Highlanders 2024

SouthernMann

@george33 you don't need alll those outside backs though do you...

george33

@SouthernMann Perofeta will shift into 10 for Beauden and RTS moving on not sure on JRK status he may b looking for more game time

frugby

@george33 Tangitau is locked into the Blues... I think it is entirely reasonable that a change in family circumstances (which would likely be the main driver unless we have signed Telea or Lam (NZ XV)) would mean a player could change teams and the Blues wouldn't stand in their way.

Bovidae

Getting back to the ownership of the Highlanders, Mitch Drummond's father is the Highlanders’ biggest shareholder with Peter Kean.

frugby

@Bovidae Yep, there was a school of thought around the time Fakatava was being chased by the Crusaders that Drummond would come the other way.

Tim

Any rumours of MP players going to the Highlanders? Some of their backs are pretty handy.

frugby

At this stage none of the three hookers from last year are signed, and unless there is a U-Turn they won't be back. Not necessarily directly related, Coltman is leaving Lyon and is returning to Dunedin.

Stargazer

@friedrugby Is Coltman leaving Lyon early? He had signed a two-year contract. Only done one year.

frugby

@Stargazer The word is he is leaving early, presumably never settled.

cgrant

What about Toby Arnold ? He's old but his legs are still very fine. He was one of the best fullbacks in the Top 14 this year. Class and plenty of experience. It did work with Heem at the Blues so why not with Arnold at the Landers ? Problem : he's from BoP.

SBW1

@friedrugby Comes at the same time Dane Coles is retiring. His last appearance was in the Bronze final against Wales which the All Blacks won 40-17.

SouthernMann

@cgrant said in Highlanders 2024:

What about Toby Arnold ? He's old but his legs are still very fine. He was one of the best fullbacks in the Top 14 this year. Class and plenty of experience. It did work with Heem at the Blues so why not with Arnold at the Landers ? Problem : he's from BoP.

I don't think we are even desperate enough to sign a 36 year old fullback.

HLD2023Champions

Thr Blues have signed a new lock from France. Does this lead to the rumours of a ‘Blues All Black’ coming to the Highlanders…
Patrick Tuipulotu…

SouthernMann

This post is deleted!

george33

@HLD2023Champions No Patrick is staying with blues

Crucial

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Thr Blues have signed a new lock from France. Does this lead to the rumours of a ‘Blues All Black’ coming to the Highlanders…
Patrick Tuipulotu…

Maybe not an AB, but Darry is a SI boy. Family with strong North Otago links

frugby

At this moment in time, if the rumour of us signing an All Black from the Blues are true, an argument for Tuipulotu is the one that has the most legs in it... unless we have just plumped for Alex Hodgman which wouldn't really make any sense.

Kiwiwomble

never been that big a tuipulotu fan if im honest...kind of has Jamie Mackintosh vibes in he never seems to dominate as much as someone that size should

probably do a shift though so not against it

Crucial

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:

never been that big a tuipulotu fan if im honest...kind of has Jamie Mackintosh vibes in he never seems to dominate as much as someone that size should

Every now and then he plays to his size. He seemed to show up in that regard a bit this year. But yeah, he often appeared to go into his shell.

Crucial

Wouldn't really matter who you got in the forwards. Without a decent pivot you'll still never get a backline going.
Is there a chance for Ioane to be a prodigal son or have bridges been burned? Trask is back at the Chiefs on a promise and they will presumably still have Reihana as well. If Ioane doesn't go overseas his options are Highlanders and MP.
His time with the Chiefs will have given him a bit of maturity I reckon

The Silver Fern

Highlanders 2024