Highlanders 2024

[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

[SouthernMann]

@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:

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

Dawai just simply wasn't good enough.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Stargazer i think i'd just assumed Dawai was gone, had been here a couple of years, no resign, not favoured etc

[Stargazer]

@SouthernMann Yeah, I know, but I hadn't seen his name mentioned before.

[Kiwiwomble]

@SouthernMann dude!...15-1 16-23 is hurting my eyes!

yeah, very glad CGB is still here, will need a good season to stay any longer though, this was his lifeline

[SouthernMann]

@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann Yeah, I know, but I hadn't seen his name mentioned before.

I think most people just had it as a given that he would be leaving.

[Stargazer]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/132436503/highlanders-confirm-16-players-to-leave-as-they-close-in-on-taranaki-flyer-jacob-ratumaitavukikneepkens

[george33]

@SouthernMann think the reinforcements are coming from the North highlanders fans

[george33]

Looking at that highlanders departure lounge no surprise really most if not all were all ready confirmed

[SouthernMann]

@george33 said in Highlanders 2024:

Looking at that highlanders departure lounge no surprise really most if not all were all ready confirmed

Yeah apart from three guys, there are not any guys you look at and think jeez what the heck are they thinking.

[frugby]

I'd say the squad news has been good beyond belief. There isn't anyone I'm disappointed is staying, nor anyone I'm realistically sad is leaving. MMT maybe, but never really kicked on, and Broughton and Haig have big futures.

Likewise, PUJ and JRK are arguably the best players which were available who we could have got. This squad makes the playoffs...