Highlanders 2023
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@Kiwiwomble Christie indicated he wouldn't be back at the end of the SR season. Dermody is replacing himself.
Edit: It might have been mentioned in the commentary but he is off-contract.
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@Kiwiwomble FYI
Donnelly will join Dermody, Dave Dillon (defence), Richard Whiffin (attack), Riki Flutey (skills and backs) and coaching mentor Chris Boyd at the Highlanders.
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Have just dossed up a Highlanders squad for next year. Big question marks over first five, midfield and outside backs. The forwards look settled. A strong propping rotation to be around for a number of years to come. Hookers will be replaced over the next few years. Rhys Marshall to stick around after next year. Locks good. Loosies more will be added in come 2024. First five is a massive worry. Really fascinated by the depth to be signed in the outside backs and midfield. Overall, next year will be a tough watch.
Highlanders squad
LooseheadEthan de Groot
Ayden Johnstone
Abraham PoleHookers
Line Apisai
Andrew Makalio
Rhys Marshall
Saula Ma’u
Jermaine Ainsley
Luca InchLocks
Josh Dickson
Paripari Parinson
Fabian Holland
Will TuckerLoosies
Shannon Frizell
James Lentjes
Billy Harmon
Sean Withy
Max Hicks
Marino Mikaele Tu’u
Nikora Broughton
??Halfbacks
James Arscott
Folau Fakatava
Aaron SmithFirst fives
Mitch Hunt ?
Marty Banks ?
Vili KoroiMidfield
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Josh Timu
Scott Gregory
???
???Outside backs
Connor Garden-Bachop
Sam Gilbert
Jona Nareki
Jonah Lowe
??
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@SouthernMann I would love to see us actually come up with a game plan that uses the tools we have rather than thinking we're the AB's circa 2015
so if we have smith and fakatava/arscott who have done apprentices under him and therefore know how to play like him, lets give gilbert a run in the pseudo 10 role we saw last year, play making form 9/10, a big 10 running at 10 and 12 (TUJ) means we can have a smaller 13 like timu and outside backs like hunt, nareki and kori
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
so if we have smith and fakatava/arscott who have done apprentices under him and therefore know how to play like him, lets give gilbert a run in the pseudo 10 role we saw last year, play making form 9/10, a big 10 running at 10 and 12 (TUJ) means we can have a smaller 13 like timu and outside backs like nareki and kori
I'd say the first choice wingers are fairly locked down at the moment with Nareki and Lowe. Doubt he would have signed a three year gig to hold tackle bags.
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@SouthernMann agreed, not sure i said otherwise
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@SouthernMann Mate wouldn't that young Cam Millar be a great chance of getting a contract at 10, surely would be better than Marty Banks is these days.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann Mate wouldn't that young Cam Millar be a great chance of getting a contract at 10, surely would be better than Marty Banks is these days.
Will be dependant on the length of contract they gave to Banks. At the moment Millar is signed from 2024, along with a number of younger players. Will be likely the entire group will be with the squad though. Millar might get an early upgrade if Hunt still has concussion issues or if Banks was just given a one year contract.
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@SouthernMann Cheers ta mate, didn't realise Millar was signed from 24, I think Clan have very big problems if they need to rely on Banks for much, his best days are well and truly passed, much as I was a fan, I thought even in NPC he looked to be just going through motions. They badly need another 10 in the squad, and hopefully got one up sleevs.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann Cheers ta mate, didn't realise Millar was signed from 24, I think Clan have very big problems if they need to rely on Banks for much, his best days are well and truly passed, much as I was a fan, I thought even in NPC he looked to be just going through motions. They badly need another 10 in the squad, and hopefully got one up sleevs.
First five is a massive issue, amongst several the franchise will face next year. None of the side's first fives would even be close to the country's top 10 in that position. Sam Gilbert who didn't get near the jersey for Otago shapes as the best fit. Reading the PR from last year on Banks, it does seem possible he just signed a one year deal. Even if his playing days are behind him, I hope the side keeps him around in an off field role.
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@Crucial i would have Ioane back, still think he has something to offer and looked lively during the NPC, the biggest card against him at 10 for us though is Millar was favoured ahead of him all year so do you just bring him in early...i also dont hate that idea, thought he looked very solid and a real sharpshooter with the boot would be nice
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@SouthernMann Banks is all signed up. Was a two year deal, Jeff Wilson spoke about this at the end of last season, he is coming back, hence why Millar signed for 2024.
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@friedrugby i like Banks in general, seems like a good bloke...but in regards to actually playing next year...down vote
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@friedrugby i like Banks in general, seems like a good bloke...but in regards to actually playing next year...down vote
Sums up how I feel Kiwi.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@friedrugby i like Banks in general, seems like a good bloke...but in regards to actually playing next year...down vote
Sums up how I feel Kiwi.
Who do you guys nominate as the next average player cult hero then? Every Otago team has to have one doesnt it?
Hotton, Brown, Laney, Banks, Ellis, Latta, Forster.....
