Highlanders 2023
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The new Highlanders head coach has been appointed!
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@Stargazer Pretty much a forgone, hopefully he'll fully concentrate on the role. I'm thinking a head coach that is not totally committed is not the best
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@Machpants I agree. And appoint good assistant coaches and make good player signings.
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It doesn't matter how good you are, if you have average cattle.
This is a team way behind the others and we can't rely on heart. It needs talent.
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@SouthernMann think for the most part the forward pack is ideal, in terms of backs nug, Folau, TUJ, Gilbert & Nareki are quality then it's a big drop off
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i dont think there are any real revelations re our squad, injuries/suspensions aside we can field a competitive 15...maybe even 23...but then as soon as we have an injury or suspension or need to rest someone.....the quality just drops off too much....not all because theyre straight up shit but sometime just because we've had to play our best guys to keep up and so the next layer of guys aren't getting the experience
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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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You guys could possibly be getting PUJ a midfield combo of the Umaga-Jensen twins isn’t bad.
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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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six spots available for 2023...
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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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Jonah Lowe I will take it!! Very consistent player🙂smart fella got himself a 3 year deal
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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
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Glad they've finally announced Lowe's signing! I've been waiting for the announcement, because I knew he was leaving the Chiefs but wasn't 100% sure whether he'd indeed signed with the Landers.
I think he won't be the last Magpie to go South either.
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@Tim said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Good signing. Has been sharp for the Chiefs. I wonder if they have signed a wing?
Bloody hope so!
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@Kiwiwomble He had three shoulder fractures during his time at the Canes, but has only had minor injuries when at the Chiefs. Never out for long.
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Irish Paul also says Fabian Holland has signed a full contract & that Solomon Alaimalo is done with the landers.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2023:
Glad they've finally announced Lowe's signing! I've been waiting for the announcement, because I knew he was leaving the Chiefs but wasn't 100% sure whether he'd indeed signed with the Landers.
I think he won't be the last Magpie to go South either.
Flanders?
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
Irish Paul also says Fabian Holland has signed a full contract & that Solomon Alaimalo is done with the landers.
Didn't even start, really. Maybe he's going back to the Chiefs?
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Media release:
Lowe has signed a three-year agreement
Initially the Highlanders had planned on Holland being involved in 2024 but his development has been so rapid his talent could not be ignored.
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
Irish Paul also says Fabian Holland has signed a full contract & that Solomon Alaimalo is done with the landers.
the whole deal is disappointing, the fans and club obviously only got one game out of him i think and you cant think the last two years has been good for him if he didn;t manage to get on the pitch and is not staying
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Lowe stands at 1.84m and weighs in at 92kg
not that heavy....i assume he's very fast?
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@Kiwiwomble Richard buckman quality in that he's a guy that won't let the team down.. Lowe has had some memorable games such as the four tries against the Tahs?
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@Kiwiwomble Fast, but not explosive fast. Remember that Chiefs v Highlanders game in 2021 where Nareki had a head start and Lowe still almost got him? That was a long run.
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Richard buckman quality in that he's a guy that won't let the team down.. has had some memorable games such as the four tries against the Tahs?
i'll go out on a limb and say i was never a huge buckman fan....didn;t dislike him but think he got showed up pretty regularly...so not a great endorsement for me
@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Fast, but not explosive fast. Remember that Chiefs v Highlanders game in 2021 where Nareki had a head start and Lowe still almost got him? That was a long run.
dont remember
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@Kiwiwomble You're not well. Buckman was awesome. Was on the ABs radar, but then got that horrible season-ending injury in that stupid preseason game against a French team. Was it in Hong Kong or Singapore? Can't remember. Anyway, without that injury he could have been an AB. That's how good he was.
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