Highlanders 2023
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That team, yeah, nah.
Forwards are fine.
Backs are a mess.
All of our 10s are shit. It doesn't matter which of them is there from Banks through to Burns. All shit or not currently up to this level.
When has Bogado even played fullback? Except for one game for the Bravehearts, he isn't our great South American hope in the 15 jersey. Hopefully he sticks around for the NPC and plays for Southland? Could be a good opportunity to play some 15 then.
Fakatava, nahhhh. Let him stay on the bench for the rest of the season. What is the point in unleashing Smith with 25 to go when we are down by 20+. Let him keep us in the game, then get Fakatava on when we are close or winning.
All our players are much the same. Cornflakes. Ok, not horrible, but certainly not a full eggs bennie.
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last year we had Gilbert at 10 for a few games, there was debate how much of his play was a traditional 10 or if we'd just given smith the playmaker role and so gilbert just had to run or pass...which he was quite good at, most often at least getting front foot ball for the next phase.
With TUJ now back and looking dangerous...could that actually be quite a good weapon? rather than TUJ having to basically start on the flay foot after being shovelled the ball from hunt, have gilbert actually attacking the line and either breaking and feeding TUJ or getting over the line and then having TUJ ready at first received for a fast ball to attack the retreating defence?
if we're short on players then Hunt back to 15 which is where he often is on defence anyway and the few times he's looked really dangerous with ball in hand is on the counter attack or coming into the line wider
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Gilbert is probably the best of the options at 10. He can't be any worse than the other lads.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2023:
While we're at it, Hunt's kicking from hand. What the fuck is the story there? About 10% of the time he actually does a normal kick, so we know it's possible. Does he just not work on his kicking outside of games? Does he kick like this for Ta$man?
Doesn't need to kick for Ta$man. Just pass to the absolute weapons outside of him.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones said in Highlanders 2023:
While we're at it, Hunt's kicking from hand. What the fuck is the story there? About 10% of the time he actually does a normal kick, so we know it's possible. Does he just not work on his kicking outside of games? Does he kick like this for Ta$man?
Doesn't need to kick for Ta$man. Just pass to the absolute weapons outside of him.
Well it might be nice if he did that a bit more for the highlanders instead of practicing Irish dancing.
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@Yeahtheboys said in Highlanders 2023:
@cgrant he is absolutely a reserve what r u on about.
The chiefs have ALB and Tupaea
Tupaea ? Are you kidding ? He hasn't played since the 2022 RC and won't figure in this year's SR.
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To boil it down this is a very poor rugby team. The lack of skill/talent is similar to some of the worst Highlanders sides.
Irish Paul makes some really good points. The key thing the club needs to do is think, who is just not up to scratch and should be having their last years in Dunedin.
Makalio, Johnstone, DLB, Paea, Lentjes, Thwaites, Apisai, Bank, Dawai, Gregory and Koroi should all not be back. While there should be question marks over Hunt, Hicks and CGB.
The question is, if we get rid of these players, who will replace them. So far we know Oli Haig, Hayden Michael and Jake te Hiwi. We have a number of spots to be filled. The issue is, who fills them and will be be better than those who may or may not be leaving.
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i would get rid of hunt before looking at Johnston, Lentjes and DLB, i think they all still great as off the bench options and i dont get people being down on CGB, he's hardly played but when he doesn he often scores, i have him in at 15 so gilbert can have a crack at qo and hunt to the bench
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
i would get rid of hunt before looking at Johnston, Lentjes and DLB, i think they all still great as off the bench options and i dont get people being down on CGB, he's hardly played but when he doesn he often scores, i have him in at 15 so gilbert can have a crack at qo and hunt to the bench
I'm just not sure if there is room for Lentjes
Haig
Michaels
Withy
Tu'u
Broughton
RentonI think Rogan Wingham is the future back up loosie to de Groot. While I wish we could get Abraham Pole back from Moana Pasifikia. If we could do that, those three would be the three looseheads.
I would like to keep CGB, may be at fullback would be his best position. Probably lacks the top end speed for a winger.
Problem with the squad is there are a lot of ok players; guys like CGB, Gilbert, Lowe, Timu, Hunt, Gregory all just ok. Good at their best, but generally ok.
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@SouthernMann thats fair if we think those guys natural successors are coming through, just felt it needed to be pointed out thats a bit different to Banks, paea, gregory who i cond even think are up to being bench players and Hunt who at best i think is out of his best position
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If you want a good prop who can play both at LH and TH, the Landers should go after Pouri Rakete-Stones. Considered the best scrummaging prop at the Canes by their scrum coach, and he may be interested in moving to a franchise where he gets more game time.
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considering our front row has been the best its been in years...there are definitely other areas we should possibly be focusing on
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2023:
If you want a good prop who can play both at LH and TH, the Landers should go after Pouri Rakete-Stones. Considered the best scrummaging prop at the Canes by their scrum coach, and he may be interested in moving to a franchise where he gets more game time.
I doubt he would be guaranteed any more game time at the Highlanders than we he gets at the Hurricanes.
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I do find it strange that Ayden Johnstone has been in the 23 so little this year. He's a good scrummager, and does his core roles well. The Highlanders are weaker on the TH side after Ainsley so would definitely need to strengthen there. Ma'u is still young but I haven't been that impressed.
In general, the forwards aren't the issue. It's from 10 out. Bring in Faleafaga ASAP.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2023:
I do find it strange that Ayden Johnstone has been in the 23 so little this year. He's a good scrummager, and does his core roles well. The Highlanders are weaker on the TH side after Ainsley so would definitely need to strengthen there. Ma'u is still young but I haven't been that impressed.
It will be fascinating to see how Faleafaga does for the NZ U20s and then interesting to see how Otago balances the game time needs of him and Cam Millar. I tend to think Faleafaga has a high ceiling than Millar. But, Millar might be the right guy to close out a game.
In terms of tighthead, Luca Inch is also very talented and young. He will be back next year. Will be interesting to see the battle between him Ma'u for the back up role.
As you say, forwards aren't the problem. It is about cleaning out the backs and finding guys who will give the team the ability to break the game open.
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Where to go after that? Fact is, this squad isn't very good - which we all know is true deep down, but can't help but feel was still aren't maximising what we can get out of them.
The forwards are largely dominant every week... do we lack a bit of dynamic play and X-Factor perhaps, but it isn't really an issue.
Our attack in general is just diabolical. We run at men as opposed to going into gaps, and I'd have to put that at the feet of Whiffin. Part of the issue is certainly that Hunt runs across field which slows everything down, and takes up space, but again, it isn't Hunt's fault the coaches pick him - he is trying his best.
The Chiefs will take us to task next week, as will the Brumbies... after that, will we be able to pick ourselves up to beat the Reds and Rebels? I'd think this year five wins will be needed to make the 8, so will need to win both, and it may be for the best if we don't, because honestly, I'd rather finish 9th, than finish 8th and go through the pain of getting drilled by the Chiefs in a QF.
As for next season and beyond, it is all about recruitment. We can't necessarily just clean out, because players are needed to replace them. The mail is that the Highlanders are looking longer-term, hence why they went with Lowe on a three year deal, rather than others who only wanted to sign a one-year deal. I think Super Rugby sides have become a little too systematic, and it has almost reverted back to the original model, where guys come through the region and stay put (Though now through academies of Super sides rather than NPC feeders)... it is a hard work around for the Highlanders, but hopefully Kenny Lynn can at least spark the attack next year.
