Highlanders 2023
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2023:
@gt12 There isn't much info on the duration of contracts for a lot of players. Narawa was only given a 1 yr contract when he moved from the Blues. Players will do what is best for them, so no problem for me.
Absolutely. You’d think the Chiefs would have offered him two years last year though. Something is going a bit wrong with the back selections at the Chiefs. Is it Randle who is the problem?
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I think Narawa and Wrampling have lots of potential. But they also need a readymade strike player who is a threat at all times. Not many of those off contract. I thought Tikoisolomone might have been high potential but mystified at what happened at Highlanders. Perhaps chiefs are coaching too conservative roles for their wingers. They seem programmed to slow down and cut back in when maybe they need to be accelerating into different running lines.
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Highlanders confirm James Arscott as the third halfback. Pretty much confirming Hotham is Crusaders bound. This situation was poorly handled, and could have been avoided if Hotham was signed by Otago when he approached them.
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@SouthernMann we are our own worst enemy some times
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Players the Highlanders get from Canterbury
Battlers
Players the Crusaders get based out of the Highlanders region
Bower - All Black
Hotham - Going to back him to being an All Black
Lio-Willie - Will be bloody fantastic -
@SouthernMann lets not forget more arguably Sir Richie!
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@SouthernMann lets not forget more arguably Sir Richie!
There is a good article on Sam Harding in the ODT this morning. Which was clear at the time Otago thought it was getting the better part of the deal. Harding was rated above McCaw sadly.
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@SouthernMann More recently, George Bell.
I've seen plenty of Noah Hotham up close from 1st XV rugby, and he along with Fakatava have been the standout halfbacks at that level over recent years. We've all seen how the latter player has progressed since leaving school.
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@SouthernMann and sam harding was good...but i went to school with richie and i remember people saying all through school he'd be an AB
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The Highlanders get lucky with youth recruitment. The Crusaders are astute. A huge difference.
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i will add, i do rate arscott, you can see smiths mentorship coming out in both he and Fakatava and as well as playing for THE Crusaders he might think he has a better shot of becoming #1
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
i will add, i do rate arscott, you can see smiths mentorship coming out in both he and Fakatava and as well as playing for THE Crusaders he might think he has a better shot of becoming #1
With Hall leaving Hotham could be the no.1 HB at the Crusaders very quickly in the 2023 season.
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To be fair to Hotham, he could be the no1 at the Crusaders within a season or two.
If the Highlanders can hold Fakatava he will be the no1 for the next 5-8 years.
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
And you know what good on James Arscott for achieving his dream of making the Highlanders, a true Timaru success story🙂
Should be some big thanks to Hammington for his service as well. This guy basically promoted himself through dedication. Was never on 'the radar' for franchises looking for star players but has never let the Landers down.
Used to drive himself from Welly to Hamilton and train with the Chiefs on the back of knowing Rennie and got a handful of minutes in some games due to injury. IIRC was also originally a stopgap at the Landers.
Glad to see that he may get some coin in Japan.
Far more a 'battler' than a 'journeyman'