Highlanders 2024

[SouthernMann]

He is just so slow. Looks like he is running in mud.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Duluth yes, sorry, thought it went without saying, not an outside back...very much a midfielder only, i thought he was good in his stint with the Highlanders, maybe not as a headliner but squad members...and definately in the midfield

@SouthernMann felt faster than paea

[frugby]

Our best results in the last four years came when we ran a midfield of Gregory and Collins... I'm not suggesting I'd have him back, because generally I don't like going backwards - also, believe he is going to Japan.

[Kiwiwomble]

@frugby yeah, would rather find someone new than go backwards

[frugby]

Think we have the lot anyway. TUJ, PUJ, Timu, Te Hiwi & Gilbert. They only used four specialists + Gilbert last year.

[Kiwiwomble]

@frugby do we actually have PUJ? and i thought the latest goss was TUJ going

[frugby]

The latest goss was that we have signed PUJ... so the assumption is TUJ is staying, because why would PUJ come if TUJ is leaving.

[Kiwiwomble]

that would be good!

[frugby]

Yep, when one if injured, hopefully the other it fit!

[Kiwiwomble]

we should just start naming "Umaga-Jensen" and then decide why is fittest on the day

[SouthernMann]

Would probably look like a midfield of... If this transpires

12 Gilbert
13 PUJ

23 TUJ

[frugby]

Yep, think we have signed our lot barring a 10 in the backline.

Halfbacks:
Fakatava
Hastie
Arscott

First Fives:
Millar
Hunt/Faleafaga (I think probably the latter)
GAP

Midfielders:
P Umaga-Jensen
T Umaga-Jensen
Te Hiwi
Timu
Gilbert

Outside Backs
Nareki
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bogado
Lowe
Coombes-Fabling (Someone said it on here, and evidence from Clark's comments suggest it may be true)

[Kiwiwomble]

@SouthernMann bloody hell id be happy to be able to field that for several game sin a row, think TUJ could do some damage coming on against tired defence

[nostrildamus]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

Would probably look like a midfield of... If this transpires

12 Gilbert
13 PUJ

23 TUJ

Don't you rate TUJ over PUJ?

[SouthernMann]

@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

Would probably look like a midfield of... If this transpires

12 Gilbert
13 PUJ

23 TUJ

Don't you rate TUJ over PUJ?

PUJ is a centre. TUJ is more of a 12. He is the bigger twin and feel he could be isolated a bit on defence at centre.

[nostrildamus]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

Would probably look like a midfield of... If this transpires

12 Gilbert
13 PUJ

23 TUJ

Don't you rate TUJ over PUJ?

PUJ is a centre. TUJ is more of a 12. He is the bigger twin and feel he could be isolated a bit on defence at centre.

Ah ok I see what you mean, but that implies to me you rate Gilbert over TUJ!

[frugby]

I think most people would... Landers want a ball-playing 12 as a first option.

[SouthernMann]

@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:

Ah ok I see what you mean, but that implies to me you rate Gilbert over TUJ!

I think it implies that we need to have a strong distributing 12 to play alongside an inexperienced 10. Playing Gilbert also means he can shoulder the goal keeping. While Millar is a very good goalkicker. Having someone managing that responsibility would take a bit of pressure off.

The back end of 2022 also says the Highlanders coaching staff likes the idea of Gilbert starting at TUJ coming off the bench.

[Kiwiwomble]

@nostrildamus i rate TUJ over Gilbert at 12 but i can see what @SouthernMann is talking about here, especially if we have an inexperienced 10...more reliable Gilbert at 12 would be good

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

I think most people would... Landers want a ball-playing 12 as a first option.

dont know about "most"...in my experience

[nostrildamus]

thanks, all. I'd just like to see the twins play together at some stage (and have a good run without major injuries!)