Highlanders 2023
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i might be in the minority but i would love to see CGB hang around
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@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann It won't be a full scale cleanout, because in a pragmatic sense it isn't possible... you are also better off keeping a crap player and working with him, then going to find a new crap player. If I was to have a guess, this is what they are looking like for 24'
Props:
EDG
DLB
Inch
Ainsley
Ma'u
NEW
NEWHookers:
Marshall/Makalio
Bell
TaylorLocks:
Parkinson
Holland
Tucker
Hicks
NEW (Assuming Dickson goes overseas)Loose Forwards:
Harmon
Withy
Michaels
Broughton
Haig
Mikaele-Tu'u
Renton (Not signed yet, doesn't seem to be anyone else on the radar atm)Halfbacks:
Fakatava
Hastie
ArscottFirst Fives:
NEW (Probably an Older Guy)
Millar
FaleafagaMidfielders:
NEW
NEW
Te Hiwi
TUJ (If not overseas)
Timu (?)Outside Backs:
Gilbert
Nareki
Bogado
Lowe
NEWProbably only have seven spots to fill (At the most)... In some ways you are guaranteed a cleanout, because we have already announced at least four new signings, whilst Taylor and Bell seems to be the oil, which could make for 13, but the starting side remains largely intact, so I wouldn't really say a full cleanout, merely spring cleaning.
I think Dickson's future will depend on the health of his brother. If the health issues are ongoing, heading overseas might be a tough option for him.
In terms of starting team changes. We are looking at a new 10, probably hooker mid season. An elevation for Fabian Holland. A new six. A new halfback in Fakatava. Potentially a new midfield. May be a winger and fullback (depending on if Gilbert is a 15 or 12).
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@SouthernMann TUJ is considering contract move to blues
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann TUJ is considering contract move to blues
A lot of MF players rumoured to be approached by the Blues for next season,
TUJ,Levi Amua,Jack Goodhue
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris jack goodhue most likely
Can see it happening I am not sure the Crusaders are going to offer him a new contract,29 next year not old for a MF but a lot of injuries over the last 2 years, he is still struggling with those knees a week to week selection for the rest of this season, he pulled out last week with his knee again.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
I think Thomas Umaga Jensen is a 12 who needs an absolute gun of a centre outside of him. Someone like Bailyn Sullivan would probably go well outside TUJ. Fast. If TUJ stays, you want someone who can take advantage of the space he provides. There are some other guys who are probably starters in a couple of years, but we may be able to guarantee them starts.
Timu is a heck of a decent depth player. Probably not a game breaker.
As for wingers, Nareki, Bogado and Lowe are all around for next year. Someone like Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens would be a cool addition.
What should be for sure is that this year should hopefully be the end of the road for Gregory, Banks, Paea, Hunt and Koroi.
Is TUJ a gun though? Yes he is a good ball carrier, but his distribution, kicking, defence and speed have been shown to be largely poor. Timu the same except his ball-carrying is worse and he can tackle... and both are massively injury prone.
If I was in charge of the Highlanders and there was a trade system, heading into next season these would be the only untouchable players:
de Groot, Ainsley, Holland, Withy, Harmon, Broughton, Haig, Fakatava, Millar, Nareki... I wouldn't be overly bothered if we lost anyone else who we aren't already losing. Obviously you can't get rid of everyone, but I said it at the start of the season, and I still sort of think the Landers need to move on from TUJ.
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@friedrugby look, youre not wrong...but go forward ball is huge in the game and becoming harder to achieve with rush defences, so...personally...i would carry someone with his weaknesses if he can keep achieving that front foot ball as regularly as he does
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@friedrugby look, youre not wrong...but go forward ball is huge in the game and becoming harder to achieve with rush defences, so...personally...i would carry someone with his weaknesses if he can keep achieving that front foot ball as regularly as he does
Yeah, I think it's pretty harsh to judge TUJ when we only get to see him try to perform outside Hunt and inside Paea.
I'd definitely be looking to keep him on promise alone and hey if he doesn't reach the heights we hope, that's a bloody good backup, right?
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@george33 said in Highlanders 2023:
@Chris ok still not that old for a 12 still got more to offer to nz game tho don't u agree
No not old for MF back at all.
Knees are the worry he trains lightly during the week to nurse them big on going issues with those knees . -
@friedrugby said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
I think Thomas Umaga Jensen is a 12 who needs an absolute gun of a centre outside of him. Someone like Bailyn Sullivan would probably go well outside TUJ. Fast. If TUJ stays, you want someone who can take advantage of the space he provides. There are some other guys who are probably starters in a couple of years, but we may be able to guarantee them starts.
Timu is a heck of a decent depth player. Probably not a game breaker.
As for wingers, Nareki, Bogado and Lowe are all around for next year. Someone like Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens would be a cool addition.
What should be for sure is that this year should hopefully be the end of the road for Gregory, Banks, Paea, Hunt and Koroi.
Is TUJ a gun though? Yes he is a good ball carrier, but his distribution, kicking, defence and speed have been shown to be largely poor. Timu the same except his ball-carrying is worse and he can tackle... and both are massively injury prone.
If I was in charge of the Highlanders and there was a trade system, heading into next season these would be the only untouchable players:
de Groot, Ainsley, Holland, Withy, Harmon, Broughton, Haig, Fakatava, Millar, Nareki... I wouldn't be overly bothered if we lost anyone else who we aren't already losing. Obviously you can't get rid of everyone, but I said it at the start of the season, and I still sort of think the Landers need to move on from TUJ.
Is TUJ a gun? Probably not. Is he likely a better player than we have see this season. Potentially. Defenders know they just need to wrap him up. There is no threat either side of him. Interestingly Southland has announced the signing of forner Bay of Plenty first five Dan Hollinshead. I think it is quite likely he will end up in the 2024 squad. Nothing overly special. But should be able to hold the fort.
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@SouthernMann Hollinshead has already played two games for the Highlanders in 2019 (as a sub). He's been playing for Vannes in the French Pro D2 competition for the last two years (but not too many games, only 16 games in two seasons).
