Highlanders 2024

[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!)

[SBW1]

I thought the Landers were starting to go allright towards the end of the season. I am quietly hopeful that they will get some good signings for next year.

[Kiwiwomble]

@SBW1 i think we looked SLIGHTLY better in the last couple of game but a lot of that was to do with freddie burns...who isn;t back

[frugby]

Highlanders announcing a new signing tomorrow. Short odds on JRK or PUJ, because there is a bit of hype on it. I think probably the latter.

Longers Odds on Jack Taylor, Ajay Faleafaga and Henry Bell.

[george33]

JRK

[Kiwiwomble]

whats this hype you speak of? nothing on their socials

[frugby]

Sorry, I'm in a secret service members facebook group, where we get advanced news. Believe they are posting a departure list later which hypes it up.

[frugby]

@george33 Do you know this?

My gut instinct is that Social Media Activity suggests it will be Peter Umaga-Jensen.

[george33]

It's been mentioned B4 on JRK

[frugby]

What do you mean?

I know we have signed both, but they are announcing one tomorrow. Are you saying you know it is JRK, because in all honesty I don't think that is the sort of thing that would get leaked out unless you know the social media guy haha.

[Kiwiwomble]

that confirms some things

[Kiwiwomble]

@frugby George isn;t the best at full sentences

[george33]

@frugby have u signed both ? I'm aware of 1

[Bovidae]

No Ayden Johnstone on that list.

[george33]

@Kiwiwomble sorry about that try my best lots happening

[Stargazer]

@Kiwiwomble So indeed all three hookers. Dawai is a bit of a surprise to me.

[SouthernMann]

16 players gooooone is certainly a cleanout.

All of our 2023 hookers, first fives, a lot of squad players who didn't get a lot of game time. Apart from Frizzell, Dickson and of course Smith no one that isn't easily replaceable.

I'm glad they kept CGB around.

Gives us a squad of something like;

15 JRK
14 Bogado (should be continue to improve)
13 PUJ/??
12 Gilbert
11 Nareki
10 ???
9 Fakatava

8 Renton
7 Harmon
6 Withy
5 Holland
4 Parkinson
3 Ainsley
2 ??
1 de Groot

16 ??
17 DLB/Johnstone
18 Ma'u
19 Tucker/Hicks
20 Haig/Broughton
21 Hastie
22 ??
23 Umaga-Jensen