Highlanders 2024
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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.
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An all Fijian back three will be pretty cool under the roof.
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All Fijian, who would the full back be, Jona 11, Timoci 14, ?? 15
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@NateHill74 said in Highlanders 2024:
All Fijian, who would the full back be, Jona 11, Timoci 14, ?? 15
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is half Fijian
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@FakatavaABXV Right okay
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Former Crusader winger Manasa Mataele is leaving the Force. Still only 26, could be an outside back option?
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@Daffy-Jaffy He used to be a Crusader and last year played for Canterbury in the NPC.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
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.
I could see Inch leapfrog Lienert Brown on the bench.
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All these signings makes me think back to a Roger Clark quote earlier in the year where he basically said the backline was rubbish and wouldn't start for any other side. We look at who will be running around next year. The only survivors in the top side will be Gilbert/Umaga-Jensen at 12. It is a full clean out.
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