots for Timaru Celtic. Being an ex-Otago Boys High pupil, coming through the Otago Academy, Highlanders High Performance system and playing for my Club Green Island gives me a deep appreciation for this region and the people in it. It really does mean everything to me”.
One thing that jumps out here is that young players dream of playing for the Super teams - NPC being all that is for old fucks (like me) who tend to post on here (even though I can't give a piss about Waikato, go Chiefs!).
It might be something to consider as some on here don't consider Super sides to have any history.
It's all of his life and his dream...
even if we concede that as the case, and im not sure it is, thats all down to the marketing...and thats something that can be changed, i think they really want to be playing against and with the best players....and at the moment thats super rugby
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The idea of history and Super teams is all relative.
Sure if you are in your 40s or 50s it may feel like there is no history in Super Rugby.
But if you are 20 or 21, the competition has been running for longer than you have been alive.
You attach your childhood heroes to Super teams. You don't remember Dan Carter playing for Canterbury, he played for the Crusaders, same with all the players you see. They play 100+ games for their franchises and if they are good enough play for the All Blacks. Most top line players might only play half a dozen provincial games at their peak. Provincial rugby is a stepping stone, it isn't a goal. You aren't going to get rich or achieve your goals playing for Southland.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
The idea of history and Super teams is all relative.
Sure if you are in your 40s or 50s it may feel like there is no history in Super Rugby.
But if you are 20 or 21, the competition has been running for longer than you have been alive.
You attach your childhood heroes to Super teams. You don't remember Dan Carter playing for Canterbury, he played for the Crusaders, same with all the players you see. They play 100+ games for their franchises and if they are good enough play for the All Blacks. Most top line players might only play half a dozen provincial games at their peak. Provincial rugby is a stepping stone, it isn't a goal. You aren't going to get rich or achieve your goals playing for Southland.
Yep totally agree thats how the young players look at it,NPC is just a way to get to Super Rugby, unless you get into the Super teams academies straight from school.
That sets the standards for the Rugby fans too they see that as well, you become an AB from Super Rugby not normally NPC. -
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@Duluth said in Highlanders 2023:
'Bad news to follow later today'
god...because this year has been awesome for highlanders fans
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@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:
@Tim said in Highlanders 2023:
Aha. Thanks.
Let me take a punt on "Fakatava to the Blues".
They'll be announcing Hotham to the Saders, I assume, or has that been announced?
i hope thats all it is....after gatland and ioane going in quick succession leaving us super light in an area i wouldnt be surprised to loose all our halfbacks
edit: the highlanders still claiming Hotham so hopefully that is the difference
Congratulations to all 7 Highlanders u20s players named in the All Blacks u20s team against Fiji in Brisbane 🙌 With Fabian, Hayden, Noah, Cam, Jake and Finn starting and Oliver on the bench there is a strong Highlanders influence on this team 💪 The future is bright ✨
I'll say it again, i would 100% buy that jersey
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@Kiwiwomble do think Hotham will take Hall's place at the crusaders, as for halfback depth we'll be fine Fakatava loves being a Highlander man!! Knocked back several offers early last yr to move & a key reason being his father back in Tonga told him to be Loyal🙂
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
his father back in Tonga told him to be Loyal
just not loyal to Tonga
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I've mentioned a few times Miller has massive Noakes, Arlidge and at best Parker vibes. Genuine kicking first five. Doesn't offer anything past that.
