Highlanders 2023
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@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders 2023:
there's a paywalled article on the Daily times site predicting the squad for next season, any interesting shouts in it?
The Highlanders’ season is still alive. But - with all due respect - we do not see them winning the Super Rugby Pacific title just yet. Hayden Meikle takes an early look at how the squad might shape up in 2024.
The end is nigh, so it’s time to dust off the crystal ball
The Highlanders’ season is still alive. But - with all due respect - we don't see them winning the Super Rugby Pacific title just yet. Hayden...
Hookers
None of the three veterans in the squad has really demanded selection, although Andrew Makalio has a physical presence and has started nine games to two each for Rhys Marshall and Leni Apisai. Makalio seems the likeliest to be kept.Under-20s star Jack Taylor made his debut off the bench this year and will presumably graduate to a full contract. And there will be much interest in how the massively improved Henry Bell returns from Major League Rugby.
Props
The easiest selection of all. All Blacks loosehead Ethan de Groot and under-rated tighthead Jermaine Ainsley are both on contract and will be your 2024 starters. Young back-up Saula Ma’u will still be around, Luca Inch might be finally injury-free, and there will be much interest in the development of Otago prop Rohan Wingham.Locks
Dutch dynamo Fabian Holland has one spot locked up, and Will Tucker has done reasonably well this year. But Pari Pari Parkinson did not have the season he wanted, it seems likely Josh Dickson will head overseas and Max Hicks is seen as more of a blindside. Need the NPC to throw up a new lock or two.Loose forwards
Shannon Frizell leaves a big hole, but a trio of captain Billy Harmon, unexpected star Hugh Renton and Sean Withy deserves respect. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u still has a lot to offer, Nikora Broughton is a nice project, and youngsters Oliver Haig and Hayden Michaels step up to full contracts. James Lentjes will be 33 next year and might be looking further afield. Halfbacks
Folau Fakatava, James Arscott and Nathan Hastie. Signed and sealed.First fives
Cameron Millar seems likely to be the regular starter. Mitch Hunt’s future is uncertain, Freddie Burns is heading to Japan and Marty Banks will presumably not be offered another contract. New Zealand under-20 squad member Ajay Faleafaga needs some NPC experience.Midfield
Josh Timu and Thomas Umaga-Jensen have both had injury issues but their combination shows promise, and they should get another crack. Rising star Jake Te Hiwi gets a full contract. Fetuli Paea had a run of starts without quite convincing, and Scott Gregory was limited to a couple of games on the wing. Ideally, the Highlanders could be in the market for someone like Jack Goodhue, whose future at the Crusaders is uncertain.Outside backs
Sam Gilbert (unless the midfield project becomes permanent), Jona Nareki and Jonah Lowe - there is a decent back three. Argentine winger Martin Bogado is back for a second year, but Mosese Dawai and Vilimoni Koroi might be done. Connor Garden-Bachop’s flashes of excitement need considering, but the Highlanders will again be watching the NPC closely for any emerging stars. Could under-utilised Crusaders fullback Chay Fihaki be a target? Could the Highlanders follow the Crusaders’ lead and raid Moana Pasifika for winger Timoci Tavatavanawai? Is Finn Hurley ready? -
Kind of a nothing projection really. The forwards generally pick themselves. Gilbert is now a midfielder from the Highlanders perspective it seems. Rule him out of the back three mix. As much as we would like Fihaki to come south, I can't see it happening. Although he would be guaranteed to 15 jersey. If Heremaia Murray is around the squad at the moment, I expect him to make it next year. Faleafaga depending on a bit of decent footy in NPC should make it. The midfield is a lottery and will depend on who is going. From what it seems TUJ is going. Timu I expect will be staying. So should be room for another 12.
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@SouthernMann you think gilbert in the minefield is permanent? I still kind of feel he's just covering for injuries or poor form, specially if hunt goes next year
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Yeah think he is being seen as primarily a 12 now. Especially if we run a young 10 next year. It will also give him the opportunity to grow a combination with both Millar and Faleafaga. It will allow Hurley to have a run at 15 for Otago during the NPC, and potentially the two young 10s at the back too.
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Signed on an academy deal out of high school. This is his second year out of school
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@Bones I think he's still on a development contract. He's not among the young players who were announced as having signed contracts for the 2024-2026 seasons (Haig, Hastie, Michaels, Millar and Te Hiwi). Doesn't mean he isn't or won't be signed for 2024, obviously.
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All of those players are a year older. He is in the same age group as Jack Taylor and Finn Hurley. Still think those three will likely be pushed into the squad as well for 2024
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MMT off, sad to see him go and a bit of a peter-out never really build on what we saw 2021 / 2022. I think the fact he only got 47 caps in 6 year shows how injury prone he's been
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@Kiwiwomble I actually thought he was 1 of our best in the 2022 season, that game in Fiji against the Drua being a stand out match for him, earned selection for the ABs XV team. Thought he would stay and transition to 6 since Shannon is off..
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@FakatavaAllBlack thats fair, he still had injuryies last year didn;t he?
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@Bovidae A very talented player, but probably not consistent enough. I think in part a victim of the side not being settled around him, but Renton has surpassed him this season... Broughton to me looks high potential, so hopefully he sees more game time next season.
I'd be curious to know when this was signed and whether that has impacted on his non-selection... and if so, why have they not given Broughton more of a look in?
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@Kiwiwomble I don't necessarily think he has been injury prone. Years 1&2 was very much a project player behind a top-quality batch of loose forwards. Was really sharp in 2020, and was unlucky not to crack the ABs. Was rightfully surpassed by Himeno in 2021, and then took back his spot last year. This year was a big year for him, and he hasn't quite nailed it. I could be wrong, but feel like this year was the first year he suffered a major injury, more inconsistency has let him down - though I think he has been a little unfortunate this year.
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Locally there is also Will Stodart and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa as well. I believe they have high hopes for Stodart
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@SouthernMann I think they are both at least a year away from Super Rugby... but with that in mind, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't actually sign a loose forward. If they truly believe Hicks is a blindside, then they will have:
6: Withy, Hicks, Haig
7: Harmon, Withy, Michaels
8: Renton (I imagine they will be re-signing him now), Broughton, HarmonLock is a much bigger priority, because we already have a good batch of young loosies. At lock, a long-term partner for Holland is needed, so can see us going for a real up-and-comer, as well as making a play for someone a little more established, e.g Strange/Dunshea.
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Depending on how much game time Stodart gets this season in the NPC I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it next year. However, I do only see him getting limited NPC gametime while Lio-Willie is still with Otago. That'll change in 2024 when I expect Lio-Willie will be gone. Loosies will be the first playing group where they make up will be primarily from players who have come through the Highlanders system. By 2025 Withy, Michaels, Haig, Stodart, will all be in the squad
