Highlanders 2024
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In terms of a top side. 1. de Groot 2. whoever has the best pre-season 3. Mau/Ainsley 4. Parkinson 5. Holland 6. Withy/Haig (I have a lot of faith in Haig) 7. Harmon (c) 8. Renton/Broughton 9. Fakatava 10. Patchell 11. Nareki 12. Gilbert 13. Tele'a 14. Tavatavanawai 15. JRK 16. A Hooker 17. Johnstone 18. Ainsley/Mau 19. Hicks (Tucker and Dunshea injured) 20. Withy/Haig/Renton/Broughton 21. Hastie 22. Millar 23. Bogado
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@SouthernMann hmmm, could be a long season unfortunately.
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@SouthernMann thats probably not too far off, maybe Bogado at 14? was impressed last year
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I want to say that looking at the forward pack...i think they compete with anyone and all the question marks are on the backs...and the backs are where we have made the most moves...but that feels optimistic...and i was optimistic last year.....
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann hmmm, could be a long season unfortunately.
The goal is fairly simple for mine have a positive win-loss ratio. Look strong against non-NZ teams. Win some home games against NZ sides. This side will never going to go out and blitz the competition. It is about having realistic and measureable goals.
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@SouthernMann because the playoffs are top 8 the Landers should be fine, probably a similar season to last year on the cards.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann thats probably not too far off, maybe Bogado at 14? was impressed last year
I want to say that looking at the forward pack...i think they compete with anyone and all the question marks are on the backs...and the backs are where we have made the most moves...but that feels optimistic...and i was optimistic last year.....
The peoblem with the backs is that if we have some injuries we could see a backline like... 9. Arscott 10. Faleafaga. 11. Lowe 12. Te Hiwi 13. Whaanga 14 Timu. 15 CGB. Our starting side isn't the big problem. It is the depth and while it has improved. It can still have quite a pronvical look to it
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann because the playoffs are top 8 the Landers should be fine, probably a similar season to last year on the cards.
No. As mentioned. There shpuld be improvement. This is a better side and the competition is weaker.
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@SouthernMann it's not a stronger side. You've lost two All Blacks and you're strongest centre in TUJ. Even the Rebels squad is arguably better.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann it's not a stronger side. You've lost two All Blacks and you're strongest centre in TUJ. Even the Rebels squad is arguably better.
Opinions are like body parts. We all have them. We have also got rid of a lot of dead wood. It is a stronger side.
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@Canes4life our last round robin game against the blues our 15 and 14 was Hunt and Gregory we failed to score a Try in that Game, this season we have Tavatavanawai and Kneepkens.. an upgrade, Nug is a loss obviously but honestly Frizell only turned up under Jase Ryan in recent years.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann it's not a stronger side. You've lost two All Blacks and you're strongest centre in TUJ. Even the Rebels squad is arguably better.
what is with peoples need to come in and continuously just point out were shit...always have been...always will be...and we're not allowed to be positive
We have lost some better individuals but i think the overall level has come up
champion team v a team of champions idea
smith is arguably the best half back in history...but we had to rest him regularly and he was a little prone to try and do everything himself when he wasn't surrounded by players as good as he was
TUJ is a fav of mine...disappointed hes gone...but he was injury prone
Frizzel is a dick who got overtaken by Withy for a large part of last season
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@Kiwiwomble we all want the Landers to be strong, I just don't think it's a stronger side to last year. Probably similar in strength to be fair when you take into account who's left, who's injured and who's come in. That's just my opinion.
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@Canes4life and your allowed to think that and you said that...but why just tell @SouthernMann they were straight up wrong like he'd said up was down? thats not just having an opinion
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@Kiwiwomble I was just arguing the fact it's not a stronger side but allgood. If you guys think it is then that's only a good thing.
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@Canes4life the middle bit is arguing your point....the start is just saying someone else is wrong and the last saying one of the hirtocially worst teams in the comp is better than us now is just a dig
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Last year the side was shit. Was from the outset. This side they have looked at their immediate weaknesses and longterm recruitment. We worked out a need to recruit outside backs, went out and picked up guys who have the potential to make an impact in Tavatavanawi and JRK. We identified some local talent to take us forward in the 10 jersey, and needed a betrer version than what we had last year with Burns, so got Patchell. Dubshea may be injured for a fair bit of the season, but was a smart pick up. I think Mr Wellington has a higher opinion on the value of TUJ than what he realistically provided. A few highlights, but generally lacked the allround capability. I'm interested to see what Tele'a can provide injury free. I find it funny that a few months ago I cracked jokes abour Wellington and the Canes, and you threw your toys. Yet you camp out in Otago/Landers threads to run our sides down.
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@Kiwiwomble the Rebels do arguably have a squad that's atleast on par with the Landers, if not better. They've recruited well. I don't know why that's so offensive. Just stating facts.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Yet you camp out in Otago/Landers threads to run our sides down.
Bahahaha, okay. I don't make lame jokes like you do. I'm just being honest on the state of this side. Saying this year's squad isn't as strong as last year is just my opinion. Saying the Rebels look stronger is just my opinion aswell.
Are we not allowed to state opinions anymore without people getting offended?
The difference between me on Landers threads, and you on Wellington/Hurricanes threads is you're a complete troll. You even admit your distaste for Wellington even though you live in the bloody city.
I want the Landers to be strong so there's a difference.
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Not all Wellington teams. Quite like the Firebirds.
