Highlanders 2024
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@SouthernMann I felt he was actually unlucky to make the Canes. He was better than a couple of the locks we ended up signing IMO.
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@Tim said in Highlanders 2024:
@Landers92 Was supposed to have been very good in club rugby, and for Blues U20. May have missed NZ U20 selection due to being Australian.
Is he a kiwi born player who grew up in Australia?
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@SouthernMann Not sure what his connection to NZ is. I know he went to Nudgee College in Australia.
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@Tim said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann Not sure what his connection to NZ is. I know he went to Nudgee College in Australia.
Interesting for a kid of that age to jump the Ta$man, if he has no connections. If he is a viable option smart from the Highlanders fo bring down a guy who xan come in for 2025. Patchell will only be around for a year.
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@SouthernMann let’s hope he’s someone we can keep around for longer than 1 off-season so we can actually see what he has. Miller, Ajay and Smith. You’d hope we hit on 1 of them…..
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@Tim said in Highlanders 2024:
@Landers92 Was supposed to have been very good in club rugby, and for Blues U20. May have missed NZ U20 selection due to being Australian.
He made the U19s team, does anyone know if they have the same selectoral policy as the U20s?
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@Nepia said in Highlanders 2024:
@Tim said in Highlanders 2024:
@Landers92 Was supposed to have been very good in club rugby, and for Blues U20. May have missed NZ U20 selection due to being Australian.
He made the U19s team, does anyone know if they have the same selectoral policy as the U20s?
Fabian Holland made the NZ U20 team and isn't eligible for NZ for another year. So seems it does. If he does tick some boxes I wonder whether they will try and get him down to Southland to ensure game time. Surely he won't get much at Auckland.
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Plummer has been signed.
There is more about the lock injury situation and where some players are likely to play in the article.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350154325/highlanders-sign-wellington-lock-hugo-plummer
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Irish Paul also said on twitter/X that Byron Smith will be playing NPC for Southland. I'm happy to see that locked in. Hopefully he goes well down there. Then we can have three young 10s at the landers. He also said that Rohan Wingham (big Otago unit) wants to be a tighthead longterm. I expect to see him in the squad next year, especially if Ainsley buggers off to France.
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More about the Plummer signing here - https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350154325/highlanders-sign-wellington-lock-hugo-plummer
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@Tim said in Highlanders 2024:
@Landers92 Was supposed to have been very good in club rugby, and for Blues U20. May have missed NZ U20 selection due to being Australian.
Didn't he go with NZ U19s to SA last year?
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Could be a good move this for Plummer. If he performs, he would be all but certain to be offered a contract the following year I would think. Parkinson & Tucker are both off-contract, and we only have four contracted at current anyway (Holland & Dunshea).
On Smith, seems an interesting move on his part. I suppose he sees Southland as a good chance to be guaranteed game time in the NPC, and with the shortage of 10s he could springboard into pretty much any of the three squads.
On Patchell, I could see a world where this season goes well and he gets offered an extension and takes it. Depends really what motivates him, but at 30 not inconceivable he stays for 2025, then heads somewhere for more money (Japan).
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I'd be surprised if Patchell comes back again. His partner is a prominent broadcaster in Wales. Back home to Wales or to a shorter season in Japan seems more likely. I'd say it is about leading the charge this year, as well as mentoring the younger players in Millar, Faleafaga, Smith and Hurley. I'd put a fair bit on Smith being in the Highlanders in 2025.
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From All.Rugby, I guess it is for after this super season.
Martin BOGADO, Fullback, leaves the Highlanders (NZL) to sign with Oyonnax (FRA) for 2 years until 2026 , source Le site officiel d'Oyonnax
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2024:
Martin BOGADO, Fullback, leaves the Highlanders (NZL) to sign with Oyonnax (FRA) for 2 years until 2026 , source Le site officiel d'Oyonnax
Let's see who the next 21-year-old will be to jump into the younglanders next year. Hopefully they don't try to do something strange like give a spot to Finn Hurley or bring Josh Whaanga in as an outside back.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Highlanders 2024:
Martin BOGADO, Fullback, leaves the Highlanders (NZL) to sign with Oyonnax (FRA) for 2 years until 2026 , source Le site officiel d'Oyonnax
Let's see who the next 21-year-old will be to jump into the younglanders next year. Hopefully they don't try to do something strange like give a spot to Finn Hurley or bring Josh Whaanga in as an outside back.
Not sure about Hurley, but you'll be seeing Whaanga in 2025. I assume Timu will head off sure + TUJ is off-contract.
On Hurley, depends how highly they rate him. They have Kyan Rangitutia too, so there is competition in that department. I suspect they worry about Hurley's size.
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I agree that Whaanga is straight in for next year. Taking one of TUJ's or Timu's spots.
Kyan Rangitutia's a bit of a gun isn't he? Sad Hurley is so limited size wise. One thing coaching can't fix.
Sadly we know that Lowe gets one more year in 2025 as well.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Irish Paul also said on twitter/X that Byron Smith will be playing NPC for Southland. I'm happy to see that locked in. Hopefully he goes well down there. Then we can have three young 10s at the landers.
Southland have also lured Wyndham Patuawa down south. He was the Hamilton BHS 1st 5 last year, and while still young, will likely be involved with the Highlanders U20s this year or next.
New Zealand Under 19
