Highlanders 2024
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If I was a Highlanders fans I would be pretty happy with Dunshea,JKR and Timoci Tavatavanawai, signings plus Saula Ma’u,Fabian Holland and Jack Taylor look like quality coming through.
Max Hicks is having a great NPC and you still have quality in Harmon,Ainsley,DE Groot and Nareki
Basis of a competitive team imo.
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@Stargazer thats kind of my point, we're far from rose tint glasses wearers...so taking shots at the few things we're kind of happy about just comes across like...taking shots for the fun of it
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@Kiwiwomble I don't think anyone is taking shots for the fun of it. You're just oversensitive, probably because the last few seasons of the Highlanders and now also Otago have been quite disappointing. Quite understandable by the way.
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@Stargazer of course, no way it could be a little of both, my bad
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble I don't think anyone is taking shots for the fun of it. You're just oversensitive, probably because the last few seasons of the Highlanders and now also Otago have been quite disappointing. Quite understandable by the way.
I can’t think of better response, well said. Especially from someone who is never hyper-sensitive about rugby players or teams.
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@Hooroo Yep, I totally admit to being oversensitive at times. That's why I added my last sentence. I can understand where @Kiwiwomble is coming from. TSF is sometimes a nasty, biased place. Usually the nastiness is not aimed at the Highlanders though.
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The Highlanders are where the NZ rugby revolution should start. If you can't attract the same level of talent as everywhere else, find different ways to win. Find a coach that can put together a plan that best uses what you've got. Playing the same way as everyone else but with less talent is a recipe for, well, the last few years really.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@Hooroo Yep, I totally admit to being oversensitive at times. That's why I added my last sentence. I can understand where @Kiwiwomble is coming from. TSF is sometimes a nasty, biased place. Usually the nastiness is not aimed at the Highlanders though.
They'd need consistent success for that to happen.
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@mariner4life said in Highlanders 2024:
The Highlanders are where the NZ rugby revolution should start. If you can't attract the same level of talent as everywhere else, find different ways to win. Find a coach that can put together a plan that best uses what you've got. Playing the same way as everyone else but with less talent is a recipe for, well, the last few years really.
The thing is we have used different tactics, and in a way that has been part of our problem. We have played differently to all the other NZ sides really since 2014 onwards.
Under Jamie 14'-16' we kicked the ball with a territory dominant game, backing our defence, but also utilising the fact A Smith had a good box kick for B Smith, Naholo and Osborne.
Brown largely ran the same tactics in both of his tenures...
Mauger tried some northern hemisphere bullshit, with one-off runners and props in midfield and it was an unmitigated disaster by the end.
This year Whiffin led the attack, and it was much the same. As much as I was critical of Jonah Lowe, our gameplan on attack was boring and diabolical...
We have yet to announce our new attack coach, so would not be at all surprised if it magically ends up being T Brown...
ADDED: I'm a firm believer the main reason for the majority of our blowouts this year was a disfunctioning attack, which led to us turning over possession in poor positions. Plenty of the tries we conceded were single-phase efforts from 30+ metres out off turnover ball. Our set defence was actually pretty good, evidenced by that last game vs the Blues.
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The news about Dunshea is obviously very disappointing, but not sure it is a big deal in the grand scheme. Parkinson and Holland is a good second row, Tucker there to backup + Hicks can play there. If he is available after the NPC, unsure on his contractual situation, Tom Franklin is the obvious replacement. Outside of that, you are looking at Josh Beehre if he hasn't signed elsewhere or one of the Hawke's Bay boys.
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So we have a few weeks to confirm our third hooker, two midfield backs and a lock. With the lock, I'm almost tempted for us to make Max Hicks take on the fourth lock role and Will Stodart pick up the vacant loosie spot. The Umaga-Jensen replacement will be a tough one to nail down. Especially if we still have confirmed who the other midfield option will be. It says they can't get who they want or don't like who is available. Josh Whaanga may end up get the TUJ spot, with his brother being in a wider playing group as well for when Josh probably goes away with NZ U20s. I think remaining midfielder will be pivotal in the success of the team next year. They need to be a starting centre.
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@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:
Seriously, I see Dylan Riley signed with Wild Knights almost 3 years ago? I know we most likely couldn't compete with the cash, but what's his contract status?
It would be an awesome pick up. We have form in the past with one season deals with Himeno. Would be a absolute banger from JJ. Never got a chance in Super. Surely he wants to prove himself there.
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Who do we think?
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@Kiwiwomble The majority of Mako backs are already signed somewhere (other SR franchises or overseas); maybe Taine Robinson (10/fullback)? Or Will Gualter? Tavatavanawai has already signed. Unless some players aren't keen to return to MP ...
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble The majority of Mako backs are already signed somewhere (other SR franchises or overseas) or are very green; maybe Taine Robinson (10/fullback)? Or Will Gualter? Tavatavanawai has already signed.
I think you are pretty close
Springer,Amua,Hotham already at the Crusaders.
Tavatavanawai signed for Highlanders
And Nankevilli off over seas. -
@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
Taine Robinson (10/fullback)?
i guess if millar is seen as an injury problem?
