Highlanders 2024
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i for one remember being quite happy about sign Lowe, thought he would be a big step up on what we'd had on the right wing since Naholo
i think much like the All Blacks at times, we're just not playing to put a winger in space, nareki often gets the ball either in broken play or under pressure and is expected to break the line rather than build up some momentum and go around/through someone, i put a bit of that at the feet of our 10/midfield
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no idea how legit these young guys are, is there a chance theyre a Hurley that have the skill but not the body?....but its a god sign we're looking at them, the next generation of players seeing guys go from school teams to Southland/Otago/Highlanders is just going to encourage them
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I think Jimmy Taylor and the Muliana are only 16 or 17? So, a few years to go.
The halfback out of Kings in the NZ Schools side, looks decent. Same with the Southland winger, who is off on a mission next year.
There are a few good young players. It just might be quite a tough few years.
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Was just thinking, there has been zero noise around our last two signings. With Millar's injury, I do wonder whether the Landers will consider looking at another 10. Faleafaga has been a little disappointing for Otago IMO, though there are mitigating circumstances there. We have bemoaned Mitch Hunt's punting, but not sure Ajay's is any better.
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Faleafaga is what 19 or just 20? There is a lot to like about some of his tactical kicking. Especially attacking cross kicks. He is far from the polished finished product. But he has plenty of time on his side. At this stage in his career I'd expect Hunt's punting to be a lot better. Going on a mission is what young Mormons do. Often to the islands or Australia. Although could be to another region doing the door knocking.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Faleafaga is what 19 or just 20? There is a lot to like about some of his tactical kicking. Especially attacking cross kicks. He is far from the polished finished product. But he has plenty of time on his side. At this stage in his career I'd expect Hunt's punting to be a lot better. Going on a mission is what young Mormons do. Often to the islands or Australia. Although could be to another region doing the door knocking.
My issue with Faleafaga's kicking is range. I just don't think his punt is long enough... doesn't mean he can't be a top player, but I just don't think he'll ever be a top 10, because he'll always struggle to truly control the game with his boot. Look at Canterbury for instance, and see how when things are going array, Burke drives them downfield with a clearing kick into touch up on the 10. Faleafaga's land short of halfway, which isn't bad, but it is those little things.
I'd like to see him transition to 12, as a secondary playmaker. Kind of a smaller version of David Havili.
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i think the point might be he's young enough to put on more muscle or work on his technique to try and get a longer punt...hunt had a good kick, its not locked in now and cant be changed
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
i think the point might be he's young enough to put on more muscle or work on his technique to try and get a longer punt...hunt had a good kick, its not locked in now and cant be changed
You say that, but look at the length of punt Millar has. Look at the length of punt Sullivan had when he was that age. Look at some of the guys playing 1st XV rugby.
It isn't necessarily a slight on Faleafaga as a rugby player, but even if he improves it slightly, I still think it inhibits him from being a top first five. That's why I say, as opposed to him being a bad player, I reckon he'd be better off working on being a top 12/13.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
i think the point might be he's young enough to put on more muscle or work on his technique to try and get a longer punt...hunt had a good kick, its not locked in now and cant be changed
May be the case, but a lot of it is natural I reckon. Much like speed, the ability to bowl fast, throw long etc. You can improve technique and strength but that will only get you so far. If you ain't got it, you ain't got it.
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@Crazy-Horse you're not "wrong" in my mind...but i do think there is more too it, obviously natural talent is part of it...but i also do think a lot can change now its his job to work on it...and the extent of how much needs to be worked on might have really only come out during this season NPC is a step up from school boy stuff....lets give him and any other young guy enough time to reach their full potential
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Crazy-Horse you're not "wrong" in my mind...but i do think there is more too it, obviously natural talent is part of it...but i also do think a lot can change now its his job to work on it...and the extent of how much needs to be worked on might have really only come out during this season NPC is a step up from school boy stuff....lets give him and any other young guy enough time to reach their full potential
Sure, but I think equally he'd be better off shifting position before it is too late. From what I have seen, I'd be pretty confident in saying that unless injuries ruin him, Cam Millar will be the better first five of the two, because he seems to control the game better, and has a much better kicking game. There is a gap at 12 for both Otago and the Highlanders, and I really think Faleafaga could own it... but here is the other thing - and it is a little bit grim.
It might just be that Faleafaga isn't quite as good as Highlanders fans want him to be. Probably a bit of a red flag that he wasn't ever used at 10 by the NZ U20s or U19s, despite Kemara hardly being a world-beater.
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@Kiwiwomble I have never seen him play so not commenting specifically on him.
I have wondered for a while about this, but I wonder if the recent plethora of NZ kickers with pop gun distance has something to do with the change to drop punting. Is drop punting supposed to be more accurate? Longer? Both?
I know other factors were in play ( eg warmer temp), but I noticed during the French game in the first half BB was using the spiral and he was getting longer than usual distance.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Crazy-Horse you're not "wrong" in my mind...but i do think there is more too it, obviously natural talent is part of it...but i also do think a lot can change now its his job to work on it...and the extent of how much needs to be worked on might have really only come out during this season NPC is a step up from school boy stuff....lets give him and any other young guy enough time to reach their full potential
Sure, but I think equally he'd be better off shifting position before it is too late. From what I have seen, I'd be pretty confident in saying that unless injuries ruin him, Cam Millar will be the better first five of the two
look, i agree cam millar looks better, as a former forward i love having a 10 that can plug the corners....but you'be also hit the nail on the head...he's already looking a little injury prone
@Crazy-Horse i know im only talking about club rugby....but i am always surprised how few back actually practice their kicking, and not just for goal, kick offs or for touch....people just dont seem interested, i as a forwards coach has to tell a few of the back to come to training early to work on the technique
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Crazy-Horse you're not "wrong" in my mind...but i do think there is more too it, obviously natural talent is part of it...but i also do think a lot can change now its his job to work on it...and the extent of how much needs to be worked on might have really only come out during this season NPC is a step up from school boy stuff....lets give him and any other young guy enough time to reach their full potential
Sure, but I think equally he'd be better off shifting position before it is too late. From what I have seen, I'd be pretty confident in saying that unless injuries ruin him, Cam Millar will be the better first five of the two
look, i agree cam millar looks better, as a former forward i love having a 10 that can plug the corners....but you'be also hit the nail on the head...he's already looking a little injury prone
I guess the fact it is the same ankle at least gives me some hope, that it is a little bit like the Fakatava situation, where it never recovered properly the first time. Fingers crossed, that getting this surgery fixes it for good, and after a good pre-season, he can command that 10 jersey.
He hasn't yet shown the fragility of a TUJ, who in the space of two years had done everything from knees to shoulders.
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@frugby To be accurate Faleafaga was the main 1st 5 for the NZ U19s last year. Byron Smith was the other 1st 5 in the squad. Both Kemara and Godfrey were unavailable for selection. As I've said before, Faleafaga's defence will need to improve to be a 2nd 5. Two of the tries Japan U20s scored were through his missed tackles while playing at 12.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby To be accurate Faleafaga was the main 1st 5 for the NZ U19s last year. Byron Smith was the other 1st 5 in the squad. Both Kemara and Godfrey were unavailable for selection. As I've said before, Faleafaga's defence will need to improve to be a 2nd 5. Two of the tries Japan U20s scored were through his missed tackles while playing at 12.
Could be wrong, but I remember Faleafaga playing 13. That was obviously only in a few matches. His defence has certainly improved, but at the end of the day, if you can't defend, you won't make it to the top top level whatever the position.
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I am pretty sure Faleafaga has only played at 10 and 12 for sides I have seen him named in. In terms of hookers. This is getting a bit nervy for the 'Landers. We are a bit stuck there at the moment. Bell has been good in a strong forward pack. Taylor needs more time. I'm just not sure who the right bloke is. I'm worried it may just be give Ricky Jackson another chance.
