Highlanders 2024
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Anyway, arguing over George's oil aside, there are four gaps in the squad. Hooker, First Five, Midfielder, and by all accounts an outside back.
I'm 99.9% sure it won't be a hooker, as I know they were talking to Coltman as recently as this month... think there is every chance they are waiting for an Ash Dixon etc. I expect they will come from Japan unless someone gets an early release, and with that a New Zealander.
I'm picking it to be a midfielder and an outside back, but if it is a first five, it will be Rhys Patchell. I've no knowledge on the deal, but would seem bizarre for such a rumour to pop up only for it to be shut down instantly. I suspect he is one of a handful we are talking to.
The talk was an experienced midfielder. There was a claim on here we had signed PUJ, which with TUJ staying etc. all seems to make good sense, and I expect to see him announced tomorrow. Ryan Crotty seems way to far fetched, though I once signed him in Rugby Challenge for the Highlanders so who would know... oh and Dave Dillon coached him at Kobe (SLIGHTLY more important).
The for the outside back, there was a rumour on here of Coombes-Fabling, as well as the talk of a Crusader, as well as the talk of us signing someone from another franchise. Unless the admin is pulling our leg, Fihaki could legitimately be right in the running. The other one I like is Tavatavanawai...
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This year we had 40 player profiles listed on the website. This includes injury replacements. Currently there are 14 backs confirmed to be coming back next year. We are still a first five short for next year.
JRK will be guaranteed the fullback jersey. Gilbert is highly likely to move to 12. Meaning we will have two slight players in the back three with Nareki and JRK. Might look at a more powerful option. That would work with the mix.
As mentioned above; we are then just short at centre, prop and hooker. Ma'u is giving himself some time at loosehead for Harbour, I suspect if that is the case, they might look at a younger option in Wingham should he go ok for Otago. I think FR is likely right with hooker, in trying to find a stop game for a year or two with someone familiar with the environment.
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@SouthernMann Think you'll find they will only carry six props... believe we only had 7 because they couldn't get rid of Thwaites lol.
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de Groot
Johnstone
Lienert-Brown
Ainsley
Ma'u
InchNEW HOOKER
H. Bell
J. TaylorHolland
Parkinson
Dunshea
W. TuckerHarmon
Withy
Michaels
Renton
Broughton
Haig
Hicks
SandersFakatava
Hastie
ArscottMillar
NEW FIRST FIVE
FaleafagaGilbert
T. Umaga-Jensen
NEW MIDFIELDER
Te Hiwi
TimuNareki
Bogado
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
NEW OUTSIDE BACK
Garden-Bachop
Lowe -
Yeah that's pretty much what I wrote up just before.
Hooker, looking for a fort holder for a year or two, to sit on the bench and give the young guys decent runs.
Have heard some good things about Aone Lolofie, sadly he missed the majority of the club season with a broken jaw. But, sounds like a robust ball carrier and one for the future.
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@Kiwiwomble I think in fairness we all looked at the squad and assumed we would have Nareki fit and firing. Had we had him all year, reckon there is probably 2-3 extra wins right there, and with that we easily make the finals.
This squad continues to improve in the front row, improves in the tight five (Dunshea a slight upgrade on Dickson + hopefully Holland holds fit), holds true in the loose (Frizell shite for Landers in 23' + MMT a bench player. Excited to see what Broughton and Haig can do next year).
Steps back, but only in depth at halfback. Reckon Fakatava will be our player of the year next year without the worry of looking over his shoulder. He was SHARP for the NZ XV. First Five is raw but exciting. Need a steady hand, though wouldn't be cross if Millar gets the keys - they're all an upgrade on Hunt there. Improves in midfield, because well, could you get any worse? PUJ/Crotty improves us no end.
Finally, JRK and fingers crossed another exciting outside put Mosese and and Gregory to shame.
A better squad, with a settled coach... it will be a good season from an objective viewpoint as long as we don't have bad injuries.
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@SouthernMann Perhaps, but if he is handy, suspect it ends up like the Hotham situation. Can't carry three youngish hookers, they'll always want someone a little older. I suspect they see Taylor and Bell as a 1-2 punch all going well through 25'-27'... though I reckon they'll have one last throw of the kitchen sink at George Bell, but I think that ship has unfortunately sailed.
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i am refusing to get excited about JRK, i got all excited when alaimalo came south, that he was going to be the spark needed to lift some of our more workmen like players....
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
i am refusing to get excited about JRK, i got all excited when alaimalo came south, that he was going to be the spark needed to lift some of our more workmen like players....
Haha, I said this the other day. Think that was probably the case of right signing, but at the wrong time. He clearly had plenty going on, and we needed way too much from him. The way his career has fallen off a cliff is quite sad.
As for JRK, he has the goods, we have all seen it. He stays fit, stays settled, and we have a couple of quality wingers.
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this is when i do miss the old days of playing locally, some of these guys would have signed with southland and otago and we could see them locally
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Even if we sign four shitters (which I don't think we will), this is already a handy top 23:
- de Groot
- H Bell
- Ainsley
- Holland
- Dunshea
- Withy
- Harmon
- Renton/Broughton/Sanders
- Fakatava
- Millar
- Nareki
- Gilbert
- T Umaga-Jensen
- Bogado
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
- Taylor
- Lienert-Brown
- Ma'u
- Parkinson
- Broughton/Sanders
- Hastie
- Faleafaga
- Te Hiwi
Without having any oil on exact names, from what I have heard I'd guess you'll see PUJ and Patchell take up the spots in 10/22 and 13/23. The hooker situation will depend on who they can get, but suspect Taylor will be eased in as he is so young... Hika Elliot might be available, probably worked with Dave Dillon at the Steamers. Would be a good laugh. Then the winger, I expect to be announced tomorrow and I'm hopeful of Fihaki or Tavatavanawai, who would both start at 14. Otherwise, it will be a backup guy, but I think Martin could well light it up next year.
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Anyway, main thing to note is that Jonah Lowe's three year contract is the last of the dumb signings during the disastrous 2020-23 era. Can't really complain about any of the recruitment for 2024. Sanders would be the only one I'd question thus far, and even that is a fairly solid addition.
