Highlanders 2024
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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.
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Luca Inch withdraws from Super Rugby 2024. Rohan Wingham added to the squad. Solomone Tukuafu (never heard of the bloke) in as a training squad member. https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/squad-update-rohan-wingham-elevated-into-full-squad/
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Solomone Tukuafu
Waikato backup TH prop. He has been part of the Chiefs WTG and played a few games in 2022.
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I guess there's not much rugby news at the moment:
The (double-barrelled) name game
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will be the 14th Highlander with a double-barrelled surname. How do the others rate? Hayden Meikle offers his...
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Fair enough. Presented as it's own story on the website
I generally like his stuff, he actually tries to make his content enjoyable to read. Not just a list of events. His criticism of an NPC game last year was excellent (Northland v Southland I think)
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Considering the proposed cuts to Stuff. Highlanders fans are really lucky with thr ODT. I just hope Paul Cully isn't a victim of the proposed Stuff cuts. He is a very talented sports reporter. Currently, we get strong coverage from both the ODT and Cully.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Considering the proposed cuts to Stuff. Highlanders fans are really lucky with thr ODT. I just hope Paul Cully isn't a victim of the proposed Stuff cuts. He is a very talented sports reporter. Currently, we get strong coverage from both the ODT and Cully.
Agree about Cully, but can't lie I often find the ODT coverage lacking. That Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens interview was good, but I'd like more of that. I often feel their coverage of the Highlanders these days is a lot of telling me what I already know, rather than actual journalism.
Bit of a contrast in quality between Meikle, and Adrian Seconi who used to do the Landers. His work on the Volts for example, is outstanding.
