Highlanders 2024
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2023 Was a tough old year, but I think it is time to officially turn the corner. We have all given our thoughts, but for those wondering here are the confirmed/unconfirmed contract situations for next year:
DEFINITELY SIGNED:
Props:
de Groot
Ainsley (ODT Claims he is staying, but they are hardly a reliable source... though that said, he was off-contract 2022, so would think he penned a new one)
Ma'u
InchHookers:
NoneLocks:
Parkinson (Signed till 2024 according to Stuff so I'll pay it)
Tucker
HollandLoose Forwards:
Harmon
Withy
Broughton
Haig
MichaelsHalfbacks:
Fakatava
Arscott
HastieFirst Fives:
MillarMIDFIELDERS:
Te HiwiOutside Backs:
Nareki
Lowe
BogadoDEFINITELY LEAVING:
Locks:
Dickson (Signed to Toyota, soon to be announced)Loose Forwards:
Frizell
Mikaele Tu'uHalfbacks:
SmithFirst Fives:
BurnsMidfielders:
Gregory
PaeaUNKNOWN:
Props:
Lienert-Brown
Johnstone
Thwaites (Surely a Goner)Hookers:
Makalio
Marshall
ApisaiLocks:
HicksLoose Forwards:
Lentjes
Renton (Off-Contract)First Fives:
Hunt (Off-Contract)
Banks (Off-Contract)Midfielders:
Umaga-Jensen
TimuOutside Backs:
Gilbert
Dawai (Off-Contract)
Koroi (Off-Contract)
Garden-Bachop -
i have a feeling we're in for another rough year, but hopefully seeing signs of improvement in the form of some young blood rather than seeing the super rugby carriers of a few journeymen peter out
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
i have a feeling we're in for another rough year, but hopefully seeing signs of improvement in the form of some young blood rather than seeing the super rugby carriers of a few journeymen peter out
People tell me we will get worse, but as I continually explain, that isn't possible! I always heard they were targeting 2025/26, and now the owners are coming out and saying it which at least shows we have a vision. Forwards should go well provided Holland can stay fit, but backs again a concern.
Fakatava or Millar getting injured looks a big worry at the minute, so getting a good experienced back up 10 is essential. People bemoaned the signing of Burns, but with what is around I'd snap your hand off to have him for 24' (Even though we can't). Millar might well be chucked in at the deep end next year, and I'm all for that, as long as he has a good understudy (Not Hunt, he ain't a 10 at SR level).
As for the midfield and outside backs, as far as I can tell, it looks like they might have a pretty blank canvas to work with, other than Gilbert, Nareki, Bogado and Lowe, which is a pretty good starting point. They might choose to re-sign some players, but we are hardly going to get worse, and I think more importantly they can focus on the style of player they want. I think under the roof, Derms wants to take us back towards an expansive sort of ball-playing side, akin to what Joseph had, rather than the crash ball NH style Mauger led us towards. I don't think people grasp that three shite years of recruitment pretty much handicapped what we were going to be able to achieve in 2022/23, so it was unfortunately always going to be a matter of waiting it out. Think this might be why they want rid of TUJ... view him as a crashball merchant and not much else.
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....i didn't say worse....i just said another tough year but hopefully with a light at the end of the tunnel, i dont think the season is long enough for us to bring in so many new people and get them settled and suddenly start performing, i think we're going to have 2024 experimenting with new people and combos and fingers crossed we wont have/need as much change leading into 2025
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
....i didn't say worse....i just said another tough year but hopefully with a light at the end of the tunnel, i dont think the season is long enough for us to bring in so many new people and get them settled and suddenly start performing, i think we're going to have 2024 experimenting with new people and combos and fingers crossed we wont have/need as much change leading into 2025
Yep, wasn't saying that is what you were saying... I think the law of averages suggests that we are due a win or two against the Kiwi sides which bumps us up. On the basis that we will probably play the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika twice, and on top of that, the Blues away and the Chiefs at home, depending on how the draw falls (Likely the Crusaders/Hurricanes at home in R1) we just need to get off to a good start. Our Aussie fixtures are likely to be Force, Drua & Reds (A), Tahs, Brumbies and Rebels (H). If all is correct, depending on the ordering this looks a fairly kind draw.
Don't forget, the three sides with new coaches could start slowly, and the Chiefs are likely to have a few All Blacks on extended rests. We might not need to take a step forward to actually move forward.
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Marc ellis buying into the Highlanders, thats good to see it think
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@friedrugby really? would have thought that was important enough to make the press release
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This post is deleted!
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id say if it was 0.05% it would still be talked up...and if the Highlanders dont jump on they kind of stuff to build some hype then theyre naive, fair enough if he's deliberately trying to keep quiet but i thought these things were public record so will come out at some point
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@Kiwiwomble Hold on, I've read the release again, Wilson would be more likely to be in behind Marc Ellis. If he isn't a sitting board member then they probably wouldn't publicise it?
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@friedrugby really? AB/otago/highlanders legend buying even a tiny % wouldn't be worth talking up? this is where some part of rugby is still pretty amature, any other sport would have photos off these guys holding up scarfs, use them to get other people interested, make buying into a team the done thing, raise their value etc
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@friedrugby really? AB/otago/highlanders legend buying even a tiny % wouldn't be worth talking up? this is where some part of rugby is still pretty amature, any other sport would have photos off these guys holding up scarfs, use them to get other people interested, make buying into a team the done thing, raise their value etc
That's true - and it is also possible that Wilson didn't end up getting involved. This was all sorted months ago, and he was certainly in the frame then so who knows. It is also possible that Jeff Wilson doesn't want to be public with it, though I could be wrong, I seem to remember one of the Sky Crew making a joke about it before one of his pre-game predictions... might have been the Blues game I think.
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Right. This article clarifies the groups: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/132302460/all-black-turned-entrepreneur-marc-ellis-buys-share-in-the-highlanders-with-former-teammates
It was told was with Arran Pene so I'd take a hunch Wilson is with him and Gallagher plus others. As you say, a missed opportunity getting them all up holding scarfs!
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"Otago alumni Marc Ellis, Taine Randell, John Blaikie, John Timu and Simon Maling have taken a share in the Highlanders in a positive sign for the Super Rugby club after a challenging season."
yeah, so at least five and maybe 7 or 8 for otago/highlanders have bought into the club....how this isnt even on the Highlanders socials yet is mind boggling
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This is a fantastic story
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Hearing theres a Blues All Black that will be heading to the Landers in 2024
Given how thin they were in the midfield and outside backs
Reiko ,Caleb or Telea all come to mind -
@Steven-Harris how reliable is this source....seems like VERY unlikely, all getting game time and have made the AB's playing for the blues
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If there is one poster I back on nailing a rumour it is Mr Harris. Seems to have some very good connections.
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RI is signed with the Blues until 2027, Clarke is signed until the end of next year. It would be a strange move for Telea but at least he is off contract
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