Highlanders 2024
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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.
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@SouthernMann The Highlanders should probably have kept Marshall for another season.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann The Highlanders should probably have kept Marshall for another season.
Maybe, but I like the ambition. I liked Rhys Marshall, but like our other hookers he was rubbish last season. Was dropped for Leni Apisai at a couple of points...
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
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.
More likely they'd go back to Rhys Marshall I'd think... but, I reckon it'll be someone from overseas who we haven't even considered. SHOTA HORIE.
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Shota Horie is bloody older than me!
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann The Highlanders should probably have kept Marshall for another season.
If the solution to a problem is a previous problem then it is not the solution.
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@SouthernMann Rhys Marshall hasn't been a problem for the Highlanders, this year. He was easily the Highlanders' best hooker.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann Rhys Marshall hasn't been a problem for the Highlanders, this year. He was easily the Highlanders' best hooker.
Hardly say easily. They were all rubbish. As I say, he was legitimately dropped for Leni Apisai which is not a ringing endorsement for any player.
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If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:
Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
TaranakiI don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann Rhys Marshall hasn't been a problem for the Highlanders, this year. He was easily the Highlanders' best hooker.
Just because the other two were rubbish doesn't mean he was that great. He is also quite injured at the moment.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:
Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
TaranakiI don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.
Out of that group I'd probably go for Ben Funnell or the cooker O'Rielly
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:
Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
TaranakiI don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.
Out of that group I'd probably go for Ben Funnell or the cooker O'Rielly
Neither of whom would be an improvement on Marshall. The fact they were happy to clean the house with the hookers says to me they were pretty confident in being able to get a good hooker from off-shore, because I'm pretty sure they didn't envisage Bell or Taylor being the starting hooker in 2024.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:
Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
TaranakiI don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.
Out of that group I'd probably go for Ben Funnell or the cooker O'Rielly
Neither of whom would be an improvement on Marshall. The fact they were happy to clean the house with the hookers says to me they were pretty confident in being able to get a good hooker from off-shore, because I'm pretty sure they didn't envisage Bell or Taylor being the starting hooker in 2024.
It could be someone at the world cup who is waiting for their campaign to be over before announcing?
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The Highlanders have listed their acadamey players stats. Including Finn Hurley. Who is listed at 174 cm. One centimetre shorter than Faleafaga. Can take these stats with a grain of but, there is a likely indication of his height. Whaanga is an absolute unit at 193cm 98kg. Will probably end up 105 - 108. https://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-teams/high-performance-programme/
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@SouthernMann Saw these a while ago. Not buying it.
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Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.
