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Highlanders 2024

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  • S Offline
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    SouthernMann
    wrote on last edited by
    #839

    We need some more training photos! I suspect all the guys from the high performance group would have been on there. Plus may be one or two from around the country

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    frugby
    replied to Bovidae on last edited by
    #840

    @Bovidae Yes, was trying to work out if the guy on the far left was Palmer or Hunter Fahey.

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    SouthernMann
    wrote on last edited by
    #841

    Aussie media is saying Hugh Renton is negotiating with the St George Dragons. That'll be a fascinating move. I reckon he'd either be an 80 minute prop or a lock in league. From a Landers perspective would be sad to see him go, but awesome to watch.

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  • KiwiwombleK Offline
    KiwiwombleK Offline
    Kiwiwomble
    wrote on last edited by
    #842

    Was just going to paste the same, don’t blame him if he can make a big enough name for himself without looking at the higher honours, go make some money

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    SouthernMann
    wrote on last edited by
    #843

    It would be a hell of a punt for St Geoege to move in on a guy who has never played league before for a mid-season switch. Luckily for the Landers loosie is an area we are well loaded up

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    frugby
    wrote on last edited by
    #844

    Be intrigued to learn how this came about. Must surely have been from Renton's side first? Think he'd be well suited to league. A good hard bastard, but is guilty of dying in contact, but that is less of an issue in League.

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  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    wrote on last edited by
    #845

    He wants to play fullback, which was the motivation to move south. Also had discussions with the Crusaders.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/133422208/jacob-ratumaitavukikneepkens-reveals-all-blacks-ambition-behind-highlanders-move

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    SouthernMann
    wrote on last edited by SouthernMann
    #846

    The big issue with our competition is there are too many good players in the better squads holding tackle bags on game days. It says a lot for their systems that they'd rather be paid to watch than play. From a Highlander's perspective we only have ourselves to blame. Players are more likely to maintain their worth not playing for a good team than getting smoked with the Landers. Then the more we lose the harder it is to recruit. It is a ghastly cycle. While the franchise's are their own entities, NZR's goal should be to have the best seven or eight players in each position getting regular gametime.

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    SouthernMann
    wrote on last edited by SouthernMann
    #847

    One of the best examples of how unattractive we were for a number of years was our post Lima Sopoaga recruitment at 10. We had the best halfback NZ has ever produced. All we could land was a procession of some of NZ's most average first fives, with the best being a midget with a high school level kicking game. Mitch Hunt was a great team man and once hit a stunning drop goal. It is just he is the classic case study to show our complete inability to recruit.

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    frugby
    replied to SouthernMann on last edited by
    #848

    @SouthernMann In fairness 10 was probably one position we did actually land some players who were in theory quite good... none of them ever quite delivered granted, partially due to ability, but also due to the shambles surrounding.

    Also speaks to the lack of 10 depth in general. Recruiting in the outside backs and midfield has been difficult... Nareki the only top end player we have signed in that department since 2017 IMO.

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  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    wrote on last edited by
    #849

    I see that Will Stodart has been promoted to the main squad on a full contract as lock cover.

    And four NDC players have been named.

    EXPERIENCE KEY FOR DEVELOPING NEXT GENERATION | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

    EXPERIENCE KEY FOR DEVELOPING NEXT GENERATION | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

    The Highlanders are proud to announce their four National Development Contract (NDC) players for 2024. These players will train full time with the Super Rugby Squad and experience professional rugby during the pre-season before settling into an individualised part-time programme for the duration of...

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    SouthernMann
    replied to frugby on last edited by
    #850

    @frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

    @SouthernMann In fairness 10 was probably one position we did actually land some players who were in theory quite good... none of them ever quite delivered granted, partially due to ability, but also due to the shambles surrounding.

    Also speaks to the lack of 10 depth in general. Recruiting in the outside backs and midfield has been difficult... Nareki the only top end player we have signed in that department since 2017 IMO.

    We were desperate enough to bring Marty Banks back, twice. We ran through Gatland, Banks, Ioane, Hunt, Gilbert and Burns. None of which, apart from a brief period of Ioane, stamped their mark on the team. The reason I cited first five was because we had the best nine this country has ever produced. Could not lure anyone to play alongside him. The other positions were flow ons. Nareki was signed out of high school, he was a punt like Koroi and others. He just came good.

    Stoked to see Stodart get the injury replacement spot. He is a top prospect. I'm really interested to see the development of A-One Lolofie.

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  • C Offline
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    cgrant
    wrote on last edited by
    #851

    Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.

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  • S Offline
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    SouthernMann
    replied to cgrant on last edited by
    #852

    @cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:

    Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.

    And I don't think it is a huge concern that he is on the shorter side as a lock. Especially if we are running a pack in a few years with the like of Oli Haig and Will Stodart in the mix. Both big loosies and lineout options. The only question is whether we will have the mobility.

    gt12G 1 Reply Last reply
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  • gt12G Offline
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    gt12
    replied to SouthernMann on last edited by
    #853

    @SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

    @cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:

    Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.

    And I don't think it is a huge concern that he is on the shorter side as a lock. Especially if we are running a pack in a few years with the like of Oli Haig and Will Stodart in the mix. Both big loosies and lineout options. The only question is whether we will have the mobility.

    If a few of those guys in the junior program work out, you could have some real weapons.

    I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.

    mikedogzM BovidaeB S 3 Replies Last reply
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  • mikedogzM Offline
    mikedogzM Offline
    mikedogz
    replied to gt12 on last edited by
    #854

    I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.

    I haven't seen him play but I know he is out of St Johns College Hamilton last year, first year Uni down your way, made the NZ U18 Barbarians. The name stood out because he came through my club Te Rapa as a junior and his dad coached and brother played with my son.

    Kyan Rangitutia on Hudl
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  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    replied to gt12 on last edited by
    #855

    @gt12 said in Highlanders 2024:

    I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.

    He went to St John's. Still young enough to play for the U20s for the next few seasons.

    The funny thing about Palmer is that he sometimes played prop for TBC. As you can imagine his height meant be really struggled despite the bulk. His younger brother is a decent size too.

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  • S Offline
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    SouthernMann
    replied to gt12 on last edited by
    #856

    @gt12 said in Highlanders 2024:

    @SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

    @cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:

    Reuben Palmer is a beefy lock, a rare sight in NZ. In a few years, his association with Fabian Holland could be very interesting.

    And I don't think it is a huge concern that he is on the shorter side as a lock. Especially if we are running a pack in a few years with the like of Oli Haig and Will Stodart in the mix. Both big loosies and lineout options. The only question is whether we will have the mobility.

    If a few of those guys in the junior program work out, you could have some real weapons.

    I don't know much about Kyan Rangitutia but he has plenty of size and scope for an outside back.

    I'm confident our pack will be dominant. The lack of backs is scary.

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  • Dan54D Offline
    Dan54D Offline
    Dan54
    wrote on last edited by
    #857

    I a Canes man, but my take of the Clan for this season(and particularly the the seasons after) is I like it. I like the lok of front row De Groot and both hookers I keen on. I make no secret of the fact I a hige fan of Holland at lock, Parkinson I still hoping will show us the promise he has seemed to have. Really like the loosies, Harmon is a real gun at super level, I reckon both Withy and Broughton are the type of players I love at this level too, they both got a lot of potential. Backs as has been said by others, Nugget a loss, a huge improvement at 10, and could cause some problems out wide. Not suggesting top 5 or anything , but I seeing an imorvement for 24 going up even more over next few years.
    I will enjoy watching them I think.

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  • Daffy JaffyD Offline
    Daffy JaffyD Offline
    Daffy Jaffy
    wrote on last edited by
    #858

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/133442089/rhys-patchell-turns-turmoil-in-wales-into-opportunity-of-a-lifetime-at-highlanders

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