Highlanders 2024
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@Grooter said in Highlanders 2024:
It was announced at the landers awards Dinner tonight that leaving us will be Ainsley, Patchell, Bogado, Pari Parkinson, Connor Garden Bachop & Billy Harmon..
Interesting Jackson's name isn't there.
I doubt this is a full list... the oil is that we have signed J Whaanga, so you'd assume at least one of Timu, M Whaanga and TUJ is out the door... not to mention we have signed a hooker.
It may be more that, these are the guys who have already signed contracts elsewhere so there is no chance that they will be re-signed?
Matt Whaanga and TUJ are essentially the same contracted player. I'd think Timu has run his course, and they may want to move on from TUJ, due to him being an injury prone one trick pony. It is just who else is out there. Do they go after one of the NZ U20 guys, as well as Whaanga. It seems like most of the other young midfielders are sewn up. @Canes4life I would highly doubt other NZ franchises would be too keen on an injury prone 140kg lock with mobility issues, who is unwanted by the Highlanders. Ainsley and Bogado are going to France. Patchell was only ever a one year deal. Harmon is probably getting some yen. Wonder if they are trying to get him to go where Frizzell is? Surely the other lads are off overaeas too.
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@SouthernMann yeah I was just thinking about GCB, hope he's not coming home and has signed for the Canes. I think we can do better than him tbh. The Hurricanes, Highlanders and Crusaders will be in a battle to sign outside back talent for next year.
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no real surprises, im a CGB fan so sorry to see him go, i would have been happy too see more of him, probably last year before we brought in JRK and TT
sorry we havent got too see TUJ and Tela out there together....that could have done some real damage, definitely expecting to see more new re midfield, we have guys that just arent being used so you have to think they will want to find other opportunities
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CGB had every chance possible to lock down positions over the last four or five? Years. When he was going well, he was fantastic to watch. When he wasn't going well. It was rather frustrating. I hope he gets a decent gig somewhere. It will be interesting to see who we do pick up a part from Hurley.
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@SouthernMann dont get me wrong this is all without seeing how things went behind the scenes at training, IMO he did do enough to get more starts, THATS what i found frustrating, i didn't see him worse than lots of other guys that got regular starts...and better than several
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
CGB had every chance possible to lock down positions over the last four or five? Years. When he was going well, he was fantastic to watch. When he wasn't going well. It was rather frustrating. I hope he gets a decent gig somewhere. It will be interesting to see who we do pick up a part from Hurley.
Funny thing with CGB is it feels like he has looked as good as he did this year as he did when he burst through four years ago. Injuries haven't helped him... I imagine he is off overseas.
As for the outside back department, we've already signed one (I'm assuming as well as Hurley) so you'd assume they are an active Super Rugby player. If it isn't Tangitau, then Kade Banks would be the next logical guess - notable though, that the Blues are still yet to announce the re-signing of Zarn Sullivan.
Not saying we have signed him (because IMO would be a little bizarre) but could we see him at say the Crusaders? Maybe the Canes have picked him up to replace Morgan because he wants to be a 10.
On the basis of what we know though, I think it is reasonable to suggest the Highlanders have as many as 35 players locked in for next year.
Tighthead prop (Ainsley), Lock (Parkinson) and a 10/utility back (Patchell... possible Hurley/Gilbert are the third 10 and we go out and grab another outside back)
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Tavatavanawai showered with Highlanders awards
It has been a year to remember for Timoci Tavatavanawai. A standout in his debut season for the Highlanders, Tavatavanawai scooped four awards,...
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@frugby no one is ahead of him next year. Moorby is leaving the Canes so I expect Sullivan to lock down the 14 jersey.
Rayasi isn't really a right winger and having both him and Naholo on both wings probably ruins the balance of that back three a bit as they are power wingers. Sullivan is a player that could do that role Moorby has been doing this year quite effectivily.
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Any outside back deciding to head to the Highlanders needs to believe they will be getting a better opportunity by moving. They either have to be better than Nareki or Tavatavanawai or a squad player in their current team and be happy on the bench or back themselves to displace a current player. That's why a winger, who could play centre may be someone being considered.
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@SouthernMann the current back three for the Highlanders could develop into one of the best in the comp. Hopefully they can stick around for a few years yet. If the Highlanders can sort out their midfield next year and can solidify their ten then they'll be looking pretty bloody good.
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@Canes4life we need at least one more true starter, Nareki just wont be able to put whole seasons together, i think we could have rotated him with someone like Bodago a bit more rather than running him until he breaks...jamming someone else in on short notice and then pulling them straight back out when Nareki is fit again
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Damn that is some crap news about Billy leaving, what a real shame. Timing for him was rough too when it came to the black jersey but good on him.
I wonder who else we having coming off contract that hasn’t been confirmed if they are staying or going yet similar to what someone said above. Eg TUJ. I would be happy to give him one more shot on a 1 year prove it deal because when he’s healthy he is 1 heck of a players and right now there isn’t a lot of other player around who can provide starter quality depth at 12.
Who is this hooker and outside back people who saying we’ve signed? I’ve seen it a few times name but nobody has actually dropped a name.
Bailyn Sullivan would be interesting, I actually rate him highly as a 13 and I’m sure that’s where he probably sees himself playing in the future. Behind Proctor up there has forced him out to the wing so I guess it comes down to if he’s happy staying there, and by all means why would he leave when they are playing that well and also with Moorby leaving next season. Hes probably a real long shot.
Hurley is still a year or 2 away from being a consistent super rugby player, kind of gives me Buxton Popoali’i vibes where he can give you a spot start here and there and do a job but unsure about a full time starter.
As someone said above, the outside back would have to be happy to start off on the bench and back themselves to take their chances if they want to get ahead of the 3 current starters. A young guy would make the most sense here.
I’m excited to see how Otago use Josh Whaanga and see how the Highlanders ease him in.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2024:
Damn that is some crap news about Billy leaving, what a real shame. Timing for him was rough too when it came to the black jersey but good on him.
I wonder who else we having coming off contract that hasn’t been confirmed if they are staying or going yet similar to what someone said above. Eg TUJ. I would be happy to give him one more shot on a 1 year prove it deal because when he’s healthy he is 1 heck of a players and right now there isn’t a lot of other player around who can provide starter quality depth at 12.
Who is this hooker and outside back people who saying we’ve signed? I’ve seen it a few times name but nobody has actually dropped a name.
Bailyn Sullivan would be interesting, I actually rate him highly as a 13 and I’m sure that’s where he probably sees himself playing in the future. Behind Proctor up there has forced him out to the wing so I guess it comes down to if he’s happy staying there, and by all means why would he leave when they are playing that well and also with Moorby leaving next season. Hes probably a real long shot.
Hurley is still a year or 2 away from being a consistent super rugby player, kind of gives me Buxton Popoali’i vibes where he can give you a spot start here and there and do a job but unsure about a full time starter.
As someone said above, the outside back would have to be happy to start off on the bench and back themselves to take their chances if they want to get ahead of the 3 current starters. A young guy would make the most sense here.
I’m excited to see how Otago use Josh Whaanga and see how the Highlanders ease him in.
damn, havent though about Buxton for ages, loved that guy....more than a decade since he played for Otago/Highlanders is scary
im not sold on hurley, will be watching this NPC hoping to see him dominate....but wont be holding my breath
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2024:
Damn that is some crap news about Billy leaving, what a real shame. Timing for him was rough too when it came to the black jersey but good on him.
I wonder who else we having coming off contract that hasn’t been confirmed if they are staying or going yet similar to what someone said above. Eg TUJ. I would be happy to give him one more shot on a 1 year prove it deal because when he’s healthy he is 1 heck of a players and right now there isn’t a lot of other player around who can provide starter quality depth at 12.
Who is this hooker and outside back people who saying we’ve signed? I’ve seen it a few times name but nobody has actually dropped a name.
Bailyn Sullivan would be interesting, I actually rate him highly as a 13 and I’m sure that’s where he probably sees himself playing in the future. Behind Proctor up there has forced him out to the wing so I guess it comes down to if he’s happy staying there, and by all means why would he leave when they are playing that well and also with Moorby leaving next season. Hes probably a real long shot.
Hurley is still a year or 2 away from being a consistent super rugby player, kind of gives me Buxton Popoali’i vibes where he can give you a spot start here and there and do a job but unsure about a full time starter.
As someone said above, the outside back would have to be happy to start off on the bench and back themselves to take their chances if they want to get ahead of the 3 current starters. A young guy would make the most sense here.
I’m excited to see how Otago use Josh Whaanga and see how the Highlanders ease him in.
damn, havent though about Buxton for ages, loved that guy....more than a decade since he played for Otago/Highlanders is scary
im not sold on hurley, will be watching this NPC hoping to see him dominate....but wont be holding my breath
Likewise. Heck of a talented player but super rugby is a huge jump. Need to own the 15 jersey for Otago this year more than anything. Hopefully in a year or 2 we see him develop. Would be good for both Otago and the Highlanders.
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@Landers92 i hope im wrong but i just think his size is always going to limit him too much, just doesnt have the levers to be big kicker or out jump others under the high ball, hes fast but not lightning, hes doesnt seem to have that ability to shrug off a tackle like nareki...his real assets seems to be some vision fearless in the tackle, the more i see him play the more surprised i am he hasn;t become a halfback
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Landers92 i hope im wrong but i just think his size is always going to limit him too much, just doesnt have the levers to be big kicker or out jump others under the high ball, hes fast but not lightning, hes doesnt seem to have that ability to shrug off a tackle like nareki...his real assets seems to be some vision fearless in the tackle, the more i see him play the more surprised i am he hasn;t become a halfback
Well we might just find out on Saturday...
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It is clear Hurley is our back-up fullback for 2025. The provincial season will be big for the little fella. Here is hoping he has a confidence boosting campaign. Needs to stop playing like a confused sevens player and rag doll like he did last year.
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@SouthernMann he need to get it hammered into him to always run to support and not get caught...never go to ground...if he cant connect and offload then he should just plug a corner
