Highlanders 2023

[Higgins]

@KiwiMurph That was obvious, spitting image of each other! Spent a year in Nelson at the same Nelson RFC (NZ's oldest rugby club) in the late 80s where Shane Drummond was a prominent member. Can't help but mention the time when he led a rush trip back into town (think it might have been when we were playing Rangers out in Upper Moutere) when the playing jerseys were somehow left behind. Neither of the management team accepted responsibility for the necessity of that!

[Kiwiwomble]

squad for the preseason game against the Crusaders

[SouthernMann]

Highlanders squad for its pre-season clash against the Crusaders.

The only things I'd read into it is that it appears as if the second half backline is close to the top pick. Seems like Sam Gilbert has the inside running at fullback. Good to see a few youngsters getting a run as well.

FIRST HALF TEAM: Forwards: Ayden Johnstone, Andrew Makalio, Saula Mau, Will Tucker, Josh Bekhuis, Max Hicks, James Lentjes (c), Nikora Broughton. Backs: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Cam Millar, Mosese Dawai, Scott Gregory, Isaac Te Tamaki, Martin Bogado, Finn Hurley

SECOND HALF TEAM: Forwards: Rohan Wingham, Jack Taylor, Jermaine Ainsley, Paripari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Jacob Payne. Backs: James Arscott, Mitch Hunt (c), Jona Nareki, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert

[Bovidae]

Good to see PPP back.

[gt12]

These guys will be a fun team to watch, I hope you guys don't lose half of your classy players through injuries.

A lot is riding on Hunt to play well, but he might have enough weapons around him for that team to be really dangerous.

[Kiwiwomble]

@gt12 like most year...if we can avoid serious injuries that squad can plays some good code...but fully expect someone to come out of this game with a multi week injury

the more i think about it i think its just a result of having a lower average skill level than other teams, our guys always have to be at or above their capabilities to compete and trying to keep that up is just begging for injuries, from memory, people like smith and smith...our real stars...were generally pretty good on the injury front...i think just because playing so well was still well within their capabilities

[SouthernMann]

@Kiwiwomble the starters are always going to be competitive. The problem with our squad is there are probably about eight guys in the squad who would not make other squads. Due to the lack of capability in the squad they will likely play a bit of code during the season.

[Chris]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:

@Kiwiwomble the starters are always going to be competitive. The problem with our squad is there are probably about eight guys in the squad who would not make other squads. Due to the lack of capability in the squad they will likely play a bit of code during the season.

You have a decent 23 or 26 I reckon then yep it drops off.When those top 23 are able to be picked the Landers will be a handful.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Chris pretty much our mantra

[Stargazer]

Highlanders recruit Burns eager to play alongside 'some of the world's best'

Highlanders recruit Freddie Burns is looking forward to playing alongside some of the “world’s best players” in Super Rugby Pacific this year.

[cgrant]

Is Holland injured ?

[SouthernMann]

@cgrant said in Highlanders 2023:

Is Holland injured ?

Yeah. 6-8 weeks away. So back by round 2 or 3

[SouthernMann]

Highlanders will be streaming the pre-season clash with the Crusaders

https://www.facebook.com/events/872632127344592/?acontext={"source"%3A"29"%2C"ref_notif_type"%3A"event_profile_plus_create"%2C"action_history"%3A"null"}&notif_id=1675904135845400&notif_t=event_profile_plus_create&ref=notif

[Bones]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:

Highlanders will be streaming the pre-season clash with the Crusaders

https://www.facebook.com/events/872632127344592/?acontext={"source"%3A"29"%2C"ref_notif_type"%3A"event_profile_plus_create"%2C"action_history"%3A"null"}&notif_id=1675904135845400&notif_t=event_profile_plus_create&ref=notif

Booooooo

[Kiwiwomble]

@Bones my thoughts exactly, and the o my advice they gave when I asked was to use a VPN

[Tim]

@Kiwiwomble Mullvad has an NZ node.

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131233893/super-rugby-all-black-aaron-smith-to-miss-highlanders-first-two-games-on-extended-break

[Kiwiwomble]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131263622/highlanders-land-kendrick-lynn-from-top-french-role-as-coaching-rebuild-continues?fbclid=IwAR2fI3gWEFbIqlGwprdQWavBLKr-Al-0oKk02DwlbZ_WG-dclDlOmZKcwyA

Kendrick Lynn, the former Southland and Highlanders midfielder/outside back, will join the Highlanders in 2024 on a three-year deal after making an impressive start to his coaching career in France.

Lynn, 40, is in his first year as head coach of Lyon, and has guided them to third place in the Top 14 this year, an achievement that was not lost on the Highlanders as they build a team around Clarke Dermody.

bit out of the blue, remember liking him as a player so not against it

[SouthernMann]

Fantastic get for the Highlanders. All reporters seem to indicate Lynn is one of the best coaches in France

[SouthernMann]

Clare Dermody confirms Sam Gilbert is a midfield option... great to hear he thinos the say way I did 18 months ago https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131265048/folau-fakatava-returns-as-highlanders-beat-moana-pasifika-3324-in-trial-match