Highlanders 2024
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
The way the squad is shaping up, to me at least they are planning on using Gilbert at 15.
Last year our midfield minutes went to almost solely four players, so on the basis we will sign another one, that's Timu, Te Hiwi, TUJ and the new guy.Plenty of games through both pre-season and the regular season for us to sort it out, before going for the title in 2025 - which was the stated aim all the way back in 2022.
I don't think they have any idea where to play Gilbert. The three most dangerous outside backs are Nareki, Ratumaitavuki-kneepkens and Tavatavanawai. If fit, they should be our outsides.
Gilbert suffers from the same issue that I spoke about CGB having - a lack of top end pace. His game v HB in the weekend was the best I'd seen from him all year, probably coinciding with a shift back to 15. He was attacking the gap rather than the man, which he hasn't been doing all year. If he is playing well, he is a starter at 15 or 12. I suspect it could be a bit like Dave Havili where his hand is forced because there is a better player in his position.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby we have different recollections, i remember him being fit and not in favour, Highlanders threads of old discussing why he wasn't selected because it wasn't (reported as) an injury
2021 he had a awesome season....and then just dropped to the bench, so fit but not starting
Just checked, so started 6/7 games in SR Aotearoa 2021 then broke his wrist, missing the Trans- Ta$man part of the competition
Was okay fitness wise last year, starting 11/15 for the Landers, but then went back to Wellington and couldn't get a start in the NPC winning side
Missed three games for the Highlanders this year, but was in and out selection wise due to poor form. Injured to start this NPC now injured again.
So I guess it is probably one where we could both claim we are right!
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Yeah real shitter for the big fella. The clear solution is to play Gilbert at 12.
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@Chris jeez I didn't know this. Huge shame for TUJ, he's probably at a point where all these injuries must have him pondering his future.
I wonder if he will continue playing rugby because he can never stay fit. Either that or it might be better for him to go and get some cash in Japan or somewhere else.
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Yes poor bugger.
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damn, obviously saw he wasnt playing but hadn't seen the news, thats a huge loss, i know other disagree but i dont think Gilbert is up there with his line breaking ability at 12
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I think Gilbert was always earmarked to start at 12 next year for the Highlanders. TUJ was probably being looked at as an impact player. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is likely to provide more punch from the back than Gilbert. That then allows Timoci Tavatavanawai and Nareki to play on the wings. I doubt those two players would have signed if they weren't going to be starters.
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@SouthernMann yeah i know you do, i just dont see it, think he better at both 10 and 15 and personally i can see him at 13 more than 12.....but looks like one way or the other thats what we'll see
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Our current midfielders are Gilbert, Timu, Te Hiwi and TUJ (out for most of the season). Gilbert is the only fit one who can play 12. He is it. We still have one more to recruit, and I'd be thinking it will be more of a centre than a 12. However, this might mean we are looking for a guy who can play both roles.
I don't think we can expect Gilbert to make breaks himself, he isn't that sort of player. His job is to create space for the players around him.
While the outside backs we have Bogado, Tavatavanawai, Lowe, Garden-Bachop, JRK, Nareki
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
I don't think we can expect Gilbert to make breaks himself, he isn't that sort of player. His job is to create space for the players around him.
thats exactly what i dont see in him, i see him being much more effective running off a 12 thats made some space, so 15 or 13, i see him using space like runs from deep....not creating it
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@SouthernMann the Highlanders should look at Matt Whaanga (currently playing for Southland). I've seen him play twice now, for the Hurricanes in pre-season this year, and against Wellington in the Shield game. Not sure if he played for the Landers this year or not but he looks to be a smart operator, has a good range of skills and is defensively sound. Also a good size for a midfielder at 104kg.
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He played the final two games of the season as an injury replacement. He is originally from Dunedin. His brother Josh, who is 19 is likely to be the long-term Highlanders centre. Not next year though, he is only first year out of high school
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@SouthernMann you beat me too it, having seen them both play for Otago I think josh is much more exciting personally
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TUJ did his ACL? Didn't see that... will be it for him and the Highlanders sadly. I think as a short-term thing, M Whaanga the likely pickup, unless they look at Grindlay from Taranaki if he doesn't have a contract. Still think they were looking at him as more of a 13.
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@Chris Haha yes, I was being satire. Would be quite the midfield for the Highlanders though...
Umaga-Jensen and Timu both perennially injured, one of whom will miss nearly the whole year, and the other who will be coming in off about 7 months out. Add in Te Hiwi, who has spent a lot of time on the sidelines in his brief career to this point, and Ennor, who has done his ACL at least three times, and you might as well rent out an entire hospital!
