Highlanders 2024
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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
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- de Groot
- Bell
- Ma'u
- Parkinson
- Holland
- Harmon
- Fakatava
- Patchell
- Nareki
- Gilbert
- Tele'a
- Tavatavanawai
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
- Taylor
- Lienert-Brown
- Ainsley
- Hicks
- Millar
- M Whaanga
Loose forwards are hard to say. At this moment I'd suggest Withy will be at 6, Haig in 20, with one of Renton/Sanders/Broughton at 8 just depending on who has been sharpest in training.
If Hastie performs, he takes 21.
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@Kiwiwomble I personally don't like Withy at 6. He might be our second best loose forward, but I prefer picking a trio.
I'd like to see Haig, Harmon and Sanders personally.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby so haig 6 and withy 20? id be cool with that, withy could do some damage against a tiring defence
we need to get players buying into the idea that the bench is important, not just the second best players
Tough on Withy, but I personally don't like an openside on the bench. I'd prefer Broughton as an impact player.
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The thing with Withy is he is a big lad for an openside. So no issue on the blind. I am a huge fan of Haig though. Just can't see him and Hicks on the bench together. Think a more explosive loose in Broughton would be useful.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
The thing with Withy is he is a big lad for an openside. So no issue on the blind. I am a huge fan of Haig though. Just can't see him and Hicks on the bench together. Think a more explosive loose in Broughton would be useful.
Bold to say the latter two aren't explosive.
It has crossed my mind that they might start with only one of Holland/Parkinson to start the season, and use Hicks for the full 80 due to their injuries.
I'd expect to see Withy, Harmon & Renton for game one, with Sanders in 20 because they may want some specialist number 8 cover. If they are happy with Harmon/Withy to cover 8, then I'd expect Haig to be deployed there.
As the season goes on, I suspect if they aren't starting, one of Hicks or Haig will be in 19, with a second loose forward to get around this.
I'll also add, I think it is noticeable they haven't yet confirmed Harmon as skipper... would not be stunned to see Withy and Harmon named as co-captains. I think Withy is top notch potential wise, and could easily surpass Harmon, who though is very good, and is on the cusp of the ABs, has his limitations. Withy is like a young Sam Cane.
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I didn't say any player wasn't explosive. I said that I think Broughton could offer more of that x-factor than the alternatives. That Hicks and Haig are both 6/locks. So you wouldn't have both on the bench together. If one of the locks isn't available early on, I expect Hicks to start there, as you said.
Ideally I'd like to see Haig and Broughton on the bench together. I like the mix of Haig as a big lad, and Broughton with his speed and agility. I'm skeptical about Sanders, he was terrible for Otago last year.
The long-term loose trio will probably be Haig, Withy and Stodart.
I wouldn't be surprised if Harmon leaves after this season if he doesn't make this ABs. His worth will be high and he is turning 30 this year.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Ideally I'd like to see Haig and Broughton on the bench together. I like the mix of Haig as a big lad, and Broughton with his speed and agility. I'm skeptical about Sanders, he was terrible for Otago last year.
I'm also skeptical about Sanders. Ideally, I'd like to see Broughton have a big pre-season and be the starting 8 this season, but I just worry if he is more of a highlights player who doesn't do the hard yards.
The long-term loose trio will probably be Haig, Withy and Stodart.
Agree... and I think it could quite easily be our best ever.
I wouldn't be surprised if Harmon leaves after this season if he doesn't make this ABs. His worth will be high and he is turning 30 this year.
Think your probably bang on here. Might stretch it to 2025, but it really depends what motivates him.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
I'll also add, I think it is noticeable they haven't yet confirmed Harmon as skipper...
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Harmon, who though is very good, and is on the cusp of the ABs, has his limitations. Withy is like a young Sam Cane.
Mind listing those limitations for me? Not arguing, just interested.
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Harmon, who captained the team in 2023, will also be supported by midfield back, Sam Gilbert as Vice-Captain and a leadership group made up of Ethan de Groot, Sean Withy, Jona Nareki, and newcomer Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.JRK straight into the leadership group
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
The long-term loose trio will probably be Haig, Withy and Stodart.
Agree... and I think it could quite easily be our best ever
I think it has the potential to be a long-term loosie trio and for them to really grow together. I think we are coming into a bit of a golden era of local loosies. These guys, Michaels, Holland V2, Rutledge, the Southland boys no8, Ratcliffe, Broughton... There are quite a few guys who could (and it is could) step up. Not all of them will be world beaters, but they should be lads worth considering.
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Harmon, who though is very good, and is on the cusp of the ABs, has his limitations. Withy is like a young Sam Cane.
Mind listing those limitations for me? Not arguing, just interested.
Probably lacks a bit of size... certainly not as good a ball carrier as Cane, Savea and Papalii.
Of course, when I say limitations, I really just mean compared to the current ABs.
HARMON TO LEAD HIGHLANDERS IN 2024 | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
