Highlanders 2024
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@SouthernMann Yep, certainly not opposed to that. I'm quite excited about our backline signings, for the simple reason that Roger Clark didn't mention us needing to sign any outsides or midfielders, which to me suggested they have largely got that done. Also, only needing one first five said to me they have either re-signed Hunt, or signed Faleafaga. I would lean to the latter.
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Mark Telea has re-signed with the Blues, so that leaves who left for those abs, Akira
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@NateHill74 said in Highlanders 2024:
Mark Telea has re-signed with the Blues, so that leaves who left for those abs, Akira
damn it!....we were SO CLOSE !
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@Bovidae JRN is a good signing he’s a very intelligent footballer , this could be similar to the Narawa signing for the Chiefs but he’s also potentially not the first Fijian who failed to get game time at the Blues and went on to bigger and better things at the Landers
I like the way Highlanders are taking shape could possibly have a squad with some of the best young talent coming through .One player I would chase to get some steel back in their pack is Jackson Hemopo , I know he signed with Mitsubishi Dynaboars back in 2020 but unsure how long he signed for
I really rate this guy especially in and around physicality, the way he manhandled Alun Wyn Jones during the Lions tour game back in 2017 still has me shaking my head -
@Steven-Harris i did love Hemopo so would be on board
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@Kiwiwomble closer than what a lot of people think hence the JRN’s signing , it would have been a superb pick up .
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@Steven-Harris Really? So are we allowed to ask, is Akira Ioane actually signing for the Highlanders, or was the All Black actually Mark Telea.
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@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble closer than what a lot of people think hence the JRN’s signing , it would have been a superb pick up .
So it was Telea and then a fallback of JRK or were we after both?
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@Duluth Respectfully, no thanks. The last thing we need is a 30 year old winger who can't get a game elsewhere. I'm expecting we'll pick up Hurley, and if that isn't the lot, it will purely be a pick up based off the NPC - unless of course there is legs to the Coombes-Fabling rumour.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Update on Coltman... Highlanders did indeed contact him, but he has decided to return to France to see out his contract - but he will do it alone, returning his family to NZ. Does suggest we are firmly looking for a hooker.
The third hooking spot, presuming they take Henry Bell and Jack Taylor will. Be fascinating. Do they pick one of this year's guys just to hold the fort. Do they chase someone like Brodie McAlister or another mid 20s bench player from another franchise. If Jack is the future, we should think he is an off again/on again bench player next year, before a bench player in 25 and starting in 26. A starter is needed for the next couple of years. Ricky Jackson is also coming back from injury, but never took his chances when playing behind Coltman and Dixon.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Update on Coltman... Highlanders did indeed contact him, but he has decided to return to France to see out his contract - but he will do it alone, returning his family to NZ. Does suggest we are firmly looking for a hooker.
The third hooking spot, presuming they take Henry Bell and Jack Taylor will. Be fascinating. Do they pick one of this year's guys just to hold the fort. Do they chase someone like Brodie McAlister or another mid 20s bench player from another franchise. If Jack is the future, we should think he is an off again/on again bench player next year, before a bench player in 25 and starting in 26. A starter is needed for the next couple of years. Ricky Jackson is also coming back from injury, but never took his chances when playing behind Coltman and Dixon.
I think they rate both Taylor and H Bell quite highly. I'd be stunned if Taylor isn't in the main squad next year, and Bell is there. McAllister is contracted to the Crusaders till 2025, which could prove a silly move on his part because I expect G Bell to go past him, not to mention the presence of Codie Taylor. Will the Highlanders chase Thompson? I think we would have heard a rumour by now if that was the case. I guess it is possible that Rhys Marshall is returning there, and we have snagged him, but to me, that is the only hooker from another side we'd be keen on. Moananu is an option, but I believe they are still looking for the third one, hence the Coltman enquiry. This might well be filled after the NPC, because I think we have learnt our lesson about sorting everything too early.
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I think that big powerful Counties lad could be a goer, if we could get him down. I think Jack Taylor's being impacted by ineffectual props alongside him with NZ U20s
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
I think that big powerful Counties lad could be a goer, if we could get him down. I think Jack Taylor's being impacted by ineffectual props alongside him with NZ U20s
currently have some of our best props (which as saying something as we've had some great)...so yeah, give him a shot with degroot and ainsley and see how he goes
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I have a huge amount of faith in our front row stocks from the starting lads in de Groot and Ainsley. Through to the likes of Inch and potentially Wingham. Some really talented lads. An area where we are likely to have proper depth next year
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so, Lentjes is gone, thats more leadership gone
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Given they had Michaels signed for 2024. It was always highly likely Lentjes was out at the end of this year. Openside is covered by Harmon, Withy and Michaels. Will be interesting to see whether Lentjes retires or if he goes overseas.
