Highlanders 2023
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Half the forward pack is ok. A few years ago we had three really good young locks who all looked like they could have kicked on. None did. We have no real options at hooker. I like the depth at prop.
With the backs, I just hope we aren't expecting Cam Miller to be the saviour at 10. I just get huge Matt Berquist, James Arlidge and Chris Noakes vibes from him.
I guess I'm just feeling a bit pissy with the likelihood of Noah Hotham and Christian Lio-Willie heading up SH1 to the All Stars.
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Holland and Withy have been introduced to the main squad but no backs.
Dermody should fast-track the likes of Te Hiwi, Asi and Faleafaga. The latter could be the long-term solution at 1st 5. There might be some short-term pain but likely no worse than the results this year.
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@SouthernMann we shouldn't let Lio-Willie go , Frizell has missed big chunks of recent seasons due to Injury ect.
Lio-Willie or Withy would be on my bench moving forward in an ideal world -
thinking about it im happy enough, i think its easier for forwards to make up for deficient skill through hard graft, i think browny wanted this flashy backline, something he himself or sopanga could pull off...but with banks...and it didn;t work.
Demondy might focus on a stable platform in the forwards and make things a little easier for an at best inexperience backline
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The Highlanders are set to move to five-strong coaching setup in 2023 – they only had four coaches this year – with as many as three new coaches coming on board. It is understood that defence Shane Christie has moved on.
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann we shouldn't let Lio-Willie go , Frizell has missed big chunks of recent seasons due to Injury ect.
Lio-Willie or Withy would be on my bench moving forward in an ideal worldFrom Lio-Willie's perspective would you rather wear no20 for the Landers or the Crusaders? If you don't have that pull. The choice seems simple.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann we shouldn't let Lio-Willie go , Frizell has missed big chunks of recent seasons due to Injury ect.
Lio-Willie or Withy would be on my bench moving forward in an ideal worldFrom Lio-Willie's perspective would you rather wear no20 for the Landers or the Crusaders? If you don't have that pull. The choice seems simple.
Potentially he could wear 6 if they use Blackadder at 7 which they did favour at the end of the season.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann we shouldn't let Lio-Willie go , Frizell has missed big chunks of recent seasons due to Injury ect.
Lio-Willie or Withy would be on my bench moving forward in an ideal worldFrom Lio-Willie's perspective would you rather wear no20 for the Landers or the Crusaders? If you don't have that pull. The choice seems simple.
Fair, but then you could end up like Kini Naholo and be miles away from the team, or Fihaki who would be lucky to get on the bench.
Both of those players would likely have got significant time by now at any other franchise. That might not be a bad thing either.
As a 6/8 at the landers though, it's probably their only position of depth, so the obvious answer is to move to the Chiefs.
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@gt12 said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann we shouldn't let Lio-Willie go , Frizell has missed big chunks of recent seasons due to Injury ect.
Lio-Willie or Withy would be on my bench moving forward in an ideal worldFrom Lio-Willie's perspective would you rather wear no20 for the Landers or the Crusaders? If you don't have that pull. The choice seems simple.
Fair, but then you could end up like Kini Naholo and be miles away from the team, or Fihaki who would be lucky to get on the bench.
Both of those players would likely have got significant time by now at any other franchise. That might not be a bad thing either.
As a 6/8 at the landers though, it's probably their only position of depth, so the obvious answer is to move to the Chiefs.
this is the things with confident young men...they all think theyre right on the cusp breaking into the starting XV...we only get the guys after a couple of years once they realise its harder than it looks
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@macmanus said in Highlanders 2023:
six spots available for 2023...
not exactly a lot of room for a sea change
Im really interested in if we'll see Alaimalo, did he have a two or three year deal?
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@Kiwiwomble If the Highlanders need a loose forward (or 6/lock) they should be looking at the other Alaimalo.
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Probably Josh Hohneck might not be back as well. James Lentjes is turning 32 next year, but he is liked for his leadership. Punivai is probably om the way out. May be Banks as well. So Hohneck, Coltman, Evans, Hammington, Banks, Sio and may be Alaimalo and Punivai. That's eight. But, can't imagine who will be staying.
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bit of a surprise...if we ever did a proper heritage jersey it would have to be black and white stripes
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@Kiwiwomble Good signing. Has been sharp for the Chiefs. I wonder if they have signed a wing?
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how is he with injuries?...really would just love to field the same team a few weeks in a row
