Highlanders 2023
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@Chris said in Highlanders 2023:
I thought Haig was very good at 6 for the NZ u/20s looks like a big abrasive unit.
Big lump of a lad who throws himself around quite well. Thought he was surprisingly athletic around the park as well. He has the most upside out of the group I think. I'm hoping he should get a fair bit of game time off the bench for Otago this year.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2023:
I thought Haig was very good at 6 for the NZ u/20s looks like a big abrasive unit.
Big lump of a lad who throws himself around quite well. Thought he was surprisingly athletic around the park as well. He has the most upside out of the group I think. I'm hoping he should get a fair bit of game time off the bench for Otago this year.
There was one try he scored on the right flank, against the Argies I think, where he showed plenty of speed. I wasn't expecting that.
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@Crazy-Horse I’m a NH rugby rugby follower who has rectory dipped their toe into trying to understand the ins and outs of NZ rugby. So this may not be the place to bring up the topic, but Jamie Hannah was an absolute bean pole of a lock, whereas Haig was well built, muscular etc. What made Hannah a better lock candidate and Haig a better flanker candidate than vice versa? Surely you’d want the skinnier but higher work rate/more athletic guy on the flank and the heavier, more set piece oriented guy at lock?
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@lordspammington said in Highlanders 2023:
@Crazy-Horse I’m a NH rugby rugby follower who has rectory dipped their toe into trying to understand the ins and outs of NZ rugby. So this may not be the place to bring up the topic, but Jamie Hannah was an absolute bean pole of a lock, whereas Haig was well built, muscular etc. What made Hannah a better lock candidate and Haig a better flanker candidate than vice versa? Surely you’d want the skinnier but higher work rate/more athletic guy on the flank and the heavier, more set piece oriented guy at lock?
Yeah I get what you are saying but I don't know enough about either to comment. Haig did look fairly mobile to me though.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris said in Highlanders 2023:
I thought Haig was very good at 6 for the NZ u/20s looks like a big abrasive unit.
Big lump of a lad who throws himself around quite well. Thought he was surprisingly athletic around the park as well. He has the most upside out of the group I think. I'm hoping he should get a fair bit of game time off the bench for Otago this year.
There was one try he scored on the right flank, against the Argies I think, where he showed plenty of speed. I wasn't expecting that.
I Remember that try,He surprised me how quick he was as well.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
Would seem as if Fakatava has indicated to the franchise his long-term plan is to stick around. The other options for him would probably be the Hurricanes or the Blues, but Christie is still reasonably young.
He turned down the Crusaders this year so doubt he'd go to the Canes (spit) or the Blues.
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@mikey07 said in Highlanders 2023:
I wonder if he will be working remotely or if he will be based in Dunedin?
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@mikey07 said in Highlanders 2023:
I wonder if he will be working remotely or if he will be based in Dunedin?
Ha.
If you read the link you'd know the answer to that question. It's what he talks about the most. -
@Crucial said in Highlanders 2023:
If you read the link you'd know the answer to that question. It's what he talks about the most.
My bad. Had a brief scan, didn't look properly
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Highlanders media release:
Chris Boyd to Mentor Highlander's Coaching Group | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
Chris Boyd will join the Highlander’s coaching group in 2023 as Coaching Mentor. Boyd will draw on his wealth of coaching experience to help guide new Head Coach, Clarke Dermody, and his coaching group in 2023.
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im really happy about this, it was clear with Brownie last year that he could have done with some guidance , especially with his selections, Dermody is stepping up and this should go a long way to make sure he doesn't end up in the same position as brownie
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
since Cam Millar doesn't join the full squad until 2024 does that mean we only carry two specialist first fives again in 2023 Mitch & marty🙁
I'd say Hunt, Koroi and Gilbert.
Wouldn't be surprised if they look for another one, perhaps from overseas to be a filler for a year.
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we can also bring someone like millar in, assuming he has a good NPC, if someone gets injured
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Highlander's announce Dave Dillon as defence coach for 2023 | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
Dave Dillon, former the Head Coach of the Japanese company team the Kobelco Steelers, will join Clarke Dermody’s coaching team as the defence coach for a three-year term. Dillon has been with Kobelco for the last five seasons...
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seems like someone whos earnt their stripes and will be good to have some fresh idea around the place
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Gotta say things are looking fairly dire for the Highlanders next year. No stqndout options at first five, hooker, openside, fullback or centre (I like Timu, but he doesn't standout like others). We also rely on an injury plagued palyer with TUG at 12. Our depth underneath under our very average starting side is NPC quality at best. Unless some unexpected players are signed we will get pumped week in and week out again.
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@SouthernMann Clarke Dermondy gets the best out of his cattle, when he was coach in 2021 we made the Mickey mouse final with guys like Collins & Tomkinson.. for me the big worry is still at 10.. hunts had no rugby lately , banks is elderly & apparently now injured anyway so we have to sign a 10 .. I would guess either Reihana or Trask from the chiefs? By the way I think our openside options are fine Harmon, Withy.
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