Highlanders 2024
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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.
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The ODT isn't perfect. But it is a shit tonne better than a lot of other publications around the country. Without in depth knowledge of its newsroom @Smudge might know, but there is about four fulltime sports reporters. It still covers local and club rugby well. I think both the ODT and the Highlanders could be better to use eachother. Profiling what weeks look like, talking to the young and new players and what the plan is for 2024 ans beyond. As such a young squad with a lot of change there are a lof of angles to hit. You can do content on the competition between the hookers. Talk to the development guys on what they have learnt. Find the lads who are straight out of school and moved down, talk to them. There is a gold mine. But it requires the Highlanders to be open past their weekly media sessions and requests. It is what I would be doing if I was both leading comms for the Highlanders or as an ODT reporter. Seconi has been around the traps for a long time. Not sure if he is a bit tired by the repeattivness of it all.
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Difference between Cully and the ODT is that Cully seems to be 98% on the Highlanders round and covers almost nothing else. Whereas the ODT covers every sport under the sun. So it stands to reason that Cully is going to scoop a few more yarns on the Landers when that's all he's focused on.
And when you have an organisation that is as utterly hopeless and useless at media relations as the Highlanders, it's amazing how much coverage they actually do get.
ODT is down to three full-timers in the sports department, including Hayden as sports editor. They have stringers galore though for club sport. The fact they still cover South Otago club cricket and North/Central Otago rugby and the like is impressive, and I hope the good people of Kaitangata, Roxburgh and Duntroon never take that for granted.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2024:
Cully is saying that it is Finn Hurley who will replace Bogado with a full contract from 2025.
Is it in the Sunday papers? I don't really understand what the plan is with Hurley. He has some real attacking talent, but is an absolute liability on defence. How can he be a viable option when he is such a speed bump.
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@SouthernMann Yes, in an article in the Sunday Star-Times. I couldn't find it online but here is the relevant info:
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Just had a geeze at the article. Dermody, aa you'd expect is certainly painting an optimistic picture. I'd expect nothing less. With a squad like what we have there will be a few guys who surprise. Some lads will be be found out. We are already caryrying some passengers who won't be re-signed post their current contracts. Sanders didn't look like his former self in the NPC. Both Millar and Faleafaga have some vulnerabilities which may be targeted. I have major doubts over Arscott. Midfield is a shitshow. None of the hookers really own their positions. The unkmown can be exciting, but also concerning.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Just had a geeze at the article. Dermody, aa you'd expect is certainly painting an optimistic picture. I'd expect nothing less. With a squad like what we have there will be a few guys who surprise. Some lads will be be found out. We are already caryrying some passengers who won't be re-signed post their current contracts. Sanders didn't look like his former self in the NPC. Both Millar and Faleafaga have some vulnerabilities which may be targeted. I have major doubts over Arscott. Midfield is a shitshow. None of the hookers really own their positions. The unkmown can be exciting, but also concerning.
Think this is a little glass half-empty. Most of those guys are very much backups in their position... and Millar might have some limitations, but I wouldn't say he has vulnerabilities.
I think he is a little better than you give him credit for.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Just had a geeze at the article. Dermody, aa you'd expect is certainly painting an optimistic picture. I'd expect nothing less. With a squad like what we have there will be a few guys who surprise. Some lads will be be found out. We are already caryrying some passengers who won't be re-signed post their current contracts. Sanders didn't look like his former self in the NPC. Both Millar and Faleafaga have some vulnerabilities which may be targeted. I have major doubts over Arscott. Midfield is a shitshow. None of the hookers really own their positions. The unkmown can be exciting, but also concerning.
Think this is a little glass half-empty. Most of those guys are very much backups in their position... and Millar might have some limitations, but I wouldn't say he has vulnerabilities.
I think he is a little better than you give him credit for.
No one can gauge Millar yet. He has barely played for Otago and had very limited minutes for the Highlanders before getting injured. He looks a tremendous kicker. Doesn't look lime there is much with him past that. But, as mentioned, really hard to gauge as he hasn't played a lot. I certainly hope he can stamp his mark. I have a very optimistic view of the squad. I only picked on a few guys. I'm hugely excited by several of the young guys. Wingham, Ma'u, Holland, Broughton, Haig, Withy, Hastie, Millar and Faleafaga, Taylor and Bell are all guys who I think have decent upside. It is just which way they will go when some of the unproven guys get opportunities. Whether guys are back ups or not. They are going to have to get gametime during the season, and we don't have a lot of experience for them to lean on.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2024:
Cully is saying that it is Finn Hurley who will replace Bogado with a full contract from 2025.
Is it in the Sunday papers? I don't really understand what the plan is with Hurley. He has some real attacking talent, but is an absolute liability on defence. How can he be a viable option when he is such a speed bump.
Isn't that an indication that if he has defensive weaknesses, they figure they can iron them out?
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Been quite impressed with the team's fan engagement around Central Otago. Looks like plenty of people are getting an opportunity to spend time with the lads, and those new guys are see what the region is about.
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ODT article on the team named for tomorrow's pre-season game against MP https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/bell-gets-first-chance-shine-hooker
Henry Bell will get the first opportunity to impress in the most contestable Highlanders jersey this season.
The Otago hooker has been named to start in the No 2 jersey for the Highlanders in their opening preseason game against Moana Pasifika in Queenstown tomorrow evening.Coach Clarke Dermody had a clear-out of the position in the offseason with all three veteran rakes — Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall and Leni Apisai — leaving the club.
Bell, who also has experience in the United States, fellow Otago hooker Ricky Jackson and Southland tyro Jack Taylor will all be chasing game time in a position that is wide open.
Another feature of the team named for the Queenstown game is the presence of the Whaanga brothers in the backline.
Rock-steady Southland midfielder Matt, who got a brief taste of Super Rugby last year and has earned a full contract, is joined by younger brother Josh, the Otago rookie who was the surprise package of the NPC and is with the Highlanders as a development player.
"First and foremost, I’m stoked to be here, but I’m also stoked to have the chance to play alongside my brother," Matt Whaanga said.
"It’s a great opportunity for both of us and we’re looking forward to putting our best out there on the field on Friday night."
Welsh first five Rhys Patchell gets his first taste of rugby down this part of the world outside Folau Fakatava, while former Blues players Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (fullback) and Tanielu Tele’a (centre) will also get started with their new club.
Jonah Lowe is the starting right winger and will be keen to really get his Highlanders career going with Jona Nareki, Martin Bogado and newcomer Timoci Tavatavanawai poised on the bench.
Flanker Sean Withy, who had a breakout season in 2023, captains the side, joining youngster Oliver Haig and Stags ring-in Blair Ryall in the loose.
Max Hicks and Pari Pari Parkinson are effectively the last locks standing, while Otago rookie Rohan Wingham will be eager to impress in a young front row alongside Bell and Saula Ma’u.
The bench includes some new faces including Wellington lock Hugo Plummer, former Chiefs prop Solomone Tukuafu and Southland midfielder Tevita Latu.
“We’ve named 15 players who are going to get an opportunity on Friday night to prove themselves and essentially another 15, who will be trying to do the same thing when they get their chance on the field," Dermody said.
"This is an opportunity for us to put into action the changes to our game from 2023, see how new combinations work and how the preseason hard work translates on the field for each player."
Highlanders team
To play Moana Pasifika
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Lowe, Tanielu Tele’a, Matt Whaanga, Josh Whaanga, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Blair Ryall, Sean Withy (captain), Oliver Haig, Max Hicks, Pari Pari Parkinson, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Rohan Wingham.Reserves: Solomone Tukuafu, Jack Taylor, Jermaine Ainsley, Hugo Plummer, Billy Harmon, Hayden Michaels, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tevita Latu, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Martin Bogado.
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Highlanders get the W last night in Queenstown. Players highlighted in the reports were Patchell, Nareki, Tele'a, Hicks, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Ma'u. ODT write up here - https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/highlanders-triumph-despite-slow-start
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Some good positive comments from Kenny Lynn ahead of the next couple of pre-season games. Looks like the priority will be establishing combinations in the lead in to the season, instead of getting everyone gametime. Lynn said the first XV ia reasonably settled, with some spots up for grabs on the bench. I'd suspect those are all the bench spots except for first five, where Millar will probably get the first opportunity to back up Patchell. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350168696/highlanders-will-take-clean-bill-health-over-preseason-wins
