Highlanders 2024
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@SouthernMann bang on mate, I a Canes man, but I impressed with what Highlanders are doing with their youngsters. I know Withy was in U20s in '21 and not '22, but look at way he going along with Holland, Haigh's another good youngun coming on great there, as well as Taylor at hooker etc. They got a few young backs they bleeding into team nicely I think!
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
I feel Nareki firing could be whats missing, been good on D but havent seen that threat with ball in hand yet
Yeah although I'm reminded of his earlier career - it took him a good season or so to really hit his peak... bugger.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
I feel Nareki firing could be whats missing, been good on D but havent seen that threat with ball in hand yet
Yeah although I'm reminded of his earlier career - it took him a good season or so to really hit his peak... bugger.
He's affected by the injuries I think... not trusting his body enough to burst through or around contact like he once did, so has reverted to the chip kick.
I actually think it is only a mental hurdle, to the eye at least he looks just as quick, and just as elusive.
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Who’s likely to start at centre for the Landers now that Tele’a will likely get a couple weeks off?
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@Canes4life Te Hiwi I think. Timu has only just come back, and M Whaanga is injured I believe.
If not those, then they're either chucking J Whaanga in at the deep end, or playing Nareki/Tavatavanawai there as they did at the end of the Chiefs game.
Jonah Lowe the other option, but he was so diabolical against the Tahs that they seem to have done away with that idea.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby almost exactly what i was thinking...something tells me Lowe might get a run
That is my fear... though he did play wing for the Bravehearts, so fingers crossed they have dumped that idea.
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@frugby i dont hate the idea in general as i thought he has some sixe and could have been good at getting that front foot ball....but they needed to spend the entire pre season turning him into a 13 (rather than just playing a wing at 13)....and they dont seem to have done that
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby i dont hate the idea in general as i thought he has some sixe and could have been good at getting that front foot ball....but they needed to spend the entire pre season turning him into a 13 (rather than just playing a wing at 13)....and they dont seem to have done that
His defence for that Waratahs try gave me nightmares. If you offered that much space on the outside to Procter/Moorby etc. we might as well not turn up. It is the exact reason we got destroyed time after time by the Kiwi sides last year.
Telea'a's defence (simply by being in the right spot) has improved us massively. I'd argue in many ways because of the lack of depth behind him, he is our most important player.
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@Kiwiwomble Lowe at 13 won't cut it unfortunately, the guy is a bit of a one trick pony, looks good on the edges when he has space but put him up against a strong defensive system and he goes missing. He's been doing it for years and it's unlikely to change. He's also not a line breaker so probably not the best idea putting him at centre.
It's a shame the Highlanders didn't pick up Peter Umaga-Jensen. Once again he's pretty much sitting on the sidelines at the Canes, I'm surprised he hasn't made the shift. He would be starting down there for sure.
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@Canes4life why would he want to leave the best canes team ever?
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Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a suspended for three weeks
Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a has been suspended for three weeks and won’t be available to return until April 19.
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If we can replicate the majority of what we did against the Chiefs after the shocking start, we can definitely tip up the Canes. Our set piece was very good, and we look a real threat on attack.
We know we can defend, so it is about putting it all together in an 80 minute performance. Think this game is crucial to our season.
Are we going to be chasing our tail, sneaking into 6th, before tamely limping out in the quarters? Or are we actually going to challenge for 4th and 5th, and show we are capable of causing chaos in the playoffs. At some stage we need to beat a New Zealand side. Close losses to the Blues and Chiefs are improvements, but they aren't the end goal.
I think saying we'd take another close loss in this is a defeatist attitude. Use our backs, run the pigskin, and you just never know what we might achieve.
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@frugby the Highlanders can tip up anyone if they can pull it all together. I'm obviously backing the Canes and I think we might have too much firepower now that Ainsley and Tele'a won't be available, but the Landers showed a bloody good blueprint in that second half the other day that shows they can trouble sides if they stick to a particular style of game. Definitely looking forward to the game on Saturday.
An old work colleague of mine who is now the Highlanders social guy/videographer is quite chipper about their chances on Saturday so BRING IT ON.
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@Tim said in Highlanders 2024:
Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a suspended for three weeks
Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a has been suspended for three weeks and won’t be available to return until April 19.
It's a shame. He's the form centre of the competition IMO.
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There was hope this would be the year before the year. I think we might be more like two years away as Haig and Stodart bulk up etc.
If I'm Roger Clark, I am moving heaven and earth to get Shannon Frizell back next season. Desperately missing a big dynamic number six. The continued selection of Sean Withy is just bizarre.
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It will be interesting to see if Harmon hunts overseas $$$. If he does, it'll be easy to just push Withy to seven. Withy is a good player. Just not a six. We are really missing Renton at the moment. We don't have options at eight at the moment. Could be worrying without a few of the lads who got injured tonight.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
It will be interesting to see if Harmon hunts overseas $$$. If he does, it'll be easy to just push Withy to seven. Withy is a good player. Just not a six. We are really missing Renton at the moment. We don't have options at eight at the moment. Could be worrying without a few of the lads who got injured tonight.
maybe shift Max Hicks to 8, Oliver Haig starting 6.
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A third of the way through the season. what is the good and what is the bad?
Good:
Some decent attacking opportunities:
Not saying we are anything close to the top couple of teams in the Chiefs and Hurricanes, but certainly generally an improvement from 2023. We are a different team without Tele'a. But, with him we can straighten out point of attack, and the back three does threaten.
Ajay Faleafaga:
Started the season as our no3 10. I feel like he will finish the year as our top first five. Whether he starts there or remains on the bench. Will be up to the coaching staff. His development has been fairly swift and he has shown he can run a team at this level.
Fabian Holland:
Looks like he is now settled t this level. Handles the collisions well, a strong ball carrier and enjoys putting on some big hits on D.
Fakatava improving with game time:
This is the first year of his career he has had consistent game time. He is looking better, and is especially getting more confidence on attack. Kicking and defence still needs a lot of work.
Harmon: Hands down our best player.
Jack Taylor and Henry Bell:
Both hugely inexperienced at this level, but, have looked competitive against other some top notch hookers. Not there yet, on the right trajectory though.
Bad:
Sam Gilbert:
A bit of a poor man's Jordie Barrett. Struggles in D. Can't move laterally at pace. Not running the cutter well from 12. Has all the physical attributes, just doesn't seem to put it together.
Rhys Patchell:
Looed great in the first couple of games. Seems teams are reading him more easily now, especially his flat balls at the line.
Loosie mix:
Withy, Harmon and small no8s just isn't working. Looks like we need a big boy back at six. Withy is one of our best players, just doesn't suit the make up. I'd like to see us show some faith in Will Stodart as well.
Cam Millar:
I had my doubts around Millar. Seems they were founded. I hope be can make the necessary improvements in his game, as he doesn't have two more years as a contracted player. Will be interested to see how Byron Smith goes for Southland.
Pari Pari Parkinson:
Looks like he is gooone. Is currently fit to play and running around in club rugby. Obviously something up with the big fella.
Should get four more wins, if things go really well, may be sneak six. Then get flogged in the first round of the play offs.
